Good guitar for beginner?

[MattTX_24]

First off, don’t feel like you are “falling behind,” as most of Tony’s tutorials should be a challenge and many times you might only feel like you were able to do half or 1/4 of the lesson well. Just trying and doing as much as you can is the win and expectation. You will continually re-visit the techniques as time goes on and you will continue to build your skills. So don’t feel like you are supposed to “nail” each challenge… you shouldn’t be conquering them easily. These are about the long-term, slow progression.

The size of the guitar could be a factor in your learning progress and how comfortable you are while playing, especially if the guitar is small and you have larger hands or a bigger build (although this is always subjective to one’s own feel). Have you visited a guitar shop recently and played around on a bunch of different brands/sizes/etc? I would also say that you might be playing on very old/rusty strings. If they haven’t been changed in a while, it might be a good idea to get a fresh set in place (light gauge). A fresh set is easier on the fingers as your fingertips will glide better when moving around the fret board. I think old/rusty strings create a “sticky” experience that inhibits chord changes.

But I would definitely recommend a visit to a guitar shop and play on a bunch to try and get a feel of what feels right to you. Everyone has their own opinion (and I’m happy to offer mine), but it all comes down to what feels good to you. I’d also recommend many visits… find a few that you like and come back a few days later and see if you feel the same. This can be done even if you aren’t as proficient a player as others. The first guitar I ever bought was done after several visits to mess around on guitars before I even knew how to play a chord. I still have that first guitar today and love it as it just spoke to me when I was playing it.

If you are looking for a new guitar and have nowhere to start, I’m going to paste a post below that I made a while back about picking out a guitar, some of it echoes what I just wrote.

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If I had a $1,000 limit, I would probably do an entry-level Taylor… but that is purely my subjective opinion. I just love the way they play and sound… and their guitar necks feel good on the hands. My first and only guitar is a Takamine G series, and I bought it for about $450 around 20 years ago. It has done me well and I love the way it sounds more and more each year. My buddy has a Yamaha and those seem to be a popular pick as well.

Whatever you pick, definitely go to a store that will let you play around with several until you find one that just feels right. The right guitar should just feel right in your hands.

Some models are larger/smaller and might be easier to play based on their size. For instance, some of the smaller-sized guitars will have slightly smaller fret sizes/etc, which could make it easier for your fingers to play the chords (depending on your dexterity/hand size).

At the end of the day, it is whatever just feels/sounds right to you! You could ask 10 different people and get 10 different answers and everyone would be right

• This reply was modified 1 month, 4 weeks ago by  MattTX_24.
• This reply was modified 1 month, 4 weeks ago by  MattTX_24.

[Soundchaser]

Thank you for such an in-depth reply Matt. Very encouraging and very good advice. I am looking forward to visiting the music shops. I appreciate your response.

[Skyman911]

I would also pay attention to the different neck sizes and shapes. Since you spend so much time on the fretboard, I personally feel the neck size and shape are paramount. They are all different. V shapes, C shapes, oval shapes, thin necks, thick necks, medium necks, scale lenght. It all makes a difference. The advice given about going back many times is spot on. The “one” will eventually speak to you.

[Bayvu2]

I echo Matt’s comment about “falling behind”. You should be on your own pace! Everyone journey to finding a Guitar they like is different. I always wanted a Martin, so 35 years ago I bought a Sigma (Martin Knock off). But I never stuck to a lesson and picked it up and put it away so many times I never learned how to play. 2 years ago after I retired, a Martin popped up on Marketplace, and I bought it. I made a vow to myself that if I got the Martin, I had to stick with it.

After 2 years, I have done that with TAC’s help. I touch my guitar everyday and I proceed at my own pace.

The point is, for me, having my dream guitar made the difference. I can’t blame the instrument anymore.

[jorgemac]

This question comes up a lot. Here is my answer on the subject a week ago.

First a better guitar will not make you a better player if your aren’t going put in an honest effort to improve.

I play D’ardarrio XL string – 12/53 and 13/56 usually tuned down. i can afford them and they fit my needs. Every guitar player develops their own personal string choice. Cheap strings don’t hold their tone very long. If that is all you can afford then expect to change strings quite often to keep a good tone.

When 1st starting out 10’s were fine. As you start to develop your chops you will probably start playing a heaver gauge string as you will learn you can pick with more “character” to your tone with them.

OK Story time. When I bought my 1st grand daughter a guitar, in her junior high school year, I tried out all of the inexpensive guitars in the guitar Store. To my surprise I kept coming back to one of the cheapest guitars offered because it has, to my ears, the best tone for a starter guitar. The action was good and the tone was as good as guitars way more expensive. I finally bought it for her and she loved it for many years.

The point being buying a guitar is it has to fit you. Before you go to a music store to purchase another guitar learn to play one simple 3 chord song. Doesn’t matter what the song is just something you can kind of play for at least 1 verse. then you have something to compare different sounds coming from the instruments you are going to try out. Try to not be embarrassed by your lack of skill as people all around you are blowing your mind with their guitar picking. Just explain you are new to this and trying to find a first guitar that you feel comfortable with. Most real players will offer you all kinds of advise but take it with a grain of salt as you are your own individual and need to pleae you, not anyone else with this guitar choice.

Research online for different “best guitars” in your price range. If you can play 1 verse in a song or a lick such as Tuesday’s “Gone to long” lesson challenge you can repeat that over on all of the guitars you try out and you will find a guitar that grabs your ear and heart. Do not buy on your first day of checking. Salemen might try to pressure you but do not make any commitment until you have thought about it for awhile. This could be a lifetime commitment. It is important to you if you are really going to learn to play guitar.

I have huge expensive dreadnoughts, some simple parlor and medium folk style guitars. They all have a different sound and I will rotate between most of the smaller and folk size guitars on a weekly or sometimes a daily basis. I haven’t touched a large bodies guitar in a long time, except for my Gibson 200 that is just a magical guitar but isn’t as comfortable as the smaller bodies.

All guitar woods sound different also. Guitars made with all solid wood will age and over time and develop there unique sound.

Layered body wood guitars will sound the same 5 years from now as they do today. layered bodied guitar with a solid top will develop a little bit of character but not like a solid wood body guitar. I have a Taylor mini that is a solid top guitar/ply body guitar and does sound good but the sound has not evolved much from the day I bought it.

Again research online “best acoustic Guitars” online in your price range and see if you can find something that will help you learn to play and is also fun and easy to play.

I agree for playability You can’t beat a Taylor. I too have had and 70’s Takamine as my 1st guitar and wasn’t worthy of it’s great tone.

For the body size I prefer the Guild OM 140Ce and the Yamaha FS-TA stand out to me as a good starter investment.

A new guitar does have to grab hold of your ear and make your heart happy. There are great starter guitar under $1,000.00 that will age well and mature into good friends who won’t let you down.