[greentea]

Hi there,

I've finally decided that I'm actually going to take up the guitar, instead of just thinking about taking it up! I tried to teach myself once before - using my Dad's classical guitar. I found that it was too big - especially around the neck - for me to play comfortably - I'm quite small, and have small hands.

Now I'm in the situtation where I have no-one who can help me out with buying a guitar - I live in a different country to my family and none of my friends here play the guitar at all. So I'll have to choose my guitar myself (and deal with the language barrier, but that's a whole other fun subject!).

Any hints for choosing a guitar? And not getting ripped off? Am I right in thinking that I can get an acoustic guitar with a smaller neck for my little hands? I've been trying to do some research on the internet, but I've just succeeded in confusing myself even more.

I'm hoping to eventually be able to accompany myself singing (probably ballads/folk type stuff), and I've already got some musical education (violin, viola and singing since I was about 7). Will that change the type of guitar I want?

Thanks - and sorry for the long and rambling first post!

-- GT

[si16]

UGB, a moderator on this forum, sells guitars for a living and specialises in beginners, including 3/4 size guitars. He'll be able to offer some useful advice.

While you say your hands are too small for a classical guitar, have you tried out other types of guitar, which usally have thinner, narrower necks. There's little choice when it comes to 3/4 size guitars so before you restrict yourself to that market, try out some other full sized guitars at your local store to see if you can find some you are comfortable with. Most people think their hands are too small to start with.

[Ultimate Garage Band]

What kind of music do you want to play? What country are you in? How much do you want to spend?

[greentea]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Garage Band

What kind of music do you want to play? What country are you in? How much do you want to spend?

I suppose folk/ballads kind of stuff. I've got a fairly eclectic musical taste - but I'm thinking stuff like Joni Mitchell/KT Tunstall

I'm in Lithuania, although I do travel to the UK every now and then - but I'd obviously prefer not to have to lug a guitar back on the flight with me!

I wouldn't say that money is no object - but I would like to spend enough that I wouldn't have to replace the guitar as soon as I made some progress. Up to a few hundred Euro I suppose.

-- GT

[allthumbs]

Hmm.300 euro = 385 u.s.. From what I have heard from people in Europe, import costs really add to the cost of name brand guitars so you may find your price range optimistic, Do some research on what is available in your country and at what prices. Tell us what you find and we will give you our opinion on which would be the best buy.

[biker_jim_uk]

these might deliver to Lithuania, and here's a cheap one that might be a good starter?
http://www.thomann.de/thoiw2_harley_...ro dinfo.html

[greentea]

Originally Posted by biker_jim_uk

these might deliver to Lithuania, and here's a cheap one that might be a good starter?
http://www.thomann.de/thoiw2_harley_...ro dinfo.html

Thanks. If I can't find anything here, I'll have a think about getting something delivered. We only have one music shop here - that I can find. I'm a fairly tactile person though, so I'd prefer to be able to handle a guitar a bit before I play!

[Kasper]

I bought mine at 120€ second hand, but still in good shape. If you don't want second-hand, you can already get a decent guitar here for 150 €. Don't know what the prices are in other countries

[fly135]

greentea, I don't know if they Ovation guitars there, but when I got my mail order, I found that the fretboard was slightly narrower than other guitars I've tried. I learned the perils of buying without trying. However I'm getting used to it now.

Although I will say that I've found that round bowl on the bottom really annoying when trying to play sitting down. I got a good strap and I'm getting used to that too.

[greentea]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

I spent a while down at the music shop yesterday, trying out guitars and talking to the very knowledgeable guy there. I finally came out with a Hohner HF75 which, when I picked it up, just kind of 'fit'. I paid under 250 euro for the guitar and a gig bag (and got the name of a teacher who speaks English while I was there!)

Now I just have to force myself to get all my housework done BEFORE I start playing today, or I'll get nothing done at all!

-- GT

[krissovo]

I had a look at one of them when I was looking, great sound for the price and VERY LOUD from what I remember. On a new one that I looked at the action was very high so you might want that looked at (some shops will do this for all new guitars but some do not). It gets great reveiws

[greentea]

Yes, the first one I looked at had a very high action - the guy in the shop told me not to get it - so he found another one that had a lower action. (am I using the terms right?)

[allthumbs]

Originally Posted by greentea

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

I spent a while down at the music shop yesterday, trying out guitars and talking to the very knowledgeable guy there. I finally came out with a Hohner HF75 which, when I picked it up, just kind of 'fit'. I paid under 250 euro for the guitar and a gig bag (and got the name of a teacher who speaks English while I was there!)

Now I just have to force myself to get all my housework done BEFORE I start playing today, or I'll get nothing done at all!

-- GT

Here are some reviews. They seem good.
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita...r/HF_75-1.html

[fly135]

"...that had a lower action. (am I using the terms right?)
"

Yes, you have it right. My Ovation I ordered had high action and was difficult to play. I didn't know at the time about getting the guitar "set up". You can adjust the action of a guitar and if you order one online there is a good chance you will have to had it adjusted. The advantage of trying them out in the shop is that you may be able to find one decently setup off the shelf.

[Mike8307]

Originally Posted by greentea

Now I just have to force myself to get all my housework done BEFORE I start playing today, or I'll get nothing done at all!

-- GT

Forget the housework. Get playing. Dust on the furniture is okay. Dust on the fretboard is unforgiveable !!!!!


Mike