What to look for ....(acc)

[Jzak]

Brothers/Sisters,

Per some posts, I think we need to try spell-out what to look for in a new guitar.

--> Let us make this just wood'n. (Some of my bro's can take this same topic electric. Do it!)

What do you look for in a (wood) guitar?


I'll be come back with my comments! ... Brothers/Sisters -go!

[Aaron]

What do I look for? If it says T-A-Y-L-O-R at the top. That's what I look for!

Aaron

The most important thing is to play around with them, and check out the sound. I have found some guitars of the same model, style etc. have a difference in the quality of sound. Believe or not it is true. Price does not always guarantee quality...just keep that in mind, and make sure you happy with the sound of your equipment before purchasing.

[ugabugabear]

Senor Guest makes a good point.

When I'm out to buy a new guitar, I couldn't care less about prices, brands or shapes. Pull 'em and play 'em. If it sounds good, plays good and feels good, it must be good, and I'll consider buying it. That simple.

It is a highly subjective quest to find something that meets <b><i>your</b></i> requirements. It's just a matter of pounding the pavement and spending a few hours (days/weeks/months) playing different instruments in order to find the one that fits you.

><>

[thesteve]

Yo Aaron what's the Taylor obsession? Hehe...actually Taylor's a good guitars, or so I hear, if you have the cash. I have a Mitchell that I picked up for 200 bills. Basically get the guitar that's in your range that you are comfortable with.

I compared this $200 Mitchell (MD-100) with much more expensive Fender guitars and still liked it better. In fact, I don't think I've found a pure acoustic (not acoustic electric) that I like better, well except this one Dean which was way outta my price ranger...Basically buy what you are comfortable with

[guitarman]

Well, you need to be VERY careful when you buy a guitar based solely on it's sound!! I know that sounds stupid but here's why. When a guitar is made, there are virtually no imperfections in it (well, no visible ones, and that's my point). The wood, glue, strings, etc... will all be in perfect shape - after all, they're trying to sell it to you. After the guitar has aged a bit things will start to wear out. I'm not saying not to pay attention to the sound at all, but to simply educate yourself on what kind of wood sounds the best, what kind of pickups sound the best, what kind of hardware *lasts* the longst and is most durable.
I have a Fender acoustic that I bought for $75. People heard me play it and didn't believe I only spent 75 on it. Well, about a year later the neck was badly warped and it was beginning to splinter. Granted it was used when I bought it, but I think that is a good example of my point :).

Happy guitar shopping!!!

-Aaron

[Aaron]

Aaron has a WAY good point!

Aaron

[thesteve]

Hrmmm. I guess I failed to mention that. Yeah woo dis important, basically woodwise you get what you pay for. My guitar I think is mahogany and rosewood which is generally good stuff. Maple is also good. I dunno what else. Ash is good for electrics, but acoustic wise i have no clue

[GMartin2R]

another thing to consider is the companies track record. For example; Martin, Guild, etc, are known for high quality guitars. But again that goes back to the money doesn't mean quality. One thing I look for is a Dreadnaut body. I prefer the deeper tones of a dreadnaut.

Oh by the way, DudeDude2 Where were you looking at Fender accoustics? I found them for 250 and up? Not much more

My guitar is rosewood dreadnaut.

[thesteve]

I did most of my guitar hunting at Guitar Center. I suppose I should say they were "a lot" more expensive on the absolute scale, but let's face it, when you're 17 (15 when I got the thing) 75-100 bucks more is a lot of money. There were other things I didn't like about the Fenders. I have major issues with necks, I'm very picky, not just with Fender guitars (my electric is a '96 Fender Jagstang) but with all guitars.

I guess on that I'd like to reiterate what I said earlier. No matter what type of guitar you buy, make sure you'll be comfortable playing it. Don't say "Takamine is a good company" and buy it just based on that and the fact that the guy at the guitar store can play it good, cause you may take it home an hate it.

[Jzak]

All right guys, I said I would post my two cents worth after you all made your mark. So here it is ….

Taylor – They do make an excellent guitar, one of the best sounding on the market. But (and this is for you Aaron!) they may not fit everyone’s needs, especially when it comes to the price. Also, they have switched from a custom crafted guitar house to a mass production facility. I’m watching them closely, because I have the feeling that their quality is going to start to fall off, and their instruments will not hold their value.

Guild – (I believe they are now owned by Fender. True?) Another good sounding guitar which will hold it’s value. Sounds good acoustically and plugged in.

Martin – Another top line guitar. Hand crafted, excellent sound and quality, and will retain its value. One draw back here (and please correct me if I’m wrong) is you can not buy one with a factory install pick-up.

Takamine – Good quality, nice looking guitars. Sound great plugged in, but acoustically it sound is way below par. (Remember this is just my opinion!)

Ovation – They have quite a range of guitars. They were the first to really mass produce guitars (inexpensively) and they did a good job. Some of you may not consider them a true guitar manufacturer, but some of the higher end instruments are very nice and well worth their price. Also, even their lower end instruments hold up very well in the long haul.

Fender – Not many comments here because I never liked their necks. But I can’t think of a decent high-end acoustic ever being made by them. Maybe that’s why they bought Guild.

Gibson – Stick to electric’s. They haven’t made a decent acoustic since the 50’s, and even those were average. The Gibson name translates to the end user paying more for less quality. A good example of this is their new “J” series of cowboy guitars. High cost for a poorly made, average sounding guitar – priced nicely 1-2K$. (You have to be kidding? Are we that stupid?)

Yamaha – Just have to mention these guys. I don’t believe they ever made a truly high-end guitar, but for their price, you can’t beat their sound. Look for them on the used rack. They make for a good beater guitar. One you can drag with you and not worry about. (You know, leave it in your car the afternoon the temp hits 110!)

All right, who did I miss? I know I missed one are two others that I could but some comments on. Did I miss any big names? Don’t tell me that I missed Ibanez (cheap Gibson) or Washborn, they not worth mentioning. They just don’t make a guitar that will really hold it’s value.

[tag]

Here's another 2 cents.

Guild is owned by Fender. However, they are still a very nice guitar made in Rhode Island.

Fender acoustics, however, are made in Asia. I'd stay away from them.
A better acoustic made in Asia would Alvarez, especially the Alvarez-Yairi line.

Another excellent guitar maker is Laravee Guitars. Made in Canada. Excellent quality. Comparable to Taylor.

Gibson acoustics. Don't write these off. They are now made in Montana, and have recovered from the dark years of the 70's and 80's. I own a Gibson CL-40, and it is one of the best I have ever played. A recent article in Vintage Guitar details the resurgence of the Gibson acoustic.

[Dave_777]

The thing I see as important is not dollars but that you take plenty of time to decide. Play several guitars and then narrow it down to a couple that you really like. Then sleep on it to clear your head and then go back and try it again. You will either rush to buy it or think "What in the world was I thinking?" Rushing to buy something without really shopping around may dissappointment you in the future.

I wanted a Paul Reed Smith for years and finally got one about a year ago. People can say what they want about the price of a PRS but I have only played a few guitars that compare to one. Gibsons and Fenders (Usually the classics that are made in USA) are always good and come closest. Is the PRS the only guitar that is made that good? NO WAY.

No matter how high priced a guitar can be you will alway find one that has inferior construction and/or hardware. Buying the most expensive is by no means necessary. MOST companys make good guitars.

I like all brands for the most part but it ultimately depends on the players ears and not what is popular. I got a PRS because the tone, sound, feel and all else that mattered to me was in that instrument. I would like to have a USA made Fender Tele. Gibsons I tend to like the 70's models best. Its all up to the players ears and hands to get what is best for them.

Man I got on a tangent!! Sorry about that.

To finish up...BESIDES taking your time money is always an issue. My advise is get the best you can afford. Plan to spend about 150 to 200 more than you would think. A first guitar is not something you want to spend thousands on, but you want a guitar that is very well constructed. A poorly made guitar will take your attention off of learning. If you dont know what you are looking for exactly then find someone who does and will help you fulfill your desire and not what they think is "best".

Wheew...

I'm done.
:D
No wait...I ment this mainly for electrics but the logic will apply to accoustic as well. As I said above, brand really doesn't matter so much as quality and if it makes you happy.

Now I'm done.

dave