Want to start guitar, what should I look for in my first guitar

WoollyRedHat

For a starter guitar, what should I be looking at? Steel chords, that kind of thing? Was hoping of getting a second hand one, where is a good place to get one?

Dord

It depends what music you're looking to play, or what sound you're after. Any more info?

WoollyRedHat

Dord wrote: »

It depends what music you're looking to play, or what sound you're after. Any more info?

Well if I told you what kind of music I like? Radiohead, The National, We were Promised Jetpacks,The XX, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins,Modest Mouse, Talking Heads, Silversun Pickups, that kind of thing. I'd like to start off with an acoustic and then if I like it and get more confident, then move onto an electric guitar.

themountainman

Definitely start off with an acoustic. Go into a guitar shop, try out a few in your budget and see what feels best. I think that's the most important thing starting off, getting something that you like and enjoy playing. That will make you want to pick it up and play it more often.

Mr. CooL ICE

Whatever you do, don't get the cheapest you can find. Last thing you want is a heap of crap with terrible action that cuts into your fingers. Fret a few strings with each of your four fingers and pluck the strings and if it feels nice, go for it.

themountainman

Yea, I second that above. Make sure the strings are comfortable when you push them down. Some have high action (are high off the fretboard) which is difficult and horrible to play.

Dord

Ok so, starting on an acoustic you should be looking for a steel string (i.e. not a classical guitar).

Avoid acoustic guitars with electronics or pickups. At the lower end of the scale these will eat into money you want to spend on getting a guitar that was built reasonable well.

What's your budget?

I'd suggest avoiding buying an acoustic used unless you buy from a reputable shop.

Dord

For electric later on, I'd be looking at a Fender/Squier Telecaster or perhaps a Jazzmaster. There are models in almost everyone's price range.

Nodferatu

agreed start with an acoustic

Seanf999

The others lads have it off, what if suggest is if anyone you know has some clue about guitars bring them.
Looks for something that's playable and has a solid top atleast.
Good brand for beginners and pros seems to be a yamaha.

Dord

Seanf999 wrote: »

The others lads have it off, what if suggest is if anyone you know has some clue about guitars bring them.
Looks for something that's playable and has a solid top atleast.
Good brand for beginners and pros seems to be a yamaha.

Yup. Definitely bring a friend or family member that knows guitars.

I'd also agree on Yamaha. Their acoustics get good reviews consistently.

WoollyRedHat

Cheers for all the replies lads. It's for a christmas present, so budget isn't too big, 50-60 euro realistically, would I get a second hand off adverts or donedeal and the like, or am I better paying for a first hand one and if so, how much am I looking at?

Is there any stores in Dublin that sell second hand?

wild turkey

for that type of money I'd be looking for a yamaha f310 used on adverts
most of the guitars in that price range will be of very low quality or need some work
also look for cort & tanglewood

Nozebleed

Yamaha f130 is. Great starter guitar. €150 or less. Dont be put off the brand..yamaha make very high end acoustic guitars which can cost thousands.

Nodferatu

have you tried adverts.ie?

sarkozy

Based on what you want to play, a steel string would definitely be the right choice. Again, I totally agree on Yamaha. Absolutely the best value for money. They keep costs down through their construction methods and use of 'nato' solid backs and sides and good quality solid pine tops (it's the top that gives most of the sound quality). Solid pine tops also sound better over time while veneer tops and cedarwood tops don't.

If your budget can stretch, I would go above the €150 price mark and look at something like the Yamaha FG700 (gloss version). I bought it, or something similar, as a back-up to my vintage Ibanez lawsuit and am still very happy to play it. The reason is its build quality - a solid top - very balanced sound (I need this as I fingerpick), and a good feel (action not too high, easy and comfortable to play).

You can also look at Sigma Guitars. They were once an official cheap-end Martin in the 1970s, but a German company bought the label and now they specify official Martin knock-offs which are made to specifications in a Chinese factory. I've played a good few of them now and they're also excellent value for money and seem to be selling well in Perfect Pitch in Dublin.

I also own a Vintage Series Tanglewood. I think Tanglewoods are good, but really only at the higher end. In the end, I chose that Yamaha over the Tanglewood (Sigma wasn't an option at the time).

Two other important things to bear in mind.

First, you'll have to decide on a guitar finish - varnished or natural/matte. Both sound different. Because unvarnished guitars let more air pass through the wood fibres (particularly the top), they sound mellower with less volume; because varnished guitars force more of the air through the soundhole, they have slightly more volume and sound crisper. It depends what you like, but as it's a first guitar, I'd recommend going the safer varnished route.

Second, someone might try to convince you that a guitar with a pick-up system is worth the dosh. It isn't. If you're on a limited budget, always prioritise wood over gadgets. Let's say you have a €200 budget, if you buy a fully acoustic guitar, you're buying a €200 guitar. If you buy a €200 guitar with built-in pick-up, you're really buying a €120 guitar. You won't be plugging it in as much as playing it acoustically, so it's crap value for money. €200 buys you a better sounding guitar and you can always have a pick-up installed when/if you need one. For example, my Tanglewood vintage cost €550, but €650 with a Fishman pick-up system. I bought a €550 guitar because it was what I was looking for at the right price, and I stretched my guitar budget an extra hundred to have the Fishman system. I have an amazing sounding guitar and the option to plug in. So, the lesson is: buy wood!

Most of all: you need to like your guitar. Like how it sounds, like how it feels. It's like buying shoes. They should fit right from the beginning and only you can know how they feel. Try on many pairs of shoes and the decision will make itself, as it were.

Good luck!

sarkozy

Sorry, just saw your budget. Ouch. Go second-hand, but look out for the models recommended in this thread. When buying from a second-hand seller, check the neck, top and backs for cracks, dents, etc. Check how clean the guitar is. See if the frets are worn. Check that the strings aren't buzzing off the frets all along the neck. Ask the seller to tune it and play something. Listen out for any weird humming or rattling. A chord should sound smooth with across the tonal range (lower to higher strings).

Ask them all these questions. How's it been handled, any accidents, does it sound alright. Ask if the neck needs to be adjusted. Ask if there's any fret buzzing, etc.

daukey34

WoollyRedHat wrote:

Cheers for all the replies lads. It's for a christmas present, so budget isn't too big, 50-60 euro realistically, would I get a second hand off adverts or donedeal and the like, or am I better paying for a first hand one and if so, how much am I looking at?

iv a Yamaha F310 its my first guitar , great starting off guitar little beaut , eveyone who has played said great things about it , Brand new was 170, but I wanted my first guitar to be brand new I wanted to be the first owner, but worth every penny, check adverts.ie ya will pick up great bargains on there just bring someone who plays with ya to check it out, best of luck

il gatto

I have a Yamaha F310. Fantastic guitar. It was my first acoustic and
since I don't need a pickup, I've never felt the need to upgrade it.
You don't need to start on acoustic even most people will tell you to.
They can be hard on fingers with no callouses, tricky to get a chord to
ring out clearly and ultimately a bit unsatisfying for people who want
to play electric mainly. Anything which discourages a novice is bad and
many jack it in before they've started when they can't make a D chord
and their fingers hurt. I realise this is contrary to most advice on the topic.
Just my take on it over the years.
At that budget though, a secondhand Yamaha or Epiphone would be
a safe bet.