#1
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Should I get a new guitar or wait?
This is my situation: I have a Washburn Wd7sce right now and it's a great guitar but it plays kinda hard and you have to actually try when you play it. I have a couple friends and even a brother who have Taylors and other more expensive ($800+ range) guitars and they seem so playable and effortless to play. They're like candy to a baby. I'm 17 right now and I'm getting to a point in my guitar playing that people stop what they're doing and listen to me. I've been told that I'm a very good guitar player but I don't really know that for sure because I've only been playing a year. The dilemma is... should I save up for a better guitar like a Taylor or wait till I need one. I want to grow in my abilities but I don't want to just go buy an expensive guitar willy-nilly. Thanks in advance.
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#2
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I would definitely say save you money but approach guitar buying with an open mind. Play everything, in every price range. One day you will find the right one. Plus, the longer you practice on a more difficult to play guitar, the better you will get and the more "easy to play" or "effortless" and wonderful the new guitar will be to play.
A huge portion of the fun in guitar buying is the search. Finding the right one and being confident and happy in your purchase. Worst thing that can happen is you buy a guitar you think is right, then play one a year or two later that completely gets you GASing (not really a problem if you have the money of course). Get out there and play all sizes/shapes/woods. You'll find a combination you find you like and then you can narrow it down from there. Best of luck! |
#3
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If you have a guitar that is easier to play, you will enjoy playing more. It is supposed to be fun! And with a better, more playable guitar, you may avoid developing a habit of pressing hard to fret notes (which is sometimes necessary with a guitar that isn't so easy to play, or which has a bad setup)...pressing too hard is tough on the joints, and slows you down.
If you can get a job, or decide to start you own business (window washing, painting, mowing lawns, sprinkler installation, cleaning, etc), you can save $800 rather quickly. Start playing guitars in guitar shops (try lots of different makers and models), and start saving to buy your next guitar. Get clear about your predominant style of playing (more fingerstyle might incline you to a smaller guitar; bluegrass playing might imply a dreadnaught, strumming might suggest a jumbo or a dreadnaught. You might like the sound of a slope D. Etc, etc. Don't overstep when you buy...you don't want to have a guitar that you are reluctant to take out of the house. But buy something that excites you and that sounds good to you. Enjoy all of it...finding a guitar is fun, playing guitars is fun, anticipating a future purchase is enlivening! |
#4
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Ask around your circle of friends about a local guitar tech or luthier. Someone experienced in guitar repair and setup. Take your guitar in, play for him/her and have them set up the guitar to your liking.
There are a lot of good write-ups and tutorials on how to do this, since you have only been playing for a year I would take it in for pro setup. In my area it costs $35 or so to do set up work. If more work is needed cost goes up. As others have said, sample other guitars when you can, no rush. Key is to play more, challenge yourself as a player.
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2004 Martin D15M 1998 Fernandes Strat 1999 Gretsch MIJ 6120-60 |
#5
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You need a playable guitar that doesn't fight you -- and you need it, like, pretty much Now. A setup is a small-ish investment that will allow you to keep on saving up. This way, you choose your next guitar at leisure, after sampling many.
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Yairi and Son, Clase 300 (1971) / Yairi Guitar/S. Yairi, Clase 650 (1971) Seagull Series-S S6+ Cedar GT (2005) / Alvarez Masterworks MD90 (2002) / S. Yairi YW-40 (1973) Martin 00-15M (2012) / Martin 000-15SM (2011) Nimbus 2000 (2000) Kamaka Gold Label Soprano (c. 1960s) / Nameless "Chicago-style" Soprano (1910s-30s[?]) / Keli'i Gold Series Tenor (2012?) Kamoa E3-T Tenor (2012-13?) |
#6
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Only if this guitar is deemed un fixable by the tech/luthier should you run right out and get a different one. I also don't know how often you change strings, but a string change may also be in order. And consider changing brands, and going to a lighter gauge string. If you are using medium gauge 13-56 strings, drop down to a 12-53 set. The difference will be quite noticeable. If you're playing hi tension strings, like Martins...try something lower tension, like D'Addario.. If it comes that it's time to get a new instrument, an entry level Seagull, or a Taylor Big Baby or, 114 will set you back under $600. I also tend to recommend Alvarez Artist series as a "step-up" guitar, as they tend to be very good, and inexpensive.... Good luck.
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A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics, A house full of people that “get” me. Alvarez 5013 Alvarez MD70CE Alvarez PD85S Alvarez AJ60SC Alvarez ABT610e Alvarez-Yairi GY1 Takamine P3DC Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT Godin Multiac Steel. Journey Instruments OF660 Gibson G45 |
#7
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As you improve you should experiment with different types of strings and picks - they can shape and change tone for just a few dollars. Save up and skip the middle of the line guitars and get you a pro level guitar that will last a lifetime. As you play more and get older you will see that there is a whole different level of player and guitars that you may never even have heard of. You will learn a lot here, there are guys that have been playing 40-50 years here. Keep playing and have fun, Roy
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Roy Ibanez, Recording King, Gretsch, Martin G&L, Squier, Orange (x 2), Bugera, JBL, Soundcraft Our duo website - UPDATED 7/26/19 |
#8
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#9
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All the advice to have it set-up is spot on. Don't go looking for an expensive guitar to replace the Washburn just yet. My Washburn turned out to be the easiest playing guitar I own or have ever owned after a professional set up. Bring it in and talk to a tech, tell them you want playability. They may make some adjustments, lower the action and try some lighter gauge strings. Don't give up on the guitar you have .
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"Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish."Quintilian |
#10
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H Alex, sounds like you want/need one now. As already mentioned, perhaps a setup will work. If you don't like the Washburn, you can find really nice used acoustics for $300 range (Seagull) which might hold you over for a year. You can usually sell a guitar you bought used for the same price so keep that in mind when you want to get that $1000 guitar.
Welcome to the AGF. |
#11
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This is a player who's played 50 years looking back. I cut my teeth on student guitars and really didn't outgrow them for the first 6-7 years I played. But I really grew my skill set during those years, and it was obvious once I bought my first decent guitar. My suggestion… I'd think that you would benefit greatly if you take your current guitar to a tech, and have it setup to play better, and then wear it out while you save for a better instrument. If you buy an intermediate grade instrument, it probably won't do any more for your 'skill set' than the guitar you are playing now. There will come a point when you are 'needing' something better, but it's hard to judge when that will be. Getting people's attention is certainly part of music, and that doesn't require a lot of money invested in equipment. People take notice of good players more than great/pretty guitars. And the more time you invest in improving the skill set, the more it gives you time to explore other instruments out there - you can expose yourself to a greater number of wonderful instruments before having to nail down a decision as to which one is going to come home and live in your place. I spent 5-6 years searching for a guitar once, and played hundreds (probably thousands) of instruments in the process. I learned a lot about what is available, and the differences and similarities of them in my hands, with my style. Have fun, and grow your music! |
#12
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Guitars have to be two things to be worth their salt:
1. They have to be playable 2. They have to sound good to you (and only you) If they are both of these things, you will enjoy playing it more and as a result you will grow in your ability more quickly. So, assess your Washburn, and if you like how it sounds, then have it professionally evaluated to see if it can be set-up to make it more playable. If not, look for something else. You don't have to make a huge leap in cost. Many on here sing the praises of Yamaha acoustics, which can be had for $300-$400 new. Buying used is a great way to get a higher quality guitar at a reasonable cost...the down side being that you may not get to play it first, which of course carries some risk. Many also love Eastman's, and they seem to be a good value, and if you like the tone and playability of Taylor's, you can likely get a lower end model well within your budget. I'd check what models your friends have, as different woods, etc. all make a difference and just because you get a "Taylor" doesn't mean it will sound like theirs. Good luck, keep playing, and mostly, HAVE FUN!
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Martin 000-28EC '71 Harmony Buck Owens American Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45 Gold Tone PBR-D Paul Beard Signature Model resonator "Lean your body forward slightly to support the guitar against your chest, for the poetry of the music should resound in your heart." -Andrés Segovia |
#13
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I agree with everyone about taking it to a tech. I checked the specs on your guitar, the nut is 1 11/16 approx and it looks like it has the same neck profile as my Washburn D-10S (a very fast neck). So, a trip to the guitar tech for a setup is in order. Probably going to lower the saddle (maybe put in a bone one, if it doesn't already have one, adjust the neck if necessary and put on new strings). Its worth it.
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Barry Youtube! My SoundCloud page Avalon L-320C, Guild D-120, Martin D-16GT, McIlroy A20, Pellerin SJ CW Cordobas - C5, Fusion 12 Orchestra, C12, Stage Traditional Alvarez AP66SB, Seagull Folk Aria {Johann Logy}: |
#14
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Should I get a new guitar or wait?
If your guitar is hard to play, it probably never had a professional setup. A small investment that will save you a ton of money in the long run. Also, when you decide it's time to upgrade, consider buying a pre-owned guitar, as they cost about half price, and have opened up, and have a better sound. I played my first decent guitar for 20 years, before I decided to upgrade, learned how to do my own setup, experimented with different types of strings, and I still have it in my stable.
Glen
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Yamaha FG-375S Jumbo Martin DXME/D-35E/DC Aura/000-14 Custom/D-16E Custom/ 000C Nylon/0000-28HE/Concept IV Jumbo/00-16C/D-4132SE Gibson LP Deluxe/ES-347 TD/Chet Atkins CE Fender MIA Deluxe Strat Art & Lutherie 12-string Bellucci Concert Sigma CR-7 Recording King ROS-06 FE3/RPH-05 D'Angelico "New Yorker" New Masters "Esperance SP" Hermosa AH-20 “I never met a guitar I didn't like.” |
#15
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yeah go take it to someone who repairs guitars and get it set up first. THEN make your decision.
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Tags |
budget, new guitar, taylor |
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