Absolute beginner guitar. What to buy?

mtn said:

jwagner said:

I bought a Yamaha F335 for about a hundred bucks to re-learn the guitar.  It's playable, sounds pretty good and makes a decent campfire/roadtrip guitar if you actually learn to play it.  It's laminated, but that's what you get for $100.  It you do get into it, you'll end up buying something better but the Yamaha is fine as a beginner guitar.

Definitely a solid option, despite the lack of a solid top. We had one that hung around for many years. Only sold it after it lived in a college house for a year and came back smelling like an ashtray. 

Plus there are millions of them out there, chances are he can find one used easily for about 50

Ditto on the Yamahas, I got a slightly used one to replace the Ibanez that I had been using for ~20yrs. Plays nice, sounds good, and really, really cheap for how it plays and sounds. I think it was $280ish new and just over $100 on the used rack at GC.

I play a Yamaha FG-160-2 that I have had for 40 years. It sounds great, holds its tune and has been basically trouble free. I have been told many times that it sounds as good as much more expensive Martins et al. zIf I recall it was under $300 when I bought it.

Hope BoostedBrandon doesn't mind me hijacking a bit.

So, once you have the guitar, what's the best way to learn?  I got an electric a few years back and plinked on it some, but with so many different online and book courses, couldn't figure out one to get going on.  I'm under the impression that building the calluses on my fingers is the first thing to work on, but it's boring. 

BTW, I was back and forth between and acoustic and and electric and decided on the electric because I could practice around the family fairly quietly with the guitar unplugged.  I was afraid an acoustic would be too loud in the beginning stages and I'd be relegated to outside or in another room whereas I can play a bit on an electric while the family watches TV.

-Rob

A couple Christmases back SWMBO bought me an Ibanez acoustic that was the Guitar Center special for the season - around $120 I think. It's a little buzzy on a couple frets but it plays pretty well and has a good sound to it - more bottom end than most of the really cheap ones I've messed with. I like that since I used to play bass. I pick it up and play some chords now and then and keep telling myself I'm going to really practice and learn to play but I haven't yet. Too many other things to do instead of practicing EVERY DAY.

Now I'm stuck home but I still haven't done it yet.

Tag inside says GD10T

I will chime in.  Not an expert, but I've played since I was about 11.

I will say, don't focus on one-piece or two-piece tops.  I have an Alvarez 2-piece and a top-of-the-line Yamaha one-piece.  I think the Alvarez sounds better in the mid and low range and it was $279 new, whereas the Yamaha was almost $800 used.  The Yamaha I would use if I were doing live performance.  More cred, and it's going to be amped anyway.  But when I'm recording at home, I always grab the Alvarez.

For a beginner/learning guitar, don't focus on cred or build type.  Pick one that sounds good and feels right.  Most shops will do some setup for you for free, like change the action (adjusting the neck to make the strings closer or further away from the frets).  Ask them what would be appropriate.  And DON'T worry about looking like a noob in a guitar shop.  They are usually so eager to help a noob who wants to be a musician.  They're like kindergarten teachers who love watching their kids learn.  90% of the time, they're so excited that a complete novice wants to get into playing that they get this swell of pride that they can share their craft.  Sure beats a seasoned pro who walks in and thinks he/she is better than they are.

Put it this way... if you're learning to race, don't go buy a race car.  Buy a stock NA Miata with 200k miles in good shape and flog it first.  Then buy the modded Camaro.  Then buy the C4.  THEN you buy the Lotus.

In that metaphor, start with a 2-piece Alvarez or Epiphone.  Then get an Ibanez or Gibson.  Once you start opening for REO Speedwagon, THEN get a Taylor or Martin.

Don't go super cheap.  Even if it sounds good, really cheap guitars aren't "stable."  You'll pick it up one day and it will hold a tune the whole time you practice.  The next day it's a little humid and the action is way off and it won't hold a tune at all.  That's one of those situations where a really cheap guitar can turn you off from playing, and it can slow your learning.  Its like learning to weld.  The best welder out there is no use to a noob, but the worst welder you can buy can lay some nice beads by an expert.  But if you're learning to weld, a crap welder won't teach you much.

I really like the Fender California acoustic. Has a built in tuner too. The fact its made China doesnt bother me. 

In reply to rob_lewis :

The best way to learn is just to play.

I know it's vague advice, but I assure you it's golden. Doesn't matter what you do as long as you are playing.

I wrote songs, my first gig ( 5 hours as it ended up) was my band playing all originals. It was 3 months after I started playing. ( There's a story there if people want to hear it)

I used to tell everyone that a used Seagull S6 was the best value in great sounding, nice playing guitars but it seems the days of picking one up for $250 used are long gone.  The cedar tops age so well and open up so nicely. Real bluegrass boomers. 

 I have never played a Fender acoustic that I felt was worth the net loss of oxygen incurred when the tree was cut down, but I gave up trying them a decade ago. It is possible they are much better now. I think they might be voiced towards the Taylor end of the spectrum which is decidedly not my taste.

I haven't used one.. but these all in one packs from fender are hard to ignore.  $300 it includes everything you need save a tuner.  But there are apps for that for your phone.

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Stratocaster-Beginner-Fingerboard-Sunburst/dp/B07G4XJN4W/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=fender%2Bguitar%2Bset&qid=1585840983&sr=8-2&th=1

Didn't read the thread, but I would definitely suggest going used. Many people want to learn to play the guitar, then when they really realize how difficult it is, they end up selling stuff off cheap. 

I'm looking at my Squire strat right now on the stand, and my Flying V in the case next to me. 

There is a benefit to learning to play on something cheap............once you get a nice guitar you're blown away at how much better they feel/play.

Trent (Forum Supporter) said:

I used to tell everyone that a used Seagull S6 was the best value in great sounding, nice playing guitars but it seems the days of picking one up for $250 used are long gone.  The cedar tops age so well and open up so nicely. Real bluegrass boomers. 

 

 I have never played a Fender acoustic that I felt was worth the net loss of oxygen incurred when the tree was cut down, but I gave up trying them a decade ago. It is possible they are much better now. I think they might be voiced towards the Taylor end of the spectrum which is decidedly not my taste.

I'm with you on the Fender acoustics.  I really wanted to like them, but was so not impressed.

Re the Seagull:  My son's guitar teacher was so impressed with the Seagull I got for my son that he ran out and bought one for himself.  He plays Taylors, mostly.  Apparently those Canadians are pretty good at putting together an acoustic guitar.  Who knew?

RossD said:

I really like the Fender California acoustic. Has a built in tuner too. The fact its made China doesnt bother me. 

Tuner built in is a negative. Why cut into the wood? Not a huge deal, but really, I'd avoid it if possible.

In reply to mtn :

I feel like your opinion is of a completely different level than that of beginner, and mine too. 

I watch Jack White make a guitar out of a board, nail, string and a pickup. Its art. You dont always need the best oil paints when art can also be someone gluing trash together.

Back to the comment someone made about buying a 200k mile Miata versus a Racecar.

Antihero (Forum Supporter) said:

BoostedBrandon said:

I'm that much of a noob that I failed to mention.

Acoustic.

I want to be able to just pick something up and strum some chords. Maybe play something simple. Not ready to jump in with pedals and amps and all that jazz just yet.

Something to consider: electrics are easier to play then acoustics. The string action is almost universally lighter on an electric ( no wound G is a lot of it)

I'd really encourage the OP to try an entry-level electric guitar instead of an acoustic too. For one, even the cheapest electrics(like $40 cheap) are generally decent guitars, but lack a proper setup. Having a guitar setup by a shop/luthier is usually pretty cheap too. 

Conversely, it's more difficult to setup an acoustic, and very rarely will you find one that plays as easily as any electric - and the acoustic will usually cost $$$ more.

Besides, an electric will give you the option of playing through headphones, which not only expands your opportunities to practice, it can also help ease any anxieties about people hearing you playing badly while you're just starting out.

Pete Gossett said:

Antihero (Forum Supporter) said:

BoostedBrandon said:

I'm that much of a noob that I failed to mention.

Acoustic.

I want to be able to just pick something up and strum some chords. Maybe play something simple. Not ready to jump in with pedals and amps and all that jazz just yet.

Something to consider: electrics are easier to play then acoustics. The string action is almost universally lighter on an electric ( no wound G is a lot of it)

I'd really encourage the OP to try an entry-level electric guitar instead of an acoustic too. For one, even the cheapest electrics(like $40 cheap) are generally decent guitars, but lack a proper setup. Having a guitar setup by a shop/luthier is usually pretty cheap too. 

Conversely, it's more difficult to setup an acoustic, and very rarely will you find one that plays as easily as any electric - and the acoustic will usually cost $$$ more.

Besides, an electric will give you the option of playing through headphones, which not only expands your opportunities to practice, it can also help ease any anxieties about people hearing you playing badly while you're just starting out.

 

 

You can get a headphone amp, just a little thing that plugs into the guitar, for like $30. For the guitar, $200-300 puts you right in used Squier Vintage Mod or Classic Vibe series territory, and those are great guitars.

edit: electric guitars are also fun because it’s easy to modify them with different wiring or pickups and stuff, if you’re into that sort of thing.

The more excited about your gear you are, the more you will play, and thats how you learn.

Brandon, this looks close to you. Eastman is a good brand, I know a few pros who use them (one mandolin and one guitar - they're pros in the sense of they do get paid gigs at bars and restaurants and farmers markets) and have nearly purchased one myself.  This guitar is one that you can buy today, and even if you get really good and upgrade, you can keep it around for 50 years and be happy with it.

https://planetacoustic.com/eastman-pch1-d-dreadnought/

This place also looks close to you. I'd give them a call and see what they have. https://www.doowop.com/

For a tuner, nowadays in a bar I use a headstock clip on, at home I use the GuitarTuna app on my phone. 

RossD said:

In reply to mtn :

I feel like your opinion is of a completely different level than that of beginner, and mine too. 

 

Uhh... Isn't that why he's asking for opinions of people who aren't beginners?

In reply to lrrs :

I straightened up some stuff tonight. 

lrrs said:

David S. Wallens said:

In reply to ChrisLS8 :

Sorry to go off topic, but I love this pic.  Next time the gf tells me my house is a mess, not only will I tell her that she does not know what a mess is,  I can show her also. 

 

Ps.. there are some you tube guys that do reviews (no really?)  they have some kind words for a couple Chinese made cheap axes. Dont recall the brands. 

I'll post a photo of my current band room if she thinks that's bad too lol

My organization..... is called The Pile

3 months of free online guitar lessons: https://try.fender.com/play/playthrough/?banner=PLAY_20200323.PlayThrough2020.Pencil.Shop