Where, what brand, and how much should I pay for an acoustic guitar?

Question

I'm looking into starting to play the acoustic guitar and I have no idea what I'm supposed to get.
I don't want a cheapo one, and I don't want an amazingly amazing one. I want a mid-range one because I already play a few instruments and this is going to be in use for a while before I buy a better one.
What would you suggest I get, or how much should I pay for one?

Answer 1

Yeah. Go to your local music shop with an idea of your maximum spend. Decide if you want nylon strings or steel (nylon are easier on the fingers, steel give a brighter sound.) Be aware that it will hurt your left hand fingers for a while, and that you cannot have long, pretty nails on your left hand. Take a friend , or ask an assistant to play some for you. Choose the one that you like the sound of best. Never mind about famous names, it's what you like that matters. Ideally, hold it in playing position yourself and see how it feels to push the strings down. Play some notes or a chord. Maybe the shop will do a package - guitar, decent gig bag and tuner (preferably electronic.) also get a book of chord shapes. hope this helps.

Answer 2

I think you already have a good idea. If you buy too cheap it will be hard to play and you'll be more likely to give up. On the other hand, you don't want to pay $1,000 or more for a Martin or Gibson guitar. The best intro guitars are usually made in Japan. Brands such as Yamaha and numerous others are amazingly good and a good value. You simply need to go in, perhaps with a more advanced guitarist if you are really a beginner, and try some out. Two things I would insist on. 1) It is easy to play with a relatively low "action." That is, the strings are close to the fret board, yet not so close that they rattle against it. 2) It has to be relatively easy to tune. Really cheap guitars are sometimes impossible to tune correctly. Unlike piano or trumpet, for instance, ease of tuning is critical for any guitar with which you plan on learning.

As to brand name, don't worry about it too much. Also, some of the "big" guitar makers such as Martin and Taylor are starting to make "entry level" guitars. They are worth a try. My guess is that a "good enough" guitar will start at about $300. new, though you may get lucky and find a cheaper one. But not much cheaper. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The Washburn D10S is all solid wood construction, no plywood is used which can deaden the sound. It sells for about $200 and was named one of the best acoustic guitars for under $500 by Acoustic Guitar Magazine.

I own several high end instruments and needed a beater guitar for fun. I nearly bought the Washburn. I choose the Carvin mahogany dreadnought for around $359.

Both guitars were setup quite well at the factory and played very nicely. The tone and projection were better than some of the mid-range instruments you're used to hearing about. But as another poster mentioned earlier it is best to see and feel them before purchasing.

Answer 4

Yamaha. They have cheap stuff. My friend plays the guitar in my school's jazz band, and it's a yamaha, and a school rental, and if those guitars are cheap enough to buy, like, 5 of for a school, they're pretty cheap. Same thing with electric keyboards and some other stuff at my school.
I'm no guitar expert, but I hope this helps!
-Stella

Answer 5

Washburn Acoustic Guitars are great. I had one for 22 years. Without electronics, you'll spend in the $300.00 range. Make sure to search out a sale. "More Bang For The Buck".

Answer 6

First of all. the price doesnt matter if you are a begginer.. you have to go around the stores and try them out. play some basic tuness on them.. and you will see what you really want . and really need.

Answer 7

depends on how much money you have. If you dont have much, get a yamaha.