Beginners acoustic guitar advice on what to get
 

Hey guys!

I'm looking at buying my first acoustic guitar but have no idea where to start. Could you help by listing a few and maybe their prices if you know?

Cheers,

Chris.

Yamaha F310E <--- Pretty much this is the only acoustic guitar anyone starting out should ever buy. (Unless you're rich) Its the benchmark for beginner instruments, and it has been for literally decades. They play nice, they last, and they have a nice full sound right out of the box.

I've yet to find a cheap acoustic that actually comes anywhere close to an F310E.

Hey mate, thanks for the reply!

Is there a bit of a difference in price? They seem cheap at around $200.00 each?

Difference compared to what? I'd advise you that really anything cheaper probably won't be very good. (If you're buying new, that is. Obviously you can go second hand and save some money, but for a first guitar, thats not advisable since even if you do play the guitar before buying it, you'll be inexperienced and won't notice many of the things that could be problems later down the line. You also won't have warranty on the guitar if something goes wrong.)

You can pick up acoustic guitars second hand for next to nothing but a great many of them are rubbish, if we're talking about buying a half decent cheap acoustic guitar to learn to play on, then a Yamaha F310E is pretty much king of the hill.

If you want to spend more, then I can recommend you other guitars, but I wouldn't spend less unless you're going second hand, can play the guitar before you buy it, and can bring along an experienced friend to help vet the instrument for flaws or neglect.

I will check this one out. I was just asking if there is much price difference depending on where I purchase it? I have seen them for 200.00, does that sound about right? Sounds cheap to me.

Can't tell you much about american pricing, I'm from the UK. Look around.

depends on how much you want to spend.

50-100 bucks, get a Rogue I have several play real well
100-200 this is real tough so many choices, I'd honestly just skip this price range
200-300 get an alvarez. they stand the test of time. my first acoustic was 300 i believe, for an alvarez. it sounds better today than when it did when it came out of the box.
400-800 Get a Martin DXK1E
800-1200 Get a high end Takamine, or a Larivee
1200+ Get a Taylor. I suggest getting either a 614ce, or an 814.

I will have a look this weekend at the Yamaha F310 and the Alvarez. Is there a specific model for the Alvarez?

Cheers,

Chris.

any standard dreadnaught cut edge will do. I was really impressed by the Yamaha 280, i beleive it was. It was around 250 bucks if I remember right.

Yeah don't go lookin for Yairi alvarezs or anything, Just a standard dreadnaught should do. Cut edge if you want to play higher with less hardships haha.

Yeah hardships put to a minimum would be nice.

He means higher up the neck, btw. As a general rule that won't be an issue for a beginner unless you intend on learning songs with particularly high passages.

----------------
Listening to: Michael Lee Firkins - [Black Light Sonatas #02] Two Guns Left [foobar2000 v1.1.2 beta 4]

Exactly. I mean you should get it so you would not need to buy another guitar for quite some time. You'd get alot more play out of it if you want to learn any solos off the bat..
I have quite a few friends who did that. Its just IMO.

Another acoustic for the 300-400 range are Corts. I've had one for about three years and I love the warm, full tone.

I don't have big hands so something with a thinner neck?? would be good too.

If I remember correctly, Ovation's have pretty thin necks. around 300 dollars for one, or an Applause Ovation for even less. They are real cool looking too!

Also your hands will stretch.. One of my favorite guitarists is Tim Reynolds, and he seriously has the hands of a child :P

Unfortunately, I'e never played an ovation that didn't sound terrible. Even the nice ones.

I've played a couple really nice ones. TBH thought they may have been Aadamus Ovations from the 70s. I cannot remember, wish i could

The way they play is fine. the sound, rather less so.

Taylor Big Baby is nice, but it's $450 :usehead:

I got a Yamaha FG730 - It's my first steel stringed guitar, and I'm really happy with it. The Neck isn't too thick or wide, so it's quite easy to finger it. I can't remember the exact price but I think it's around 300$ (don't take my word for it though, I don't live in the US.) The biggest tip anyone can give you though is - make sure you play the guitar before you get it, even though you may not know a lot about guitars you'll know if you like the feel of it. Pick out a few models that seem like valid options, and go to your local store and browse around and also ask for their opinion.

Good luck and hang in there in the start - it gets better ;).

The input may be useless now but I'm a fan of the Tanglewood acoustics, even the cheaper ones, I'd recommend looking at those to see if they fit your or any beginning guitarist's bill.

You could look into Tenor Guitars, they are a fretted four stringed Guitar with a slim neck and shorter scale. There are several tuning for them including standard guitar tuning. There is a great site to learn more if you are interested, just put tenorguitar.com in search engine.

Good luck with your decision!

I have to agree with getting a F310. My friend had one and it was so light and comfortable and the easiest acoustic I have ever played (although I had to tune it funny to play it since it was right handed). Its just so comfortable and nice I really thought it was a 500$+ guitar. Everyone at the house loves it too and most of them have been playing guitar for a very long time. I don't think its the most durable thing but if you are careful I am sure that won't be an issue.

I really do recommend the Jasmine by Takamine S34c.

There is a chance that if you order it, it won't be to your specifications...but if you get a good one (as I did) it will play like a $600 guitar. If your local music shop(s) carry this guitar, you are in for a treat.

I've not had to change the strings once, and I've had it for a year. I was going to, but it hadn't gotten to that point.

Friends of mine still demand I allow them to play this guitar, because it's body shape and overall style are so rewarding.

I would go with Taylor Big Baby. They are a little smaller than the average acoustic, but that can be a good thing. You can take it wherever you go and practice. They sound great

For beginner guitar, I would go Yamaha. You can pick one up for a few 100$ and you're good to go. My niece got one for christmas and it play very good. Not comparable to my Taylor, but still, I found it very very good!!!