I want to learn to play the acoustic guitar. Always been real fascinated by it and now i have the money to be able to afford one and want to learn. What type of guitar would be good for a first timer? I have never played before and basically want to teach myself.

-Curtis-

 

Don't get a cheap one. Pony up some cash and cut your teeth on a good guitar if you are really serious about it. They are typically much easier to play, ergo much easier to learn on.

I bought a Cort some years ago as my one and only guitar to learn and play around on. It's not terrible by any stretch of the imagination. But it was really frustrating teaching myself how to fret in order to eliminate string buzz. Then I picked up a quality one in the shop, the difference in playability was night and day!

Can't really give you any advice beyond that.: I'm probably 2 years of learning wrapped up in 10 years!

 

Wildcat said it right... it is better to learn on a more expensive guitar.

I had the same situation as him. Bought a cheap Ibanez and learned on it, teaching myself to eliminate all of the odd sounds and buzzing it was creating.

Later picked up a top of the line Ibanez.. and couldn't believe the difference. Instead of focusing on eliminating those sounds, I could focus on playing.

Don't get me wrong though... getting a cheap guitar isn't that bad to start learning on... but I'd suggest that you save that money for something better (if you really intend on learning to play).

 

What are good guitars? I have heard the name Gibson and Fender before. So i should look at spending a couple hundred?

-Curtis-

 

ooops double post.

 

Honestly, I'd pick up a low line Martin (you're looking between 500-600 last I checked). The Martin guitars are great ( I have 2). I totally agree with learning on a nicer guitar. If you like playing, you don't have to worry about buying another guitar AND if you don't like it, then you can get a little bit of your money back.

Although I don't care for them, Taylor makes a nicer low line guitar. Don't know much about Gibson, but I have never liked a Fender Acoustic (although their electrics rock!)

 

What about the Yamaha FG700s?

-Curtis-

 

i have a tanakin jasmine and couldnt be happier with it. very clear sounding guitar and fun to play. it was a christmas present so i dont know exact amount but i do know that it cost a pretty penny.

 

martins are phenomanal guitars, the problem with the lowline is it's a lowline for a reason. They do sound nice, but it's not a "real" martin. Don't get me wrong even the lowline ones are very nice but you still end up paying a premium for a name. Their lowline is equivalent to a better Fender, Takamine, or Epiphone that would cost less. imo.

I would look at Fender, Takamine, or even Epiphone. Epiphone makes some very nice guitars, basically the "lowline" gibson.

Spending between 300-500 should put you into a very nice beginners guitar that will last years. The one thing I learned after years of playing was this. The guy who can play can make any guitar sound nice. Better guitars definitely make it easier to learn because they tend to be better set up. You could also purchase a lower end guitar and have a shop go through it and set it up for you for $40 or so.

I had a friend who played in a very popular local band. He did it for years with a $200 guitar. By played I mean his only source of income, he was pretty good.

 

I might be of a different opinoin from these fellows on that I would recommend learning on a nylon string. It will not tear up your fingers (you can play longer) and the neck is much wider (less finger mis-placement). Other than that it just a matter of picking up some tabbed literature and start playing, good luck and keep us posted.

PS I have a 200 fender that sounds good and a 750 Olympia that sounds breathtaking. So they are all right when it comes to spending the cash when it comes to quality.

 

Oh, and get a tuner!

 

Number One thing: buy a good quality guitar. A crappy guitar will not play well, strings will be hard to press down, and you will not be motivated to play. Martin, Alvarez, Olympia are great guitars. If you're serious about learning to play, plan on spending $500-$1,000 for a quality guitar and case.
If you don't have a music background, you may consider a teacher at least for a few lessons, to help you understand how music works and how to start training your ear.
My adivce is to learn the instrument, not just songs. Learn scales, chord progressions, and how music (regardless of instrument) works. Down the road, it will pay off to learn more than just a few songs. When you understand the instrument and the music and not just the notes of a song, you'll have a lot more confidence in your playing.

Ok, thats all the advice I have, I'll shut up

 

My first degree is music education. I have been teaching strings for 12 years now, Violin, Viola, Guitar and Mandolin.
You will be able to purchase a good guitar foe $300 to $500. Below are some recommendations for the beginner:
Takamine
Ovation
Washburn
Martin
Fender
Alvarez
Seagull
In some cases you will be able to get and acoustic guitar with active pickups. This will allow you to plug into an amplifier down the road and experiment with FX pedals as well. What kind of music are you interested in? This will help you to choose a guitar as well.
Nylon string guitars (classical), while easier on the finger tips are not intended to be "acoustic rock" guitars. Jack Johnson does well as do a few others, but that is not the only guitar he plays. The wider neck of the classical guitar is not conducive to those wishing to learn simple rythym guitar. Because the strings are substantially farther apart, the placement of fingers to make chords is a bit more of a stretch. Additionally the sound itself it substantially different.
If you have any questions you can PM me as well.

 

Male:
I was always good at finger-picking the guitar, so this summer I bought a Deering Banjo. Best decision I've ever made...I'm picking it up really quick...you can really fly on this instrument! You ought to give it a try if you don't already play one.

 

It's easier to learn on an electric, for whatever it's worth. The necks are typically slimmer, the fretboards are flatter and the strings are lighter gauge which makes them easier to fret/bend/barre. And you can get effects boxes/processors to get most any sounds you want. Something that's easier to learn, you're more likely to stick with and play more, and playing more is the key to getting better.

That said, if you start with an acoustic, and stick with it, and get good at it, you'll have an easier time going to an electric if you ever decide to. The thing with acoustics though is that all of their sound comes from wood and build quality; electric guitars have pickups and amplifiers to "hide" behind. I ain't saying that wood and build quality don't matter in an electric, just that it's not as important as it is in an acoustic. So you may have to pay a little more to get a decent acoustic over a decent electric.

Yamaha's FG700 and the Seagull S6 are fantastic guitars for the money, and probably the best deal going for a solid top acoustic - they're two of my favorites. The Yamaha will run around $400, and an S6 is about $3-400. Taylors tend to play "easier," I think because the necks are profiled more like an electric guitar's neck than a traditional acoustic - plan on spending $3-500 for an entry level Taylor. If you can front it, you can get into mahogany Martins for about $8-900, they're wonderful, warm, full sounding guitars - and should you decide the guitar ain't for you, the higher end names tend to hold their value better and are easier to resell.

The Fender acoustics I've played were so-so - Fender's strength is in electric guitars, IMO. Gibson makes some good stuff, but none of them are particularly cheap. An "entry-level" Gibson acoustic is a $1000 or so guitar. Epiphones are cheaper, and they ain't junk by any means.

The bowl shaped back on Ovations always bothered me. They sound and play fine, but they just feel weird to me. Washburn is another really good ax for the dollar, so are Takamines. I don't have much experience with Alvarez.

Whatever you get, make sure to have your local guitar shop go through it and set it up. A good set up by a good guitar tech can make even the most ugly playing and feeling guitar better. It shouldn't cost no more than $50, and some places when you buy the guitar from them they'll do the set up for free. You'll need a tuner as well, those ain't but like $20-30.

Of course, take my opinion for what little it's worth. I've been picking guitar for a little over a year now, and loiter in guitar stores playing stuff that ain't mine whenever I can.