Starter Guitar for around £200

drofluf

Looking for a guitar for my son as a sixteenth birthday present. Budget around £200. 

He’s been borrowing my Faith but would like his own. He’s fairly musical (grade 8 piano and 6 on cello) so I’m prepared to spend a reasonable amount. 

He’d also prefer a medium sized body so no dreads. The Vintage V300 is well reviewed and looks the right size but I can’t confirm this.

Anyone got any experience of the V300 or other suggestions? 

Winny_Pooh

New only or considering used?

Sight unseen is tricky for acoustics but this is good value:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192561613217

drofluf

Probably new only given the situation but I’m open to suggestions and need to see if he’s happy with the idea. Do you have something in mind?

Limehouse_Blues

Sigma 000-15m would be a nice choice. May be slightly above your budget but still under 300 I should think 

earwighoney

For an acoustic guitar it's really difficult to make a recommendation as things like playing style, ergonomics and hand size are vitally important.

I'd recommend a Sigma OMM-ST, it has a 1 3/4" nut, so it'd be good for a fingerpicker if he is one otherwise an OM is probably the best body shape for an all rounder.

zepp76

drofluf said:

Looking for a guitar for my son as a sixteenth birthday present. Budget around £200. 

He’s been borrowing my Faith but would like his own. He’s fairly musical (grade 8 piano and 6 on cello) so I’m prepared to spend a reasonable amount. 

He’d also prefer a medium sized body so no dreads. The Vintage V300 is well reviewed and looks the right size but I can’t confirm this.

Anyone got any experience of the V300 or other suggestions? 

I have the mahogany V300 which is a nice guitar for the money, stick a set of Martin Monel strings on (they just seem to work well with mahogany guitars) and away you go! So yes, I would recommend it, others of course, may differ in opinion.

drofluf

@zepp76 thanks would you mind measuring the lower bout and the body depth? I’m having trouble finding the dimensions online. 

zepp76

drofluf said:

@zepp76 thanks would you mind measuring the lower bout and the body depth? I’m having trouble finding the dimensions online. 

Sorry but mine is packed away ready for the  move to my new place.

Universal8

Fender CC60

Teyeplayer

A mate picked up a recording king ooo from coda at the start of lockdown. Solid top, £169 (iirc), he’s really chuffed with it.

drofluf

zepp76 said:

drofluf said:

@zepp76 thanks would you mind measuring the lower bout and the body depth? I’m having trouble finding the dimensions online. 

Sorry but mine is packed away ready for the  move to my new place.

No problem. Hope the move goes ok

ICBM

zepp76 said:

drofluf said:

Anyone got any experience of the V300 or other suggestions? 

I have the mahogany V300 which is a nice guitar for the money

 Same here - excellent for the money. (Although even better when you get a trashed one from a charity shop for £20!)

Body dimensions:

Length - 49cm
Upper bout width - 26.5cm
Lower bout width - 38cm
Depth at neck heel - 9cm
Depth at endpin - 11cm

drofluf

@icbm thanks! Much appreciated 

rustneversleeps

Simples !.........Sigma or Vintage.

drofluf

Universal8 said:

Fender CC60

Son likes the look of this; he’d like something with a cutaway which they do so this looks like a favourite at the moment. 

Kittyfrisk

drofluf said:

Universal8 said:

Fender CC60

Son likes the look of this; he’d like something with a cutaway which they do so this looks like a favourite at the moment. 

I'd also go with the Vintage V300MH for sheer value & tone, but if a cutaway is on the want list, try to find a used Takamine like the EG330 SC.
Very good acoustic tone for £200 ish & the electrics are useable.

midlifecrisis

also a fan of the vintage v300. i bought my first one brand new in 2007 for £95 they have gone up a bit but still great value quality guitars. 

munckee

I took my 15 year old daughter to PMT Portsmouth last summer and we tried every acoustic below £300 and the Washburn Harvest series acoustic was the best sounding by a margin, around £150, is a dreadnought though, but she plays it fine.

drofluf

The Fender arrived yesterday. Gave it a quick check over and it’s now back in its box waiting for his birthday 

Universal8

drofluf said:

The Fender arrived yesterday. Gave it a quick check over and it’s now back in its box waiting for his birthday 

Which model did you get in the end as you wanted a cutaway?

drofluf

@Universal8 I went for the CC60SCE. This one:
https://www.peachguitars.com/guitars/acoustic-guitars/6-string/fender-cc-60sce-concert-walnut-fingerboard-natural.htm