When I was shopping for my last beauty I played a 99 dollar Takamine that was quite pleasant to play.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jasmine-...72-i1148991.gc
I think it was that.
One of the guys at church asked me to help him shop for a guitar. I found out that he wants an acoustic, doesn't need to be acoustic-electric, and he'd like to keep it under $100. I said I'd see what I could find and recommended getting a used one, but I figured I should evaluate whether $100 will get him something of sufficient quality.
What would you say is a minimum you should be able to spend on your first (acoustic) guitar? This guy is primarily a piano/keyboard player, but he wants to get into guitar. It would be his first guitar, so I realize we're not shooting for the moon, but I'd like a reasonable number to have him target that would allow him to get something that will serve him well.
Any guitar suggestions you'd like to offer up would be appreciated too, but I'm mainly looking for how much $$ he should be able to spend right now. Thanks all!
Last edited by Eric; August 4th, 2010 at 09:43 PM.
Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350Originally Posted by Spudman
Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
When I was shopping for my last beauty I played a 99 dollar Takamine that was quite pleasant to play.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jasmine-...72-i1148991.gc
I think it was that.
Very playable acoustics can easily be had used for a hundred bucks or so. I had a Tak G-Series (I think it was a G340) that I got for about $125, and it was very nice, especially the action.
+5 to the above suggestions. I care about fretboard material, scarf joints, bracing, things like that. He won't. Easy action, stay in tune....that's about all that's really important at this point. Tone & such will become important as he advances, musician or novice it's all the same.
"Always go heavy on the effects and try to blind the audience with expensive gear." - hubberjub
I mean, no offense, but I don't really see why, like guitar players from Creed, or something like that, are on the cover of guitar magazines. Almost anybody can sit down and learn to play those songs.
Dweezil Zappa
Fair enough. I think my dad actually has one of those Jasmine guitars. I found it on ebay for $1 with $55 shipping. There are worse guitars in the world.
Thanks for the input. I think the idea to go for action and tuning is a good one.
Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350Originally Posted by Spudman
Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
Just bought a very very nice Ibanez for a friend for $100 slightly used, including soft case and spare strings...VERY playable and quite a nice sounding guitar too. In fact I paid $350 for my super-basic-stripped-down Artcore Ibanez and this 100-buck one is in no way inferior a guitar...so yeah, seems $100 should buy a pretty good acoustic guitar these days!
Dee
"When life's a biatch, be a horny dog"
Amps: Marshall JVM 410H w/ Plexi Cap mod, Choke Mod & Negative Feedback Removal mod, 4x12", Behringer GMX110, Amplitube 3/StealthPedal
Half a dozen custom built/bastardized guitars all with EMG's, mostly 85's, Ibanez Artwood acoustic & Yamaha SGR bass, Epiphone Prophecy SG, Vox Wah, Pitchblack tuner plus assorted pedals, rack gear etc. for home studio use.
I'd say, get him up to $200 and find a used Simon & Patrick/Seagull/Art & Lutherie/Norman. IMO, the best acoustic value in existence.
Patrick
Spend as much as possible.
I paid $75 for my Squier acoustic at a garage sale. Came with hard shell case, stand, tuner, and beginners book! If he can look around, bargains can be had. And I think mine has a very nice tone to it. Better than a lot of cheap guitars I've played.
Guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra; pretty red Squier Acoustic;
Amps: Vox VT30;
Pedals: Dunlop Fuzz Face; Dunlop Crybaby Wah
My kids have: Squier Affinity Stratocaster MII; Fender G-DEC; Squire Acoustic; Jay Turser Strat-copy, Roland Cube amp
"I am a sworn enemy of the saccharine, and a believer in grace over karma." Bono 2001
Good advice so far. I see Tak Jasmines on CL for much cheaper than $100 all the time.
New strings are a must on the used guitars, naturally.
For new and under $150, Dean, Fender, Jasmine, and Epiphone would be worth demo'ing.
Guitar: Gibson SG Standard Natural Burst, Squier CV 50's Tele, Hell Guitars No. 2, Squier CV 50's Strat, Reverend Club King 290, Taylor 522e 12-Fret mahogany,
Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Short Scale
Amp: Fender Super Champ X2 Head, Egnater Tweaker 15, Fender Mustang I, Acoustic B20 1x12 bass amp
Pedal: Budda Budwah wah, Wampler Ego Compressor, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food, Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, Wampler Velvet Fuzz, Seven Sisters Eve Tremolo, TC Electronics Gravy Tri Chorus & Vibrato, Catalinbread Echorec, TC Electronic Alter Ego 2 Delay, Hardwire Supernatural Ambient Verb, MXR Carbon Copy, Catalinbread RAH, Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker, BYOC Mouse 2.0 Distortion, BYOC Boost/OD-2
I had cheap or free acoustics for many many years and they didn't sound anything like a decent acoustic.
For a hundred, used, he might, with your help, be able to find something half way decent.
New I would expect to pay about 190 for something even real decent, like the Samick Jumbo I bought new for 189. Later I hardwired a tailpin rigged Dean Markley Pro Mag Grande soundhole pickup into it, the piano black one, and it sounds incredibly great plugged in. It sounds real good acoustically as well.
My personal experience is to go to music stores and tune and strum gently the acoustic guitars in my price range and listen carefully for the really quality sounding ones, the ones that chime like bells and have a tone that you are looking for. You know, the elusive tone quest. Usually the more expensive ones sound a lot smoother and mellower with chime as well. But checking around and putting some work into it, I think you could find a real good sounding inexpensive acoustic by strumming and listening.
However, the guy is going to have to want to do the footwork and if he only wants to spend a hundred he may not be committed to doing the necessary footwork to locate a real decent sounding inexpensive guitar.
It would be advantageous to start out on a real good sounding acoustic, regardless of price. They can be found in all price ranges. Every guitar, as you know, sounds different. This quest might just be a little more difficult considering the limited price range.
A new Oscar Schmidt is close to two hundred and the Samick's way outclass those. I would say try to find somewhere that sells Samicks. Samick makes guitars for a lot of big names and they just put their name on them. Samick decided to make their own line and sell it very inexpensively but provide a really decent guitar to people at a very very reasonable price. They have a twelve string I want to get.
Hope this line of thought helps.
Duffy Bolduc
South Williamsport, Pa.
"Now all the things that use to mean so much to me has got me old before my time." G. Allman, "Old Before My Time", Hittin' the Note.
Major changes to guitars and amps, to be updated soon.
Fiance - Supportive of musical art
I would say see if you can get him to spend $200 and get either a Seagull S6+ or a Washburn D10
Guitars: 2002 Les Paul Studio Limited Color's Edition | 2004 Greg Bennett Avion Les Paul Copy | S101 Telecaster project | 2004 Washburn D46 Acoustic
Amplification: Epiphone Valve Jr. Head and Cabinet | VOX AD30VT
Effects: Rocktron Delay | BBE Free Fuzz | Big Muff Pi | Boss Flanger | Bad Monkey | Jekyll and Hyde | Cry Baby Wah | Boss EQ | Behrenger TU300 Tuner |
I agree on the Seagull S6+ but I don't think you can get one for 200 or I would probably jump on that.
I have a real nice Seagull and they are definitely great guitars.
It is, even if possible at this price, twice what this guy wants to spend.
For a hundred he can probably find someone that is willing to sell a half way decent acoustic with case, but he won't be able to be picky and will have to settle for the first really decent one he sees.
Otherwise he is going to have to do the footwork and go all around that Philadelphia area to music stores, CL, etc., to track down something really nice. People need money. Doing a lot of footwork could get you something probably fairly decent for a hundred in a big metropolitan area like that. But then you have to figure in gas.
How about you Eric? Are you willing to do some of the footwork for him? I got a really great deal on an acoustic Ibanez with case for a friend of mine not long ago.
I can remember the day, long ago, that a really decent hundred dollar used guitar would have been really appreciated.
Duffy Bolduc
South Williamsport, Pa.
"Now all the things that use to mean so much to me has got me old before my time." G. Allman, "Old Before My Time", Hittin' the Note.
Major changes to guitars and amps, to be updated soon.
Fiance - Supportive of musical art
He didn't say it had to be a "new" guitar. Not sure about the Phily area but in my part of the country, I see used Seagul S6+'s in the $200 - $225 range frequently. The Washburn D10 can be picked up for around $100 pretty frequently on Craigslist and Abay too.
Guitars: 2002 Les Paul Studio Limited Color's Edition | 2004 Greg Bennett Avion Les Paul Copy | S101 Telecaster project | 2004 Washburn D46 Acoustic
Amplification: Epiphone Valve Jr. Head and Cabinet | VOX AD30VT
Effects: Rocktron Delay | BBE Free Fuzz | Big Muff Pi | Boss Flanger | Bad Monkey | Jekyll and Hyde | Cry Baby Wah | Boss EQ | Behrenger TU300 Tuner |
No, Cheap guitars are just that, they usually have bad action, sound terrible and will actually discourage someone from playing, bump it up a notch to around $500.00 and get a decent guitar.
May all your days be memorable, all your friends stay true and all your riffs be killer....
For a hundred or a tad over you can score a very good player used, 3-400 gets a new basic one that's also soundwise good enough for most anything, past 400 it's basically just fine nuances in sound or elaborate woodwork to add.
Add 100-200 to each stage if you want useable mic system in it.
Dee
"When life's a biatch, be a horny dog"
Amps: Marshall JVM 410H w/ Plexi Cap mod, Choke Mod & Negative Feedback Removal mod, 4x12", Behringer GMX110, Amplitube 3/StealthPedal
Half a dozen custom built/bastardized guitars all with EMG's, mostly 85's, Ibanez Artwood acoustic & Yamaha SGR bass, Epiphone Prophecy SG, Vox Wah, Pitchblack tuner plus assorted pedals, rack gear etc. for home studio use.
I'd say that, while $500 will bump you up into the "nice" category, most beginners are still in the do-I-really-want-to-play-guitar phase, where a relatively big investment like $500 is a lot to spend on something you're unsure about.
I think this carries through to a lot of stuff. Sure, it's worth it to get top-end gear if you're sure that's what you want and that you will be using it for a long time. However, most beginners are just getting their feet wet and are unwilling to dive in and buy the most expensive gear if they're unsure that what they really want.
It's how my mind works too -- e.g. why would I get a high-end compressor pedal that's probably very specialized, only to later realize that I hate compression and/or don't want to play the guitar after all?
Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350Originally Posted by Spudman
Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
Here's a good example of a nice cheap acoustic:
http://muusikoiden.net/tori/nayta.php?id=443489
Only 85 euros, real mahogany and spruce top - with bag and the seller at least claims it plays superbly, which is easy to check when buying. Nice strings and I'd venture it doesn't sound much inferior to way more expensive guitars. I have a friend who has gigged with a cheap Ibanez like that for a decade already. In fact, hm, maybe I should buy this...naah, too far to go and check it meself. But anyhow, this kind of deals aren't very rare and IMO perfect for beginner guitars.
Dee
"When life's a biatch, be a horny dog"
Amps: Marshall JVM 410H w/ Plexi Cap mod, Choke Mod & Negative Feedback Removal mod, 4x12", Behringer GMX110, Amplitube 3/StealthPedal
Half a dozen custom built/bastardized guitars all with EMG's, mostly 85's, Ibanez Artwood acoustic & Yamaha SGR bass, Epiphone Prophecy SG, Vox Wah, Pitchblack tuner plus assorted pedals, rack gear etc. for home studio use.