Help buying first guitar

lazerin · 21st August 2006, 3:48 PM

I'm really keen on teaching myself how to play an acousitc guitar and I need some help buying a guitar to get started.

Is there a big advantage of steel strings over nylon strings and vice versa for a beginner? Do steel strings make a louder sound? (this is just a guess).

I'd like to eventually play pop/rock songs.

Currently, I'm looking at getting a "Valencia student guitar, nylon strings" from here. Does this look appropriate? Does a classical guitar allow you to play other styles properly?

It's all so confusing

sandwichamwin · 21st August 2006, 5:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazerin

I'm really keen on teaching myself how to play an acousitc guitar and I need some help buying a guitar to get started.

Is there a big advantage of steel strings over nylon strings and vice versa for a beginner? Do steel strings make a louder sound? (this is just a guess).

I'd like to eventually play pop/rock songs.

Currently, I'm looking at getting a "Valencia student guitar, nylon strings" from here. Does this look appropriate? Does a classical guitar allow you to play other styles properly?

It's all so confusing

Get a steel string. Nylon isn't all that great for anything but classical kind of stuff. A steel string is what you're going to want for pop/rock kind of stuff. You're gonna get the people replying with "nylons are easier to play for newbies cause its easier on the fingers". But thats crap cause if you've never played guitar before, you ain't gonna be able to play either for shit, and your fingers will hurt at first regardless of which one you play. Steel strings are a little more expensive, but you'll be better off.

cyrax83 · 21st August 2006, 5:58 PM

you really need time to play too.

i bought my first guitar (washburn steel string d10s) about a month ago, practiced for the first week, got some chords going and my fingers stopped hurting from the strings after about a week, but now that uni's started i dont get a chance to practice

hopefully i'll pick it up and get some lessons at the end of the semester.

ChrisH · 21st August 2006, 6:04 PM

Washburn D10S.

Honestly it is the guitar you should be getting. I have played many guitars, each with there own pro's and cons, and for the price of the D10S, there is nothing that will last longer, and continually be the best for the price. If you are serious about the guitar, then get this guitar. It will last you a long time.

If you arent serious and just want to have a bash get the crappest Epiphone Laminate Top you can find.

lazerin · 21st August 2006, 6:29 PM

Okay, so a steel acoustic guitar.

I was confused before when I thought that a classical guitar is an acoustic guitar, didn't know that they were different.

Has anyone heard of the Phoenix Straight steel acoustic guitar? Someone is selling it second hand for $100.

dsanchez · 21st August 2006, 6:56 PM

Another vote for the Washburn. Much better than many of the pricier guitars that I tried.

lazerin · 21st August 2006, 7:13 PM

Alrighty, the washburn is probably a little too expensive for me at the moment.

How about this one? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-PHOENIX-D...QQcmdZViewItem

Is it utter crapolla?

soung1234 · 21st August 2006, 7:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazerin

Is it utter crapolla?

I would say so...

You don't want a nylon string unless you want to learn to play classical music...

First of all, what's your budget? If you are serious about learning and are willing to persist with it, get the best you can afford.

If you're a real beginner, you should play and listen to as many different models as possible. Just go to a big music store and have a ding. Try to learn a few chords atleast so you can play something, or else get staff to do a demo.

It's a very subjective thing, guitars, and you'll have to give them all a try to see what you like... first of all check out the sound, and find one you like the sound of. They are all distinctive. Some are big-body with more volume and bass, some are light, bright and stage-y, some sound tinny, others are dull, there's so much variety. Then there's stuff like playing comfort, design, quality, even style and colour.

I went shopping with a friend for a budget guitar, and must say I liked the Matons and Martins, with Yamaha and Ibanez being disappointing (I'm talking about their budget models). But even budget Matons might be a bit above what you're looking for... My friend eventually went with a low-end Maton for around $800 new, after telling me her budget was around 3-400, as she was serious about persisting and playing long-term...

I remember I got my first guitar second hand after going through the trading post, that may be a viable option if you can't afford a more expensive new one. However I was surprised at the wide range of even cheap guitars ($100-200), so chances are you might find one you like...

nornicle · 21st August 2006, 7:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazerin

Alrighty, the washburn is probably a little too expensive for me at the moment.

How about this one? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-PHOENIX-D...QQcmdZViewItem

Is it utter crapolla?

yes it is... utter crapolla.

most cheapies will never hold their tune
which can drive you batshit insane or make you an awesome tuner...

buy a yamaha solid top. cheap, retains value on resale, sounds good for price.

lazerin · 24th August 2006, 8:01 PM

Ah okay, thanks for all the info guys.

You mentioned getting a yamaha, how does this look:
http://www.yamaha.com.au/products/mu...k/f-series.asp

It's the F310P beginner's kit, which includes gig bag, pitch pipe, string set, strap, string winder, capo, picks.

ChrisH · 27th August 2006, 6:43 PM

Meh, Well i reckon go ashton if you are goign cheap. the only way to buy a guitar is to go play it man. Seriosuly go and play one in the shops. if you are in melbounre ill take you out and we can have a day togteher.

21st August 2006, 3:48 PM	#1
lazerin Iron Photographer 2007 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 917	Help buying first guitar I'm really keen on teaching myself how to play an acousitc guitar and I need some help buying a guitar to get started. Is there a big advantage of steel strings over nylon strings and vice versa for a beginner? Do steel strings make a louder sound? (this is just a guess). I'd like to eventually play pop/rock songs. Currently, I'm looking at getting a "Valencia student guitar, nylon strings" from here. Does this look appropriate? Does a classical guitar allow you to play other styles properly? It's all so confusing

21st August 2006, 5:58 PM	#3
cyrax83 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: hurstville, sydney Posts: 4,387	you really need time to play too. i bought my first guitar (washburn steel string d10s) about a month ago, practiced for the first week, got some chords going and my fingers stopped hurting from the strings after about a week, but now that uni's started i dont get a chance to practice hopefully i'll pick it up and get some lessons at the end of the semester. __________________ Check out my movie site - www.mymovierant.com

21st August 2006, 6:56 PM	#6
dsanchez Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 85	Another vote for the Washburn. Much better than many of the pricier guitars that I tried. __________________ . Trades: SCopE, Raaagh, Labrat, rocklee2323, vanlan2010, becker83, Bloar, rival81, davey_crocket, wyzest1, ysk, dj_Pain, Pinoy, 4ndr3w, Trojax, Jm3, Rugal, cwschang, neo_ranga, gto_pontiac, klubberhead, Cryogenic, syper, beetroot, -weet*di-, cschris1, antstar, tan50.

21st August 2006, 6:04 PM	#4
ChrisH Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,154	Washburn D10S. Honestly it is the guitar you should be getting. I have played many guitars, each with there own pro's and cons, and for the price of the D10S, there is nothing that will last longer, and continually be the best for the price. If you are serious about the guitar, then get this guitar. It will last you a long time. If you arent serious and just want to have a bash get the crappest Epiphone Laminate Top you can find.

21st August 2006, 6:29 PM	#5
lazerin Iron Photographer 2007 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 917	Okay, so a steel acoustic guitar. I was confused before when I thought that a classical guitar is an acoustic guitar, didn't know that they were different. Has anyone heard of the Phoenix Straight steel acoustic guitar? Someone is selling it second hand for $100.

21st August 2006, 7:13 PM	#7
lazerin Iron Photographer 2007 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 917	Alrighty, the washburn is probably a little too expensive for me at the moment. How about this one? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-PHOENIX-D...QQcmdZViewItem Is it utter crapolla?

24th August 2006, 8:01 PM	#10
lazerin Iron Photographer 2007 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 917	Ah okay, thanks for all the info guys. You mentioned getting a yamaha, how does this look: http://www.yamaha.com.au/products/mu...k/f-series.asp It's the F310P beginner's kit, which includes gig bag, pitch pipe, string set, strap, string winder, capo, picks.

27th August 2006, 6:43 PM	#11
ChrisH Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,154	Meh, Well i reckon go ashton if you are goign cheap. the only way to buy a guitar is to go play it man. Seriosuly go and play one in the shops. if you are in melbounre ill take you out and we can have a day togteher.