Acoustic Beginner Guitars
When it comes to finding an acoustic beginner guitar, there are many things to consider. It may actually be worth spending enough money for a high quality guitar, if you have it. The ease with which the guitar plays and the sound it makes really is related to the quality and price.
If you decide that quality is important then one of the best acoustic beginner guitars you can invest in is the Seagull S6. Priced at around $400-$500, it’s not a play it once and stash in the closet deal. Definitely pricier than what a beginner might want to spend, but the exceptional quality well justifies the price. Even professional guitar players who’ve played and owned huge collections of guitars cherish the Seagull S6. Another high-end acoustic beginner guitar to consider is the Washburn D10S. In the under $500 range, the Washburn D10S has received the top vote in Acoustic Guitar magazine.
The Yamaha F310, Takamine G-240 and Fender DG7 are all good choices for the beginner. But in terms of price, the most affordable for the beginner is the Epiphone DR-100. Once you gain more experience you will want to trade up, but it’s a great acoustic beginner guitar at $120-$150.
Even if you are on a budget, you should try to avoid buying the under $100 guitars you can find at local discount stores. Surprisingly, a cheap, low quality acoustic beginner guitar is actually considered harder to play even by more experienced guitar players. The explanation for this has to do with the fact that they are cheaply made with an overly high action, which means there is too much space between the strings and the fingerboard. Beginners and experts alike find this flaw frustrating.
If your budget is less than $100, you are better off with a second-hand acoustic beginner guitar. If you see two of the same guitar, try playing both of them. Doing this will tell you the personality of the guitar, which might also tell you a little about the personality of the previous owner.
You should always avoid buying a guitar from someone who doesn’t know beans about caring for one. A guitar has to be handled like a lover (or at least a friend!). When it hasn’t been properly treated, it’s just never going to make great music. If an acoustic beginner guitar you’re trying feels a bit “off” for any reason, go on to the next one.
If you are a beginner and can’t play worth a dime, ask the store associate to play the acoustic beginner guitar you are considering buying. Any sales person at a guitar store will be able to figure out that you would like to actually hear the sound of the acoustic beginner guitar before making a purchase. Who knows, maybe they will be assisting the next great acoustic guitar player!
