Good Guitars vs. Cheap Guitars for a First Purchase
The Yamaha FG720S Acoustic Guitar can often be purchased new for less than $300.
If you’re in the market for your first guitar, you can, of course, either go expensive, mid-range, or cheap. First the obvious: the difference between a good guitar and a cheap guitar is the money. It’s something like a vase (cheap), and a vahz (expensive). Ok, now for something more helpful…
The better guitar is usually easier to play and typically has a better tone. It also stays in tune more consistently. There is a tendency to get a cheap guitar as a first guitar, which is exactly when someone needs a guitar that’s easier to play and has a good tone.
Then, when a student gets more advanced, he or she finally gets the better guitar. It’s all a bit backwards. In any case, the best of both worlds may involve the purchase of a reasonably good used guitar.
Most people start with an acoustic guitar if for no other reason than an amplifier is an additional expense. Yamaha has always been my acoustic guitar of choice for a first purchase.
4 comments
Posted 12/03/09 at 5:15 am
There no question if you are just a novice, I strongly suggest you purchase an inexpensive guitar that holds its tuning, soft to finger and of course within your price range. Also I recommend a nylon string guitar or otherwise known as a classical guitar. You can pick up a good sounding one that holds its tuning for around $60.00 brand new. Before you put out a lot of money for one you want to find out if this is the instrument you really want to learn how to play. Depending on the level of music you want to reach that is how easy or how much more difficult it is to learn how to play the guitar. As a child when I started, my interest was so great that I practiced an average of 5 to 6 hrs daily. After 49 years of playing now a professional Latin Jazz guitarist I own a custom built one. Their prices commence at around $1,500.00 I hope this information has been helpful to all.
Posted 12/04/09 at 3:31 pm
Almost every guitar company offers decent quality entry level guitars, i.e. Fender(Squire), Gibson(Epiphone), Yamaha, Takemine, etc. For a first guitar, I’d suggest going to a store like Guitar Center where you can try out a variety of guitars, ask questions and usually get a good deal. Find one that’s comfortable to play, sounds nice to you and that’s withing your budget. For electric, Epiphone makes nice Les Pauls, SG’s and 335’s in the $200-500 range, and Fender (Squire) has Stratocasters and Telecasters in the same price range. For acoustic, you can’t beat Yamaha, Takamine, Fender, Seagull, Epiphone or as Benny suggested, a nice nylon stringed classical type guitar.
Posted 12/08/09 at 3:36 am
Their is a relatively new brand (atleast to the UK market) called Farida. It is my understanding that they manufacture for the higher end of the Epiphone and Squire ranges. I purchased their PRP12 model for 300GBP. A bit high for a first guitar but it stays in tune and sounds good has a good quality build and a beautiful finish. I wanted one that I would be happy with for a long time……… or at least until I get one for all of my road gigs…
Posted 02/28/10 at 10:44 am
I like YAMAHA as a good quality choice no matter what you play. That brand has delivered solid value over the years. Another recommendation in this category is IBANEZ -exceptionally good quality in the lower-end instruments and fantastic values in the $300-500 range (exotic woods and fine craftsmanship).
Leave a Comment