If you were buying your first guitar today, what would you get?

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

It’s self-explanatory. What acoustic guitar would be your first if you had a $500 budget?

How about $1000?

$1500?

$2000?


Just curious.


Wade Hampton Miller

Wade, howdy. Funny thing. I was reflecting on my post a few days ago in this thread where I said my first guitar would be a D-28. Then I realized that's more or less what I did in the late 70's. I had purchased a "lawsuit" Tak dreadnought (that I still have), then stepped up a few years later to buy a used D-28 at Norm's here in L.A. So at least I'm consistent.

Thanks, Wade, and Happy Holidays,

scott memmer

[Jay5150]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

It’s self-explanatory. What acoustic guitar would be your first if you had a $500 budget?

How about $1000?

$1500?

$2000?


Just curious.


Wade Hampton Miller

500 : Yamaha CSF3M
1000 : Simon & Patrick Woodland Pro Folk
1500 : Martin 00-15m
2000 : Taylor GT Urban Ash

[caperrob]

If I was buying a new guitar today, what would I get?

1. As far away from these web forums as possible.

2. An honest opinion from people who can't afford guitars over 2.5k

3. Some money stashed away.

4. To play it first. I would never buy sight unseen again. Ever.

5. Talent.

Not necessarily in that order.

[Mirosh]

First guitar, knowing hardly anything about them, I asked a musical acquaintance if he'd help me find a guitar. This was in about 1975. He found me an almost new Yamaha FG200 for $150 and I trusted him and bought it. I have retired it because it needs a neck reset.

Nowadays he'd probably suggest a Yamaha FG800, about $200, an astounding deal.

[ish5]

Not much love here for the Martin D-Jrs.

I have one on the way as the first guitar I've purchased new. I had some specific reasons for looking at it, but mostly I want a guitar that I can continue to learn on without breaking the bank or feeling guilty if it sits for a while like my used Ibanez has. Hoping I made the right call with this instrument.

[tinnitus]

My first guitar would probably be some solid body shred sled with 2-3 pickups and a tremelo. But that would be back in 1960-something.

Today, my next guitar (after decades of owning at least one of everything), will be a(nother) $1000-2000 acoustic electric with a cutaway and fairly pronounced fretboard radius, like 12-13.

Honestly, my 3-month old Eastman AC422CE is working out very nicely in different homes, garages and venues. Sounds good with/without amplification, it plays like a strat, and I won't be suicidal when (not if) I discover the first ding on it.

The only "must-have" feature on my next guitar will be a return to externally mounted electronics where I can glance down to see/manipulate volume and tone control sliders. With those controls hidden in the Eastman's sound hole, it looks clean but it's not as handy/comfy onstage as the old school stuff directly under my chin on the upper bout.

[k_russell]

500.00 - Yamaha FG830 Dreadnought

1000.00 - Yamaha FGX3 Red Label Dreadnought (pack my lunch for a week or 2)

1500.00 - used guild D40

2000.00 - Guild D40

[Dru Edwards]

Doing it all over again I think I'd still get my laminate Yamaha 12 string as my first acoustic since it was my best friend for 10 years. Not trading those years in for another guitar.

My next guitar would probably be a Yamaha FG5 (which wasn't around back then).

[ssstewart]

if it was my first guitar.. i would buy

a dread

a parlour

a classical

a 12 string

an electric

a mandolin

(6 packs are more fun)

[Wellington]

Originally Posted by k_russell

500.00 - Yamaha FG830 Dreadnought

1000.00 - Yamaha FGX3 Red Label Dreadnought (pack my lunch for a week or 2)

1500.00 - used guild D40

2000.00 - Guild D40

Good options!

[hairpuller]

My buddy has a great red label 1970 Yamaha FG that I could buy for $500.

For $1000, probably a 000-15, and for $2000 a 000-18.

scott

[Maryc-k]

I think the Yamaha L models are a tremendous buy, and that's coming from someone who, on average, has paid at least ten times the cost of a LL16.

I recently bought an LLTA model from Sweetwater after watching JP Cormier eat his own words concerning the TA models. I could only find the larger-bodied model (would love an LS) but I have to say the on-board self-amplified effects make me just want to play, and keep playing.

The feel of these guitars is also super-sweet. Call me a convert.

[rgregg48]

If I was starting out I would buy the cheapest
Old Kay or Harmony . Maybe a Sears or Montgomery Ward.
Then when I practiced enough to the point I got pretty good, I would really appreciate the first really good guitar I acquired.
( or if I watch AGF . The next 30 guitars)

[Rille]

Today I would have bought a Taylor Academy 12.

Peace!

[PassingThru]

Now, my choice would be an Emerald X7 or X20.