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Post by rookie on Oct 15, 2009 11:43:05 GMT -5
I want to get a guitar (acoustic) in the near future. Something very basic. I don't need a top of the line, bank breaking one but I don't want a Walmart POS either. All I plan on doing with it is hammering out some chords for a couple hours a day. I know I'm not ever going to get super good, but I'd like to be able to play a song and have others know the tune.
But I don't really know enough about them to make an informed decision (not waste my money). And I know we have some music savvy people populating this board. Any advice you can give would be very appreciated.
Thank you.
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Post by skyfire on Oct 15, 2009 11:53:48 GMT -5
Check your phone book to see if you have any local stores that sell musical instruments. Going to garage sales might also be a good idea, too (it's how I got my Silvertone; I only paid $10).
Additionally, I've heard bad things about Guitar Center; I'd recommend avoiding them.
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Post by SimSim on Oct 15, 2009 19:24:09 GMT -5
Seagull make some inexpensive, yet good sounding and quality guitars.
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Post by mistermuncher on Oct 15, 2009 19:51:26 GMT -5
+1 on the Seagull, actually, that whole line of brands (Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie) from Godin(I think) are thoroughly decent. There's a hierarchy I don't recall specifically, but honestly I'd look for whatever they make with a solid wood top (at least) with a half-decent neck in your price range. If you can afford solid back and sides, go that too. Solid top, though, is always worth it. The rest verges on the law of diminishing returns pretty quickly. Unless you actively plan on playing lead, I'd forgo a cutaway style, too. A full-body guitar will always sound a little richer.
As a rule of thumb, though, set your budget, and go for the least decorated and ornate instrument, with the least glossy finish. That way, there's more money going on the wood and construction, and less on fripperies.
Lastly, acoustics can be a crapshoot. Try as many as you can lay a hand on, new and second-hand. Don't get brand-blind. Look for the features first. Buy with your ears and your fingers. Your eyes are for seeking members of your preferred sex.
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Post by skyfire on Oct 15, 2009 20:35:21 GMT -5
As a rule of thumb, though, set your budget, and go for the least decorated and ornate instrument, with the least glossy finish. That way, there's more money going on the wood and construction, and less on fripperies. Plus, that gives you the chance to decorate it yourself if you feel like it.
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