I'm looking to start playing and would like to spend a decent amount on my first guitar as I know this won't be a phase. I've looked around and found many brands and models. I do a lot of church/youth camps, like rock, like latin, and like classical. So, my musical tastes are varied.

I'd buy used. You might look into Seagull.

seagull's are good starter guitars.

My first acoustic was an old beat up Yamaha. They're still pretty good for what you pay for. I'm more partial to Takamine's these days and they're definitely worth it if you want to invest the extra money, but Yamaha acoustics are good budget guitars.

I would also stay away from any acoustic player packs you'd find at Guitar Center or any other retailer.

I still own and play a Yamaha I bought in '81 for $190. Great little guitars for the money. Just keep in mind for under $300, you aren't going to be getting much.

yeah, guitars are like cars in that you get what you pay for.

i second (or third) the looking for a used seagull. i dont think i have played a bad seagull yet.

My first (and only) guitar is a Seagull and I love it

i've got an ibanez aw100 that i got for ~$270. not the greatest guitar in the world, but for the money i've been very pleased w/ the playability and tone.

Any guitar but especially lower priced models should be played before being bought. Walk into guitar center and pick up a $200 electric that they have several of the same model and they will all play different and sound different.

My first guitar was $125 bucks and they had 10 or so of the same model. The one I bought was the only one that did not have dead fretts. I guess 1 out 10 is not bad.

I've played an acoustic 12-string Fender all the years I've been playing (7). Started out with just 6 strings, then put the 12 strings on it about a year ago. Really good guitar.

Its been my experience that if you move your budget to 300-500 you have a very good chance of finding a guitar that plays like a 800-1000 dollar one.

I went and bought a Martin that sounds absolutely outstanding, and im pretty sure i paid at or less than 500 for it. However, you have to play before you buy. It really feels like playing duck duck goose.

You want to buy the goose.

If you're on a tight budget, don't be tempted to buy an acoustic/electric. Get all the acoustic you can afford. If you wanna put an I-beam in it later, go for it. Personally, I hate onboard preamps anyways (especially when they cut out a hunk of wood to install it).

Also, unless you plan on soloing on your acoustic (I doubt it), don't get a cutaway. Full-bodies sound so much better.

You cant find a Seagull under 300, because thats what they start at. You may however be able to find a Takamine for a little under 300, which is an excellent make. I played one once at guitar center for 249 or 279 or something that sounded GREAT. Better than any Fender or Yamaha acoustic.

if you can do it, spend the 299.99 plus tax, strings, and whatever they charge you for the Seagull s6. Its by far the best guitar at that price. HANDS DOWN.

I've played on a bunch of guitars over the years and to me the best guitar you can get for ~$300 is a Takamine. They tend to have the best action you could hope for in that price range, they sound decent, and you can probably get an acoustic/electric with a cutaway for that price.

As a secondary recommendation, Taylor makes a "Big Baby" that is a full sized length and full sized neck with a 15/16 scale body. It's decent for $300 and a good travel guitar.

esteban

astros, I will murder you. Not a euphemism. I'll track you down and murder you.

thanks for the replies. I may go as high as $500, but am not sure if we'll have it. I know that I'll have, at least, $300 to spend. From what ya'll said, Tak's seem to be the way to go for my current price range.

quote:

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esteban

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haha! the gift of guitar...

seriously, i'd go with either a takamine or an alvarez.

I've got an Ibanez V70 that I enjoy.

Spend a bit more and get a Carvin Cobalt.

I paid $429 after shipping and the hard shell case. Arrived about 5 days later. I've played guitar for 17 years. This guitar is wonderful and cannot be beat for the price.

www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=C350



[This message has been edited by Adam Ag 98 (edited 7/10/2008 3:22p).]

If you can bump up to 400 bucks, then Seagull and Takamine WILL NOT steer you wrong. Period.


i cant wait til the day i have 2g's laying around for my Martin. Talk about the sweetest wood ever. And I'm not even an acoustic guy. I'd prefer to play my les paul, strat, or tele anyday.

the under 300 Washburns beat out the under 300 Takamines, yamahas etc

I stand by my original post: buy used. The markup on lower end instruments is tremendous. However, the resale value isn't. You can certainly find a used Seagull for between $250-350, if that is what you decide you like.

Actually, if you live near Denton (DFW) the little music shop on the square had a couple in that price range fairly recently.

Esteban was hawking a sweet fourth of july guitar last week, it had a full fireworks display inlayed on the back of the guitar.

They were selling it for $200 it's on overstock for $80 now.

http://www.overstock.com/Gifts-Flowers/Esteban-American-Legacy-Fireworks-Guitar-Set/2890203/product.html

[This message has been edited by Scantron882 (edited 7/10/2008 9:02a).]

If I had a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, Esteban would be a gonner.

the reviews on that overstock page are pretty funny.

I looked at the Carvin guitars and they seem to be pretty good. A good friend of mine who knows a thing or two about guitars recommended Ibanez. He also went on to mention to steer clear of guitars with a finish applied to them as this finish will crack over time. After hearing what has been said by those of you who replied and what this friend of mine suggested, I'm more likely to bump up what I spend to near $500. I also will be looking for something used if at all possible.

I don't have a guitar without a finish and none of them has ever cracked. There's finished guitars from the fifties that aren't cracked. Treat them decent and they'll look fine.

That's good to know. I hope to get things rolling in the next few weeks.

Truth be told, you can only forgo the finish on certain woods without risking them warping and those woods are mostly exotics that are none too cheap. No finish is preferable because it plays faster (your hands don't stick) but it just not feasible. That said, if you can find a guitar with a satin finish over a gloss finish (same meanings as you would have with paint) the satin will play closer to a raw neck.

Bought this a few years back, and it's been an outstanding guitar.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-DG8S-Acoustic-Guitar-Value-Pack?sku=510705

A used Seagull S6 is probably the best guitar deal globally.

It's not just a starter guitar, a lot of pros use them. A lot of people buy them thinking they will upgrade, and end up keeping them forever, or upgrading to another Seagull.

I love my Big Baby Taylor.

It gets great reviews:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/reviews?base_pid=514968&page=1&sc=date&so=desc

You can get a Takamine G-Series for under 300 if you look hard enough, I have a maroon one, has a great sound.

Find a used Martin or Taylor. You might luck out and find a $1500 guitar for a coupla hondo. Also, Martin & Taylor have some models in the $400 - $600 range. Don't know how they compare with the pricier models, tho. I have an Epiphone that sounds pretty good - my sister-in-law bought it at a garage sale for 10 bucks.