Choosing a steel string guitar?

[beanzontoast]

Thanks everyone - esp Mr Paul's last post. You've all given me plenty to go on.

Planning a visit to the music shop in town to see what they have, bearing in mind your advice. I think somewhere between 100 and 200 quid for a first steel string is going to be my budget. The Yamaha's sound a possibility as I know they have them and I'll be able to see what they sound lke.

 

[LLB]

Back in the realms of sub-£1k guitars,

It depends how much money you want to spend.

Sub-£200 ignore anything with a pickup on (you want the money to be spent on the build, and can always get a pickup fitted later) and look for something with a solid top. It's the top which is the soundboard and its resonation has everything to do with the noise that it makes.

Yamaha do a great range of basic acoustics with solid tops, starting around £120.

Then, as you go up, it depends what you want it for. The ends of the spectrum (like road bike-MTB) are big dreadnought (fat body so harder to play but great acoustic sound) to very thin electro-acoustic (narrow body and much easier to get around, but sound pants unplugged.

For a good, solid sound you really can't beat a big-bodied guitar. I have a Taylor which cost £100 with the pickup, and it's ageing beautifully.

But don't think you have to spend big bucks. I also have a Tanglewood that cost about £300 and is lovely to pick at.

Oh, and I don't like Takemine. Despite the fact that there's always an argument about how you pronounce the name, they have a sound that is too distinct I think.

For £500-£1000 you won't go wrong with a good Taylor or Martin.

And, like with bikes, find a good guitar shop and spend an afternoon in there talking to the staff and having a good play on anything that you're interested in. They'll be able to tell that you're a legitimate buyer and won't mind you hanging around.

Stairway to Heaven ?

 

[tdr1nka]

Stairway to Heaven ?

The playing of "Stairway To Heaven' or 'Smoke On The Water' is frowned upon in most Guitar Shops.

I have a 'Jasmine' dreadnaught acoustic, 'Jasmine' being the budget range of Takamini. It has proven to be a great instrument and has served me well, both live and in the studio, it is my main jobbing guitar.

 

[Andy in Sig]

The playing of "Stairway To Heaven' or 'Smoke On The Water' is frowned upon in most Guitar Shops.

I have a 'Jasmine' dreadnaught acoustic, 'Jasmine' being the budget range of Takamini. It has proven to be a great instrument and has served me well, both live and in the studio, it is my main jobbing guitar.

So are you one of these sensitive singer songwriter types like the bloke who got his gutiar smashed by John Belushi in Animal House? Time to cough I think.

 

[tdr1nka]

So are you one of these sensitive singer songwriter types like the bloke who got his gutiar smashed by John Belushi in Animal House? Time to cough I think.

Oh, I most certainly think not!
See for yourself

 

[Foghat]

Maybe this advice: whatever you buy, budget some money to have it set up really well by someone who knows acoustic guitars inside out. It'll be worth it: few guitars can't be made to play better and sound better after an hour on a luthier's bench.

Very important advice indeed.

Most guitars, and certainly cheap ones, come with the action way too high for novices. Consequently, the beginner finds keeping the strings down just too difficult and painful, and the guitar winds up unused in the attic. This is probably the single main reason for novices not persisting (perhaps along with having no aptitude).

 

[mikeitup]

So are you one of these sensitive singer songwriter types like the bloke who got his gutiar smashed by John Belushi in Animal House? Time to cough I think.

That guy was Stephen Bishop (had some hits in the '70s IIRC. He also appears in the Blues Brothers during the mall pursuit)