Help! Acoustic Guitar Info needed

[DaisyLynn]

Well, my DH has always wanted to learn to play, so for his birthday that is what he is getting - with lessons of course.

Problem: I know NOTHING about acoustic guitars (or any instruments, really) and I'm hoping someone can advise me.

I would love to get him a decent quality guitar. My budget is $300 or so. If that is just too little, then I could go up a little bit on that.

Does it make a difference if he is right or left handed? Any help is appreciated!

 

[GeorgeG]

First of all, it does make a difference if he is right or left-handed. They make guitars for both. There are two basic types of accoustic guitars, classical (nylon strings and wider neck) and standard (steel and brass strings). You might see if he has a preference. $300 is near the bottom end for an accoustic guitar, but since you are also going to provide lessons you might check with whomever you will be getting the lessons from. You don't need a great guitar to learn on, but a good guitar is better than a really budget one. Shop around and you should be able to find something decent for $300-$400. How the guitar feels is more important than looks or sound for a beginner so having your husband go shopping with you is probably a good idea.

 

[DaisyLynn]

Thanks for your response, George. Very helpful!

In my internet searches and checking out prices, I had come across some in that price range but I just have no idea what is "normal" for a beginner. Also, I don't know which brands to look for and whatnot.

I think I will take him shopping with me...it definitely makes sense for him to check them out himself to find the right "fit". I wanted it to be a surprise, so I'll just have to surprise him with the trip to the music store instead.

 

[IDoDis]

My son (6th grade) has been taking lessons for electric guitar for 2 years now, and has recently expressed an interest to play an acoustic guitar, as well. I'll most likely go with a classical guitar since that is what the high school guitar teachers recommend (according the his future high school course catalog), but I'll check with DS on this, too.

So, I've been looking as well. I recently went into a local music store to buy him a new gig bag and while there I asked about good beginner acoustic guitars. I said I didn't want any kind of cheap "beginner" packaged guitar because I know the sound quality makes a big difference (buzzing strings, etc..). I asked for the best guitar under $500 and this is what I was told:

Yamaha CG 192-C or S (C is classical and S is steel string) which comes in cedar or rosewood for the classical and spruce or rosewood for the steel for $450.

Cordoba F-7 (spruce or sycamore wood) $448

A good steel string is the Taylor 110 for $540

Prices will vary depending on where you purchase.

If your son is young, another highly recommended guitar for beginners was the Taylor Big Baby which is a tad bit smaller than a full-size guitar (it's like a scale of 14/15 or something like that). The price at the music store was $360.00. It has excellent reviews with experienced adult players who love the sound, but since my DS has already been playing guitar for awhile, he wants a full-sized one.

 

[shortbun]

Get thee to a guitar/music store.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Well, my DH has always wanted to learn to play, so for his birthday that is what he is getting - with lessons of course.

Problem: I know NOTHING about acoustic guitars (or any instruments, really) and I'm hoping someone can advise me.

I would love to get him a decent quality guitar. My budget is $300 or so. If that is just too little, then I could go up a little bit on that.

Does it make a difference if he is right or left handed? Any help is appreciated!

Whatever you do, don't buy one in a department store, go to a store that sells guitars. Your budget seems about right for a solid beginner acoustic guitar.

 

[GeorgeG]

My son (6th grade) has been taking lessons for electric guitar for 2 years now, and has recently expressed an interest to play an acoustic guitar, as well. I'll most likely go with a classical guitar since that is what the high school guitar teachers recommend (according the his future high school course catalog), but I'll check with DS on this, too.

So, I've been looking as well. I recently went into a local music store to buy him a new gig bag and while there I asked about good beginner acoustic guitars. I said I didn't want any kind of cheap "beginner" packaged guitar because I know the sound quality makes a big difference (buzzing strings, etc..). I asked for the best guitar under $500 and this is what I was told:

Yamaha CG 192-C or S (C is classical and S is steel string) which comes in cedar or rosewood for the classical and spruce or rosewood for the steel for $450.

Cordoba F-7 (spruce or sycamore wood) $448

A good steel string is the Taylor 110 for $540
Prices will vary depending on where you purchase.

If your son is young, another highly recommended guitar for beginners was the Taylor Big Baby which is a tad bit smaller than a full-size guitar (it's like a scale of 14/15 or something like that). The price at the music store was $360.00. It has excellent reviews with experienced adult players who love the sound, but since my DS has already been playing guitar for awhile, he wants a full-sized one.

The Taylor 110 is a really decent guitar for the money. I have several friends who have this model. It plays well and is comparable to guitars going for twice that price.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Can I piggyback on this thread and ask unrelated acoustic guitar question?

DS started playing the electric guitar last Christmas. Played around with my BIL's acoustic at Easter and liked the sound of it so much he went out and bought himself an acoustic guitar. All I know is that it is a Fender and it cost him $300 but was on sale from $400ish. So I wanted to buy him some strings for Christmas but I have no idea if his guitar is classical or standard. I didn't even know there were 2 kinds, lol!

I was going to buy these strings would they be ok?

 

[IDoDis]

Can I piggyback on this thread and ask unrelated acoustic guitar question?

DS started playing the electric guitar last Christmas. Played around with my BIL's acoustic at Easter and liked the sound of it so much he went out and bought himself an acoustic guitar. All I know is that it is a Fender and it cost him $300 but was on sale from $400ish. So I wanted to buy him some strings for Christmas but I have no idea if his guitar is classical or standard. I didn't even know there were 2 kinds, lol!

I was going to buy these strings would they be ok?

Would it be possible for you to sneak his guitar out of the house (assuming he lives with you) and take it to a guitar store to find out? I'd do that before buying the wrong kind of strings. Or, look inside the soundhole that's in the middle of the guitar. There might be a stamp saying what model of Fender guitar he has. Then use that info to google the type of strings it can use, or call a guitar shop with the info. That way you don't have to try and sneak the guitar out of the house.

 

[Judy from Boise]

when my DD wanted a guitar, we found that a "folk" guitar fit her best, and was reccomended for playing classical style (where you use notes rather than chords if that makes sense). She was all ready a good clarinet player so she wanted to read music but translate it to the guitar rather than do the "strum chords" style......not sure if this matters to your son.