What guitar?

[callmedave]

So I was given an acoustic guitar but I'm not happy with it, the high e 'rings' and my local guitar shop can't fix it. So I'm thinking of buying a new one.

I've seen these 3/4 size ones, are they ok for a beginner like me? (30 something) I don't really want to go over £100

[davepoth]

Get this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000WITGQO/ref=pd_lpo_s...

Best value by far - it's usually recommended for beginners.

[kuro]

I bought one of the f310 starter packs before Christmas at a stupidly low price. It was meant to be for my daughter who is left handed but i didnt realise it was a right hooker. I ended up keeping it for myself as its such a good guitar for the money.

[BorkFactor]

davepoth said:

Get this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000WITGQO/ref=pd_lpo_s...

Best value by far - it's usually recommended for beginners.

Exactly what came to mind for me as well. These are really good.

These are also worth a go - I had a very similar one (AJ-10) when I was starting which a mate now owns, it punches well above its weight:

http://www.andertons.co.uk/steel-string-acoustic-g...

Or cheaper still:

http://www.andertons.co.uk/steel-string-acoustic-g...

[rlw]

Why would you consider a 3/4 size guitar? Get a shorter scale length if you find the stretches a bit hard - I certainly do. I've gone from a 25.5" to a 24.75" and its a bit easier. You can go as low as 24" if you look around.

Guitars are like cars - they lose a huge chunk of their value as you walk out of the shop so don't buy new unless you intend to keep it for ten years. Look on Gumtree or Ebay where there are hundreds of the things. For £100 you could probably find something costings over £200 new very easily.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/takamin...

http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/tanglew...

http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/full-si...

Three good examples without even trying. I don't know what scale length they all are but Google is your friend here.

[Billsnemesis]

You absolutely cannot go wrong with an entry level Yamaha.

I bought my brother one about 20 years for a combined birthday and Christmas present and he recently got it fettled. It now plays brilliantly, the action is excellent and the intonation spot on. The sound is a bit thin and twangy but as something to learn and grow with it is perfect unless and until the urge to spend serious money takes over.

[ehonda]

I sold my 310 Yamaha for 30 quid a couple of months back, it was as new. I didn't get on with it myself, but plenty of people do.
I'd definitely be looking second hand for a starter guitar, there seemed to be plenty around the same price as mine when I was looking.

[callmedave]

I'm hesitant to go second hand as I wouldn't know what to check for when looking.

I have a second hand guitar and the nut is broken at the top causing my high e to ring (not fret buzz)

[oddball1973]

callmedave said:

I'm hesitant to go second hand as I wouldn't know what to check for when looking.

I have a second hand guitar and the nut is broken at the top causing my high e to ring (not fret buzz)

Why can't your local guy fit a new nut and set it up, shouldn't cost more than £40-£50 to get it reasonably playable - maybe try someone else?

[slyelessar]

I have been playing guitar for years, and have played lots of gigs and done lots of recordings with 3/4 size guitars. You can get some fantastic sounds from them. It is a small mind that thinks they are just for kids/beginners! Although, they are great for that as well.

I would suggest something smaller than a jumbo acoustic if you have already been looking at 3/4 length guitars. Sigma make a nice 000-15 although that you can pick up for about £120-140 if you shop around and are willing to stretch a little.

You can pick up some great quality second hand guitars these days.

EDIT: A quick look on ebay> musical instruments > acoustic shows that there are some good options for buy it now acoustics under £100.

Edited by slyelessar on Tuesday 21st April 20:51

[rolo0151]

As someone has already suggested, I'd go for something used.
When I started playing it was just a god awful guitar that someons gave me. It was a horrible thing.
A few years later I picked up a takamine eg260 after a mate recommended one. Cost me £70 off eBay. Dead easy to play & really got me into playing. Sold it 18months later for the same money. Wish I'd kept it now though. Perfect take anywhere type of guitar.

My advice would be to get out & try as many guitars as you can. Even better if you can try them back to back

[IainT]

Billsnemesis said:

You absolutely cannot go wrong with an entry level Yamaha.

I bought my brother one about 20 years for a combined birthday and Christmas present and he recently got it fettled. It now plays brilliantly, the action is excellent and the intonation spot on. The sound is a bit thin and twangy but as something to learn and grow with it is perfect unless and until the urge to spend serious money takes over.

I've got an old FG-160 that was a 16th prezzie (27 years ago)... second hand and probably older than I am. Could do with the nut replacing and the body shows the wear but it's a great guitar for the little it cost.

[slyelessar]

callmedave said:

I'm hesitant to go second hand as I wouldn't know what to check for when looking.

I have a second hand guitar and the nut is broken at the top causing my high e to ring (not fret buzz)

Generally speaking, buying second hand from a shop, should eliminate most chances of a used instrument having major problems. Of course, it doesn't eliminate all chances of that happening. Find a guitar/music shop that has a good returns policy, or get a second opinion on a guitar you are interested in.

Off hand, usually when there are other people in the guitar shops, most are looking for all those issues. You could always quickly ask them to give the guitar a once over just to help you out. Most guitarists egos will make them want to do it because it makes them seem like they know more than that probably do