Would like some recommendations on buying a guitar

[jimithing19]

Last night I borrowed a guitar and I am trying to learn. I would like one of my own for Christmas, but I don't want my mom to have to spend a lot. Are there any good guitars out there for around $200.00 or lower? A friend told me he found that the bottom "good" guitar was around $300.00. He said if you get below that the quality is gone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

[scoot_14]

In my opinion I'd have to agree with your friend, the bottom of good is really around $300.

You can find nice used guitars sometimes for less, but that usually means something is wrong with them, like they're worn or need minor repairs.

[pele0069]

get a jasmine by takamine...thats what i have .and i like it alot...granted its not the best...by why pay alot for something ur just starting...

[Sachyaaam]

I wouldnt get the jasmine only because you will outgrow it in 2-3 months. I bought the jasmine and it sounds ok but once you start playing youll want a better sounding guitar and one thats easier to play. In three months i had to buy a new guitar (got mine used off of ebay). Id say put the 300 into a nice used guitar that is all solid wood and you will be able to play it for a while.

[jimithing19]

Thanks for the advice!

Eric

[BustedMachead]

I have a Jasmine also. What kind do y'all have..i have the S-34C i think.. But anyway, i like it. It is a good beginners guitar and to me isn't all that difficult to play on.

I can't wait till i buy my next guitar. I have my eyes set on a Takamine Santa Fe dsf48c (http://www.takamine.com/pics/models/ESF48C_SM.jpg). That is the esf48c...the only difference being the preamp in each, the dsf has the DSP preamp and the esf has the CT-4b preamp. Actually i like the design of the dsf49c better ( http://store3.yimg.com/I/catamuse_1706_20106184) but i don't want another guitar with pegs on the bridge, i want the strings to slide through at the bridge.

It's gonna cost me about $1400 nonetheless i have about $800 or so saved..hmm...both christmas and my birthday are coming up soon...

[cspuryear]

You can find a good Ibanez or Seagull for about $300

[scoot_14]

Originally posted by cspuryear
You can find a good Ibanez or Seagull for about $300

Yes, both good suggestions for beginners.

[jimithing19]

Well, I got a Big Baby Taylor. It was the best sounding guitar I looked at. I hope everyone would agree that it is a good beginners guitar.

Thanks again for the advice,
Eric

[PilotC150]

I don't like when people say "you will grow out of it in 2-3 months." I can understand how you might want a better guitar by then, but you won't grow out of it.

I've been playing for over 2 years on a used Montana MT-204N. Yea, you've never heard of that before, and I just did a web search and could not find a website to even find out how much this guitar costs. But I can guarentee you it's very cheap. That action on it is so bad that by the 12th fret the strings are 1/4 inch from the neck. I can still play it, though. I can play any DMB song I want. Maybe it's harder, but then when I get a new guitar it will be that much easier.

Unless you are 100% sure that you will play guitar for years (which you simply cannot be) don't invest much into a guitar. Get a cheap used guitar for $200 or less. Play on it for a bit. Then maybe you can trade it in to where you got it from for a more expensive one. But if you stop playing it will be wasted money.

I'm not trying to discourage people from getting expensive guitars as beginners, just pointing out that you do'nt need to spend a lot of money to get a playable guitar that will last.

[TripnBilles41]

If you hadnt already bought a guitar I woulda told ya to go to a music store that is either having a big sale for the holidays or go to one that is going out of business. the Mars Music store by me was going out of business and will be closed by Dec. 1. I got mine there before they started the sale but I still got the discount. I heard that the whole Mars Music chain is closing out, but i donno how accurate that is. dont wanna go startin rumors now.

[Versacci41]

My first guitar was a sweet Gremlin that i got for free... i've been playing for a few months now and im definately ready for a new guitar...i just can't afford one...what do guys think about these baby taylors...they're only like 300 but are they smaller than a standard sized guitar?

[Versacci41]

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[lisdmb]

Hmmm, ok I need advice on buying a guitar too. I am probably getting one for Christmas and have been looking around on websites for a good yet pretty cheap guitar. On a website of a store in my town, I found a Alvarez RD20 for $189, on sale from $279. It seems like a good deal to me. So I was wondering how these guitars are? I want one that will last me for awhile, at least through college, becasue I'm not going to be able to afford another one. Any advice would be appreciated.