Looking for an acoustic guitar...

[mattdmb]

Hey I am a beginner and looking for a good first guitar to learn on. I don't want to spend a ton of money, I am thinking $350 would be right around how much I would want to spend, any suggestions....

[bradshaw06]

jasmine by takamine s34c, im a beginner and this is the guitar i have. awesome guitar to learn on, stays in tune, and is a great price

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S34C-NEX-Cutaway-Acoustic-Guitar-516458-i1148992.gc

[bennettr]

Most Important Issue !!!!!!

How large is your hand? I would hate myself if I had bought my friend's Martin over my Taylor. (for many reasons but..) mostly because of the size of the neck radius and thickness.

Less thickness/radius will make it a faster guitar and easier to streatch your fingers to play 'dave chords' But it requires more grip strength.

So think about that, it really has nothing to do with sound of the guitar. After you determine what size fits you best, then think about the sound that you want to get out of it.

[jordanbball17]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I didn't feel like making a new one :D

What's a good intermediate level guitar? I'm not a beginner (been playing for 4-5 years now), and I'm tired of the crappy guitar I have. I want to upgrade, but my budget's pretty low. I don't think my playing is Taylor-worthy, by any means, but the 1970's Yamaha is getting old.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[bennettr]

Sorry to say it but 4-5 years should be taylor worthy. If that is the type of guitar that you can see yourself buying when you are "taylor worthy" then get it now and it will help motivate you to become better, that's essentially what I did. I was going to buy a guitar at half the value of the 214e but my mom went half-ies with me and I got it.

[bennettr]

Oh and to answer your question, check out Seagulls they are made in Canada and they don't need to pay for their wood (they just go looking for fallen trees... silly canadians) and therefore --> good guitar, better price.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Seagull-?sku=512366

just an example

[jordanbball17]

^^Wow, thanks for the help! Funny, because I've had my eye on that exact Seagull model, but wasn't sure about the quality, etc.
But those Taylor's do look amazing...

[mattdmb]

my hands are kinda small actually and i have tried playing on my brothers Washburn and have had trouble, i felt as if i couldn't reach a lot of chords

[halloween_dmb41]

I have an Alvarez and I love it. My first guitar and I've been playing for about a year.

[dave1399fan]

I think your best bet is to just go into a couple of different shops and starting playing them. Look for playability, sound, look or whatever it is you're looking for and narrow it down to 3-4 guitars. Don't buy any on your first visit. Figure out the names and models of those 3-4 guitars and do some research on prices, features, problems, etc. Then go back and play those 3-4 guitars again and make a decision.

When I bought my 2nd guitar my budget was around $2500. I ended up playing a Martin D16GT that was only $949 and fell in love with the sound. I've had several people comment on the tone and quality of the guitar. Had I taken other peoples advice, I may have went in looking for a Martin D28 or some other guitar and missed out on a guitar I will never get rid of.

[bennettr]

I don't have a whole lot of knowledge on much more than Taylors > Martins. I don't really think Martins suck, I just enjoy the fun in the rivalry. But as far as actual differences. The Taylors are meant to be sharper (Piercing sound by individual notes) and also seem to have a smaller (faster) neck. Martins are generally a warmer sound and are initended for more strumming purposes. That's probably why Dave switched to a Taylor for full band, to be able to cut through the sound of all the other instruments.

[nagapantala]

i have a D16GT as well and love it...as for the OP, i know you already have an old yamaha, but there newer models are definately worth a test drive, esp for a beginner because they are a great value with solid playability

[jordanbball17]

So I've set my sights on a Taylor 210.
Anybody have any input/comments/suggestions?

I'm also planning to go to my local guitar store, and check a few out as well.

But this 210 looks perfect.

Also, this sounds completely stupid, but does acoustic-electric just mean an acoustic that plugs into an amp?

I know I should know that, but I don't, obviously.

[mik4041]

My first guitar was an Alvarez, it was alright... My buddy recently bought a US made Yamaha, and it sounds really good, I was surprised myself. It was $350 at guitar center.

[dmb41nancies34]

Oh and to answer your question, check out Seagulls they are made in Canada and they don't need to pay for their wood (they just go looking for fallen trees... silly canadians) and therefore --> good guitar, better price.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Seagull-?sku=512366

just an example

I have to agree. I played a Seagull for the first time at guitar center about a week ago that was listed at $600 and it was playing like an $1800 martin. It sounded amazing.

[minarets10790]

go with a fender GC-12

[icestock]

So I've set my sights on a Taylor 210.
Anybody have any input/comments/suggestions?

I'm also planning to go to my local guitar store, and check a few out as well.

But this 210 looks perfect.

Also, this sounds completely stupid, but does acoustic-electric just mean an acoustic that plugs into an amp?

I know I should know that, but I don't, obviously.

I just bought this guitar. Seeing as this post is almost 2 years old what has your expereince been like with this model (if you endedud up buying it). I am having buyer's remorse but I'm past the return period ... don't get me wrong I love it so far!

[HD18JBGuy]

My advice...buy used. At that price range, you will get twice the guitar.

Also, buy solid wood. While the Taylor 110s and 210s are pretty nice and affordable guitars, there are nicer solid wood options available that will sound better. Keep in mind that solid wood guitars will need to be properly maintained and humidified. Guitars with laminate back and sides (such as a 110 or 210) require less maintenance and are more "forgiving"/durable.

As mentioned above, Seagull makes nice solid wood guitars but tend to have a wider nut width. Blue Ridge, Epiphone, and Takamines are also nice solid wood options and are very affordable and have various nut/neck widths. I would suggest going to play a few different models to get a feel for what you like. I have a few Martins ranging from 1 11/16" to 1 13/16", with various shaped necks. I can jump back and forth between them with no problems...some people can not. It might make no difference to you, but you owe it to yourself to try a few neck widths and profiles.

If you want, keep saving and I will sell you a Martin DM3MD.

[Mikey Dreamer]

I'd like to echo the Seagull recommendations. Very high quality woods and very high quality craftsmanship. I also happen to think that Seagull necks are about as comfortable as they get. They're definitely chunky, but smooth and comfortable.

My advice...buy used. At that price range, you will get twice the guitar.

Also, buy solid wood. While the Taylor 110s and 210s are pretty nice and affordable guitars, there are nicer solid wood options available that will sound better. Keep in mind that solid wood guitars will need to be properly maintained and humidified. Guitars with laminate back and sides (such as a 110 or 210) require less maintenance and are more "forgiving"/durable.

As mentioned above, Seagull makes nice solid wood guitars but tend to have a wider nut width. Blue Ridge, Epiphone, and Takamines are also nice solid wood options and are very affordable and have various nut/neck widths. I would suggest going to play a few different models to get a feel for what you like. I have a few Martins ranging from 1 11/16" to 1 13/16", with various shaped necks. I can jump back and forth between them with no problems...some people can not. It might make no difference to you, but you owe it to yourself to try a few neck widths and profiles.

If you want, keep saving and I will sell you a Martin DM3MD.

Off topic, but do you have a DM3MD or is this sarcasm? If yes, pics? Give us some pics of your Jimmy Buffett signature, too (assuming you have one). :D

[HD18JBGuy]

I'd like to echo the Seagull recommendations. Very high quality woods and very high quality craftsmanship. I also happen to think that Seagull necks are about as comfortable as they get. They're definitely chunky, but smooth and comfortable.



Off topic, but do you have a DM3MD or is this sarcasm? If yes, pics? Give us some pics of your Jimmy Buffett signature, too (assuming you have one). :D

Not to try to get off topic either, but, yes, I actually do have a DM3MD that, yes, I might sell soon. Too many frickin' guitars. Plus, I want to add a Taylor as my guitars are "Martin heavy" right now. Taylors are just as nice as Martins, they just sound different.

Please, please don't take this bragging. Proud of them yes, but I am not a boastful kind of guy. I am just a guy who really likes guitars. Here is my current herd as a player/collector. They all get played and played a lot. None of them sit in their case untouched:

HD-28V
HD-18JB
000-JBP
000-JBS
LX Jimmy Buffett
DM3MD
D-16GT
Sigma DR-41

The Buffett dreadnought is my favorite guitar hence the call name I chose, plus I am a Buffett freakoid (though his Tripping Billies cover was just awful). I will get some pictures up this weekend.

[Mikey Dreamer]

Not to try to get off topic either, but, yes, I actually do have a DM3MD that, yes, I might sell soon. Too many frickin' guitars. Plus, I want to add a Taylor as my guitars are "Martin heavy" right now. Taylors are just as nice as Martins, they just sound different.

Please, please don't take this bragging. Proud of them yes, but I am not a boastful kind of guy. I am just a guy who really likes guitars. Here is my current herd as a player/collector. They all get played and played a lot. None of them sit in their case untouched:

HD-28V
HD-18JB
000-JBP
000-JBS
LX Jimmy Buffett
DM3MD
D-16GT
Sigma DR-41

The Buffett dreadnought is my favorite guitar hence the call name I chose, plus I am a Buffett freakoid (though his Tripping Billies cover was just awful). I will get some pictures up this weekend.

That's a beautiful collection you have there. If I were you I'd hang onto the DM3MD for a little while -- it seems like the value of those things are skyrocketing.

I love your HD-28V, that's my all-time favorite guitar. There's just something about those Martin vintage models that I can't get enough of. I've been thinking of getting a HD-16r (poor man's HD-28V), so maybe you can help me seeing as you have a D-16GT. How would describe the tone of your 16? I know the HD-16r has different bracing and rosewood back and sides, but how would you say your D-16GT stands up to, say, a D-28?

[MGH4007]

I'll plug my first acoustic

Ibanez Pf. It was around 340$.

http://www.ibanez.com/AcousticGuitars/model-PF5ECENT

Solid overtone, responsive/clear highs. Sounds great for blues and nice for acoustic soloing. The action is a bit higher than say a Taylor but it allows for a more percussive/bell like tone which I like. I've had it for around 4 years now and it only sounds better than when I bought it.

[Roose13]

I'll plug my guitar right now. I love this Fender electric/acoustic so much: http://media.photobucket.com/image/fender%20dg200sce/SpartanC63/Fenderelecacous.jpg

It was listed at $420 but got 15% off since it was Black Friday