Spec me an acoustic guitar

Flopsy

Flopsy

Flopsy

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Joined
30 Dec 2013
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205
Location
Leicestershire
Sons been playing ukulele at school and asked me to buy one, which I did. Naturally picked it up, learnt a few chords and now Im thinking of buying an acoustic guitar.
Not looking to spend more than £130 as Im a complete novice and spending much more than that for me to twang around with just seems a waste at this point.
Theres a fair few music shops Im passing tomorrow so any particular brands/models to look for in that range would be a great help.

Thanks
 
At that price point, can't go wrong with Yamaha. I have one I got when I was 14 or 15 and still have it 15 years later. Only thing it has ever needed was new strings and a machine head.
 
I think this is where I'll be going as they seem to have the best range.

Acoustic Guitars

Yamaha, Ibanez, Fender and Epiphone (?)

Yamaha still the one or any of the others?

Suppose it comes down to picking one up and seeing which feels/sounds the best to me
 
OhEsEcks said:
At that price point, can't go wrong with Yamaha. I have one I got when I was 14 or 15 and still have it 15 years later. Only thing it has ever needed was new strings and a machine head.
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Had my Yamaha FG-335 when I was 14 and I'm now 56 and it gets picked up nearly every day.
 
Cleisthenes said:
When I used to play a lot all of my bits came from here: http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-acoustic-guitars-6-string

If you ever have a chance to go to there shop in Brighton it is definitely worth it!
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Bit of a trek for me, Im in Leicestershire.

All the stores I go near must be real musicians as they werent open until 10 or 11 oclock which was too late to go in for me.

My nephew plays and said try one of the cash converter type places as they sometimes have OK second hand ones. Noticed this one today but have never heard of them, EKO anyone?

EKO Acoustic Guitar
 
Flopsy said:
Bit of a trek for me, Im in Leicestershire.

All the stores I go near must be real musicians as they werent open until 10 or 11 oclock which was too late to go in for me.

My nephew plays and said try one of the cash converter type places as they sometimes have OK second hand ones. Noticed this one today but have never heard of them, EKO anyone?

EKO Acoustic Guitar
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Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :eek:
 
 
Another idea would be to check out Gumtree in your area for acoustic guitars.
I've bought several items with no bother and once drove 320 miles to buy a Line 6 POD HD500 which I used once on stage :D
 
You need to try it out first, get one with low action and thin neck would be my preference. Cheap guitars tend to have high action which makes playing the thing more difficult.
 
Dimple said:
Another idea would be to check out Gumtree in your area for acoustic guitars.
I've bought several items with no bother and once drove 320 miles to buy a Line 6 POD HD500 which I used once on stage :D
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Theres an Ibanez and a Tanglewood on Gumtree Leics, both roughly £120. With just having paid my car insurance and MOT due next week this is going to be a "Thanks Barclaycard" payment which is why Ive been looking in shops.

Raymond Lin said:
You need to try it out first, get one with low action and thin neck would be my preference. Cheap guitars tend to have high action which makes playing the thing more difficult.
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Just googled what you mentioned [n00b] and I'll definitely take that into account when I narrow it down more. So far got the shop Im going to as I noticed it opens a bit earlier on Saturdays so i can pop in.
 
I borrowed my friend's acoustic for a few months (some Made in China guitar, a brand I've never heard of or seen in online), I just didn't play it because it was awkward to play, I just didn't have that urge to pick it up. The action really is important, if it's awkward to play, especially when you are leaning, it can be an extra obstacle that stop or slow you down in learning.

People think I am crazy, and in part, even I think it's a little bit out there, I bought a Taylor T5 and a GS mini in the same week last month but have been practicing 5 days a week. I have the beginning of calluses on my fingers already. All because I like how these guitar feel in my hands and they action of them are much lower than the one I had borrowed.

Go try out all the guitars in the store, I would try get ones it's a solid top (laminate back and sides are fine at this price), steel strings (light gauge would make it easier to learn but don't sound as good) and make sure it's in tune.

Which reminds me, budget for a tuner, £10 can get you one. Even the best guitar is no good if it's out of tune. Although there are free apps put there that you can use, though I can't say they are as accurate.
 
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Had a twang on a yamaha f310 today, felt nice, sounded Ok but they didn't have any in stock, just a demo. Once place I can go to tomorrow if they open early enough
 
Went with the Fender CD-60 in some sort of faux mahogany finish.

Other than tuning what would be the first steps to take with it?

Do strings take time to be in and need retuning more often to start?
 
Flopsy said:
Do strings take time to be in and need retuning more often to start?
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If you have a Smartphone go and look for an App called HT6, this is the software version of a Digitech Tuner I use on stage and works a treat. You can even tune all 6 strings at the same time.

When I put new strings on I play a little then pull the string up and down a few times from the 12th fret, I then play a little and pull up from the 12th fret and so on until it is bedded in.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Get some picks, get a pack with different thicknesses, Justin (Here) suggests start with a thin one.

Perhaps get a strap too?
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Bought a pack of picks already, Middle of the road medium thickness I think.
Dimple said:
If you have a Smartphone go and look for an App called HT6, this is the software version of a Digitech Tuner I use on stage and works a treat. You can even tune all 6 strings at the same time.

When I put new strings on I play a little then pull the string up and down a few times from the 12th fret, I then play a little and pull up from the 12th fret and so on until it is bedded in.
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I'll check that app, tried a few so far and only one seems beginner friendly, forget the name. I was going to buy a tuner but I'll hold off until I've tried that one.
Thanks
 
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