Can someone recommend a good guitar for a beginner?

[Mojambo]

Acoustic I mean.

I'd like to purchase it online, and I certainly don't want to spend a ton when I'm just noodling around with the idea of learning to play.

I've checked out Ebay and there are tons of them, but I don't know what to look for.

I'd also be interested in your recommendations as far as learning aids go. Books, software etc...

Thanks!

[Beaverhausen]

1. Don't spend so little that you can't make it sound good

Yamaha makes some good inexpensive beginner guitars- I would say they start around $175. If you spend less it will sound like crap, be hard on your fingers and you will be easily discouraged.

Takamine is also a good inexpensive brand.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. epiphone makes some good cheap ones, perhaps acoustic as well.

takamine is also good as noted above. I'd probably, if i were you, go to a pawn shop or somewhere else where you can see the selection and give them a try - perhaps not to buy but to get an idea of what youre looking for.

[MoseyWalker]

12. Epiphone

used to make some top quality guitars, but I can't speak for their quality recently.

I loved my old epiphone.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

3. I cant help with guitars, but as far as aids, the program 'Jamorama'

is pretty good. I've been using it. Has some music theory, and good practices with chords. I think it's 40 or 50 dollars if you buy the downloadable version. Essentially it gives you a key, and has some Ebooks and alot of cool info, including stuff on guitars. http://www.jamorama.com/

[SmokingJacket]

4. My advice about musical instruments: spend as much as you can.

You can always sell it again if you don't really take to it -- especially if you buy it used on Ebay -- but the difference between playing a crappy instrument and playing a GOOD one is night and day.

That said, Yamaha makes very solid and inexpensive acoustic guitars.

I also highly recommend taking lessons from someone who understands your goals. Learning an instrument is hard when you're an adult -- life has a way of interfering -- but if you have a lesson to work toward you'll be much less likely to slack off.

[grannylib]

5. I second the Yamaha. My hubby is a guitar player, and Yamaha has

good tone, not-too-tough action, and won't make you regret not spending a little more.
If you go too cheap, you'll be sorry fairly quickly. Cheap guitars don't stay in tune, don't sound good, play hard, and make you more frustrated than you need to be.

[NC_Nurse]

6. Look on Craigslist.org...

lots of used instruments, get something good quality or it will be tough to learn on. Most people will let him try it out a little when you go look at it. Don't buy one where the action is too high (because the neck is bowing), that makes the strings higher off of the fret board and is harder to play. It also tends to create a disconcerting buzz sound when you play it because the strings are hard to fret completely.

Good luck!

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. The Washburn 10S is a great beginner -

especially for the price. It really sounds like more expensive guitar, and is about the minimum one would want in a guitar sound, staying in tune, and being solidly and well made - that is, it could be used professionally if need be, though it isn't quite a professional level guitar.

I wouldn't go any cheaper than that, really. Anything lesser will just sound like a cheap guitar, and won't be anywhere near as fun to play because it will never sound right, it won't stay in tune, and might very well fall apart.

With instruments, you gotta spend some money, even for a beginner instrument.

Those $50 and $100 fuckers? Don't even touch 'em.

[Beaverhausen]

8. I just looked on ebay- this one is a great price

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-FG-401-ACOUSTIC-GUITAR-WITH-STINGS-AND-CASE_W0QQitemZ160007605352QQihZ006QQcategoryZ33033QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
that's a mid-range model so that is a good price...even if used it is probably pretty good.

There are tons of Videos and DVDs where you can actually see the "instructor" playing, which, if you aren't going to take lessons, will really help you. Mel Bay is a tried and true instruction company, as is Alfred Publishing and Hal Leonard.

[lizziegrace]

9. I know this shouldn't matter

but the title says "WITH STINGS AND CASE"

Be careful! It might bite. :)

[Beaverhausen]

11. LOL!!! I missed that

[Mojambo]

13. I may bid on that.

Thanks for sniffing that one out.

Or maybe I wont. Auction just ended!

Oh well, at least I know what to look for now.

[Beaverhausen]

15. There is another one on there with a cutaway that looked good

It was $100 last I looked.

[Dr Fate]

10. My Yamaha was cheap & stays in tune forever it seems...

...which is important for beginners who usually cant tune well...

Good luck & have fun- I love playing old Rockabilly & Country (probably b/c I only learned 7 or so chords!) ;)

[Broken_Hero]

14. I started with this one

http://www.zzounds.com/item--WASD10S

but, i paid about 130.00 for it...it was a good guitar.

This is what I have today...

http://www.normanguitars.com/modelb20.htm

but, mine is dark cherry wood...I do love the acoustic/electric guitars...:)

on edit:the B20 is what I have...:)

[ET Awful]

16. The best sounding low-end acoustic guitars come from a company

called Godin (formerly Lasido) in Canada. The most common brand from them is Seagull. http://www.seagullguitars.com/

They far surpass any major name in both construction and quality for the price. They are not dipped in varnish like so many low end guitars, but have a hand rubbed lacquer finish. They have a solid top instead of a laminate (vital for a good tone and sustain).

BEAUTIFUL guitars.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

22. They didn't say anything about price. How much are they usually?

[ET Awful]

25. The last one I bought

was around $300

[democracyindanger]

17. Go to a music store

They're as bad or worse than used car dealerships, but try plucking a few.

Anything around $200 from a reputable brand (Fender, Gibson, Guild, etc.) should do you just fine. You could start with nylon stings, but it's all about finger strength, so steel has its benefits.

[Metta]

19. Yes, steel projects more than nylon.

Nylon is quieter, more or less. Steel is more versatile, imho.

[Metta]

18. How much do you want to spend? + more.

That's obviously the deciding factor. Personally, I don't know what's good for less than a couple of hundred dollars unless you fell into something. You should go to a music store and play different ones just to see what size you're most comfortable with. That's a huge thing to consider.

Also, and I think this is absolutely critical and within your right as a buyer: if you do get something from a store, have them *set up the action* which means the distance the strings are from the fingerboard all up and down the neck so that your hands and arms are completely comfortable when you play and that playing is easy. This will mean the difference between having a guitar that is better than you and encourages your development or one that gets in your way and eventually disuades you from playing. It's a garden variety procedure and shouldn't cost more than $25 or so. If, for any reason, the store isn't happy to accommodate you or recommend someone to you, they aren't willing to help you. I'd turn around and walk out the door. Good guitars are as plentiful as leaves on the trees.

I can't stress how important those two things are.

[caty]

20. Check out pawn shops. They usually have a good selection

and decent prices.

[outofbounds]

21. I got an Ibanez

230.00 With electronics for amplification. Nice thin neck, low action, nice to play. Action is so important that I wouldn't buy a guitar without strumming a few chords. The ebay thing is fine for some things. But a musical instrument is and learning to play one is a labor of love. Also even though you pay a little more the service factor will come in handy later. The one thing about making music is that no one can ever take it away from you. Good luck and stick with it.

[Crabby Appleton]

23. I have many guitars, mostly electric, but

the inexpensive acoustic I have and like very much is this one:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ALVRD8

an Alvarez RD8 and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone; for the price it is excellent, nice action, decent sound. Even if you buy online, if possible go to a large guitar store (like Sam Ash if they have one in your area) and try some different ones out. I've bought several guitars online but prefer to but a guitar I've actually gotten to play.

[chrisau214]

24. Epiphone and Yamaha

Both make good cheap instuments. Don't buy a guitar off of Ebay though. I would say that you should never buy any instrument until after you have played it.

Most music stores will be honest with about the quality of instruments and most are filled with players who understand financial limitations. You can get a decent, playable, guitar with a good sound for $150 - $200.

If you want to spend a little less you could always check out some pawn shops. I bought a fantastic Washburn in a pawn shop a decade or so ago for $125. Best deal ever. But then I broke my wrist a couple of years ago. I really can't play for an extended period anymore so I sold all my guitars with the exception of an Epiphone acoustic and my Les Paul Jr.

But really, don't buy a guitar until you play it. Even if you don't know what you are doing you can still tell if it feels right and if the strings play without any buzz. You can check for any warping or any other physical problems.

Good luck.




Chris

[Crazy Dave]

26. All the good names have been mentioned

You can get great deals on almost brand new guitars at pawn shops. Seems they always have an abundance of them. I can't remember the brand but it was a premium brand I got one time (acoustic) that they wanted $110 for but I said I couldn't handle that so the guy went and talked to his boss, came back and said, "how about $40?", I said "deal". I was able to sell the same guitar to a friend two years later for the same $40

Edit - If you can get a good guitar cheap you won't outgrow it like you would a cheap guitar.

[DarkmoonIkonoklast]

27. I hope this doesn't come too late...

   ... never mind on-line... find a reputable guitar store (NOT the music department at Sears! You want to deal with someone who can actually advise you with some degree of expertise, a lot more likely at a dedicated music store, than at a department store!), and go get a feel for their instruments... you won't likely be buying there, since you want used, but you'll get an idea about the ease or difficulty of fingering (called "the ACTION") which is mostly a function of the height of the strings above the fretboard, as well as the stiffness of the strings.

    First, what sort of music are you looking to play? It makes a difference, since, if you're figuring on Blues, Jazz or Rock, you'll be dealing with "steel strung" guitars, whereas if you're more into Folk, or Classical, you'll be using "gut-strung/nylon-strung" instruments. I've played both for more than 40 years: believe me, they are RADICALLY different beasts!

   Not only is the string response totally different, but the folk/classical guitar has a much wider neck than does the standard jazz/blues instrument... You'll need to figure that out before you go in. then, when you do go, you'll be better able to get a feel for what will actually work for you.

   Now, having done this, and decided what sort of "action" works best for you (your hand and finger strength will to a great degree determine this), you can go to a REPUTABLE pawnbroker (no, that is NOT an oxymoron!) and look for a decent used instrument. It IS possible that your guitar store might have a used instrument or two in stock -- often one purchased for a teenaged student then returned -- so ask.
   Also, before you go to the pawn shop, (but after you go to the guitar store) go to the local public school, junior/community college or college, and check with their music department as to the possible availability of a used instrument. You never know...

   But in all likelihood, you will end up at the pawnshop... but you will, at least, have some idea what you want, and won't be nearly as susceptible to the blandishments of the pawnbroker.

   Now, when buying your used instrument, look first at the NECK... hold the guitar with the belly at your chin, neck pointing straight out, and sight along the neck... the neck should not twist, nor should it bow... either will ruin the action, and the sound. Look at the FRETBOARD, the facing of the neck which holds the FRETS (parallel pieces of bone/ivory/metal set at intervals the length of the neck)... is it loosely attached? Are there gaps between it and the neck? If so, let it go.

   Next, look closely at the ends of the neck: at the top, where it joins to the HEADPIECE (the part where the strings go into the tuning pegs) and the bottom, where it joins to the belly... Is there evidence of fresh gluing at either place? You could be holding a refurbished instrument and, unless you're a professional-grade cabinet maker, you're probably not equipped to gauge the quality of the repair work... pass it by. It COULD be excellent work by a quality LUTHIER (maker of string instruments), but you don't know.

   Next, check the NUT -- the piece of notched wood/bone/plastic where the strings rest, coming down from the headpiece, before they pass down the fretboard (attached to the neck) -- and the BRIDGE -- the raised piece of notched wood/bone/plastic on the face of the guitar, below the SOUND HOLE(S) where the strings sit on their way to the TAILPIECE (where the other end of the strings are attached). If either looks OR FEELS loose, pass it by... most of the sound quality of a guitar depends on the strings being absolutely solid at the nut and at the bridge, so that the strings are free to vibrate without being muffled or dampened by that loose connection.

   Finally, check the guitar as a whole. Examine carefully the places where wood parts are joined. Is the jointing smooth or rough? Are the seams smooth? Is the finish even and smooth, or are there rough paces?

   From this, I think you can see why buying a guitar on-line is a dubious prospect. You REALLY need to see, feel and play the instrument, to make a fair assessment of its quality. A poorly made, or poorly refurbished instrument will sound like hell, feel like torture, and can kill the joy and put you off playing. A well-made guitar, on the other hand, can kindle a lifetime of pleasure and joy in the heart... yours, and the people who hear you play.

    Good luck!

[outofbounds]

28. Musicians Friend .com

musiciansfriend.com Will give you great pricing 99 percent of the time. Also will give you a comparative pricing to help you at the music store. They, should you choose to buy from them, will let you return the item is your not satisfied. You pay freight both ways of coarse.

Go to the music store play several guitars to find the style, brand, tone, action you like then check the price by model number with M F. add inbound freight and offer that to the music store. I would say if he gets within $20.00-$25.00 roughly ten percent, Pay the man. You will have your guitar that day, oh, pick up a tuner while your there, $15-$20 will by a good one. They are easy to use and tuning is as important as fingers. Let us know how it goes. :bounce: :hi:

Nylon strings are generally on classical guitars. If you going to be playing classical music get that. If you want to play modern, country, rock, alternative... Get the steel string. Its not advisable to put steel strings on a classical guitar. It will warp the neck causing the strings to be way off the neck, and can even break the neck.
Edit= addition of last paragraph.

[KatyMan]

29. Here's a great great book to learn from

The Guitar Handbook by Ralph Denyer

Book Description
The most comprehensive resource available for beginning and experienced guitarists alike, whether acoustic or electric. Completely redesigned and with many more full-color photos than the original, this new edition surveys recent models and profiles current masters, includes an expanded lesson section, and encompasses 10 years of technological change in recording and amplification

I learned a TON back in the day from that book, and still do (although I'm usually giving my copy away to aspiring guitarists!).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679742751/sr=8-1/qid=1153400200/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-8928911-9323057?ie=UTF8

Also, once you get into it a bit more, go to www.olga.net for tabs (tablature) for songs to learn. Tabs are like musical notation for those of us who don't read music. Learning to play songs, not just chords/scales/theory is the best way to learn, IMHO (although you also need to learn the why's not just the how). There weren't any internets when I learned to play, so I bought songbooks, basically the two Rush songbooks. Alex Lifeson taught me how to play, basically :D

Good luck!