Beginner's Guitar?

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: Musket
Date: 07 Oct 11 - 10:06 AM

When I was a teenager and first started going to folk clubs, I played a violin. I decided I should start learning the guitar...

It occurred to me, (and to be fair, I was told as well) that those who can play guitar at a decent level have guitars that are comfortable to play. Those who strum a couple of chords and wonder how the better players manage to "do that thing" tended to play cheaper guitars with old strings, high action, warped necks... etc.

So, (and this was an argument thrown at my poor old Mum when I wanted my own rather than a school violin a few years earlier,) a decent set up guitar will encourage more practising and get beginners over that "shall I carry on or not?" hurdle, whereas a badly set up guitar has people struggling to continue.

Two things about that though;

1. Yes, the old American blues players did amazing things with cheap Sears & Roebuck catalogue guitars. The clue is in the word "amazing." They, not the guitars were amazing.

2. Luckily, it is my experience that with modern seasoning techniques, computer design, CNC cutting and profiling, modern glues and factory quality control, I doubt there is a bad guitar out there once you spend over £100.00. Seriously. I spent a couple of grand last year on a guitar but whilst choosing, kept going back to the cheapest ones in the shop to compare, and it hits you the small difference in playability. The tone however ....

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 07 Oct 11 - 02:55 AM

I used to buy gear from a shop that sold good guitars and poor ones. An old boy who worked there set up every one just the same, within the limitations of the design, the cheap guitars took much longer of course. If you bought a £30 job or a £3000 one you got exactly the same treatment. He no longer works there and everything is sold straight from the box. I no longer use the shop.

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: Gurney
Date: 07 Oct 11 - 02:46 AM

All beginners ought to have a guitar that is well set up, so they need to have an experienced player with them when they buy.
The fastest way to put someone off is for them to try playing a guitar that needs sorting.

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 06 Oct 11 - 03:50 PM

I too can recommend Seagull & Art & Lutherie. I'm particularly fond of my A & L Parlor-size Ami that I've had just over a year now. A further advantage of it is I am never hassled when I carry it on a plane in its own original padded case.

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 06 Oct 11 - 08:06 AM

My girlfriend has just made the switch from nylon-strung Spanish to steel-strung dreadnought , and she has bought a "Recording King" model ,which sounds nice and is impressively built ( all solid spruce and rosewood ) - not only was it relatively cheap , but she finds it easy to play ! Worth thinking about !

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Oct 11 - 07:28 AM

"Inexpensive"? That word must have grown a new meaning...

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: Bert
Date: 06 Oct 11 - 06:01 AM

A few weeks ago the cheapie pickup I was using on my guitar up and died (on stage of course).

I went shopping for a new one or for a cheap guitar with one built in.

I found a Fender Starcaster at a local pawn shop for $70. It sounds fine, the neck is straight it didn't need any set up.

Sam Ash also have good sounding cheap guitars starting at around $100.

I wouldn't buy one without trying a few first though.

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 02:06 PM

Thanks for the tips. If he's still playing my Chinese dreadnought by Christmas I'll get him something better from your recommendations.

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 01:03 PM

I'd recommend the Recording King 12 fret OOO. Under $300, it's the best sounding instrument that I have heard in that price range lately.


Recording King 12 fret OOO

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: gnu
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 12:47 PM

I sold my Seagull S6 cutaway a couple of years ago. I developed a wrist injury hadn't picked it up in over three years when Beer dropped in for a visit while on vacation. I had to dust it off before handing it to him. It was in perfect tune... never touched for three years.

I don't know if this is in any way odd but I (not very knowledgible) was impressed. Inexpensive and sounded good to ME anyway. In any case, there are more than enough people in here who KNOW what they are talking about.

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: GUEST,George
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 12:32 PM

I think from a guitar players point of view it is very wise to always try a guitar out as well. On many occasions I have bought a guitar after the name or looks and ended up feeling very disappointed as I never tried the guitar out myself.

We all differ in hand size and feel so this is just a heads up :)

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Start Playing Guitar from Scratch

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 12:03 PM

I agree with Sandy ; I got much better at guitar-playing after owning a Simon & Patrick for a year or so ! Seagulls seem to inspire some players , too. Go for it !

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 11:38 AM

My daughter has an Art & Luthrie that has a great sound. Made by Godin, the same company as Seagull, but a bit lower cost. Other siblings of Seagull are Norman and Simon & Patrick.

Subject: RE: Beginner's Guitar?
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 08:01 AM

I think the Seagulls are a great buy for the money.

Subject: Beginner's Guitar?
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 07:59 AM

My teenage son has picked up the guitar again (voluntarily!) and I'm keen to encourage his interest. He's presently bashing out tunes on my old dreadnought but I'm looking at maybe getting him a Seagull S6 for Christmas. Anything else out there I consider at a similar price - don't say a banjo, I've tried to sway him that way already.