Recommend a Guitar for my Newbie Friend Beginner

Bellycaster · April 2020

As per the Title:

Adult Female player, totally new to Guitar, but obviously has keen interest in Music.

She definitely wants to go down the Acoustic route, Steel Strings, not Classical. I've given her the lowdown on Justin Guitar and all that for lessons and beginner learning. Obviously I'd help her too.

The thing is "Price", now, even Justin recommends not buying too cheaply, especially an Acoustic. As I have no idea on Bang for Buck on Acoustics, I'd need advise from those more aware of such things.

I haven't broke it to her yet, but for a reasonable quality new Acoustic, I would guess that anything under £300 would be something that might prove to be lower quality and more difficult to play. I may be wrong though.

A £300 new Acoustic + Set Up be any better. Always the possibility of a good used one too I guess.

I'm sure this type of thread has been done to death, but any help is welcome.

Thanks.

Whitecat · April 2020

Yamaha. Quite a few options around the £300 mark - body style will be one of the main determinants. Obviously hard to try at the moment but you can browse models online and try to find demo videos where possible.

Bellycaster · April 2020

Thanks @Whitecat I'm looking at some of the Ibanez and Sigma ones around £400 too. I'm trying to think for my friend as quite naturally, she has no idea about Guitars and is looking to me for advice. I'm thinking Mid Size as opposed to a Dreadnought as that may feel a bit overwhelming in size.

It's good that some of the options I mentioned have amp capability too and some lovely carves and fret access.

I'm just wondering about whether the Price vs Quality/Playability thing is a myth too? If it was Electric she was after, I would know exactly what to look for, but I'm a bit sketchy with Acoustics and the nuances between models, sizes etc.

hollywoodrox · April 2020

What about the vintage v300 that was voted best guitar under £1000 a few years back . It went head to head with guitars up to a grand so can’t be too bad. The guitar magazine voted it

mikeyrob73 · April 2020

I bought an esp acoustic not so long ago for way less that that and it’s a cracking guitar

munckee · April 2020

I took my daughter to pmt in Portsmouth last year with a budget of £300 for an acoustic. Best by far was a Washburn harvest series for £170 sounded loads fuller than the others solid top and looks okay.

Sarge · April 2020

Vintage v300, I got mine used for £80 and its tone is well balanced, fairly loud and really easy to play, great value.

Funkfingers · April 2020

Would it not be wiser to purchase a tidy pre-owned guitar?

Your friend would get more guitar for her money and it would have the benefit of having been played in and loosening up.

stimpsonslostson · April 2020

Funkfingers said:

Would it not be wiser to purchase a tidy pre-owned guitar?

Your friend would get more guitar for her money and it would have the benefit of having been played in and loosening up.

Can you go with her to help her get something nice (either new or second hand)? Even without playing she could try different models on for size/finish etc. You could help regarding setup, action etc.

I got my Faith Mercury for under £300 & it's a superb guitar.
It's smaller than a Dreadnaught too, which I find more comfortable- comfort is quite important when you're learning as it makes the experience more enjoyable.

If it has to be new- Tanglewood, Sigma and Vintage are all brands I'd trust for under £300.
The Vintage Paul Brett range is VERY nice.

TheMarlin · April 2020

Yamaha FG range (FG300-400 range). Set up an eBay search for a used Yamaha FG auction in your local area (say 20 mile range), and wait.

An example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264701926648

I’ve picked up a few used guitars in mint condition for less than £50. They just need a clean, fresh strings, and a setup.

I’ve given four away to friends If you’re patient and wait (years), you’ll pick up something special. I did this for another friend and landed him a late 60’s MIJ FG110 for under £100. Was listed badly, stunning guitar, sounded epic.

FF335 and FG180 are very special, you might find one if you’re very very lucky... already becoming a classic

The bog standard FG300/FG301 is bulletproof proof, a great player, sounds great too. Lots of guitar teacher keep them in the boots of their cars for lessons - they can take a hell of a beating.

If you’re friend pays £300 plus for a new guitar, and then doesn’t play it, someone like me will be waiting in the wings to buy it on eBay for £50.

When they improve, then they can spend more on a nice Faith, or Yamaha LL range.

grungebob · April 2020

I haven’t tried any new acoustics in 15 years but I bought my Simon & Patrick cedar for £220 and it’s been more than enough for me.

The quality and sound was the best in the shop and i demoed everything up to £600 at the time.

Can’t speak for their recent offerings but I’d imagine their consistent as it’s basically Godin guitars brand.

dc77 · April 2020

I'm going to be selling my Taylor Academy if your interested.
Less than 9 months old and hardly played as I prefer playing electric.
Slightly smaller body and contoured for comfort with a slighter shorter scale length for ease of play.
Feel free to PM me for details.

guitars4you · April 2020

Vintage or Tanglewood are strong options to consider

But if you can find a nice clean used guitar for £300 then you'll have a better guitar - £300 used equates to around £450/500 new

Either way and you should get a decent model for £300 ish - Notice you are in Sheffield so suggest you check out Rich Tone

Branshen · April 2020

The cheapest new guitar I would recommend are the big brand base models like Yamaha f310, or equivalent epiphone, cort or takamine. They would be around £100 but are absolutely fine for a beginner. Best to try before buying to make sure the size fits her. Throw on some extra light gauge strings and set it up for low action to get her started.