Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
25 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Guitar question (Original Post) Boydog Feb 2021 OP
Price range? Eko Feb 2021 #1
I already have a really good Martin as I said earlier Boydog Mar 2021 #25
Get one of them... 2naSalit Feb 2021 #2
electric or acoustic Fullduplexxx Feb 2021 #3
Article recommends the Yamaha FG800 for beginners musette_sf Feb 2021 #4
That was my first guitar too jmbar2 Feb 2021 #15
Yamaha did a 50th Anniversary edition musette_sf Feb 2021 #19
Acoustic Boydog Feb 2021 #11
Lots of questions. I have an unequivocal reply. Oldem Feb 2021 #5
Got a D18 here. Eko Feb 2021 #9
I have a 1947 Martin 00018 Boydog Feb 2021 #14
I'd Go Martin from that list utopian Feb 2021 #6
Takamine GD20-NS iscooterliberally Feb 2021 #7
Takamine and Alvarez are great used. New - go with Seagull or Epiphone kysrsoze Feb 2021 #17
I Have One As Well ProfessorGAC Feb 2021 #21
Your Takamine is nicer than mine. Mine is bare bones - no cutaway and no pickup. iscooterliberally Feb 2021 #22
Mine Are Hanging On The Wall ProfessorGAC Feb 2021 #23
Here are some good ones worth the money. Eko Feb 2021 #8
I've never played a Taylor Boydog Feb 2021 #16
If you dont want to go above 600 Eko Feb 2021 #18
Don't get a low end Martin. Get a HD-28 Martin. Patterson Feb 2021 #10
Just to play around the campfire or at home ? Clearheadsam Feb 2021 #12
Buy a Martin. They are much better quality. overleft Feb 2021 #13
Epiphones are awesome LunaSea Feb 2021 #20
Yamaha has made all the best cheap prodigitalson Mar 2021 #24

2naSalit

(92,668 posts)
2. Get one of them...
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 05:35 PM
Feb 2021

They're all good but every guitar has its own feel so you could play five or hundred of any style or brand and no two will be alike. Just try a few out and see how they feel to you.

I don't play guitar but I have been around players all my life and work with them as a vocalist and the one thing I know about most instruments is that they are all individually unique.

Fullduplexxx

(8,254 posts)
3. electric or acoustic
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 05:35 PM
Feb 2021

Best acoustic guitars 2021: 11 top strummers for beginner to ... https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/best-acoustic-guitars .google is probably a good idea to get and idea of what's available in whatever price range you have in mind

musette_sf

(10,323 posts)
4. Article recommends the Yamaha FG800 for beginners
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 05:42 PM
Feb 2021

and I have been quite happy with my Yamaha FG180 for the last almost-50 years. Worth a look.

Oldem

(833 posts)
5. Lots of questions. I have an unequivocal reply.
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 05:56 PM
Feb 2021

Martin. I've had a Martin acoustic guitar for over half a century. It's glorious.

Boydog

(718 posts)
14. I have a 1947 Martin 00018
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 06:31 PM
Feb 2021

Was my Father's guitar and it's wonderful.
That's why I'm not looking to spend over 600 for a new one.

utopian

(1,104 posts)
6. I'd Go Martin from that list
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 05:57 PM
Feb 2021

I have a Martin that I really like. Perfect action and tone.

I also have a Taylor that I use in my band, and I love it.

My third acoustic is a Seagull. It's my sentimental favorite since I've had it for more than 20 years and it plays like a dream, yet it cost a fraction of what the other two cost.

iscooterliberally

(3,010 posts)
7. Takamine GD20-NS
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 05:59 PM
Feb 2021

You should be able to pick one of these up for under $400. I have one and it sounds great! Here's a link:

https://www.takamine.com/GD20-NS

Whatever you end up with, enjoy it!

kysrsoze

(6,139 posts)
17. Takamine and Alvarez are great used. New - go with Seagull or Epiphone
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 06:54 PM
Feb 2021

We’re in the golden age of quality for less expensive guitars. There is absolutely no need to go with a Martin. You can save a good amount of cash and get something better. Seagull = Godin. The Seagull S6 is at most $500 new, and is a very nice Canadian built guitar. They have a solid top for better sound than other cheaper guitars, and slimmer necks which are much easier to play than most other acoustics. Easy transition to electric too, if you go that route later.

ProfessorGAC

(69,854 posts)
21. I Have One As Well
Thu Feb 25, 2021, 08:35 PM
Feb 2021

I forget the model number, but it's from their Natural Series.
Has a piezo and an onboard preamp, with a cutaway.
Very little ornamentation, which is how I like acoustics. My Martin is about a 20 year old version of the D18CE. (Cutaway/Electric). My Martin 12 string is also pretty plain looking.
I don't like the overblown florets and too much inlay on the neck.
The Tak is a great guitar to take to a jam night because it's a $600 guitar, not a $5,000 one.
Plays nice, sounds good, great pickup built in.
Good recommendation!

iscooterliberally

(3,010 posts)
22. Your Takamine is nicer than mine. Mine is bare bones - no cutaway and no pickup.
Fri Feb 26, 2021, 11:39 AM
Feb 2021

It does have a solid cedar top. I love the sound of it and it smells nice too! I also have a mid seventies Martin D12-28 with a tobacco sunburst finish. Someone put a gash in the top years ago when I had it at a friend's recording studio. It does not have an adjustable truss rod though. I have to keep tuned a whole step down or the neck starts to bow. Someday I'd like to send it back to Martin for an overhaul, but that's not in the cards anytime soon. It plays well the way I have it set up now. I play the Takamine more though. I used to play bass professionally and I tend to be a bit hard on instruments. I have a friend who does excellent set ups for guitar and bass. He can make an inexpensive guitar play like an expensive one. Although I do like fine instruments, my environment is not really a good place for them. I have cats that like to knock things over so I have to be careful.

ProfessorGAC

(69,854 posts)
23. Mine Are Hanging On The Wall
Fri Feb 26, 2021, 02:33 PM
Feb 2021

6 acoustics, 7 electrics, plus a mandolin. The 5 string bass is not hanging. It's in the case next to the piano.
So, pets knocking stuff down is not an issue.
Given guitars on the wall, the piano, the 2 amps, 16 track recorder, FX rack, and my reference monitors, my wife doesn't have much impact on decor! LOL!
I also have my BiL's Martin, Bob Shane model. I think it's a '65. Plays nice, sounds good, but has an butt ugly pick guard that covers 60% of the top. I think they ruined a perfectly good guitar. But, he was a GIANT Kingston Trio fan, so it made him happy.

Eko

(8,489 posts)
8. Here are some good ones worth the money.
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 06:05 PM
Feb 2021

The Yamaha FG-TA for 650 is a great guitar, the electronics are cool but a bit much. Regardless the guitar itself is great.
For 899 the Taylor 114ce or 110 is good. They play well and sound good at low volume but distort when played loud, have great mids and highs but are weak on the bass.
The Martin 11e for 999 will get you some of that famous Martin low end and projection but is kind of like driving a truck compared to the taylors as far as ease of play.
For the 200-350 range get a Yamaha FX335 or FGX800C. Best guitars in that price range.
Over 20 years in the music retail business so feel free to ask me any questions.
Eko.

Clearheadsam

(286 posts)
12. Just to play around the campfire or at home ?
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 06:28 PM
Feb 2021

Acoustic? Low end meaning $500 or less ? I have acoustic electric Yamaha, Taylor, ibenez and electric Gretsch. I’m in a buying spree. ( retired and bored and thinking of giggling again🎼 Buying another ibenez acoustic because they are easy to play. The neck is right for my short fingers. Martin has a real good full sound and deep bottom

LunaSea

(2,926 posts)
20. Epiphones are awesome
Mon Feb 22, 2021, 08:02 PM
Feb 2021

Best inexpensive guitar you can buy, hands down. Especially the acoustics. They have a few electrics that you want to avoid.

But as another poster pointed out, don't let branding narrow your possibilities. Find the one that feels right, sounds right. Trust that instinct and you'll end up with an instrument that will shower you with astonishing gifts.

Guitar safari is the best way to find the one for you, so get out there and lay hands on some instruments!

prodigitalson

(2,884 posts)
24. Yamaha has made all the best cheap
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 10:15 PM
Mar 2021

acoustic guitars I have ever owned and Fender (Squire) the electrics.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Musicians»Guitar question