I'm 15 & i'm looking into purchasing an acoustic guitar, what kind would u suggest?

Question

I have no experience with guitars what-so-ever. I am simply just looking into a new hobby and see where i go from there. I don't want to spend a lot of money but i do want a guitar with some sort of quality... if that makes sense. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME IDEAS!!

Answer 1

Megz,

I'm a guitar tech and teacher so hopefully this informatio will work for you as it has for my friends and students.

First of all, on the acoustic vs. electric thing: Get and acoustic if you want an acoustic. Get an electric if you want an electric. Just get the one you truely want. The students I've had that don't have what they want tend to grow to dislike their guitars and thus practice less.

Try to find a guitar with a "solid" top. This means it's one piece of wood. The sound of the guitar will be much, much better if the top is solid. Solid back and sides are even better if you can get them too, but this will increase the price of the guitar a bit.

If you're just looking for something inexpensive, try too get the solid top and sealed machine heads (tuners). These types of tuners are air tight around the gears and are very reliable.

If you can take a friend that knows a lot about guitars with you. Try to find something with a "low action." This means that the distance from the strings to the frets is very small, making it easier to play. Also when first starting try to get light or extra light gauge strings. This way your finrgers won't hurt nearly as much. Try starting with .010's (the sixze of the highest string). The salesmen should know exactly what you're talking about if you say you want a packages of "tens" for acoustic guitar.

Don't work too much about the brand of the guitar if it feels good and sounds good. My $0.02: For quality at a reasonable price I recommend th Art & Luthurie guitars. They are built in Canada (not Japan, China, etc.) and sound great! They are easily the nicest guitars for the money on the market, no contest! (remember, I repair guitars!)

Be sure to get an electronic tuner too (about $10-20). You can't learn to play if you 're not in tune! I'd recommend a Korg tuner. They make excellent inexpensive tuners that work great! Avoid the Quik Tune brand tuners as they are very inaccurate.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Alvarez makes fine mid-range-cost guitars and are beautifully finished. Average dreadnoughts price at around $300 on sale and the neck action is acceptable.

The dreadnought, having a larger box cavity, will produce more resonance and tone than a smaller parlor-size acoustic will deliver. Don't concern yourself with acquiring a single cutaway; you have plenty of time and enough frets to keep you busy for a couple of years.

Your first hurdle, other than learning some basic chords and strumming techniques, will be to build up your calluses. That can be a deciding factor if you will continue playing.

Depending on your motivation and drive to learn the instrument, you'll move beyond the temporary pain and discomfort of sore fingertips. Just keep them dry as much as possible. Put a latex glove on your left hand when showering. It sounds silly, but sore fingertips will dissuade you to play if you allow it.

Take a guitar player with you when you go to a local music store for your first purchase. He or she will better advise you, although the sales representative probably plays guitar too.

There are other quality brands besides Alvarez; shop around until you find one that you feel suits you.

Final recommendation: Buy an acoustic and learn on it first before going to the electrics. You'll thank me later.

Happy playing.

Answer 3

Do yourself a favor... If you REALLY want to learn, get an electric guitar and amp... They sell them as a combo package at music stores these days and they're MUCH easier to start on than an acoustic... Been playing for 32 yrs now... Get it at a music store, though... If you stay with it, get an acoustic later when you're comfortable with some chords...

Feel free to email and/or IM me... Go to my Q & A Profile page...!

Answer 4

Anything by fender! And when you get more advanced then try a 12 string guitar it rocks my face off! it sounds so good! Good luck hope to see you in the next edition of artist on the rise!

Answer 5

fender--squire--gibson --epiphone---1st act make a pretty decent starter too---it doesn,t really matter how much it costs --as long as it has decent action--ie--the strings aren,t 2 inches above the frets---even a good guitar player can,t play a junk guitar--it would totally frustrate a beginer---if you can find someone who knows guitars to help you shop--lyou,ll be much better off----ahve fun---i started playing when i was around 14 or 15----i,m 51 now---it was one of the best things i ever did--still play alot--still learning----hope you enjoy it--it is alot of work though--stick with it though--you,ll be glad you did

Answer 6

you might want to start with a regular guitar but when you have some experience you should get a bass or electric. i prefer bass

Answer 7

not to be to kidish but if u go to toy r us then u will find nice beg guitars. i have one and it is best if u want to go from easy to hard.
there only about 25$

Answer 8

get a fender. no better guitar to start out on than a fender. trust me.

Answer 9

you should start with an acoustic guitar, i recomend *First Star

Answer 10

Definately (Can't spell that word for the life of me) a Fender...