Years ago, I picked up a guitar and played for about a year learning a few songs. Got too busy and never practiced so I gave it away.

Now I have time and always miss not playing.

So my question is:

Does anyone have suggestions for a fairly budget minded guitar but not el cheapo?

Kelley,

Head into Music6000 on Pacific Ave (Across from Detray's, before Carl's Jr). They will have a PLETHORA of options. One to look at is Dean... Great guitars!

Most pawn shops are the best places to look.

Thanks for the info, I forgot about music 6000.
I want to buy new, I like the scratches to be from me.

What do you consider fairly budget minded?
I picked up a seagull performer for under $500 from guitar center's used online section, there are lots of options out there.

OK

Takamine acoustics have an unusually deep and sustained bass and they hold their value well over time. Different models at different price points, of course, but some really nice ones are under $300.

I would say $500 or less. No need to buy a Ferrari until I learn to drive fast.

$500 will get you into a very nice acoustic. Go to Music6k and start playing, but the one that feels the best in your hands. My go to for my acoustic is either my Dean or my Oscar Schmidt.

No advice on an acoustic guitar but has anyone seen "Tina S" play the electric guitar on YouTube. Teenage girl with freakin AMAZING skills.


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I saw that girl Dave, she was amazing! Her strum hand moved so fast at times it blurred on the video.
Funny girl, no emotion and chews gum the whole time.
Girl is a virtuoso.

Dragon force cover...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpASSx0ecTU

Van Halen eruption cover...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV6SmY04WdE

Sometimes you will see a good deal on Craigslist or even used gear at .....Guitar Center.

I got a really nice Martin D16GT used for like $600 or 700 I think, perfect body and neck, had to get a couple of frets replaced and then put new strings on, like brand new.
Love the sound.

I bought an Epiphone AJ220S (?) as a travel guitar but decided it was too big. Nice sound, not too expensive, $200. Made in Asia somewhere probably.

Buying a guitar from a private party can be tricky...unless you are adept at evaluating a guitar, I would be inclined to head over to Music 6000 and/or GC. I have become less and less a fan of GC over the past couple of years. I went in to buy my grandson a guitar, and tried to negotiate a discount, at about ten percent. The sales guy would not budge. Imagine my surprise when, a week later, I got an email from GC corporate with a coupon for ten percent off my next purchase....f*ckers.

Even at those places, do your due diligence, and perform a basic evaluation.

Most guitars are played less than three years, and most of them are played in the first position. Then, into the closet they go. No humidity or temperature controls.

One of the first things to check is pull the strings aside, and look for divots in the frets in the first three to five frets, typically first three strings. Slight marks ok...deeper marks may necessitate a partial refret.

Next, look at the fingerboard in first position, and see if the fingerboard itself has been gouged out from fingernails. If the gouges are really deep, it may be difficult to press the string to the fretboard. Press really hard, and then your fingers hurt, and the string pulls out of pitch.

Next, look at the perimeter of the body, and see if the bindings are all intact. If not, it's a sign of being dropped.

Tap on the sound board in a few places, and listen for a buzz...that's a sign of a brace that has come unglued.

If you want to go deeper, there are guides on the internet on "How to Buy An Acoustic Guitar"...

I recommend going into the high end rooms, and looking at those guitars. Not necessarily to buy. But, get an appreciation of the Ferrari, so to speak. Calibrate yourself from the high end. They are usually set up right, and have no problems. (Usually, not always). That way, when you pick up a low end guitar, you can have an appreciation of why one guitar is two grand, vs two hundred.

I recommend staying away from "guitar packages". And anything with a guy and a black cordobes hat...

Solid tops are the way to go. Spruce is most popular. Cedar will have a softer sound. Maple is all it's own.

Do not worry about laminate (plywood) sides or backs...they are structurally more stable, and make for a stronger guitar. I had a guitar with a solid back that split, and I had to cleat it.

Lastly, if you've not played in awhile (meaning, no calluses on your fingertips), consider putting silk and steel strings on, your fingers will love you. Once you get some calluses, then you can change out.

This is one of my favorite strings: http://www.amazon.com/DR-Strings-Zebra- ... B0007DBMOI

Good luck with your search!

Wow Nate, great advice. Thank you for taking the time to explain all that.

I am going to print this out and take it with me.

1. Don't buy an Ovation. Unless you need a snow shovel.

2. Guitar center (and their subsidiaries like Musician's friend) are in financial dire straights and might not survive, so beware of any house guarantees.

3. A place with an good in-house tech is nice. Ask the staff if the Instrument was inspected and the setup checked, or just tuned and hung out of the box. Sometimes, things go a little off because of temp, humidity, handling etc. Some low priced Guitars arrive with a bad setup right out of the box. Often, low priced guitars can be made to play well by a good tech who can tweak them just so.