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Dec 19, 06
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question about buying guitars
This is for the guitar players here.
I'm looking to purchase a new or used acoustic guitar The guitar I got from my mother is older than I am and was never kept in a case, and has suffered from it. It was decent enough to introduce me to playing, but I think it's time to move onto a guitar that isn't decomposing. I'm on a budget of course, so is it wise to buy new, or is used an option? What brands/models should I look for? Any particular store or shops? Any and all tips appreciated. 
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Dec 19, 06
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I got my accoustic Fender from the Long&McQuade rental rack for like $450.
I love her dearly, and the internet says she's a $1000 guitar. A ding or two, but nothing I wouldn't have done myself in a year or so. It sure ain't $550 in damage. Take your time. Go to L&M and play 20-30 different guitars, of all different price ranges, and figure out which ones you like best and why. DO NOT buy a guitar your first or even your second trip, you may find your feelings change. If you're planning to buy an electric-accoustic, make *sure* you try the ones you're comparing through an amp - my Fender was $649 the first time I went in, then I played a $499 Tachamine a few times and thought it was the one (I mean, for $150 I can get used to the difference), but when I plugged it in the Fender was sooooo much nicer, Fishman electronics rule. Third time I went in, they were moving and the Fender was on for $449, I bought her on the spot. :) Take your time and get the *right* guitar, and it'll last you many years. In a year, you won't remember the extra hours you had to work to pay for it, but you'll have your guitar...
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Dec 20, 06
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best bet - go to tom lee or L & M, find you price range and just play with the guitars and find the one that feels best.
Acoustics have subtle difference in construction, design, and feel just like electrics... you also have a choice between nylon and steel stringed...
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Dec 20, 06
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Dec 20, 06
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Dec 20, 06
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Classical guitars are still acoustics, but what does make them distinct isn't the strings. They have wider necks to allow for more awkward fingerings, the neck is generally shorter, and they are shaped to rest on your left knee (or right knee if you're left handed).
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Dec 20, 06
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I know what the difference is :p
Theres also the difference in the way the strings vibrate. on a classical they rotate in a circle where on an accoustic they vibrate up and down. On a classical you haveto tie your strings to the bridge, where as an accoustic just has the bead at one end. The body starts at the 12th fret on a classical, always, while an accoustic has no rule about that, but it commonly starts at the 14th.
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Dec 20, 06
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yeah, seriously, accoustics differ WAAAAAAAAY more than electrics. for thousands of years, luthiers have been honing their art... electrics are kinda hacky in comparison, having only existed for a few decades. the shape of an electric guitar's body does almost nothing to the sound compared to the shape of an accoustic guitar's body. in an electric, so long as the neck is straight and the frets are the right distance apart, you can get pretty much any tone you want by changing out the pickups.
accoustics are an entiiiiiirely different class of instruments, in the same class as violins and cellos. I think when you're trying out guitars you should also try out a bunch that are *way* out of your price range, to help you identify the characteristics that you're looking for in a guitar that's in your price range. For me it was a narrow, electric-style neck, a cutaway body, rich tone and good electronics, and the Fender nailed all those things - I wouldn't have realized those things were what was most important to me if I hadn't tried the $3000 accoustics first tho. :)
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Dec 21, 06
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ahh lots of great information- wicked, you guys rock!
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Dec 22, 06
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Martin 12 string =) I like Martin guitars, really well made, they can be pretty expensive tho
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Dec 22, 06
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Washburn make some great accoustics too.
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Dec 22, 06
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^ Granted its very limiting ya, but it does yield some pretty cool sounding chords and what not, just depends on what one likes I guess.
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Dec 22, 06
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sorry to hijack a bit
is there any websites/forums for guitar buysells? I can't find much on the typical buysell shizz I want a cheap'ish used bass.. like a fender or somethin
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Dec 22, 06
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Rufus guitars....West 10th and Alma. (bout 3400 block) they have consignment guitars as well as some pretty decently priced new guitars. Other than that craigslist or buysell.com is what I can suggest. Best of luck.
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Dec 22, 06
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Dec 22, 06
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well the best thing to do is buy a fender strat pack or epiphone special
comes with guitar, patch chord, amp, strings, even pics then you can play electric and electric acoustic. but different sound overwise find somebody selling an old french string g ta and change the strings i bet you can get 1 for cheap
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Dec 23, 06
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What it comes down to is, you want to find one that is comfortable in your hands and you want to spend a fair bit of money on it. Don't go too cheap because the quality of your guitar will limit your improvement as you get better, and trust me... you'll be holding on to this guitar for quite some time. I've still got my first guitar and it's been 7 years since I got it.
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Dec 23, 06
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I have a yamaha that I bought frmo L&M for around... $450 and I love the sound that it produces. I love Fender's too. I was told to avoid if you can "coloured" guitars as they don't sound as nice to play. I also would suggest trying to play a variety of stuff... for instance, I can barely play a bar on mine and I would have been better off getting a sea gull because I have such small hands. However, that's all something you gotta learn on your own guitar. Don't be afriad to ask the people in the store, I found them to be particularly helpful as well.
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