Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Acoustic Beginner Guitars

By Paul Green

There are a few things to consider before you purchase your new acoustic beginner guitar. If you are able to afford a high-quality guitar, by all means indulge yourself and get it. The price tag may be higher but you will find that the quality will be reflected in the ease of playing and in the tone of the guitar as well.

If you're looking for a high-end acoustic beginner guitar, an excellent choice is the Seagull S6, costing about $400-$500. It may be more expensive than what most beginners are prepared to pay, but it is an exceptional guitar for the price. Even professionals often keep their Seagull S6 after they've purchased many other guitars. Another good high-end acoustic beginner guitar is the Washburn D10S. Acoustic Guitar magazine voted it #1 for guitars under $500. Most people looking in this price range will end up choosing the Washburn or the Seagull.

The Yamaha F310, Takamine G-240 and Fender DG7 are all good choices for the beginner. But in terms of price, the most affordable for the beginner is the Epiphone DR-100. Once you gain more experience you will want to trade up, but it's a great acoustic beginner guitar at $120-$150.

Don't waste your money on those cheap guitars you can find for under $100 at the local discount store. Even an experienced player would have trouble with these. They're poorly made and often have an overly high action, as there tends to be too much space between the strings and the fingerboard. A cheap guitar is frustrating and not fun to play, so buy a good quality acoustic beginner guitar.

If your budget is going to keep you from spending more than $100 for an acoustic beginner guitar, you should think in terms of a used one. Each secondhand guitar seems to have its own set of quirks. If you see two of the same brand and model in a guitar shop, be sure to try them both. Each will have a somewhat different tone and feel, which guitarists insist reflects the prior owners' different personalities.

You should always avoid buying a guitar from someone who doesn't know beans about caring for one. A guitar has to be handled like a lover (or at least a friend!). When it hasn't been properly treated, it's just never going to make great music. If an acoustic beginner guitar you're trying feels a bit "off" for any reason, go on to the next one.

If you are a beginner, it's best to ask the salesperson to demonstrate and play the acoustic beginner guitar you are thinking about buying. An experienced salesperson will know that you, as a beginner, may not know how to play, but you know what you want a guitar to sound like once you have learned. They might just be helping the next big guitar play purchase their first guitar. - 15478

About the Author: