Acoustic Guitar recommendations for beginner

booyah24 · #1 December 26th, 2006

Hello all.. I'm looking at getting my first guitar and based on the information on this site it seems that an acoustic nylon string guitar is the way to go. I have a budget of around $200 to work with and I wanted to know what is recommended to use for that price range. Of course, I understand that the more you spend the better quality guitar you can get, but I wanted to get my feet wet without spending too much.

Thanks and I appreciate your advice and recommendations!!!

getard · #2 December 26th, 2006

hehe yea i just started too, i dont no what im doing lol

fxallen · #3 December 26th, 2006

Hi!

I got the Yamaha Eterna for Christmas...all the guitar folks I know that have had a look at it were very impressed with it.

Fred

allthumbs · #4 December 26th, 2006

I am assuming you are a clasical,jazz or flamenco type of finger picker then, though Willie Nelson also plays nylon.
This is what our guitar tech has to say in the Buying Your First Guitar forum, which I hope you looked through.

Most nylon string guitars do not have an adjustable truss rod because the necks are under so much less tension from the nylon strings. This is one of the most attractive reasons many new players opt for a nylon string; they are much easier on the fingers in the beginning. The necks are wider and flatter than steel string guitars. They are played with the fingers not a pick. The guitar is held over the left leg and the left foot is usually on a footstool. They are never played standing up. They always join the body to the neck at the 12th fret. They often do not have as many side position dot markers and never have dot markers on the fretboard itself. The construction method is different than a steel string typically using a ‘fan brace’ method as opposed to the ‘X’ brace method of steel string acoustics. The strings tie onto the bridge whereas steel string guitars use a ball end string with bridge pins. Can you see how different these guitars are from steel strings? Here’s another remarkable difference.

In the classical guitar market there is really no middle ground of models and prices. There are basically 2 groups; student models and performer models. Understand that in this realm, a $2000 guitar is still considered a ‘student’ model! Any classical guitar by a major guitar company like Washburn, Fender, Ibanez, etc. would be considered a student model. 99% of student models sell from $100-$1000. A serious performance instrument begins at around $4000. In the lower end of product offerings, nylon string guitars are not as loud as steel string guitars.

I believe we have some nylon string players here. Not sure that their axes are in your price range though. Your best bet is to Read reviews of them in your price range at Musiciansfriend and see if any are more favoured than others.

doug russell · #5 December 27th, 2006

Check out Washburn guitars. I have a Washburn D42s, I got that guitar for £249. Wasburn's range from below your budget, right up to whatever you want to pay.
Thats just a little advice from me. I don't do technical advice. Allthumbs knows his stuff, so please take heed of his advice. Just make sure you are happy with what you buy, and please make sure the guitar has been set up correctly. Happy shopping.

http://www.washburn.com/products/acoustics/index.aspx

booyah24 · #6 December 27th, 2006

Thanks for the feedback... I was browsing the sam ash store in Miami and they do have the washburn ($350) and also a yamaha for around $50 less. The washburn is not a nylon string guitar though which my understading is that I should stick with nylon while learning.

Is there any other name brands I should consider at sam ash? Also are there other vendors (online) that have a better price?? Thanks...

allthumbs · #7 December 27th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by booyah24

Thanks for the feedback... I was browsing the sam ash store in Miami and they do have the washburn ($350) and also a yamaha for around $50 less. The washburn is not a nylon string guitar though which my understading is that I should stick with nylon while learning.

Is there any other name brands I should consider at sam ash? Also are there other vendors (online) that have a better price?? Thanks...

Your understanding is a bit off. Yes nylon strings are easier on your fingers when you start, but with steel strings, we are only talking about a month or so of discomfort. If you asked , you would find that the vast majority of players here start with a steel string guitar. Buy a nylon because it suites the style you want to play and you like the tone.

LeeB · #8 December 27th, 2006

Yep....I agree with Allthumbs... I would only buy a Nylon string if I planned on playing music suited to it like classical or Spanish. If you have visions of strumming chords and playing rhythm, or love the sound of Travis picking like "dust in the wind" then I would search for a steel string acoustic....besides its cool having calloused fingertips

booyah24 · #9 December 27th, 2006

Decisions... decisions... Classical and spanish is what I would like to learn to play right now, but I have "visions of strumming chords and playing rhythm, or love the sound of Travis picking like "dust in the wind" ".

allthumbs · #10 December 27th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by booyah24

Decisions... decisions... Classical and spanish is what I would like to learn to play right now, but I have "visions of strumming chords and playing rhythm, or love the sound of Travis picking like "dust in the wind" ".

Odds are that sooner or later you will have one of each. Pick either one to learn on for a year or two and then pick up the other one. Right now your not really focusing on tone as your primary goal. You will be practicing technique and theory for the quite some time so either one will work fine for that. Keep in mind that a good nylon is more expensive than a comparable steel in quality so you may want to start with a relatively cheap steel string which gives you time to save for a more expensive nylon. Just a thought.

MC.exe · #11 December 27th, 2006

I'm with allthumbs, sound advice.

doug russell · #12 December 28th, 2006

If you go for a classical/spanish, you have to remember although the nylon strung guitars have a beautiful warm tone, your style of playing is pretty much limited within that genre. The classical and Spanish guitars are designed specifically for the said genre. But if you decide to go for a steel strung guitar, you can play most styles.
I found this out because my first guitar was a classical. $250 is'nt penny's, just make sure you make the right choice. Good luck.
Doug.

booyah24 · #13 December 28th, 2006

Thanks for all the advice. I decided to go with the nylon string guitar after visiting the local music store. The rep played a couple songs on a few different models and I settled for the yamaha. I know that its not the best of the lot but for the money it sounded pretty good. I'm sure that I will be spending most of my time practicing than actual playing. I figure that once I reach a certain level I can then move onto to something better...

doug russell · #14 December 29th, 2006

Well booyah 24, you've got the guitar,I'm really pleased for you. How about posting a picture of it.

Stratrat · #15 December 29th, 2006

Congrats on the new guitar, booyah. Don't worry about it not being "the best of the lot" - there are a LOT of guitarists who don't play absolute top-of-the-line instruments. As long as you like the sound and how it plays, it's good enough!

Tone is in the fingers.....a great guitarist will still sound great on a cheap guitar, and a bad guitarist will still sound like poo on the finest professional-quality rig.