School me on guitars

[ohmwrecker]

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?

Judging from a lot of the posts and talking to people, it's a distinction that a lot of people do not understand. It's also helpful information to have for a first time guitar buyer. I would hardly call pointing out the correct terminology a "lecture".

[admiralsnackbar]

Judging from a lot of the posts and talking to people, it's a distinction that a lot of people do not understand. It's also helpful information to have for a first time guitar buyer. I would hardly call pointing out the correct terminology a "lecture".

Fair enough -- sorry if I mistakenly took it as such

[ohmwrecker]

Fair enough -- sorry if I mistakenly took it as such

[MannyIsGod]

Lol @ having to say you're not gay

[ohmwrecker]

Lol @ having to say you're not gay

Sorry, to disappoint you. I'm a heartbreaker.

[Ignignokt]

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.

lol ignoramus
lol i'm not gay, i promise!!!
lol uetti
lol ohmwrecker likes him some chin omelettes

[Sotongball21]

At that age, important thing about the guitar is the playability. Get a good quality mid range-guitar. A takamine or a seagull like people are saying, however, as much as possible, get a guitar from your local store rather than over the internet. Testing the "action" of the guitar is important. That's how high the string is to the fret board. If the action is too high, no kid wants to play the guitar.

Take a trip to different guitar stores a couple of times and physically testing them out. No one guitar is the same.

Oh and 1 more thing, don't bother about getting particular kind of wood. It really doesn't make a difference at the beginner level.

[mouse]

In all these guitar topics no one has yet to post a video of them actually playing one.

[MannyIsGod]

The advice on playing a guitar first is actually the best in here. If you really want to get him a guitar for Christmas then take him to shops and play them with him first. Its really important.