Recommend an acoustic guitar for a beginner?

Jezzabelle

Hi all

Have been threatening to learn to play guitar for years so thinking about getting lessons now. Soooo....I need to buy a guitar...Would anyone recommend a particular model and where would be the best place to buy?. It probably depends on the budget as to what you would recommend - I suppose I would just need something basic to begin with and don't want to spend a huge amount.

martinedwards

buy a piece of poo and you'll last a week.

the reason most beginners give up is because they have bought an unplayable piece of total junk that LOOKS vaguely like a guitar.

take someone who can play guitar, preferably an acoustic specialist rather than a metal god....

spend a day and go round all the shops in your area, including pawn shops, cash converters etc.

get your pal to play them and then YOU hold the good ones on your lap to see if the size suits you. if you're small then a Jumbo will dwarf you.....

use your Iphone to check online new prices for the used guitars.... use this as a haggling tool......

as a beginner you aint going to be gigging anytime soon, so don't worry about the stickers that some looser stuck on the guitar either......

oh yeah, a set of new strings will make a WORLD of difference to a guitar that's been hanging in a pawn shop for a year

Monsieur Folie

I really think there should be a stickied thread to do with this, seeing as this topic comes up so often!

OP, don't buy a piece of crap or you'll probably give up very quickly. Go to your local music shop and take someone who knows what they're talking about and see what you can get on your budget. If you're not happy, you could probably get a guitar that is twice as good for the same price if you buy second hand online.

DT100

Very difficult to buy a guitar online....Guitars are a personal choice...The feel,the weight,and of course the sound.But starting off,I wouldnt go over the top money wise,you may decide the guitar is not for you.I picked up a TangleWood for my son,nice sound,and the string height from the fretboard ]action] was good from the box.We looked at some Yamaha F310'S as well.The Tanglewood was 170 euro..great for starting off imo.

vider12

My first guitar was a crappy wee £30 job i think the make was (swift) but then i saved up and bought a second hand Adam Black guitar, its absolutely great I love it. It is worth spending money on your guitar!

BigBabyTaylor

There should be a sticky on info about buying beginner guitars there must be one every week.

I would recommend playing right handed though. I know its not for everyone but if you keep playing guitar there will be restrictions if you are looking for left handed ones. It probably wont take long to get used to seeing as your only starting out anyway.

Other than that nothing new basically agree with everything above:
1. Bring someone with you
2. Try out playing some guitars (even if its like 7 nation army or a chord or something)
3. If you buy a **** guitar you will either a) give up soon because playing will be difficult and sound poor or b) If you do stick with it youll probably end up buying a new one within a year or two.

Monsieur Folie

BigBabyTaylor wrote: »

There should be a sticky on info about buying beginner guitars there must be one every week.

Agreed! There's so many topics on this. One big one with lots of information in which new players can ask questions would be much more helpful.

DT100 wrote: »

Very difficult to buy a guitar online....Guitars are a personal choice...The feel,the weight,and of course the sound.But starting off,I wouldnt go over the top money wise,you may decide the guitar is not for you.I picked up a TangleWood for my son,nice sound,and the string height from the fretboard ]action] was good from the box.We looked at some Yamaha F310'S as well.The Tanglewood was 170 euro..great for starting off imo.

I agree with what you said about buying online. It can be difficult, especially if you're not sure what it is you're after. However, if you've gone around to the music shops and found the guitar you want, you can often get either it or a better model cheaper online! It can be risky but if you know what you're after you can save a lot of money or else get an even better guitar for the same money!