Advice sought: good guitar for beginner

Subject: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: GUEST,Dave C, a guest
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 03:12 PM

I asked about the Crestwood brand and got no replies. After spending a long time on Google afterward -- I did try Google before posting, but really drilled later -- I'm not surprised. Whoever makes them is the CIA of all companies, as you can't find out much at all, although plenty of people sell them new on EBay. Evidently they fall from the skies around Detroit.

So I'll ask another way -- who, in your opinion, makes a reasonably-priced guitar that is beginner-friendly?

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: olddude
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 03:19 PM

Ok what type of music? I assume folk so if that is it, go to musicians friend on the web (free shipping) ... for around 100 bucks I bought my nephew an epiphone that sounds wonderful and is easy to play ...I was impressed with it for a starter guitar

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: mrmoe
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 03:23 PM

I've seen some used Seagulls that were very inexpensive......

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: olddude
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 03:38 PM

I love the seagulls, but I say start off with one that is playable and very cheap like the ephiphone. I have seen way too many people start playing and lose interest in a month or so ... sometimes it is because the guitar is set so high that it is impossible to play ... sometimes it is because of the work in learning. Once someone sticks to it for a bit then I say go grab a decent guitar

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: JHW
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 04:30 PM

Better to pay more than you'd intended and sell it again if you lose interest than buy a cheap guitar on the basis that you're only learning but that is never going to sound any good however well you do

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: olddude
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 04:32 PM

You can buy a cheap guitar with a good action and good sound today for 100 bucks .... I played my nephew's epiphone and was delighted with it and I normally play a 1969 Martin D-28

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: Louie Roy
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 04:54 PM

Don't buy a piece of junk for if you do your money will be wasted

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: Deskjet
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 05:14 PM

I think Yamaha guitars are worth a look - solid build, comparatively easy on tender fingers and a good price.

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: GUEST,Ian Gill
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 06:08 PM

I learned to play on a 'piece of junk' which I bought for 4 pounds 19/6d from a white goods store in 1969. It had steel strings and a kind of tobacco 'burst finish. The neck was like a railway sleeper and the action was so high [and not adjustable] it was impossible to play beyond the 5th fret. I saved up my newspaper round money to buy that guitar and I loved it. There are so many good low price guitars available now people are spoilt for choice.
The advce I would offer is to buy an acoustic guitar to learn on and to try out as many as you can within your price range - wood is a natural material and no two instruments, even by the same manufacturer with the same specs. sound the same.
Listen to the sound and take someone with you to the shop to play it so that you can hear what it sounds like. Stick with it and it will be your friend for ever - and that's it...

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 07:12 PM

You are better off spending as much as you can afford on a decent USED guitar than a cheap New one ! IF you find guitar is not for you . you wouldnt lose as much on resale as you would on a new guitar . and any problems should already be sorted out !
But have some one who knows what they are doing check it out before you hand over any cash !

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: GUEST, RIchard Bridge
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 07:38 PM

I agree with Terry. Get an experienced friend (preferably a guitar tech) to go with you or look out for something for you.

You MUST have playability (as too high an action will wreck intonation as well as fingertips).

You MUST have intonation or it will never tune.

If the action is too high make SURE that it will not need a neck set to sort out.

If it has a truss rod (NB a truss rod is NOT used to adjust action) the truss rod MUST work or you won't be able to set the neck progression.

Sound quantity and quality is a bonus - but so long as you don't need a neck set and the frets/saddle are in the right places then go for sound as a good guitar tech will be able to even up the frets and saddle height and progression and make it play

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: Bob Landry
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 08:39 PM

I just got back from a trip to Vancouver Island during which I needed a guitar to play during a couple of jam sessions with old friends. I am one of those guys who refuses to put his good guitar (a Guild) in the belly of an airplane. I had thought that I should go to the local pawn shops/second hand guitar stores and look for an old guitar but I procrastinated. So, after arriving in Victoria, I went to a local music shop and bought a new Epiphone DR100 for $129 Cdn (probably the twin of the guitar olddude bought for his nephew.) I had a 4-hour drive ahead of me, through the fog on unfamiliar roads so I didn't even open the box before leaving the store. When I did cut the packing tape, I was pleasantly surprised. The action is as good as the Guild. It is very easy to play. After I replaced the factory strings with D'Addario Phosphor Bronze lights, the sound improved markedly. I probably played it for about 7-8 hours before we returned home and I think it has potential. I didn't put this guitar on the airplane, either. I left it in British Columbia with my step daughter for the winter. I'll pick it up in April and will drag it along with me prior to a mini-vacation in Washington and Oregon.

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: GUEST,check youtube
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 10:09 PM

www.youtube.com/musiciansfriend has a great guitar pack buying guide video.

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 10:09 PM

Bob - What are the odds on getting a playable box as opposed to a load of Junk for someone who is just starting out ? I KNOW there ARE playable entry level priced guitars - Stagg do some very good stuff - but there are still a lot of real clunkers out there !

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: Bob Landry
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 10:39 PM

Leadfingers, I'm no expert on what's out there in the market. I did the least bit of online research before my trip, mostly to see what was available in the store I planned to visit (Long & McQuade, a country-wide chain.) Perhaps I lucked out. The Epiphone is very playable. Low action and easy on the fingers. The only negatives are (1) there was a bit of buzz when I put a capo on the 4th fret and strummed enthusiastically (while going head to head with an amplified Strat) and (2) the sound itself is a bit thin, without much depth. I think that once I get it home (after my trip to the US), have it set up properly and take the time to play it regularly, it should warm up. $129 is around here is not a lot of money. It gets me 2 tanks of gas. The guitar is worth keeping for the price - and may be perfect for my grandson when he gets big enough to hold it.

I should note that I do agree with advice from other posters to beginners - do take an experienced guitar players with you if you can and consider good used guitars that might be available for a reasonable price.

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: GUEST,DaveC
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 11:19 PM

Wonderful advice, anecdotes and suggestions. I appreciate them very much. Thanks to all.

DaveC

Subject: RE: Advice sought: good guitar for beginner
From: Mark Ross
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 12:25 AM

For under $300 check out some of the Recording King guitars. I hve been impressed with them.


Mark Ross