School me on guitars

[PM5K]

What kind of strings do acoustic guitars typically come with?

[silverblk mystix]

What kind of strings do acoustic guitars typically come with?

Depends on the guitar and/or the music store.

A steel string acoustic is suited for bronze, phosphor bronze,etc...

Lately a lot of acoustics are fitted with Elixir brand strings because they are coated and last 3 to 5 times as long as regular non-coated strings.
The tone is almost as good as non-coated and since changing strings on an acoustic can be a little more work...some people use them all the time.

I prefer the phosphor bronze (John Pearse brand) because I love the tone enough to change strings more frequently.
I used the Elixir's on a 12 string I had because the string changing on a 12 string is a bear, and a 12 string is mostly a strummer guitar and chimey picking guitar-so the tone didn't bother me as much.

If you are leaning for acoustic-check out some blueridge guitars or some recording king...they give you max bang for the buck and are used as second guitars or take-it-to-the park guitars by many players that have really expensive guitars in the 2 to 3 to 6 thousand dollar range. These Blueridge and R.Kings look like Martin or Gibson replicas.

If you can step up to an ALL-SOLID WOOD acoustic....Larrivee makes a really decent all-solid (the top is solid sitka, the back and sides are solid rosewood or mahogany...as opposed to laminate woods). A used Larrivee got me through some lean times when I didn't want to spend too much and didn't want to go laminate.

Of course, all these choices can be made AFTER your kid takes it seriously and you are looking to reward him with an upgrade in a year or two.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Acoustics unless you are spending in the 4 figures almost invariably have ty action so they are much harder to play. Electric with a thin pick is the easiest to start.

10 years ago I would have told you to get a Yamaha Pacifica no question. They have gone to in terms of the construction nowadays.

Look at cheap yamahas, squiers, and epiphones. When you get the guitar look at the 12th fret, thats the one with two dots. Look at the distance between the string and the fretboard. If its half an inch then it is WAAAY too much. A lot of pos guitars will do this because the guitar buzzes if you do not crank down the truss rod.

That is the next thing you do: start fretting notes(put your finger down between each fret and pick the string) the note should play clear. If its muted at certain spots or buzzes especially at the low E, its more than likely a pos. Its going to be a cheap guitar so its not going to be perfect throughout the range but the more guitars you check out the better feel you will have.

Plug the thing in. Strum the guitar and check for hissing, popping, lost signals. Move the switch to various positions and check all of the pickups.

And whoever said an instructor is a waste of time is ing clueless. A decent instructor can have your kid playing songs as soon as he learns E and A. If you want your kid fumbling through trying to learn to read tab on their own and picking up ty picking habits then by all means go that route.

This guy is cool and his youtubes are free:

http://www.justinguitar.com/index.php

Good luck

[Barfunk]

Jasmine by Takamine S35 Acoustic Guitar Natural:

http://www.amazon.com/Jasmine-Takami...2093154&sr=8-1

I actually have had a couple of these guitars in this model. Don't let the price fool you because this is a pretty good guitar. Of course it's not going to playing like melting butter, but it plays very nice and since you said you wanted something in the $100-$150 range for your son but don't really know if he'll stick with with it. This guitar is only $70.00 through the Austin Bazaar store on Amazon.com. Just click on the "12 new" link under all the pricing info to see all the stores that offer this model. Some stores on Amazon charge shipping while some give you free shipping. The Austin Bazaar Store offers the "Free Super Saver Shipping".

I haven't tried this one but here is the cutaway version (for $79.87 with "Free Super Saver Shipping". Make sure if you were to buy this guitar, choose the store on Amazon that offers Free Super Saver Shipping) I've actually been thinking about getting this one to see how it plays:

http://www.amazon.com/Jasmine-Takami...2094030&sr=8-3

[Duff McCartney]

Acoustics unless you are spending in the 4 figures almost invariably have ty action so they are much harder to play. Electric with a thin pick is the easiest to start.

10 years ago I would have told you to get a Yamaha Pacifica no question. They have gone to in terms of the construction nowadays.

Look at cheap yamahas, squiers, and epiphones. When you get the guitar look at the 12th fret, thats the one with two dots. Look at the distance between the string and the fretboard. If its half an inch then it is WAAAY too much. A lot of pos guitars will do this because the guitar buzzes if you do not crank down the truss rod.

That is the next thing you do: start fretting notes(put your finger down between each fret and pick the string) the note should play clear. If its muted at certain spots or buzzes especially at the low E, its more than likely a pos. Its going to be a cheap guitar so its not going to be perfect throughout the range but the more guitars you check out the better feel you will have.

Plug the thing in. Strum the guitar and check for hissing, popping, lost signals. Move the switch to various positions and check all of the pickups.

And whoever said an instructor is a waste of time is ing clueless. A decent instructor can have your kid playing songs as soon as he learns E and A. If you want your kid fumbling through trying to learn to read tab on their own and picking up ty picking habits then by all means go that route.

This guy is cool and his youtubes are free:

http://www.justinguitar.com/index.php

Good luck

I disagree with you on the cheap acoustics. Mine wasn't like 10 bucks but it was around 200 and it's a Fender and the action is really good on it. Nice and low.

Also, having an instructor can be a waste of time. There are alot of people who don't learn like that. I happen to believe that there are two types of musicians....those than can read music and those that can't.

Personally I couldn't do with an instructor because well it feels alot like school. Not that I hated school, but I couldn't stomach school with music. Even when I had piano classes in college they bored me to no end. I found more enjoyment learning on my own than with a teacher and sheet music.

I do agree it's not a total waste of time, but it just depends on what kind of musician you (or in this case his kid) is.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I disagree with you on the cheap acoustics. Mine wasn't like 10 bucks but it was around 200 and it's a Fender and the action is really good on it. Nice and low.

Also, having an instructor can be a waste of time. There are alot of people who don't learn like that. I happen to believe that there are two types of musicians....those than can read music and those that can't.

Personally I couldn't do with an instructor because well it feels alot like school. Not that I hated school, but I couldn't stomach school with music. Even when I had piano classes in college they bored me to no end. I found more enjoyment learning on my own than with a teacher and sheet music.

I do agree it's not a total waste of time, but it just depends on what kind of musician you (or in this case his kid) is.

So you had an issue with an instructor. This idea that it is easier to learn without a teacher is awesome. Maybe if you are a sociopath.

It does not have to be about learning theory or even being able to read sheet music and everything about technique and approach. When you are playing triplets at 140 bpm then you had better have good picking technique or you have no hope.

If the instructor is too rigorous then you find a different instructor.

And if you bought a fender acoustic(which are anyway) that plays alright then good for you but that is the exception and not the norm. I found a kickass Ibanez for $400 but when you are telling somewhere to look you do not point them to somewhere they need an immensely discerning eye to make a good choice.

They just arent going to be as easy to play as a comparable electric anyway.

[MannyIsGod]

its harder to self-teach yourself when youre only 12 though

Not really. Just learn a bunch of chords and before you know it you can play a load of songs.

[MannyIsGod]

If you buy a cheap (less than 200) acoustic the chances of him sticking with it are low because those guitars are hard as to play. There's a lot of good advice in this thread but please just listen to that.

I'd personally like to recommended the Seagull S6 as a great guitar for beginners. Its still the only guitar I own and although it doesn't sound as good or play as easily as my old Martin its still a great great guitar to just have around.

[Ignignokt]

Get a seagull guitar. I think theres no finish but they sound warm and are of good quality.

Yamaha sucks and they're action gets funny real quick. Fender sucks on low quality acoustic instruments. Epiphone have funny feel.

I would stick to a seagull. Get Nathan Pearsall strings. They are handmade, also they have amazing overtones.

[DPG21920]

Jasmine by Takamine S35 Acoustic Guitar Natural:

http://www.amazon.com/Jasmine-Takami...2093154&sr=8-1

I actually have had a couple of these guitars in this model. Don't let the price fool you because this is a pretty good guitar. Of course it's not going to playing like melting butter, but it plays very nice and since you said you wanted something in the $100-$150 range for your son but don't really know if he'll stick with with it. This guitar is only $70.00 through the Austin Bazaar store on Amazon.com. Just click on the "12 new" link under all the pricing info to see all the stores that offer this model. Some stores on Amazon charge shipping while some give you free shipping. The Austin Bazaar Store offers the "Free Super Saver Shipping".

I haven't tried this one but here is the cutaway version (for $79.87 with "Free Super Saver Shipping". Make sure if you were to buy this guitar, choose the store on Amazon that offers Free Super Saver Shipping) I've actually been thinking about getting this one to see how it plays:

http://www.amazon.com/Jasmine-Takami...2094030&sr=8-3

This was my first guitar and i still have it, in good shape 10 years later. Fun to play and sounds good.

[ohmwrecker]

Get a seagull guitar. I think theres no finish but they sound warm and are of good quality.

Seagulls are great guitars, but out of the $ range he mentioned. When buying a first guitar for a kid, parents are understandably concerned about spending too much in case the child losses interest, but spending a little extra can make a huge difference in the quality of the instrument.
Try to get a solid top acoustic (the soundboard of the guitar is made from solid wood instead of plywood). They sound better right off the bat and they age well, so they last longer. If a guitar is too cheaply made it won't stay in tune and will be difficult to play if the strings are set too far off the fretboard (this can be adjusted on better guitars, but cheap ones aren't easy or worth it to fix). Kids will be frustrated and discouraged by trying to play an inadequate instrument.
There are a few solid tops available in beginner packages (incl. tuner, strap, picks, book, etc.). Yamaha and Fender, off the top of my head, have ones in your price range. Ask the salesman about a free "set-up", before and after purchase, if possible.

btw, Seagulls do have a finish, but the high gloss is buffed out.

[Ignignokt]

Seagulls are great guitars, but out of the $ range he mentioned. When buying a first guitar for a kid, parents are understandably concerned about spending too much in case the child losses interest, but spending a little extra can make a huge difference in the quality of the instrument.
Try to get a solid top acoustic (the soundboard of the guitar is made from solid wood instead of plywood). They sound better right off the bat and they age well, so they last longer. If a guitar is too cheaply made it won't stay in tune and will be difficult to play if the strings are set too far off the fretboard (this can be adjusted on better guitars, but cheap ones aren't easy or worth it to fix). Kids will be frustrated and discouraged by trying to play an inadequate instrument.
There are a few solid tops available in beginner packages (incl. tuner, strap, picks, book, etc.). Yamaha and Fender, off the top of my head, have ones in your price range. Ask the salesman about a free "set-up", before and after purchase, if possible.

btw, Seagulls do have a finish, but the high gloss is buffed out.

Yeah i know, it's called a satin finish, but to many, it looks like it has none.

And also, whose to say you can't find one on ebay used for that price range. Imho a quality used >>>>> a mediocre new.

[Duff McCartney]

So you had an issue with an instructor. This idea that it is easier to learn without a teacher is awesome. Maybe if you are a sociopath.

It does not have to be about learning theory or even being able to read sheet music and everything about technique and approach. When you are playing triplets at 140 bpm then you had better have good picking technique or you have no hope.

If the instructor is too rigorous then you find a different instructor.

And if you bought a fender acoustic(which are anyway) that plays alright then good for you but that is the exception and not the norm. I found a kickass Ibanez for $400 but when you are telling somewhere to look you do not point them to somewhere they need an immensely discerning eye to make a good choice.

They just arent going to be as easy to play as a comparable electric anyway.

There's nothing sociopathic about it being easier to learn without an instructor. Some people just learn differently than others. It's common knowledge.

That said it wasn't just one teacher that I had for piano it was a few that I found the concept of learning piano the "traditional" way or whatever to be tedious. Like I said, people learn in different ways...and I wouldn't dismiss an instructor to be a complete waste of time, but it depends on the type of learner a person is.

It's like some people learn great hearing a lecture and others have to be more engaged.

[ohmwrecker]

Yeah i know, it's called a satin finish, but to many, it looks like it has none.

And also, whose to say you can't find one on ebay used for that price range. Imho a quality used >>>>> a mediocre new.

I'm agreeing with you, dip . If you can find a Seagull for under $200, buy it.

[Ignignokt]

I'm agreeing with you, dip . If you can find a Seagull for under $200, buy it.

Why you got to be on your period. I wasn't flaming you or debating you. It's just a discussion. Go get bent by your boyfriend whose probably not paying any of the rent, and then come back to this adult conversation.

[KapitanTutan]

by 16 your son will be forming a mini gay band.

and start smoking weeds and s.

[PM5K]

Here are a few of the guitars I found while out shopping around:

Yamaha CG101A 99.99 (Actually a classical guitar)
Yamaha C40 99.99 (Also classical)
Ibanez TCY10 119.99 (Acoustic electric and a nice looking/feeling/slim guitar)
Takamine TC30C 119.99 (Another classical guitar)
Alvarez RD10 89.99 (Dreadnought)
Alvarez RF8 74.99 (Folk)
Yamaha FG401 99.99 (Seemed a bit big)
Yamaha FG700S 124.99 (As mentioned. The action is very good on this one)

I also saw some Staggs and Robelli but I don't know if those are any good. I also saw some Takamine's but I didn't know if those were good either until I read they were mentioned here earlier, but the TC30C that I saw was very nice except a classical guitar.

The Fender from Craigslist is still available, looks to be a Fender Standard Stratacoustic Acoustic-Electric Guitar that retails for 249.99

[ohmwrecker]

I'm on my period. I wasn't flaming you or debating you because I'm a dip . It's just a discussion. I have to go get bent by my boyfriend whose definitely not paying rent. I am an adult, dammit!.

[PM5K]

Alrighty.

[Ignignokt]

But i was agreeing with you!! Why do you give me such a hard time!!! Daddy was never there, i need your now!!!

[4>0rings]

Here are a few of the guitars I found while out shopping around:

Yamaha CG101A 99.99 (Actually a classical guitar)
Yamaha C40 99.99 (Also classical)
Ibanez TCY10 119.99 (Acoustic electric and a nice looking/feeling/slim guitar)
Takamine TC30C 119.99 (Another classical guitar)
Alvarez RD10 89.99 (Dreadnought)
Alvarez RF8 74.99 (Folk)
Yamaha FG401 99.99 (Seemed a bit big)
Yamaha FG700S 124.99 (As mentioned. The action is very good on this one)

There is a difference between classical guitars and steel string/folk guitars. They are played different and the classicals use nylon strings. I don't think your son wants that but I could be wrong.

Both yamaha's are good, both have solid tops and good action. Ibanez is a solid top but at these price ranges all the electronics on acoustic-electrics won't be any good. It has a cutaway and is slimmer so it's smaller and might be easier to play, but sound was lacking in the reviews I saw. You can also add pickups to regualr acoustic guitars if you want to amp it later on down the line. Alvarez RD10/RF8 are not solid tops but otherwise a decent beginner guitar. That fender strat elec-acoustic you looked at has a laminate top with sub-par electronics, the only thing going for it is the style and the feel of an electric guitar neck, I'd pass.

I'd agree with the others if you find a seagull anything in your price range, it's a good buy as long as it's a spruce top and not a cedar top(they sound different and cedar is an aquired taste in tone, bleh)

[PM5K]

Yeah I don't know the difference between acoustic and classical. I know his relative that he looks up to that also plays guitar plays a classical, but I want to get him something that will allow him to play the most popular music.

[admiralsnackbar]

Yeah I don't know the difference between acoustic and classical. I know his relative that he looks up to that also plays guitar plays a classical, but I want to get him something that will allow him to play the most popular music.

Get him an acoustic. Classical guitars are easier to play as far as novice finger pain goes, but they also sound a bit flabby before you learn how to fingerpick. Acoustics are a better primer in that they strengthen one's fretting ability and make transitioning to electrics (if he chooses to down the road) much easier.

Agree that Seagulls are great guitars, but the Yamahas and Alvarez are perfectly serviceable instruments. Don't waste your money on an electric/acoustic with piezo pick-ups: in your general price-range, they will be of poor quality acoustically and plugged in.

[ohmwrecker]

I'm sorry. I just have to clear something up. Classical guitars are acoustic guitars. Steel strings are also acoustic. Any guitar that produces sound without being amplified is technically acoustic. I know I am being a stickler for terminology, but this is just basic people should know.
Classical guitars are made to play classical or Spanish flamenco style music. Different body shape, wider fretboard, nylon strings, played with fingertips, not picks . . . unless you're Willie Nelson.
Steel strings most common body shape is the dreadnaught. This is the one you want. Try to get a solid top. I cannot stress this enough. They sound better, age better and have more resale value.



Also, I'm not gay. No matter how much Ignoramus wants me to be, it's just not going to happen between us.

[admiralsnackbar]

I'm sorry. I just have to clear something up. Classical guitars are acoustic guitars. Steel strings are also acoustic. Any guitar that produces sound without being amplified is technically acoustic. I know I am being a stickler for terminology, but this is just basic people should know.


Also, I'm not gay. No matter how much Ignoramus wants me to be, it's just not going to happen between us.

C'mon, dude. Any guitar that makes sound is technically acoustic... are the semantics of colloquial guitar classification so tricky they demand a lecture to tell 99% of the readers of this thread something they already know?