Need help in choosing an acoustic guitar please!

DarkShadow · 30 May 2007 at 13:16

I've read through the sticky and I've done fair bit of research around the web.

I was unsure if I wanted an electric or acoustic, so I weighed out the differences and I've come to the conclusion that I want the acoustic a lot more. Who knows, if I enjoy and master this I'll most likely get an electric too!

Now with it being my first guitar I don't want to spend too much, just to get the ball rolling i.e so I can practice to a stage where I'd want to upgrade. I'm looking to spend around the £100 mark. However some go slightly over that. The key is bang per buck here!

Here's my short list that I've researched about:

Washburn D10SB - £117 Delivered
Amongst a favourite at the moment. I've read many positive reviews and it was awarded the best guitar in up to $500 in an American magazine. It also looks the business in black!
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Vintage V300/V400 - £85/89 Delivered
The award winning V300 which was voted a best buy under £1,000 by guitar magazine. This is the cheapest I've found it for delivered and it's definitely the most tempting at its price! It's available in black for the V400 model! I spoke to a chap over at Regents (Guitars.co.uk) and he personally recommend this over all of my short-list.

Edit: I found the blue V400 online for a whopping £77 delivered! So that's even better! :eek:

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Yamaha FG720S - £155 Delivered
The most expensive one out of the bunch, but is it really worth it?
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There are a couple of Ibanez' & Fender's that have also decent reviews but these stood out.

Now the question is, do I go for the Vintage which apparently the best value for money? All 3 in my short-list come in black which look pretty damn nice but the Value is far more important.

I'd appreciate any advice/comments from the experts as I have VERY limited knowledge.

Thanks

DarkShadow · 31 May 2007 at 21:40

Today after my exam, I went to Sound Control (soundcontrol.co.uk) and I spent a solid 60-90 mins in there just sitting and strumming guitars. I tried the Washburn D10SB, Yamaha FG720S and a few high end models such as Taylor as a yardstick for comparison.

I instantly fell in the love with the sound of the Yamaha. The sound was about on par with models that were 2-3 times the price! I did find the Yamaha rather large though, infact it was rather overwhelming after a while. I'm assuming I'll adjust to this over time, I may have just been holding it incorrectly

The chap in the store told me if I were to buy one, I should purchase the one off the shelf. I told him I'd much prefer the black version. I spoke to one of the exp's in-house and he said that whilst the sound difference maybe negligible it won't be much different as they agreed to set it up for me. They wanted £230 for the black model which is £75 more than GAK! Anyhow I got them to lower it to £160 which is worth it imo as less the delivery cost, it isn't much . . . As they're willing to set it up for me

Now after a bit of research I see the FG730S is a further £25. It has the back and sides made from Rosewood as opposed to Nato in the 720. Also the 730 has a better neck binding along with a tortoise shell scratch plate. Now the problem is SC don't stock it but I'll be seeing them tomorrow to see if they can get one from their suppliers, if so that's great. The only other niggle I have is the FG 720S looks stunning in black, the 730's only have sunburst and natural. Am I just being superficial?

I've seem to gone over my budget by a bit but it makes sense.

Would appreciate any further advice

DarkShadow · 1 Jun 2007 at 21:21

Get the wife occupied on GW and sneak it past her. Result all round

I went in again today and asked for the FG730S I was told that I'd have to wait 5 weeks due to a shortage and when he called Yamaha there were only a couple left at Yamaha or something :confused:

The guy there said it was rather strange and it maybe possible that a new range may be due. Are there any rumours regarding this?

I also had a good play with the Epiphone and the fret buzz on that was nasty! The sound wasn't even near the Yamaha

That said I might try another SC shop to try their EJ200 as the black one looks quality albeit being laminate.

Is it worth the wait for the FG730S?

Waiting 5 weeks is rather steep, so I may just go for the FG720G as it feels right. Have you guys managed to have any freebies thrown in?

DarkShadow · 2 Jun 2007 at 00:22

Seen the F370 for £95 delivered. I think the FG720S would be a keeper though, it's something I can see myself keeping for a while, definitely longer than a an F3xx. I thought about it thoroughly and it makes sense to spend a little extra.

Tomorrow morning I'm placing an order in store around 9am (just before work). I'm set to buy the black FG720S if they price match the new price I've found. Once tuned properly with the same strings as the display model, they should sound similar . . . right? I'm not expecting the exact same but similar.

I'm going to have one last play with everything though

I'm also taking a friend but I'll definitely go with whatever my heart is set on

DarkShadow · 2 Jun 2007 at 10:29

I've been in and placed my order :cool:

I found a place that had for £136 inc google checkouts only in natural colour but the manager of store couldn't authorise that price. They said that they would have to contact the area manager and get authorisation. He then told me straight up, he said with buying off the web would be hassle which is true if anything was to go wrong, he carried on talking about how I've been in 3 times to get advice and sit and play as opposed to the web I'd be stuck with whatever I buy. I was also told I could pop in any time to get if I had any problems, I would be guaranteed a fresh product from Yamaha that will be checked by the store and tuned for whilst I'm there and I will also receive after service should anything go wrong. I felt a little embarrassed as he was right. I whipped out my debit card and placed an order for £155

Roll on black Yamaha FG720S

What extras should I pickup? Any recommended strings (Do I even need to consider strings?) also how often should they be changed? Size of Picks? Type of stand? etc

Cheers

DarkShadow · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:41

Great advice guys.

Yes I'll be teaching myself but I'll be round to some mates to play together and be taught every other week. It should be a nice balanced mix

The guy at the store also recommended some D'Addario strings. Regarding the tuners available for £10/15 which model should I go for? I have absolutely no idea!

I'll be ordering from strings direct online and visiting SC again, so a cheap budget based tuner from these links would be rather useful:

1) http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogue/default.aspx?categoryId=65

2) http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1//pages/index.php

I've also heard there's software available online that just uses a mic, anyone care to shed more light?

I'll be buying a range of different picks and an 'A' Stand made by either Stagg or Warwick.

Andelusion, I 've sent you a couple of msn offline messages and an email, had no reply you nub :mad:

DarkShadow · 7 Jun 2007 at 22:29

Had a call today and collected it earlier. Words cannot describe how much I'm in love with it. It looks and sounds bloody awesome.

The guys at SC are brilliant! The chap in store took off an A stand off display and gave it me free. Also gave me different Jim Dunlop plecs to get started, I picked some more after buying a Boss tuner for £15. I'm really chuffed :cool:

Pics to follow tomorrow

Has anyone got any recommendations for website resources for complete new learners or recommended books?

Tornado, check out Sound controls website for a local store. I'm seriously impressed with their service. Don't forget to ask for a price match!