One guitar just for teaching?

[PaulHintz]

I first taught guitar in 1981. Back then, I just used the (only) acoustic guitar I owned. After awhile, life led me to other occupations. When I got back into teaching 16 years ago my gigging guitars were all 7 string. I bought an inexpensive 6 string out of necessity. Since then I’ve always had a dedicated, less expensive, less satisfactory, etc, teaching guitar. The advantage has been the absence of worrying about on-site damage. I would rather have a “real” guitar with me, though. Do others face this dilemma? Advice?

[vindibona1]

Originally Posted by PaulHintz

I first taught guitar in 1981. Back then, I just used the (only) acoustic guitar I owned. After awhile, life led me to other occupations. When I got back into teaching 16 years ago my gigging guitars were all 7 string. I bought an inexpensive 6 string out of necessity. Since then I’ve always had a dedicated, less expensive, less satisfactory, etc, teaching guitar. The advantage has been the absence of worrying about on-site damage. I would rather have a “real” guitar with me, though. Do others face this dilemma? Advice?

You're right. Situations arise when people aren't as careful as you are when you're not home.

Start visiting your local Sam Ash, GC and look for CL ads for inexpensive guitars. You never know what you'll stumble upon. I've come across any number or REALLY good used acoustics for under $200. I've played 5 or six in the last few years that would be as good or better than some new instruments tagged at $2000+. You have to be patient and persistent, but they're out there if you look long and hard enough.

[PaulHintz]

Thanks for the reply. My initial post was not as clear as intended—I have an adequate, inexpensive guitar I use for teaching, the latest in a series of 9 such I’ve owned since 2001. It just isn’t as good as my gigworthy 6 string, and during downtimes at teaching it isn’t as satisfying to play. I know teachers who take their “real” guitar to teach, and others who don’t. I was wondering how other AGFers solve the dilemma.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Yes. I tend not to use my better guitars while teaching. I just picked up a sub-$200 Alvarez that I might consider using as a lender for newbie students.

[Misifus]

I was quite puzzled by the concern for the well being of the guitars a teacher would use when teaching until I realized these were guitars you provided for the student’s use. Hm, I never provided an instrument for my students. I guess I figured they needed to have their own guitar in order to practice what I was teaching.

[PaulHintz]

I have only let a student use my guitar in a lesson once, in all the years I’ve taught. It’s the hazards of small children running around, a long cold weather commute, and my own clumsiness that mainly concern—said clumsiness often exacerbated by said lively kids, their oblivious parents, etc. I teach in a community center meeting room, not a dedicated music studio. There are drawbacks. Thanks for the responses.

[AndrewG]

Take the guitar you're happiest with and just look after it. I don't see the problem here.
Likewise I don't understand why people worry about gigging their best guitar. Concert violinists don't leave their multi-million dollar Cremonas at home in case someone steps on them backstage. Guitars are built to perform, not to be babied, polished and fussed over.

[Parlorman]

I don’t have students who don’t have a guitar of their own.

[flagstaffcharli]

Originally Posted by PaulHintz

I have only let a student use my guitar in a lesson once, in all the years I’ve taught. It’s the hazards of small children running around, a long cold weather commute, and my own clumsiness that mainly concern—said clumsiness often exacerbated by said lively kids, their oblivious parents, etc. I teach in a community center meeting room, not a dedicated music studio. There are drawbacks. Thanks for the responses.

I teach private lessons, group guitar classes, and pre-K music & movement classes. I also perform for children at libraries, scools, and birthday parties. I’ve gone back and forth on this this issue. I have been using an older Norman B20 Folk and an Eastman AC120 for about the last year. I often let others play my guitar. Even the children.

I just bought a Martin DST from Ted at LA Guitar Sales. It’s going to replace those other two guitars. The DST is new and much nicer to play. It feels and sounds much like a D-18. It’s going to take on some wear - probably some unavoidable bumps and bruises - but I have my teaching guitar in my hands as much or more than any of my other guitars. I want to enjoy playing it. I’ll sell the Eastman and keep the Norman as a spare.

I have other nicer guitars that I generally won’t use in these situations, but I guess I just don’t want to spend my time with guitars I don’t enjoy playing. Life is too short and I am probably spoiled.

I agree that it's nice to have a good guitar to teach with; that's why I keep my Guild D30 in my classroom. It's not my finest guitar, but it's certainly not my beater. I keep it secure, and I generally don't let my students play it -- it's my "teaching" guitar, not their "learning" guitar. For them, I have several cheapies available that I don't care about. My very best guitars remain at the house.

[jricc]

I leave my better guitars at home and teach individuals and groups with an old Ovation Applause, and an inexpensive Cordoba uke. These are both perfect for my teaching situations.

[Bax Burgess]

A conjecture: using a plain sounding beater, one obviously poorer than the average student's guitar, but being made adequate by the teacher's superior skills, bolstering the student's confidence that whenever they play a note it sounds especially good.

[L20A]

For lessons, I would suggest an OM size guitar set up with light gauge strings and an action that your newer students can play.

Often a student doesn't have a nice guitar that is set up properly.
By letting them play your guitar, the students can feel how a properly set up guitar can play.
The OM size will fit most students better.

Take a good look at a Blueridge BR43. for this purpose.

It sounds great and can by purchased used for under $300.00.

[Swamp Yankee]

General rule of thumb: One can never have too many guitars

other than that - I got nothing