I’m buying the wife a guitar and beginner’s lessons for Xmas. I know absolutely nothing about guitars, so any help appreciated.
I don’t want a cheapo instrument, but don’t want to buy high-end in case she hates lessons (over the years she has expressed an interest in learning to play, I’m hoping that this will be a cool thing to do).
There’s a Fender with a cloth case and picky-things, etc on Amazon for around $200. I’m familiar with the brand, would this be a good starter guitar? Other recommendations much appreciated.
Also, a question I fear might be really stupid: do left-handed people need lefty guitars? I know Hendrix had to play his right-hand guitar upside down, but was that due to the electric guitar “waa waa” bar thingy? Thx
Buying a beginner guitar is always tricky because you want something cheap enough that it doesn’t hurt too much financially if the player quits, but expensive enough that they don’t quit because the guitar’s playability and sound are so bad.
I’d look at the Yamaha FG700S in that price range; Fender acoustics are terrible. Another option is to buy a lower-end Taylor (like a GS Mini or Big Baby) and just sell it if she quits.
Oh, and a left-handed guitar is not a necessity. Both hands have to do some intricate movements, so I’m not sure there’s an advantage to a lefty using a lefty guitar. In fact, it may be a disadvantage; it’ll be harder to find new instruments later, and you likely won’t be able to play your friends’ guitars.
Should have said “the room where your guitar sleeps”. I’d buy a stand for it, also. They’re cheap and keep the guitar in sight where the user will be more inclined to pick it up and practice. I have one of these: solid, padded, non-skid, collapsible, and will hold either electric or acoustic.
This might kill some of the surprise for her, but you should take your wife to a REAL guitar store and make sure she gets a guitar suited to her physicality*. If the neck is too fat, she’ll hate it. If it’s not wide enough, she’ll hate it. And so on. How will she feel about having no fingernails on one hand (the left)?
*It would be nice if the person giving her lessons could be there for guidance.
Much good advice above. Particularly the “let her try them” suggestion, the “fit” is really important. It may also help with the left-handed thing. I’m a pretty strong lefty (handwriting, throwing, hockey/lacrosse playing, solo fork action) but the first guitar was put in my hands as a “righty” and that’s what I learned.
We have a Taylor GS Mini around the house for a leave-out guitar and it’s great. It is about 7/8 normal size so good for kids, folks with small hands and travel (comes with a very good padded gig bag). They sound great. I prefer a somewhat bigger neck but it is a great choice.
BTW, you might consider starting her on a nylon-string guitar; steel strings for a beginner can be murder on the fingers. Eventually, she’ll develop calluses on her fingertips (women just LOVE that) and then you can move up to a steel-string guitar. Back in the day, nylon-string guitars were much cheaper, too, so if the whole thing goes bust, you can re-sell without too big a loss.
I could probably give you a good deal on a little used Martin LX1 “Little Martin” (not full sized, but not a toy). Perfect, right-handed with soft case. Amazon.com : martin lx1 little martin
Kid not interested in anyfuckingthing but stupid-assed video glork. It really chaps my ass to see this beautiful instrument sitting in the corner collecting dust. :mad: I’d love to sell it out from under him and buy beer. He’d never even know it was gone. :mad:
I have a parlor size Washburn that I absolutely love. The small size makes it ideal to carry around visiting friends and church. Plays wonderfully and has a loud sound for a small body guitar.
btw the Washburn Parlor has a small body but a standard 24.75” scales fret board. That’s important because you can move back and forth from a regular Dreadnought to this guitar and it fingers the same.
demo, man, the big sound from that small body always surprises me. You get a better sense of scale by seeing the guy holding it. I love being able to carry it everywhere and it weighs almost nothing.
