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Acoustic Guitar recommendations

BeauJangles

BeauJangles

Lifer
Hey fellas,

I want to teach myself to play guitar. I have no idea how much a guitar should be, or what I should look for. Any recommendations for guitars, websites for lessons, books, etc?

Thanks!
 
I would recommend the Ovation Celebrity, acoustic/electric. Rather inexpensive for rather decent quality. I have one myself and I really enjoy it. Also Musicians FriendMusicians Friend has good deals.
 
i bought an Ibanez AW-100 (artwood 100) when i first started. it was 300 bucks, but it sounds absolutely amazing. not dull like my friend's crap guitars. i dont think they make them anymore (bought it 3 years ago), but id still recommend most ibanez's.
 
Around $300 for something decent to learn on. Any cheaper than that and you start getting department store crap that won't stay in tune. I agree on the Ovation. My first guitar was an Ovation Celebrity in 1982, and I still have it 🙂
 
Ive been learning for the last 8 months on a Jasmine by Takamine. Its a low level guitar but now I want to get something nicer myself. Is the ovation that good or should I be looking for the next step up? I was looking at fenders or yamahas for the next step. I would love a martin or taylor but they are way too expensive.
 
My best advice for someone looking to buy their first acoustic is to visit your local instrument store and actually get a feel for some of them. You may not be able to afford the one that you like the most there, but you will at least get an idea of what style suits you the best. Just because a guitar sounds great and has a well-known name on it, doesn't mean it's going to feel "right" to you.

Most local stores (especially The Guitar Center) are VERY customer friendly. You can go in there and just sit down with any of their guitars to see how they sound/feel. Find something you like and then ask the guys there what is comparable in your budget.

I bought my first acoustic online but only after spending a lot of time in my local stores first.

Edit: You can't really go wrong with a solid top Washburn for a starter guitar. They make some fantastic ones for $300, give or take. I own one and I have a couple buddies who have been playing for 15+ years on Taylors, Gibsons, etc. One plays gigs and he said he'd have no problem using my Washburn on stage. But again, get what feels good and sounds good to YOU.
 
Don't flame me as I play a Martin J12-16GT 12 string, but for a beginner the Estaban guitar package is NOT a bad deal. You can google for some reviews.
 
Originally posted by: Vetterin
Don't flame me as I play a Martin J12-16GT 12 string, but for a beginner the Estaban guitar package is NOT a bad deal. You can google for some reviews.
Click to expand...

good deal for the guitar or good deal for the instructions?
 
Originally posted by: new2AMD
Ive been learning for the last 8 months on a Jasmine by Takamine. Its a low level guitar but now I want to get something nicer myself. Is the ovation that good or should I be looking for the next step up? I was looking at fenders or yamahas for the next step. I would love a martin or taylor but they are way too expensive.
Click to expand...

Ovation runs the gamut from their cheaper Celebrity line all the way up to really expensive models. I found a Breedlove Atlas on craigslist for $275, and I've been pretty satisfied with it. I can definitely recommend a Yamaha as well.
 
Originally posted by: Vetterin
Don't flame me as I play a Martin J12-16GT 12 string, but for a beginner the Estaban guitar package is NOT a bad deal. You can google for some reviews.
Click to expand...

OK, let's do what you suggested and see what Google says about "Estaban" (the guitar hero HSN invented to sell cheap intruments):

Here's the first few hits:
http://www.musicgearreview.com/review-display/6216.html
http://reviews.harmony-central...an/Unknown+Guitar/10/1
HSN'S OWN REVIEW SITE!!!

As you can see, not good at all. That guitar pretty much consists of glued together plywood. It's about the same level as you would get from one of those Lyon guitars that Target sells. Stay away.
 
For a beginner, I would recommend Ovation's Celebrity line or something Breedlove.. I especially like the Breedlove's..
 
Originally posted by: Vegitto
For a beginner, I would recommend Ovation's Celebrity line or something Breedlove.. I especially like the Breedlove's..
Click to expand...

what about for the next step up?
 
Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
Hey fellas,

I want to teach myself to play guitar. I have no idea how much a guitar should be, or what I should look for. Any recommendations for guitars, websites for lessons, books, etc?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

budget is important.

I bought a Martin HD28 for my first acoustic. I had a cheapo electric I started with.
 
Anything goes for a beginner. Unless you plan on collecting it/keeping it forever, then just buy a <$300 Yamaha. Otherwise, go for a Martin or Gibson.
 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
Hey fellas,

I want to teach myself to play guitar. I have no idea how much a guitar should be, or what I should look for. Any recommendations for guitars, websites for lessons, books, etc?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

budget is important.

I bought a Martin HD28 for my first acoustic. I had a cheapo electric I started with.
Click to expand...

Wow, that was quite a jump, but I'm sure you saw the difference between a budget instrument and a quality instrument right away 🙂

Get one of these... You will love it
Click to expand...

GET THIS!!!!! You'll love it even more!
 
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
Hey fellas,

I want to teach myself to play guitar. I have no idea how much a guitar should be, or what I should look for. Any recommendations for guitars, websites for lessons, books, etc?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

budget is important.

I bought a Martin HD28 for my first acoustic. I had a cheapo electric I started with.
Click to expand...

Wow, that was quite a jump, but I'm sure you saw the difference between a budget instrument and a quality instrument right away 🙂

Get one of these... You will love it
Click to expand...

GET THIS!!!!! You'll love it even more!
Click to expand...

That guitar costs more than my house 🙁
 
While a Martin was overkill for my playing (I got a good deal at the time, these instruments sound better with age...mine was about 5-6 years old), I was able to sell it for what I paid $1700.

A good Yamaha or similar in the $300 range goes a long way. At the $100 price point you can still find good student guitars.
 
My first guitar was a Yamaha, about $300. Great guitar, and lasted me several years, until I upgraded to the Martin.
 
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