Tips on buying an acoustic guitar?

[GoLeafsGo]

Do any of you folks have any advice for someone who wants to buy a new acoustic guitar? It would be for a beginner and someone who doesn't necessearily want to become the next Hendrix or anything like that. He just wants to just strum through a few chord progressions as a way of relaxing after a long day. Maybe learn some blues playing. Nothing too advanced like jazz or classical or flemenco or any Eddie Van Halen tapping tricks.

What kind of price range would he be looking at and where would be a good place to start? Maybe a place like Long & McQuade or Steve's Music Store?

 

[Marshall Stack]

There are several in the economy range

Yamaha, Norman, Epiphone to name a few. They're well crafted guitars for their price range ($300+). Anything less than that amount would only get you some fast-burning fire wood.

L&M has a wide selection of Norman's (maded in Canada - Montreal if I'm not mistaken).

If you're willing to spend a little more, go for a Takamine or Yamaha if you want bang for the buck.

 

[Fritz the Cat]

The Twelveth Fret on Danforth at Woodbine has a very good selection with expert staff. You might want to consider a high quality used instrument at a decent price. Good instruments keep their value.

 

[Questor]

I bought a Simon and Patrick Luthier at Long and McQuade that was in the $350 price range. I've had compliments from those with more experience than I that the tone is very nice. I was a beginner and rented for a month first. They deducted the rental price when I bought the guitar.

 

[VERYBADBOY]

If it is just to tinker with I suggest that he go for something used instead of brand new. I used to teach drums for a number of years and trust me that many people who pick up an instrument find it a passing phase, so it is best not to invest a large amount of $$$ in something new when something used can do the same trick.

You can find many great used guitars at Songbird music on Queen St west of Bathurst. They are also online.

http://www.songbirdmusic.com/

The other alternative is to check out the Buy & Sell magazine or online.

http://buysell.buysellzone.com/

Some of the pawnbrokers near Queen and Church offer used gear as well.

Also some of the regular music stores also have used gear that they obtained from trade-ins.

VBB

 

[papasmerf]

Head on off to a music and instiment store. Hold out for 6 or 12 strings

Remember that 2 slightly distorted guitars may bring memories of tublar bells.

 

[excorrigere]

One word...

Alvarez! I shan't say anything more on that matter.

 

[fjdude]

Being a musician, I can tell you that you shouldn't buy a guitar based on brand name. You can get some really good cheap guitars that sound and feel much better than recognised brands. What you should do is go to a couple of music stores and try out guitars in your friend's price range and then once you have found one that your friend likes, look at reviews of it on the web. You might want to consider buying a semi-acoustic guitar.

 

[Garrett]

For starting out, I would recommend something by Art and Lutherie... well priced, reasonable workmanship, easy to play for a beginner.

http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/intro.htm

 

[pool]

You may want to check out some of the more expensive guitars to get an idea of what sound is possible and what to aim for - all 'solid' wood can sound incredible. Just strum a simple open chord.

You should also check the action - lower action is going to be easier to learn short term.

I recently settled on a Takamine recently which is fairly balanced sound wise (full bodied yet has "punch" ) considering it's price.

I wanna say just go for something cheap, but then it may be a less satisfying venture. Price isn't everything though and taste obviously plays a factor. I don't like the sound of most Ovations that much, but they have their niche and many people love 'em.

As a guideline I'd aim for a 'solid wood' top as opposed to laminate.

A cutaway can be a nice feature for ease of use, but can effect the sound to some degree vs a full 'dreadnought"

Washburn can also be good.

 

[Meister]

Head on off to a music and instiment store. Hold out for 6 or 12 strings

Don't go for 12 strings. They are really hard to learn on.

Best to take a guitar player to the store. I would check straightness of neck, intonation, snaring of strings, hairline cracks (used).

Ovations have really nice, full sounds, a bit pricey.

 

[TERBITIS]

On the other hand!

Yamaha, Norman, Epiphone to name a few. They're well crafted guitars for their price range ($300+). Anything less than that amount would only get you some fast-burning fire wood..

I disagree, sort of! Buy a $200/250 guitar - 6 string. Epiphone, Yamaha, Norman are good starts as mentioned above. Spend the extra $ on a cheapo guitar tuner ($15-25, believe me, this is where most people need help) and a decent set of strings or two ($7-8 each), and maybe a guitar strap ($15).

If you are still playing it regularly by New Years day, then upgrade when you feel like it. Too many guitars collect dust, or are given to the nephew with the strange haircut when your wife cleans up around the house or you move into a condo and need the space.

IMHO, these "cheap" guitars are better made than many that professionals used 20-30 years ago (before I hear screaming from the "experts" - NO I am not referring to classic guitars like Guild, Martin, Gibson).

Where? Long&McQuade or Steve's are your best bet for choice & after sales help.

Or? You can look for one of these guys who bought the $300-500 guitar and get it at their garage sale or from the Buy&Sell - but there is a downside - if you knew enough about guitars to buy a used one, you would not be asking us would you? (LOL)

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

This looks like a sweet guitar

http://www.mbgmusicsupply.com/alacrd202.html

or

http://www.mbgmusicsupply.com/subacuscclgu.html

 

[Badboytl]

Having played electric guitar for over 16 years,I finally bought an acoustic a few months ago. I bought a "beginner" Jasmine that is made by Takamine. I have played many, many, many expensive acoustic guitars over the years, heck, I even played my $200.00 Jasmine next to my brother's $2000.00 Takamine. I will not lie, the Tak is a nicer guitar, but throw a set of Elixir strings on my guitar, and the sound rivals the Tak!

I am very surprised at the sound and durability of this guitar!

 

[humbucker]

I agree that renting is the best option when starting out... however I also thought I'd add that 'denver' guitars are super cheap and good enough quality to learn from, though don't expect anything more than what you pay for!

 

[Dacor]

Spend the extra $ on a cheapo guitar tuner ($15-25, believe me, this is where most people need help)

Couldn't agree more. If you're not in tune, you're not going to learn.

Also pick up a few "Easy Guitar" books from artists that you like.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Thanks for all the input

geez, is there anything that TERBites DON'T know about?

Thanks for al the insightful suggestions folks. I get the feeling that my buddy will choose to rent for a month or so to see how much he actually likes it. Lest his new guitar collect dust, or are given to the nephew with the strange haircut when your wife cleans up around the house or you move into a condo and need the space.

According to http://long-mcquade.com/index.asp?section=6&level2=42 , monthly rentals of acoustic guitars with case start at $16.

Though I don't know what $16/month would get you there.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Costco

Sorry to resurrect my own thread. I've been telling my friend to just rent an acoustic guitar for a month to see if he likes it and to see if it's something he'd actually like to keep and use long term.

He said he saw this guitar at Costco today for $169.99 and almost bought it.

http://www.costco.ca/en-CA/Browse/P...whse=&topnav=&cat=20151&hierPath=20138*20150*

It doesn't really give much info about it. But for a beginner who just wants to play recreationally, would this be a good enough instrument for him to start on? It's a Yamaha.

 

[Edifice]

I have seen the same Yamaha guitar at Costco and was considering buying as I am a beginner. Some feedback about this guitar from other members would be great.

 

[thompo69]

Yamaha makes great guitars. I can't tell the model number from the page you've posted, but I learned on a Yamaha and have had one for more than 10 years. I'm quite happy with it, and know that when I'm ready to move on, it will cost me a great deal more money to get a higher quality instrument.