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  • new guitar – opinions

    Posted by campfire on June 15, 2021 at 9:01 pm

    Now that I feel like I’m not extremely new, I have been somewhat shopping for a better acoustic guitar than the one I bought at KARM (like a Goodwill) for $20. I came across a used Fender Newporter Player Acoustic Electric Guitar. It is a beautiful metallic blue. It has a tuner built in, which I am very excited about. The top is shaped like an electric guitar, which they called “non-traditional.” I rather like the idea of “non-traditional”. I played it and it sounded fine. Strings feel like little steel strings, but I’ve been playing my classical lately.

    I googled the Fender Newporter and it appears to be good in tone and quality. There were also negatives, but for other Fender guitars. Any thoughts/opinions? Need your alls’ expertise please.

    Thanks,

    Campfire

    campfire replied 3 years, 7 months ago 4 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • Loraine

    Member
    June 16, 2021 at 3:05 am

    It’s always exciting to shop for new guitars. If the guitar feels right to you and excites you, then it is for you. There will always be negative and positive reviews, but it comes down to what works for you. I’m not familiar with the Fender guitar, but it sounds awesome.

    • campfire

      Member
      June 16, 2021 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks Loraine! It caught my eye and I had an awful time staying calm and ‘disinterested.’ I’m going to check the electronics and frets this week.

  • Bill_Brown

    Member
    June 16, 2021 at 7:31 am

    Hi @campfire , so like @Loraine said if you like it and it feels comfortable to you while playing – then that’s all that matters👍 So new models cost around $430, just make sure you’re paying less because it’s used! Look for nicks, scratches, cracks and other defects, like separation of the top or bottom from the sides or the finger board from the neck (particularly make sure the neck isn’t bowed). Make sure the frets aren’t sticking out beyond the plane of the neck where you can feel them while running your fretting hand up and down the neck (I bought a new Fender for a friend and the frets had to be filed due to that same problem). Make sure all the electronics work properly. Make sure the action (height of the strings above the fretboard) is what you want – rule of thumb is 3/32″ at the 12th fret.

    If everything checks out, you’ve got yourself a nice looking guitar🎸🤩🎸

    • This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by  Bill_Brown.
    • campfire

      Member
      June 16, 2021 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks! Yes, I checked it on google and Guitar Center was selling it for less than a new one. I checked it for nicks, etc., all looked great. Checked the space from fretboard and strings and I thought it was great as well. I’ll check to see if frets are sticking out, not sure I understand. I also need to check if the electronics work. The tuner does but I didn’t ask to check the ability to use an amplifier. Will do that.

      Currently guitar is on lay-a-way since Guitar Center bought it 6/6/21. Have to wait 30 days to ensure it wasn’t stolen.

      • Bill_Brown

        Member
        June 16, 2021 at 2:39 pm

        Hello again @campfire , so what I mean about the frets is that when you run your fretting hand up and down the neck like you’re going to make a barre chord for instance, your grip will be a little tighter on the neck – if you feel the edge of the frets jabbing or hitting the skin of your fingers or palm (or thumb) 😱 then the edges of the frets will need to be filed so that you don’t feel anything like what I described – hopefully someone else in the community can describe what I”m referring to a little better than me👍

        Like I said before, if all is well then it sounds like you have yourself a nice guitar🤩

        • This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by  Bill_Brown.
  • Stan

    Member
    June 17, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    <div>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANKwyMfzjTE
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    • This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by  Stan S..

    • campfire

      Member
      June 18, 2021 at 8:42 pm

      I get it!!! Thanks Stan S.

  • campfire

    Member
    July 6, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    Thanks to all!!! i picked up my “new” Fender , blue slated, acoustic guitar today. Stan, I checked the frets and they are slanted off so I can’t feel them on the sides. Bill, I also rechecked for good seals on all sides. Jonathan, store person, hooked it up to am amp and it just sounded wonderful! My dream would be to play like that somewhere, someday. It fits better on my lap, too, so I am really stoked! You’re right Loraine!

    As always thanks to all of you for your helpful support!

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