What is a good acoustic guitar to start off with?
acoustic guitar February 12th, 2010Looking to buy a acoustic guitar as im starting to learn to play.
Would like to know what is the difference in folk,western,and classical.
Also the deference in the type of strings steel or nylon?
With all due respect to David H, who gave you some excellent advice, the Epiphone he mentions does not have a solid top…it says select top.
A solid top is always preferable, because these guitars improve in tone over the years, age quite well, and quite often retain their resale value, if not actually increase in price.
When you click on the guitar descriptions, always check to see whether it says something like "solid spruce top." If it does not have a solid top, the word "solid" will not appear…avoid these guitars.
Guitar Player magazine raves about the low end Fender acoustics, well within the price range of the Epiphone, and most of the Fenders in the $2-3 hundred range all have solid tops.
February 12th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Folk and Western refer more to guitar styles than actual instrument, and are both usually played on steel string guitars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_guitar
A Classical guitar uses nylon strings, but is not limited to the Classical repertoire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_guitar
As to what guitar to buy, that is a matter of taste and budget. Just remember that the better the guitar, the easier it will be to play. It will also sound better. There is nothing quite as frustrating to the beginner as a junky instrument.
Just for comparison, here are some beginners’ acoustic models from Guitar Center’s website:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/6-String-Acoustic-Acoustic-Guitar.gc?o=1
For a few dollars more, consider this one:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-DR-200CE-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-518378-i1150013.gc
It features a pickup so you can plug it in to an amp or PA system.
Personally, I like Yamaha and Epiphone in the lower priced models. The best thing to do is find a reliable local music store and ask lots of questions.
References :
February 12th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
With all due respect to David H, who gave you some excellent advice, the Epiphone he mentions does not have a solid top…it says select top.
A solid top is always preferable, because these guitars improve in tone over the years, age quite well, and quite often retain their resale value, if not actually increase in price.
When you click on the guitar descriptions, always check to see whether it says something like "solid spruce top." If it does not have a solid top, the word "solid" will not appear…avoid these guitars.
Guitar Player magazine raves about the low end Fender acoustics, well within the price range of the Epiphone, and most of the Fenders in the $2-3 hundred range all have solid tops.
References :
Over 40 years of part time professional guitar playing.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
The above answers are very good. For a beginner I’m not sure you should be concerned with select or solid top spruce. You want playability and a guitar that stays in tune. Look for Grover tuners or the like. Look for frets with a finished edge, run your fingers down the sides of the neck feel for burrs and loose frets.
More importantly it should feel good in your hands and sound good to your ears, it should talk to you and say play me. Go to a local store, and if you can’t play have one of the sales staff play a few for you. Try them out. You’ll find one in your price range that says ‘take me home’.
References :
February 12th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
ibanez is pretty cheap while good quality at the same time!
References :
February 12th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
If your a beginner then you need not concern yourself so much with string differences and styles.
I can tell you usually nylon string guitars are designed for classical music; which entails formal lessons involving learning how to sight read music, practice skills and discipline.
Steel string acoustic guitars are usually employed in music ranging from country, to pop, to rock, and jazz. Beginning on steel string mostly starts by learning simple chords and applying them to song your most likely familiar with. You develop techniques and learn music theory as you advance.
In both cases, for the beginner, that would be you, finger strength, dexterity, and coordination are the main hurdles. then you learn basics like tuning, parts, rythmn and listening. This in my opinion is the hardest part to getting started on guitar.
As for purchasing a decent starter; you need not worry about sound quality or high quality issues, it wont make much difference for some time. I have both low end Yamaha acoustic and classical guitars I keep out around my house and pick up and play when I feel like it. My more expensive guitars are spared the wear and tear of practice and playing, I bought the Yamahas at Costco for $99 each. I see low end Fender Acoustics there for just over a hundred. All these guitars sound fine and are perfect for beginners. Try Costco online too. Any guitar lower in quality and price will be a dismal learning experience.
Dont go to a music store as the salesperson will most likely sell you something you dont need, cant afford, or inventory he doesnt want.
Avoid marketing hype.
Music is fun. Dont limit yourself to guitar, or one style. Learn piano, play the blues. Find a credible teacher or school who can steer you in the right direction.
Happy chops
References :