# I just bought a new guitar **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 12, 2007, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-new-guitar/407749 "2007-06-12T18:37:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-new-guitar/407749/1 "2007-06-12T18:37:47Z")
It’s an Ibanez electric/acoustic that cost about 300 bucks at guitar center. I had no idea what I was doing, and all I knew was that I wanted an electric/acoustic that wasn’t too extremely expensive. The store employee told me that it was a great guitar to learn on, partly because of the price (the other acoustic/electrics were 400-800 bucks), and partly because of a built in tuner. Do you guys think I made a good purchase? So far I have only played on the 100-125 dollar beginner guitars, and I’d say my playing skill is “intermediate”. I know how to play all the major and minor chords, I have some decent finger strength and agility, but I don’t know many songs and reading tab or standard notation is still painfully slow. I’m excited for it, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s really worth what I paid for it. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-new-guitar/407749/2 "2007-06-12T20:26:41Z")
Yes, you made a fine purchase. Ibanez’s offerings in that price range are as good as anybody’s, and an acoustic-electric will give you nice versatility as you continue to learn. Next move: shell out the few bucks to get it set up by a professional. Many guitar stores offer initial setup free with the purchase of a new guitar; otherwise, it’s usually not more than $40. Especially with an acoustic-electric, it can make all the difference in the world in terms of intonation (how in-tune things sound up and down the neck) and action (how high or low the strings are; whether it’s comfortable to play and doesn’t buzz). ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-new-guitar/407749/3 "2007-06-12T20:42:22Z")
I, too, recently ended up getting an [Ibanez](http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/Ibanez-AEG20E-Flame-Sycamore-Top-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar?full_sku=103036620) when I was in the market for a new acoustic. Was $350 in-store. I do need to get a little tweak to the setup, because of some minor buzzing, but otherwise, it’s such a sweet cheap guitar, really fun to play and sounds great. I was surprised because I was used to Ibanez being in a cheaper second-tier of guitars, even in the lower ranges, but that was probably just some prejudice. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-new-guitar/407749/4 "2007-06-12T21:09:25Z")
I’m a huge fan of almost anything Ibanez makes. Their products are almost uniformly superb instruments for the dollar. ---
**Author:** ![guppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@guppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guppy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-new-guitar/407749/5 "2007-06-12T21:17:45Z")
While I personally don’t like Ibanez guitars, I played one for years and it was the most reliable guitar I’ve ever had. Good choice. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-bought-a-new-guitar/407749/6 "2007-06-12T22:00:05Z")
[QUOTE=Only Mostly Dead] I, too, recently ended up getting an [Ibanez](http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/Ibanez-AEG20E-Flame-Sycamore-Top-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar?full_sku=103036620) when I was in the market for a new acoustic. Was $350 in-store. [/QUOTE] Wow, that’s the EXACT same guitar I bought, with a darker finish.