Recommend a good acoustic guitar

G-Money

I'm a complete newbie when it comes to guitars. I'm considering learning how to play one and was wondering if I could get some suggestions for a good acoustic guitar.

I once bought one from Argos and I don't think it was the best. It didn't really sound very good even though it was apparently in tune (I bought an electronic tuner to help tune it). Also 3 of the strings were nylon as I well I think.

I'd probably be willing to spend up to about €350 but not really any more than that. In an ideal world though, sub €200 would be preferable but at the same time I want something that sounds good.

As I say, I don't have the first clue about guitars or their features, my knowledge is zero.

Thanks!

500x

Hi,

The usual response to this kind of question is "Go play as many guitars as you can, and buy whatever one 'speaks' to you!"

Anyway that's hardly good advice so...

I'm assuming you want a steel string acoustic guitar...

For your budget, you should be looking for a few features which will hopefully land you a decent guitar.

You'll want a solid top. The top of the guitar is the most influential component when it comes to the overall tone of the instrument. You're usually going to get either Spruce or Cedar. Spruce is more common, and gives you a zingy lively sound which projects well. Cedar gives you a more mellow tone, and some consider it a richer sound, or more balanced or whatever. If you can, try both and form your own terms... "Woo this guitar sounds like melted chocolate with strawberry icecream!"

The next consideration is the back and sides. For under €200, I'd say you're looking at laminated back and sides. The back and sides do contribute to the over all tone, and there are a million arguments out there tossing around the theories of how much influence there is, but let's just imagine that there is a huge difference. When you venture over the €300 mark, I'd say you're getting in to solid wood territory for guitars built in the far east.

Common back and sides woods both laminated and solid are rosewood, mahogany and maple. You'll find other exotic woods being used, but they are not as popular. Rosewood typically gives you a deep rich sound, Mahogany gives you a more balanced sound being a little brighter than rosewood and not as boomy, and maple will give you quite a bright vibrant sound. This is a general idea, and there are exceptions but this is a good place to start.

So, once you have your basic construction materials down, you sort of know what you're looking for and what to ask the salesman! Then you can actually play a few different guitars, and figure out what models or sizes fit you and appeal to you.

For your price range (particularly over the €300 mark), you start to notice a big step up from the entry level instruments. Solid woods, good construction, and most importantly decent tone are available on guitars in this price range from the far east. There are deals to be had, and plenty of room to bargain!

I would advise you to try a few different guitars with similar specs or even identical options, as quality control and all kinds of other factors contribute to the overall desirability of instruments.

You need to decide if you want electronics built-in to your acoustic guitar which will enable you to plug it in to an amp or PA, and you need to decide if you want a cut-away. Both electronics and cut-aways add to the price of a guitar, so it needs to be a consideration. Personally, I believe the construction materials and playability should be your base-line considerations though.

Tanglewood are an excellent place to start, and many of their models are within your price bracket. However, there are lots of choices in your range, so do shop around and try as many as you can (Oh no I'm saying that thing about playing lots of guitars!!!). Ah, there is some truth to it, but at least you'll be armed with some knowledge of tone woods when you go trying now.

Best wishes, and good luck!

Tony

Dublin Guitar

With regard to prices for solid tops and all solids. A quality solid top for under €200 is rare, and a quality all solid under €400 is rare. Most of the sound comes from the top or soundboard, so be sure to go for a solid top. There are some incredible guitars out there with lam back and sides, even expensive ones.

ednwireland

when i bought my acoustic i went into my loocal guitar shop( a small place with a line of guitars) and he recommended my crafter d7n. no complaints either (solid cedar top) still love it 4 years later

i couldnt play at the time so didnt know what i was looking for

No.125

yamaha for €150.(f340 i think) excellent value. i wouldn't touch anything else around that price range.

G-Money

Thanks for the replies. The Fender guitar suggested here seems like a decent price http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056474747

However as I say, I know much about guitars. The guy who had the YouTube video of himself playing is sort of playing a different style than I think I would be into, which makes me wonder if the guitar he's playing will produce the type of sound I'm after.

I'm more into rock music and sorry for the complete stupidity of this, but I like acoustic guitars that sound good when multiple or all strings are strummed at the same time.

I don't think I'd be doing that sort of finger playing style myself, at least not for a long time.

500x

Hi Again,

If you like strumming, and you like rock music, I suggest you look for a Dreadnought guitar with a solid Spruce top. Dreadnoughts are typically big bold sounding guitars, and a solid spruce top will give you plenty of projection and some nice high end to compliment the big booming bass you'll get from that body type.

seachto7

mahogany small body tanglewood, about €250, very nice feel for the money. I played one off the shelf and it was lovely to play.....

G-Money

500x wrote: »

Hi Again,

If you like strumming, and you like rock music, I suggest you look for a Dreadnought guitar with a solid Spruce top. Dreadnoughts are typically big bold sounding guitars, and a solid spruce top will give you plenty of projection and some nice high end to compliment the big booming bass you'll get from that body type.

Cheers, any particular make and model in mind?

wild turkey

You cant go wrong with tanglewoods & corts
Dublin Guitar has a great selection of them, picked one up there recently
Great shop!

500x

I agree 100% with wild turkey.

G-Money

Where is Dublin Guitar? I was searching online and couldn't find them.

wild turkey

Dublin Guitar Centre
4 exchequer st
basically across the street from musicmaker