Guitar advice

[J Marston]

My son is interested in getting an acoustic guitar, just for noodling around with. He is an amateur musician, but he's pretty accomplished with piano, drums, cello, and electric guitar (seriatim, not simultaneously). His favorite electric guitar is a Fender Jazzmaster he saved up for.

Any recommendations about what I might look for? While I can't say that price is no object, anything sub-$750 will do, since this is a special occasion.

Thanks.

[graylocks]

i think your best route is to set your budget and then visit stores WITH HIM so he can decide. there are going to be a number of good options in that price range but the choice of guitar is subjective so he needs to be in on this. if you have no other options a Guitar Center would give you the broadest selection. if there are some non-chain, smaller stores in your area i would definitely visit them. make sure the price includes a good case.

[mrbigstuff]

I don't have specific advice but choosing an instrument can be personal. It can also be fortuitous, as well. So, perhaps ask someone who can come with you and knows acoustics very well. My best guess is that, with that budget, you will have no problem at all.


and, thanks for using the word seriatim. :-)

[Will Collier]

It's a pretty personal thing. Agree with graylocks, encourage him to try out as many different guitars as possible.

Reverb, eBay and Craigslist are all worthwhile to check when it comes to purchasing. I picked up a beautiful never-played Taylor 214 for my wife on Reverb for about 25% less than the retail price.

[CW2V]

Taylors and Martins come to mind.

I think for a guitar, you should consider that not only how it is made and sounds is important, but also how it plays. Guitarist have different predilections for neck shapes - shape of the back and the width and arc of the fingerboard. Someone used to playing a standard Fender electric would find a Gibson has a very different feel to it.

Get him to where they sell a wide range of guitars (on a pretense of just window shopping) just to have him play around with different ones, and you'll probably come away with your answer.


Edit: geeze I'm slow!

CW2V

[graylocks]

CW2V wrote:
Taylors and Martins come to mind.

CW2V

FYI, except for Baby Taylors and some Minis no Taylor guitars list in the stated price range. i've always felt they were overpriced.

[CW2V]

graylocks wrote:
[quote=CW2V]
Taylors and Martins come to mind.

CW2V

FYI, except for Baby Taylors and some Minis no Taylor guitars list in the stated price range. I've always felt they were overpriced.
I've heard that some of the Takamine's are pretty good. Definitely there will be some in that price range.

I no expert on guitars, but everyone one I've bought (since 1984) I got used, so I've never paid more than $250 for one. My acoustics are 2 old Ovations, which many guitarists hate. Like I said, I'm no expert! I did pick up a nice old Fender Mustang before they became popular.

CW2V

[Will Collier]

I think it's accurate to say that Taylors and Martins are overpriced as far as brand-new guitars are concerned. They do tend to hold their value better than almost every other acoustic brand, though.

Big differences between the two of those as well (and yes, this is a broad generalization, YMMV)... in general, a Martin calls for a pretty heavy picking hand, they don't open up sonically unless you really attack the strings. A Taylor is better suited for softer playing.

[Octave Doctor]

$750.00 will get you a much nicer used guitar than anything new. I don't recommend Martins to anybody, since I've had to fix so many of them.

[Dennis S]

One of the main things to look for is a solid top.