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New Guitar Help
I purchased the cheapest guitar I could find ($60) to see if I’d enjoy playing. I love it and am now wondering how much of a difference a better guitar would make. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated on how to go about my search (type, price range, what to look for, etc). One twist is I’m left handed and our local guitar store doesn’t have a lot to experiment with. Thanks
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9 Replies
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Hi @mikeb71comcast-net Whats your price range? That will help with recommendations for good guitars within a price range.
You don’t necessarily have to go really expensive to get a good guitar, but spending a little more than $60 may make a considerable difference. The name on a guitar doesn’t guarantee whether it’s good, and price doesn’t necessarily make a guitar better either. You start getting into wood choices, sold Sitka spruce tops, electronics, types of bridge and nut . All these affect the tone and playability. It really depends on what you’re looking for in a guitar.
It’s unfortunate that your local guitar shop doesn’t have left handed guitars to try. Look outside your local shop and see if other shops might carry some. Do you have a Sweetwater or Musician’s Friend nearby? They carry larger inventories. Sweetwater allows returns within a period of time. Therefore, if you don’t have a local store, you could look on their website and order one and return it if it doesn’t work out.
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Thanks Loraine, I’d like to stay under $1,000
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I’d add that playability would be my main quality that I’m looking for
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I agree with @JoeT , try Guitar Center, or one of the larger stores like I mentioned. They should have a much larger inventory, including some left handed. Unfortunately left handed is more difficult to find in stores.
Everyone’s preferences differ. Guitars come in all shapes and sizes. Try to find one that meets your goals. Is it comfortable, can you circumvent the neck well, can you strum or fingerpick comfortably, does it sound good (some like the brighter playability of say a Taylor versus a more bass sound of a Martin, or a booming voice of a Yamaha. Each instrument and size speaks and plays differently. You’ll want a set up that is easy to play. Which one speaks to your sole.
As for specific guitars, I can only talk from my personal experience and what works for me and a few I own. I can’t speak for other guitars, but maybe others will chime in.
Of the smaller guitars – Parlor or 3/4 size My favorites are the GS Mini Koa, the PRS S20, and I have a 1973 Guild F30 that’s 3/4 size.
Midsize Martiin 000, Orangewood Morgan, a cheaper Takamine (mod l? picked up at auction)
Larger Orangewood Echo 12 string, a cheaper Yamaha (model? Picked up at auction)
I’d have to physically get up and look for models of Yamaha and Takamine, but they’re in the lower end of cost, but they have great playability. One is always kept in alternate tuning, and the other is by my desk or floating around downstairs. I’m a fan of Orangewood (Orangewood.com not sold in stores) They’re very reasonably priced and have great playability and sound good, in my opinion.
Watch some of Tony’s Acoustic TuesdayS where he reviews guitars in different price ranges and sizes.
Good luck
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Awesome input, much appreciated. I’ll head to guitar center
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Guitar Center also has a 45 day return policy, even if you order it new from them. Given your price range you can get an awesome instrument.
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Thanks JoeT. I’ll head there and see what I can find
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I did pretty much exactly the same thing, my second guitar was a sub $1000 Martin which I still love and play often. I have 6 acoustics now and that first Martin is still a wonderful instrument to enjoy.
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I went to Guitar Center and am getting a Taylor Academy 10. They didn’t have any lefties to try but I liked the feel of the righty upside down. Like the idea of having 45 days to try it out. Thanks all for the guidance.
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