I am a beginner and have played the piano so I can read notes but don't know any of the chords on guitar. Does anyone know where I should buy an acoustic guitar?
I've always wanted to learn a guitar but don't know where to start. Thanks
Where to find an acoustic guitar? Any experienced Acoustic Guitar Players?
aerona on 02/06/2013 - 18:52
Comments
I reckon you should get a second hand one from places such as eBay or gumtree.com.au. You could get one for as little as $20 and it's as good as one that's $100.
Also, if you're just starting to pick up the guitar, I'd recommend playing with a classical first, with the nylon strings. It'll give your fingers the chance to build up some skin so when you switch to a steel string, it's not as painful.
Here's one for about $60 in Victoria: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/melbourne-region/guitars-amps…
Cash converters
I know next to nothing about guitars, but Flingshot are worth a look for good prices on imported gear. For example
http://flingshot.com.au/music-gear/guitar/acoustic-guitar/ro…I have found the Flingshot rep to be helpful so might be worthwhile asking him for a recommendation.
… check out pawn brokers. And be prepared to haggle.
make sure it has decent 'action'… ie the strings are not too far away from the neck/fretboard…
probably the most annoying thing for beginner players..also buy a cheap tuner that clips onto the guitar headstock (near the tuning pegs)..
also if you're beginning, if you go to a proper guitar shop/allans etc you will pay more but you'll at least get some advice, won't end up with something ridiculous like if you go to cash converters… (eg nylon string when you really want steel string.. )
Don't bother with a tuner these days, just use your smartphone!!
I'm no great guitarist, but I second the buy 2nd-hand recommendation, but it doesn't really matter. On the one hand, a guitar is quite a personal item, that you are in close contact with, and you will greatly appreciate a well made one (like $500+ new price). On the other, when you are starting out, you can get a cheap guitar knowing you will buy a better one when you know what you are doing and if you like it.
You should get some lessons to get started. After you get basic chords and scales you will know enough so that practice is what is required.I am an experienced guitar player. Been playing for about 14 years, gig weekly etc.
Firstly to address some things above:
- If you go to Allans, would you be ripped off?
Allans/Billy Hydes went into voluntary administration a while ago so that’s not an option. However if you did go there, yes you would have been ripped off. They managed to have consistently higher prices than everywhere else, leading to their fall.
- A $20 guitar is as good as a $100 guitar.
I have personally never played a useable guitar that is worth either $20 or $100. El cheapo guitars tend to be hard to play, never stay in tune, and sound like crap no matter how well you play them. These instruments will ensure that you will give up. Don’t buy them.
- Where should you buy a guitar?
Probably the most successful local place you can think of. If you have a friend whom has a good relationship with a local music shop it would be a great benefit for you to go shopping with them, as you will have an expert to help you pick the best guitar, and will also get you discounts quite easily. A lot of guitar stores now pricematch too which is excellent.
I have played many, many guitars, and have helped many friends buy guitars. In the sub-$1000 market the quality of guitars can vary wildly. There’s something about the machine-made process that makes two guitars from the same factory that look exactly the same, same materials etc, result in different playability/sound just from a chance imperfection somewhere along the line. It is not uncommon to find a $300 guitar that is better than an $800 guitar just because the $300 got lucky somewhere along the line and the $800 was not so lucky. Unfortunately this is not uncommon in the +$1000 market either (I’m looking at you Fender), so basically it’s best if you can play the guitar before buying it, rather than chancing on online sales.
If it is any help, the most reliable guitar I have seen under $1000 is the Washburn D10S. It is consistently good and should be had for $300-$350. It is also the most popular acoustic guitar in the world.
As a general rule, your first guitar should cost you between $300-$500. This will ensure that you at least have a "playable" instrument, and something that maintains its resale value if you wish to sell it later.
Some tips for buying guitars:
Ignore the price tag. Most music stores have worked hard to get certain distribution deals and part of this is that they display the RRP on the guitar. Always ask for at least 1/3 off the price. The only people who actually pay RRP are parents buying a present for their children. Also on this point, a higher price point does not necesserily mean a better guitar either.
Ignore the brands. As explained above, all the machine made guitars vary wildly in quality irrespective of what name is stuck on the top. If you think X guitar sounds and plays better than Y guitar, it probably does.
Ignore the looks. I know you want your super red flame acoustic but at the sub-$1000 level it’s a piece of plastic that has been glued onto your guitar rather than a special wood treatment.
Ignore the salesperson. Some places get certain commissions on certain items. It’s just like any other store.
Don’t get a guitar with pickups. At this level you’re probably looking for something to play at home, not on stage. Acoustic pickups at this level are usually quite awful, and you just paid an extra $100-$200 to get them rather than that cash going into the workmanship of the guitar. You can always get a pickup installed later.
Go with your gut. If you like the guitar, go for it. You want something that feels good and sounds good. Only you can make that call. Keep this in mind at all times. Your salesperson will sometimes try to push you towards a different guitar, upsell etc, don't do it! You will regret your purchase.
Play EVERY guitar in your price range at the store. Even the identical models. Slowly narrow down your search until you get the “best” one. And if the "best" one is the cheapest one, all the more power to you. As iterated above, it may be the "best" one.
Yeah, this was pretty lengthy. PM me if you need further info.
This is good advice for buying your second guitar, but before you start to learn, you can't know what you don't know.
Can you borrow a guitar for at least a few lessons, or do you have a more knowledgeable friend who can help you pick an instrument?I agree that a lot of the points assumed you could play a little bit, and that if you cannot you should get a more knowledgable friend to help.
However I stand by the point that you should pay $300-$500 for your first guitar.
Thanks for this great advice, right now i'm on gumtree trying to haggle lol
I'm thinking just going to allans music, will I be getting ripped off? what should I look for anyone??