[Chris P.]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a new accoustic guitar?

Chris

[Lcjones]

Hey Chris,

Of course, that all depends on how deep your pockets are! I'd take a look at the Guild GAD25 series for a nice mid-range acoustic. Not a bad deal ....


And of course again, ask a thousand guitarists and you'll get a thousand different answers!

Good luck in your hunt!

Les

[tomg123]

I tried a few before I decided on a seagull, but I am having a problem right now and i'm not sure if its the guitar or me its a high pitched ping noise I get that drives me nuts. One acoustic I didn't like were the fenders

[scotty_b]

Hey Chris
It might be worthwhile having a think about budget, and also what you are looking to play on it.
I own a Taylor Doyle Dykes Anniversay Model,and thoroughly recommend them, however they are more than most people would wish to pay.
I also think Maton guitars are really decent instruments ( I own an ECW80C).
However it really comes down to budget

[Ultimate Garage Band]

What's your budget?
What kind of music/style do you want to play?
How big/small are you?

[Chris P.]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback. UGB had some good questions - I should have included that info. When I looked at the Guild link, I saw that the GAD25 was a dreadnaught (sp?), which I understand is the largest guitar body.

I am 5'3" with a slight build. I am currently playing my husband's Washburn, I am not certain what model it is. It feels large to me, although, I am new to playing, so it may just be a matter of getting used to it. I have to reach my right arm way around, and my left hand is having a hard time reaching chords. Some of these problems are things that may well resolve themselves with practice, ie reaching chords. Someone on the list mentioned that everyone feels like their hands are too small when they start out. My hands are small, but I am a pianist and they can stretch an octave with keys in between and are pretty nimble. I have faith they will do what I want them to, once they understand what that is.

What kind of music do I want to play? Hmmmm - there's a lot I enjoy: folk, rock, bluegrass, blues. Would I be limited to a style by a guitar purchase?

My budget? I understand that I can get a decent guitar in the $300 - $400 range. I know I am a rank beginner at guitar, but my regard for musical instruments leads me to think I don't want to go too cheap.

Chris

[Ultimate Garage Band]

Did you see the sticky thread I wrote at the top of this forum on acoustic guitars? If you can look at the label inside your husband's Washburn, I can tell you what it is.

My wife is 4"-10" so I have a good idea how big 5"-3" is. *In my opinion*, a Jumbo or Dreadnought is too big for you. A Grand Auditorium might also be too big. I'd start looking at 000 and Folk sized guitars to start and don't rule out a Parlor.

[Hippy]

You might want to check out the Martin Mini, great playing and sounding guitar. My son bought a Martin D-15 a little over a year ago and man is that thing starting to open up and boom. My D-18 seemed like it took a couple of years to "deepen'? The Mini can be had for around $300 and my son paid $600 for the D-15. I'm going to get myself a mini for my lunch breaks and travel. If possible you should go play everything before you buy. Size and Sound vary from maker to maker. The good thing with Martins is they don't lose value, so you can always trade up and not lose. They do have a economy line now that are not made of good wood, I'd stay clear of those.
But as usual, just my .02
~Hippy

[snowmoon]

I started out on a Ovation, I think it was the Celebrity model, and it has served me well. If you think you will be playing for some time to come you should really think about spending a few more dollars to buy a nicer model.

[bluesguy]

Read the following link to help when looking for a guitar... http://www.jcdisciples.org/guitar/howtobuy.html

Basically it boils down to going to guitar stores and trying out a bunch of guitars until you find the one that works for you.

[Chris P.]

Hi,

The label inside of my husband's guitar is pretty faded. It clearly says: Gearge Washburn, but it is impossible to read the model or serial numbers.

I was wondering about something like the Taylor Big Baby..

The Big Baby is a 15/16th dreadnought. The downside is that the back and sides are laminate.

I do understand that I need to try things on. It's just that my inexperience doesn't come with good judgement yet, and I want to be sure that someone doesn't try to sell me something that is inappropriate, or that I'm not buying a notoriously problematic guitar.

Thanks for all of your ideas!

Chris

[iltpff]

Great choice! I think the Taylor Big Baby is a good one for the price, even if it does have laminate back and sides, it does have a solid top most importently. You will eventually develop an ear for the sound you are really looking for and then can determine how much you really want to spend on a higher end guitar. In either case, hear and feel as many guitars as you can in the meantime. Ones that I have had and/or heard which I think you can get a good value for the money are as follows:

Big Baby Taylors
DX series Martins
Blueridge
Art & Luthier (sometimes calles A&L)
Takamine
Yamaha
Rogue

All of these can give you a decent guitar for the money, and I do not think you can go wrong with any of these, especially if you plan to upgrade later on; of course this is my opinion, but try them and see for yourself.

Have fun,

Anthony

[Ultimate Garage Band]

I wouldn't put Rogue on that list, but otherwise it's pretty good!

Don't sweat your first guitar being a laminate body. MOST guitar players have a laminate body guitar and a healthy percentage have laminate tops. I demo guitars to new players all the time and it takes a while for most to develop an ear to appreciate the differences any way. Most new players want a shiney guitar for around $100 so you're WAY ahead of the game.

[iltpff]

What is it about Rogue that is not favorable? The ones I played sounded really good and were a steal for the money. The reviews that they have are also favorable form what I have seen, but in either case at least 6 out of 7 isnt bad.

[Ultimate Garage Band]

I've only played maybe 3 of them and I could find better guitars for the same money. Rogue is a 3rd line of Gibson. Gibson - Epiphone - Rogue, just like Washburn - Oscar Schmit - Lyon/Vinci. As a Washburn dealer I can tell you that Lyon and Vinci guitars are, to my knowledge, ONLY available at big box stores ala Target, Sears, Kmart, etc. Likewise Rogue is only available, to my knowledge, from MusiciansFriend.com and maybe Guitar Center? I've never been to a Guitar Center, I don't know. I know they're the same company but they do have a few unique products lines to themselves. It's been my experience that anything that comes from a big box store or mail order from a large chain has not been set up. I'll probably be taking a Lyon Strat clone in on a trade later this week and I've not yet made up my mind if I want to take the time and money to fix it up to sell or just use it for parts.

The coolest thing about my job/business is that I get to stock about 4-5 guitars that on paper are pretty much the same guitar and then play them side by side. It's fun to show customers the difference in them, however, the hardest thing a new player/customer can appreciate is how a solid top will open up down the road w/playing.