What kind of acoustic guitar should I get?

Question

I am pretty musically inclined, and can definitely tell quality. I have never played the guitar before, and want to teach myself to play (even if it's just tabs). I won't be taking lessons, and I'll never plan on playing for an audience. This is just for me. I don't want to spend more than a couple hundred bucks... what do you suggest?

Answer 1

well for just casual playing id suggest a squier series acoustic they cost around 200 i think u could try a martin but i think martins are a bit more than you said you wanted to pay

Answer 2

Takamine G series.  Or maybe an Ovation - they make a budget line of guitars called the Celebrity.  They are all high quality, cheaper guitars.

Answer 3

I've had a couple of Fender series acoustic/electrics which is just an acoustic with a pickup inside for pluggin into a PA. They are really good and I think fairly priced. In my opinion, I would stay away from the cheap lines of the "great" brand guitars. I think if you buy a cheap Dean, Martin, or Takamine, you will end up paying extra for the name. Fender is not known for their acoustics, and I got a really nice one (MSRP $780, for $400 with a really good pickup in it)

I would suggest looking for a guitar that sells in the $400-$500 at places like musiciansfriend and zzounds on craigslist for $200-$300. In my opinion those guitars have some significant advantages over the really cheap $100-$200 guitars, like solid wood spruce tops, better pickups, tuners etc. I don't know where you live, but I've gotten more into electric guitars and am selling a couple acoustics my self. Check out my craigslist-

https://accounts.craigslist.org/post/shw...

https://accounts.craigslist.org/post/shw...

Answer 4

In a less-expensive guitar for someone who is learning to play, you want two things:  1. ease of playability and 2. reasonably good tone.  If the guitar is hard to play or it sounds bad, these tend to discourage people who are learning to play.  

In addition to Takamine already suggested, there are a number of inexpensive acoustics that will give you both.  Look for models by Ibanez, Alvarez, Washburn, Seagull, Art & Luthrie, and Epiphone.  There are others, too.  

Also, if you are ebay- or craigslist-fluent, you can save quite a bit of money sometimes getting a used instrument.  Less money for a better guitar.  

Hope that helps!  Best of luck and have fun!

Jim

Answer 5

I agree with the Ovations cuz they are good starter and cheap guitars. But me, I would personally choose an Epiphone. Look at the right places, and you can find some REALLY cheap ones, and they all have Gibson quality, meaning they are REALLY good!! Epiphones are basically Gibson considering Gibson owns Epiphone and is in charge of production for them. But yeah, Ovation and Epiphone are the ones I suggest the most. Eventually, when you get rich and famous, you'll be able to buy a Taylor, or Martin or Gibson. Those are the mamma-jammas of acoustic guitars!!