Acoustic Guitar
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
I started with a Yamaha FG-something-or-other 6 string and they are very well made and easy to play (nice low action). You could do a lot worse. I then migrated to a Tanglewood with a built-in pickup/amp which cost about $500. All I need.
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
Agree with Rob - Yamaha's are worth a look. I picked up a Yammy FG-160 (?) second hand for a couple of hundred mumble years ago and its still my main squeeze. I've had 3 Yamahas and they're fine instuments, but at the price range your talking about make sure you try before you buy - get one you like as qualities can vary even in the same model no.
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
dbeDoDGuy wrote: Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200). I just picked up a used cheap Peavy Predator for $125. Not too bad. My dad plays guitar, after 28 years I've finally decided to buy one.:-O:) <oh yeah well, nevermind you said acoustic. Go Electric!!;P> Later, JoeSox "When in doubt, tell the truth. It will confound your enemies and astound your friends." -- Mark Twain joeswammi.com ↔ humanaiproject.org ↔ joeswammi.com/sinfest
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
Yamaha makes some nice guitars that won't break the bank, but don't discount a nice sounding instrument just because you don't recognize the name. There're a couple of things to look for before making a choice, though. First off, avoid the ones that come with plastic strings - they generally don't have a reinforced neck, and putting steel/bronze strings on one will warp it. Secondly, check for a removable plate above the nut - this usually conceals an adjustment nut that allows you to trim the angle of the neck to set the action lower and make it more even along the length of the neck. Straight from the factory the lower cost guitars have a gap of 2 -3 mm between the fretboard and the strings, which makes them extremely hard to finger correctly. A decent guitar shop should be able to set the action to something more comfortable for you. Most important, play several before you make your choice. The "right" guitar will just feel right in your hands - string spacing will match the width of your fingers, the neck will fit your hand properly, and the body will sit on your lap like a friendly puppy. Good choice - I've played about 40 years now, and never regretted a moment of it. Have fun!:-D I've felt much better since I gave up hope.
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
I have a $160 Alvarez that I love. I've been playing it for about 6 years now and it's great. It's my bang around guitar. I don't care if it get's dinged cause it was cheap. I had an Ovation Applause (~$150 used) but it was a piece of garbage. I can't comment on the Yamaha's I've not experienced them. nay
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
I'd also recommend Sigma acoustic guitars. These are made by CF Martin, which arguably have made (and still make) some of the best acoutic guitars. I'd compare it to Gibson/Epiphone or Fender/Squire. I've had a nice Sigma acoustic, outfitted with electronics, for 6 years now and it's a great guitar. Sounds awesome. Definitly great bang for the buck. I think a lot of them retail for $300-$400+, but if you catch a sale or check-out eBay, you'd probably be able to grab one for $200. PJL
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
I have played for a few years and worked a few years in a musical instrument shop before my life in software. By far the most popular <$200 acoustic guitar was the Yamaha FG401 ... I believe 401 is the correct model number. It sold for about $170 at that time(1998). Sounded good played well and looked nice. Washburn also made a reasonble guitar for short money, the D10. In general though, the features you want to look for would be a solid top(not likely in htis price range). Seald tuning machines as opposed to the open screw and cog type machines (be careful sometimes the cheaper machines are covered but are still not the better quality hardware). You should be able to tell by tuning and detuning, turninghte machines ... the better hardware will trun more smoothly. I believe someone mentioned not getting a model with 'plastic' or nylon strings and restring it with steel strings. This would definitely be a bad idea. Nylon string or classical type guitars do not have a truss rod. The truss rod is a metal rod that runs the length of the neck, inside the neck and is used to help straighten the neck when it may bow or change shape due to tension(heavier strings) or humidity(the neck is made of wood and will react to extremes in temperature and humidity). Nylon strings do not create as much tension and are not as necessary on such guitars. You should find access to the truss rod either under a plastic plate at the headstock end of the neck(where the fretboard ends) or at the end of the neck inside the body. Lastly would be woods and bracing but in this price range you won't get much selection so I won't bother you with that. Hope this helps. P.S. I think somebody already mentioned this but absolutely you should try out whatever guitar you are purchasing. If you are a beginner you may not be able to hear the difference but you might be able to fell the difference. The shape of the neck does vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and you might get a sense of how comfortable a particular model is for you. If you go into a local music store you might get someone there to play a few different models for you and you might hear a difference in tone/sustain. Good Luck
-
I have played for a few years and worked a few years in a musical instrument shop before my life in software. By far the most popular <$200 acoustic guitar was the Yamaha FG401 ... I believe 401 is the correct model number. It sold for about $170 at that time(1998). Sounded good played well and looked nice. Washburn also made a reasonble guitar for short money, the D10. In general though, the features you want to look for would be a solid top(not likely in htis price range). Seald tuning machines as opposed to the open screw and cog type machines (be careful sometimes the cheaper machines are covered but are still not the better quality hardware). You should be able to tell by tuning and detuning, turninghte machines ... the better hardware will trun more smoothly. I believe someone mentioned not getting a model with 'plastic' or nylon strings and restring it with steel strings. This would definitely be a bad idea. Nylon string or classical type guitars do not have a truss rod. The truss rod is a metal rod that runs the length of the neck, inside the neck and is used to help straighten the neck when it may bow or change shape due to tension(heavier strings) or humidity(the neck is made of wood and will react to extremes in temperature and humidity). Nylon strings do not create as much tension and are not as necessary on such guitars. You should find access to the truss rod either under a plastic plate at the headstock end of the neck(where the fretboard ends) or at the end of the neck inside the body. Lastly would be woods and bracing but in this price range you won't get much selection so I won't bother you with that. Hope this helps. P.S. I think somebody already mentioned this but absolutely you should try out whatever guitar you are purchasing. If you are a beginner you may not be able to hear the difference but you might be able to fell the difference. The shape of the neck does vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and you might get a sense of how comfortable a particular model is for you. If you go into a local music store you might get someone there to play a few different models for you and you might hear a difference in tone/sustain. Good Luck
tzimmerman wrote: The truss rod is a metal rod that runs the length of the neck So that's what they call that thing...:-D I've felt much better since I gave up hope.
-
I have played for a few years and worked a few years in a musical instrument shop before my life in software. By far the most popular <$200 acoustic guitar was the Yamaha FG401 ... I believe 401 is the correct model number. It sold for about $170 at that time(1998). Sounded good played well and looked nice. Washburn also made a reasonble guitar for short money, the D10. In general though, the features you want to look for would be a solid top(not likely in htis price range). Seald tuning machines as opposed to the open screw and cog type machines (be careful sometimes the cheaper machines are covered but are still not the better quality hardware). You should be able to tell by tuning and detuning, turninghte machines ... the better hardware will trun more smoothly. I believe someone mentioned not getting a model with 'plastic' or nylon strings and restring it with steel strings. This would definitely be a bad idea. Nylon string or classical type guitars do not have a truss rod. The truss rod is a metal rod that runs the length of the neck, inside the neck and is used to help straighten the neck when it may bow or change shape due to tension(heavier strings) or humidity(the neck is made of wood and will react to extremes in temperature and humidity). Nylon strings do not create as much tension and are not as necessary on such guitars. You should find access to the truss rod either under a plastic plate at the headstock end of the neck(where the fretboard ends) or at the end of the neck inside the body. Lastly would be woods and bracing but in this price range you won't get much selection so I won't bother you with that. Hope this helps. P.S. I think somebody already mentioned this but absolutely you should try out whatever guitar you are purchasing. If you are a beginner you may not be able to hear the difference but you might be able to fell the difference. The shape of the neck does vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and you might get a sense of how comfortable a particular model is for you. If you go into a local music store you might get someone there to play a few different models for you and you might hear a difference in tone/sustain. Good Luck
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
Thanks for all of the useful advice people!
-
Thanks for all of the useful advice people!
Yer welkome! Er, one more point I might add is that at your price range the guitars may not come from the factory optimally set up (well, we'll assume the neck is straight, but the bridge or nut might be a little high - they don't have time to get sniggly on details at the factory). If the store offers to do a bit of set up when you buy, it would be a plus. Replacing a plastic bridge with something better can be nice too.
-
Yamaha makes some nice guitars that won't break the bank, but don't discount a nice sounding instrument just because you don't recognize the name. There're a couple of things to look for before making a choice, though. First off, avoid the ones that come with plastic strings - they generally don't have a reinforced neck, and putting steel/bronze strings on one will warp it. Secondly, check for a removable plate above the nut - this usually conceals an adjustment nut that allows you to trim the angle of the neck to set the action lower and make it more even along the length of the neck. Straight from the factory the lower cost guitars have a gap of 2 -3 mm between the fretboard and the strings, which makes them extremely hard to finger correctly. A decent guitar shop should be able to set the action to something more comfortable for you. Most important, play several before you make your choice. The "right" guitar will just feel right in your hands - string spacing will match the width of your fingers, the neck will fit your hand properly, and the body will sit on your lap like a friendly puppy. Good choice - I've played about 40 years now, and never regretted a moment of it. Have fun!:-D I've felt much better since I gave up hope.
You are NOT going to find a decent instrument new in his price range. In particular in the area of playability. You may find a used guitar in the price range mentioned but I doubt it. I have been playing acoustic exclusivily for the past 8 years ( after 35 years of electric ) and one thing I have noticed is that the disparity between the cheap ( under 500 ) and expensive ( over 2500 ) instruments is far greater than electrics and the middle range instruments ( 500 - 2500 ) vary wildly even among the same brand and model. I would have no problem buying a high end electric over the net without playing it first but would never do that with an acoustic. I tried out at least 20 OOM models before buying my last one. Richard "The man that hath not music in himself and is not moved with concord of sweet sounds is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils; Let no man trust him." Shakespeare
-
You are NOT going to find a decent instrument new in his price range. In particular in the area of playability. You may find a used guitar in the price range mentioned but I doubt it. I have been playing acoustic exclusivily for the past 8 years ( after 35 years of electric ) and one thing I have noticed is that the disparity between the cheap ( under 500 ) and expensive ( over 2500 ) instruments is far greater than electrics and the middle range instruments ( 500 - 2500 ) vary wildly even among the same brand and model. I would have no problem buying a high end electric over the net without playing it first but would never do that with an acoustic. I tried out at least 20 OOM models before buying my last one. Richard "The man that hath not music in himself and is not moved with concord of sweet sounds is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils; Let no man trust him." Shakespeare
I wasn't assuming that new is his only option - we have a dozen pawn shops here that have some very nice guitars in his range. A lot can be done, too, to improve the instrument - changing the nut/bridge for instance, and a decent shop will have someone who can do this. The issue of gears is one I hadn't thought of (mentioned by another poster) as it's never been a concern of mine, and especially would not be important in choosing a first guitar. You're dead on about the playing aspect - there is far more art than science to building an acoustic guitar, and all of its tonal quality depends on its construction. Not true of electrics, which gain nearly nothing from variations in construction. It is critical that he play a variety of guitars before settling on a purchase. I was surprised to learn, from a nice old man in LA (Mr Candelas was all I knew of him - he was a friend of my Dad's who refinished my Guild), that of 40 to 60 guitars his company made, only one will have high enough quality to be considered a good instrument. The majority are passed on to the no name makers for distribution as low cost (Sears & Montgomery Ward, for example) brands. I still one day would like to try to make my own...:) I've felt much better since I gave up hope.
-
Anybody play guitar? I've been meaning to pick up guitar for a while and I'm looking at a good BEGINNER (read, do not suggest I get a good one right rather than build up to it and post a link to a $2000 Taylor...thanks, but not helpful) acoustic. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a Yamaha for $150 or so (I'm looking to spend less than $200).
Samick make half decent cheapo guitars nowadays. All you really need is to make sure the action is not too high ( that is, the gap between the strings and the fretboard ) and that when you fret notes up and down the guitar, you don't get any buzz. An electric would be easier for a first guitar, because it would be easier to play ( lighter strings, lower action ), but it depends really on what you want to do with it. You can't strum an electric around a campfire, or play Robert Johnson/John Lee Hooker songs convincingly. Christian I have drunk the cool-aid and found it wan and bitter. - Chris Maunder