Best Beginners Acoustic Guitar?

[Bomber_11]

Looking at getting into guitar - definitely want acoustic.

 

I really only want a few good songs to pull out around the fire pit or serenade the wife with.

 

How did you guys learn? and what's a good beginners acoustic guitar?

 

Preferably get everything I need for under $500 if that's possible!

[huskydawg]

Learn to read guitar tabs (it's pretty intuitive, it shows finger placement) and perhaps watch youtube. Check your local library if there are any free learning events and check for DVDs as well. I bought a used Yamaha for $150 at a used music store to get me started and you can probably tune it using youtube as well.

[GolfNuts4]

Agree with the tabs comment. Ultimateguitar.com is a good repository. Learn the basic chords of C,D,G backwards and forwards and you can play hundreds of songs.

 

If you have $500 to spend, you can get many very good guitars and not just beginners.

[dcmidnight]

Looking at getting into guitar - definitely want acoustic.

 

I really only want a few good songs to pull out around the fire pit or serenade the wife with.

 

How did you guys learn? and what's a good beginners acoustic guitar?

 

Preferably get everything I need for under $500 if that's possible!

 

I'm a terrible person - or maybe not - to answer this question in that I've bought/sold a few beginner guitars over the last 10 years after I just cant/wont/don't learn and decide to drop it. Previously I've gone with something in the $100-200 range and yeah, you get what you pay for. Don't read that wrong, you can definitely get something serviceable. Absolutely, 100% you can get something to work with. (personally I recommend checking Facebook Marketplace).

 

But on a trip to Nashville in May I had a chance to go to some gorgeous guitar shops and really see the difference in a @ $100 guitar and a @ $500 guitar. I went with a Martin GPCPA5 which was $599. I know that's not under $500 but it is a really, really nice piece.

 

Now, the "how do I not give up again and actually learn something this time" - I'm going to tune in and listen.

[mwink822]

My top picks for a good solid acoustic guitar to start out with, it's hard to go wrong with a Taylor Big Baby. It's slightly smaller than a full sized Dreadnaught (slightly shorter scale length and a little shallower body), but it still produces a great full tone that's actually not terribly far off from their concert shaped guitars and the Big Baby won't break the bank. These can typically be had for under $450.00 new.

 

As for how to learn, learn to read tab, but really focus on learning your scale patterns, particularly the major shapes. If you get familiar with the major scale patterns, you'll have a much easier time learning chords since they're all notes from within your scale patterns and you'll also have an easier time learning things by ear and eventually stringing together your own chord voicings and progressions.

[Kangtut]

https://reverb.com/handpicked/quality-acoustics-under-500-dollars

 

Yamaha makes great instruments. I am partial to Guild and Blueridge in your price range as well.

 

I don't know how old you are, but remember, eric clapton was eric clapton by the time he was 17. Get to strumming!

[sefus12]

As others have noted, UltimateGuitar.com is a great resource. Learn chords and how to read tabs and you are well on your way. Also, there are several tuning apps available for smart phones. I'd suggest grabbing one of those.

 

As for guitars, I had a cheap $100 guitar that didn't keep me too interested (it was horrible), so I upgraded to an Ibanez Artwood (that I loved) and did most of my learning on. Mine was under $500 and sounded great. Over the past few years I've upgraded again to a Taylor, but there are many great guitars for under $500. The most important thing for sound is to get something that has a solid top on it. Seagull is a fantastic brand for a great price, assuming your hand is large enough to handle the slightly wider neck. Epiphone, Yamaha and Washburn all make great acoustics under $500 as well. I'd suggest going to your local music shop and trying some out to see what feels/sounds good to you. Also, don't look past the used section (if they have one). Some gems can be found that way.

 

Enjoy learning/playing! It's hard at first but stick with it and it can provide a lifetime of fun/relaxation. Cheers!

[tocino]

my first acoustic guitar was a Yamaha. I got it as a gift but I believe it was around $150-$200-ish model that you can find at Guitar Center. I never really had the itch to upgrade to something nicer but I have played on some higher-end guitars that my family/friends own. If you can afford the steeper price they definitely sound way better than any entry level guitar. $500-$600 should net you a pretty good one though.

 

I learned how to play via guitar tabs I found on the internet (this was in the mid 90's) or from whatever my friends showed me. My teenage daughter, learned how to play guitar in about a summer using nothing but youtube and the occasional question that I was able to answer (she's way better at it than I am, too). Based off of your intended use, i'd probably go the youtube/tab route to learn how to play. However, if you ever want to learn how to read sheet music, i'd probably get private lessons or maybe enroll at a community college.

[GolfNuts4]

Yeah, YouTube is a great resource as well. Marty Schwartz does some very nice video lessons. I agree, stick with it. I never took a lesson, taught myself and although, no guitar god, I can play most anything I want by just looking the song up at Ultimate Guitar tabs. Have fun, its therapeutic.

[Deepfork]

Grab a nice little quality guitar, and what I mean by little is something on the smaller side that's easy to haul around for camping and boating etc. One of the main things about songs is the simple fact that most songs are built around 3 chords. Those are the 1, 4, and 5 chords. So, in the key of G (G is called the Root and is the 1 chord) the main keys are going to be the 1G, the 4C, and the 5D. If the song is in the key of C, the structure is 1C, 4F, and 5G. This is commonly referred to as the Nashville Number System. Knowing this basic structure allows you to play many songs just by ear because you usually know where the song is headed. That's pretty basic and not a rule but generally works and is enough to get you started if you know a few chords.

[Spicoli]

Good post. What if you were a lefty and wanted to learn but do not have time for lessons? Everytime I watch youtube how to's it feels likes you are going to be learning backwards...in my mind making it seem more confusing...

[tocino]

Good post. What if you were a lefty and wanted to learn but do not have time for lessons? Everytime I watch youtube how to's it feels likes you are going to be learning backwards...in my mind making it seem more confusing...

 

try searching left guitar lessons on youtube. not sure how effective they are since i'm right handed but if you can pick up basic concepts with chords, you can play pretty much anything

[dan360]

Start asking around your local area----there's bound to be the "go to" music shop nearby with a whole slug of used gee tars just waitin' for ya to fondle and try out the feel of.

 

I could recommend a baker's dozen, but being as I don't know how big or small you are, how thick of a neck you're comfy with, what kinda sound YOU wanna make, etc etc etc.

 

Just like golf.....go play with a few.

 

I'd recommend used. Pre-loved. Many have been upgraded from the s**t strings most low end gee tars come with, and a good gee tar shop can steer you towards a diamond in the rough...well, ok maybe not a diamond but a good solid piece of Black Hills Gold for the price of concrete break up..... Champagne & roses for PBR and dandelions budget.

 

Factually speaking, most people can't tell the difference between a good player pickin' on a $50,000 custom Martin D45 or a beater Epiphone PRO-1 ($139 retail NEW) if the strings are quality and it's tuned up.

 

If you wanna look pseudo-gee tar smart with a tad of a hipster undertone, and you like "classic" looking AND sounding strummers....Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top in Vintage Sunburst is hella cool shizzo for less than $170......

 

 

[ohioglfr]

Whatever guitar your end up with, GET IT SET UP! Any guitar can be played as is, but nothing discourages a beginner more than a high-action or buzzing frets. A store with an in-house luthier can set up your instrument for $20-50 dollars, and it's money well spent. They can file the nut, adjust the bridge, dress and level frets and check the intonation. Learn to adjust the truss rod, too.

 

Beware of Guitar Center. It's not a bad place to buy a guitar, but their idea of a "set-up" is dusting it off, tuning it and snipping off the price tag.

[llamont]

Looking at getting into guitar - definitely want acoustic.

 

I really only want a few good songs to pull out around the fire pit or serenade the wife with.

 

How did you guys learn? and what's a good beginners acoustic guitar?

 

Preferably get everything I need for under $500 if that's possible!

 

@Bomber, did you decide on a guitar? If so, what did you pick?

[NAM2212]

I was able to pick up this new for $400 a few years ago. Full solid body and sounds great.

 

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Acoustic/Masterbilt-DR-500M.aspx

[JerseyBoy]

Yamaha makes excellent, inexpensive guitars that are constructed well and sound quite good. Can't go wrong with them.

[SixtySomePing]

I get all my stuff from https://www.sweetwater.com/

 

At least check out their acoustic selection. Very nice guitars in general all brands and prices electric as well. Great shipping, great service. Highly recommend...

 

Martin by the way makes fabulous acoustic guitars, they have some that start out at that price. Taylor as well...

[stryper]

Not sure if they’re still available, but the Applause line of Ovation used to be awesome.