New Guitar Player

In My Humble Opinion
21

If you want to start with a decent accoustic guitar and think you might expand later to electric, you would do well to look at a Takamine dreadnought (dreadnought just being the term for your typical folk-style steel string, as opposed to a classical guitar like that of Andres Segovia, with nylon strings).

The dreadnought style has about the same neck shape as a Fender Telecaster, nice and narrow, so it’s easy to handle if you don’t have big hands. Yet by starting out on accoustic you’ll be forced to concentrate on the basics…notes, scales, and chords…which will help you build up a firm foundation. And Takamine is a very decent brand to start with. I have one that was bought about 20 years ago, for $250. They’re probably more, now, but still worth it.

22

There is a lot of good advice in here…and even though most of it contradicts, it is all still good.

First of all, consider buying used. You can oftentimes get a used guitar for $100 cheaper than an identical new model. Plus, you will get a higher percentage of what you pay in resale down the road.

Keep in mind that for what you pay in quality will reward you if you decide to sell it a couple of years down the road.

I have owned five guitars in my life…some good, some bad.

I started on a Fender Squire Strat that was made in Taiwan. It was a good starter model, but I had to invest in a neck adjustmet (about $20 extra) before it would stay in tune. The entire package cost $200 and it came with a little practice amp. This is what I recommend for beginning guitarists. (I’m not so sure if you want to start on an acoustic, which is what I recomend given the music you listen to).

My first acoustic was an old Yamaha classical guitar. The thing played like crap, but I found it was a collectors item after I had splurged $50 on it at a garage sale. I got $150 in resale even with a warped neck and finish.

My trade in was a Takamine Jasmine. It doesn’t have the greatest sound, but it stays in tune. It sounds decent plugged into an acoustical amplifier, though, so it has been a great “road guitar”. It was also a great starter acoustic. It costs $330 used, but I got a $150 trade in on that Yamaha classical acoustic.

Later, I finally got my “dream guitar”…well, not quite. However, as close as I could afford. It is a Gibson Epiphone Dot Limited Edition Hollow Body. It is awesome. I paid a cool $850 for, but got a $150 trade in from the Squire Strat (and $20 more for the amp).

Finally, I needed an acoustic that had a good acoustic sound. I invested in the top model Samick…it costs about $650. It sounds horrible plugged in, but sounds great by itself. I’ve been thinking about trading in both of my acoustics for one really nice acoustic, but haven’t really had the desire since I don’t play shows anymore.

Just a list through the progressions…and what you may expect. I think it is too early to decide what kind of music you want to play just yet because you haven’t even bought a guitar yet. However, I do think an acoustic would be the right way to go at this point. Visit a few music stores (not just one) to see what is available (preferrably with a friend who plays). Tell them you are a beginner and want an acoustic without investing too much money. When you go back, always ask for the same salesperson. It will get you a ton of respect in the long run (and may even get you a better deal). Ask if they’ll throw in an extra set of strings and some picks…and if the salesperson appears liberal enough, ask for a strap as well.

Good luck.

23

Real men play bass.

:smiley:

24

Seeing as how I work for Ibanez I have to recommend our guitars. Great quality (tuned and checked by our own guys before they ever hit the stores), good prices.

25

  1. Some Ibanez guitars are really quite well made and a worthy investment

  2. A Gretsch White Penquin (kudos to Mr. Moonlight for the obscure reference) is the solidbody equivalent of their top-of-the-line hollowbody White Falcon. A late 50’s Pengy goes for 10’s of thousands…

  3. In terms of a first guitar, the most important thing to focus on is not the look of the guitar or the sound of the guitar, but the playability of the guitar. Is the neck comfortable in your hand? Is the action decent? Does it stay in tune up and down the neck, or at least for the chords you play? That’s the most important thing for a beginner. If you keep playing, upgrade.