Spur of the moment acoustic guitar purchase?

NajaSong · December 20, 2007, 4:24am

Well, I’ve been perusing ebay and have stumbled upon the $0.01 acoustic guitars. After shipping, I can get one for under $35. I realize that this isn’t going to be a quality instrument. I’m looking for something the kids and I can play around with.

Another issue is that they are 38 inches. Is it better to hold out for the 41 inch, or can I get by with the 38?

Yet another thing, is that although I don’t have a ton of guitar experience, I do have an ear for music - I play accordion, some piano, am testing the waters with viola, and I sing. Will this hunk o’ poo drive me nuts?

Damn ebay and its instant gratification!

koeeoaddi · December 20, 2007, 6:12am

FWIW, my experience with crappy guitars was that they were murder to play because the action was so often terrible (that is, the stings sat high off the fretboard and were hard to push down). As a kid, I nearly gave it up entirely, until my mom coughed up a half way decent Yamaha. It really made a tremendous difference.

… but that was 40 years ago, crappy guitars might be just fabulous now, so YM will no doubt V.

Ogre · December 20, 2007, 6:24am

Please, please, PLEASE do not buy a low quality guitar. There are just so many excellent guitars out there right now for very little money. A crappy guitar will put you off playing the instrument faster than anything I can imagine.

Edit: post the link.

Euthanasiast · December 20, 2007, 6:25am

If the guitar is something you have absolutely no desire to learn or if the total amount of music you want to be able to play amounts to nothing more than a handful of familiar notes to a child’s song, then you may as well make the purchase.

If, however, you have some rare and wonderful respect for the instrument, and would like to share just a small piece of the magic that comes from being able to play the instrument to any degree of satisfaction, I would strongly advise against it.

Buying a cheap guitar is worse than not owning one at all. At least in not owning one, you still have the illusion that one day you could learn to play. A cheap instrument like that would crush all hopes that you would ever be able to play guitar. I promise you, it will collect dust in whatever corner of your home you decide to display it.

May I ask what is currently pushing you toward the instrument in the first place?

squeegee · December 20, 2007, 6:45am

I’d say get that guitar for $.01, but be prepared to use it as kindling. You will probably not enjoy this instrument. But it sounds like your expectations are fairly low.

Or better, go spend some reasonable amount on a basic acoustic. I’m not sure what that amount is – I see $99-$199 “learner’s” instruments in catalogs, but I can’t know how messed up they are until I could handle one.

I agree with Euthanasiast – if you handle the instrument and it utterly sucks, know that other instruments can be much less frustrating. Go to a guitar store and handle some decent instruments if you can.

NajaSong · December 20, 2007, 7:11am

This store has the majority of the el cheapo guitars.

After the initial “what a deal” wore off, and I actually started thinking about it, I agree that I should run far away from these.

Euthanasiast

After messing around with old boyfriends’ guitars, I’ve been wanting to start learning for myself. The online aspect appealed to me because I don’t have a lot of time to myself to go guitar shopping, and the thought of going to a guitar store is rather intimidating. And I’m not exactly on friendly terms with any of my exes to get advice, burnt bridges and whatnot.

On a complete side note, I used to play one of these .

My husband was given a viola in exchange for helping in a move. Maybe I should just look into getting that restrung and fiddle around (Oh, I just slay myself) with that.

outlierrn · December 20, 2007, 7:19am

I cannot in good conscience recommend such a purchase, however if you should buy, please please please have someone who knows guitars look it over. It’s quite likely that it’s been set up badly.

Euthanasiast · December 20, 2007, 9:02am

[QUOTE=Lady DeathKraft]
This store has the majority of the el cheapo guitars.

After the initial “what a deal” wore off, and I actually started thinking about it, I agree that I should run far away from these.

Euthanasiast

After messing around with old boyfriends’ guitars, I’ve been wanting to start learning for myself. The online aspect appealed to me because I don’t have a lot of time to myself to go guitar shopping, and the thought of going to a guitar store is rather intimidating. And I’m not exactly on friendly terms with any of my exes to get advice, burnt bridges and whatnot.

On a complete side note, I used to play one of these .

My husband was given a viola in exchange for helping in a move. Maybe I should just look into getting that restrung and fiddle around (Oh, I just slay myself) with that.
[/QUOTE]

You played bass guitar?

There are a lot of players on this board, and I am certain that any of them wouldn’t mind making recommendations based on your hand size and reach, etc. and what you are willing to spend. Nothing is a substitute for holding a guitar in your hands and feeling for yourself before you buy, but certainly there are other ways.

Besides, screw the salesman in the store. It’s his job to stand by while you try out different products to see which fits you better and has the feel you are looking for. Don’t give so much as a fleeting thought to his ears or his patience. He’s on the clock to assist you. You think you’ll be the first complete amateur to come in and noob around the store, or the last?

Also, if you hear nothing else that I say, listen to this: I have many hobbies, and I am very good at most all of them. I am extremely good at a few of them. Over the years I have dabbled in everything from photography and 3D art to fine scale modeling with precision wood and instruments, various sports, writing. I guess I’ve done more than my fair share of being creative in my life. Nothing has thrilled me more than learning to play the guitar. Nothing has ever given back to me as much effort as I have put into it like the guitar. It may have saved my life, for all I know. I promise you, if you give the instrument just a little time, it will reward you with all of the treasures in the world that are worth having.

diggleblop · December 20, 2007, 1:43pm

Yeah, if you want to learn how to play, at least cough up 150 bucks and go to Guitar Center and get the Fender Acoustic Guitar Pack. It comes with a mediocre Fender Acoustic made in Mexico, a stand, a pack of strings and small amp and some other shit. But the best part is, the guitar is real, not a real fake guitar like the one you bought. The Fender may not be real good, but it’ll at least be real. lol

WordMan · December 20, 2007, 1:49pm

[QUOTE=Euthanasiast]

Also, if you hear nothing else that I say, listen to this: I have many hobbies, and I am very good at most all of them. I am extremely good at a few of them. Over the years I have dabbled in everything from photography and 3D art to fine scale modeling with precision wood and instruments, various sports, writing. I guess I’ve done more than my fair share of being creative in my life. Nothing has thrilled me more than learning to play the guitar. Nothing has ever given back to me as much effort as I have put into it like the guitar. It may have saved my life, for all I know. I promise you, if you give the instrument just a little time, it will reward you with all of the treasures in the world that are worth having.
[/QUOTE]

+1 - very, very well put. Also, for some reason, I always think of Les Paul describing his guitar as “his bartender” and “his pal” - always there for him.

Lunar_Saltlick · December 20, 2007, 2:05pm

Apart from all the excellent advice above, I’ll just add that I runed my left wrist playing a cheap, cheap, cheap guitar with action so high I had to strain mightily to push down the strings. I played till my fingers bled, which is OK, but unfortunately, the tendons in my wrist bled too (so to speak), which is not OK. I can’t play for more than five minutes a day now. I basically don’t bother anymore, which really depresses me. Get a decent guitar and get someone to set it up properly. Learning to fret well should be difficult and somewhat uncomfortable for a while, but if it’s ridiculously difficult for a long period, something’s wrong.

NajaSong · December 20, 2007, 4:20pm

Thanks to everyone for their input. I’m definitely not getting the aforementioned “guitar.” I guess I’m just so accustomed to cheaping out on things for myself, and I really do know better, at least for instruments.

I seem to “take” to instruments pretty quickly. I can usually play something at least a little when I first pick it up: I can play little kid tunes on the viola and not squawk it, I was able to play my accordion really well when I first got it, etc. The problem is that I expect to be a virtuoso immediately and get really frustrated when that doesn’t happen.

I promise you that I will not get one of those guitars. I will go to a Guitar Center or Sam Ash or pawn shop and get a decent instrument. As God is my witness, I shall never pay $0.01 for a guitar, ever!

WordMan · December 20, 2007, 5:10pm

What type of music do you want to play? That can and should have a big influence on what type of guitar you get…

Eureka · December 20, 2007, 5:15pm

[QUOTE=Lady DeathKraft]
My husband was given a viola in exchange for helping in a move. Maybe I should just look into getting that restrung and fiddle around (Oh, I just slay myself) with that.
[/QUOTE]

Anecdote, unrelated to thread, mostly.

A few years back, I was standing around at the end of choir practice waiting for my dad. Someone–well known for his flute-playing-- walked out carrying a guitar.

Person lounging around: Hey, dude, what happened to your flute?

Guy carrying guitar: It sprouted. No, seriously, this is just something for daughter to fiddle around with.

Person: Um, fiddles are the ones you stick under your chin, that’s a guitar.

(Note: Flute-player is the father of someone well-known for playing violin–professionally. This caused a significant increase in the amount of snickering. )

outlierrn · December 20, 2007, 5:22pm

In my area, if you walked into a guitar store and said I was going to buy this cheap ass guitar on ebay but my internet friends talked me out of it, now what can you do for me for 150, you’d get a good response. other than the usual advice to avoid the pushy/sleezy/usedcarsalesman type you’ll be fine
no matter what you get, take the time to get it set up right, I’ll do it

NajaSong · December 20, 2007, 6:21pm

[QUOTE=WordMan]
What type of music do you want to play? That can and should have a big influence on what type of guitar you get…
[/QUOTE]

I’m thinking of starting out with some easier folk songs since I have friends and a husband who do English and Irish music.

And on a complete side note, I used to play accordion in a Morris Dancing troupe. Epitome of cool, I am. While the accordion is portable, lugging around a 25 lb (I’m guessing) instrument is not high on my list of priorities. For any interested, it looks like this except the bellows pattern is a heart rather than the diamond.

squeegee · December 20, 2007, 7:08pm

requisite accordian snark.

WordMan · December 20, 2007, 7:34pm

[QUOTE=Lady DeathKraft]
I’m thinking of starting out with some easier folk songs since I have friends and a husband who do English and Irish music.

And on a complete side note, I used to play accordion in a Morris Dancing troupe. Epitome of cool, I am. While the accordion is portable, lugging around a 25 lb (I’m guessing) instrument is not high on my list of priorities. For any interested, it looks like this except the bellows pattern is a heart rather than the diamond.
[/QUOTE]

Okay - well, unless you can work with a friend who really knows guitars and can help you find a deal on a used guitar, you should probably expect to spend at least $350 for a decent acoustic. Nothing fancy - in fact, it would be better to have fewer fancy things, so they spend more $$ on materials and construction…

sleestak · December 20, 2007, 7:45pm

As others have said, the quickest way to destroy someone’s desire to play guitar is to buy them a crappy guitar. Beside the already mentioned action (string height) issue there can be issues with intonation. If the guitars intonation is off you can’t tune the things and nothing will sound right.

If you have a Guitar Center* in your area I would go there and talk to a guitar person in the store. Tell them what you want and they should be able to help find a decent guitar. They have some good guitars for ~150 or so, maybe less.

This thread has all kinds of good tips on how to learn.

Slee

*I’ve found Guitar Center to be pretty good. Decent prices, reasonably knowledgeable people, etc. I got a decent Ibanez steel string for ~150.

YMMV

Ogre · December 20, 2007, 9:13pm

[QUOTE=sleestak]
As others have said, the quickest way to destroy someone’s desire to play guitar is to buy them a crappy guitar. Beside the already mentioned action (string height) issue there can be issues with intonation. If the guitars intonation is off you can’t tune the things and nothing will sound right.