Newbie Guitar question...

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Recon101

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Alright Im gonna be taking a guitar class in college. And I am to provide my own CLASSICAL Guitar or FOLK guitar, it doesn't specify if it has to be acoustic or electric but I am assuming acoustic for the purposes of the class. Now I know about drums rather than guitars so I was wondering what brands/product should I look into it and what to consider as far as choosing a guitar. I can spend about a range of $200-$400 on it. And what exactly is the difference between these Folk, Classical, and regular acoustic guitars are?

Also Im looking for a nice clean warm sound to the guitar thats durable, and that I can use it later for recording purposes with little problems. And if those electric-acoustic guitars are worth the convenience, or if I should stick to a really good acoustic thats built just for acoustic purposes and later get a really good electric guitar. So basically which guitar would suite my needs at this point, and as I said I can spend about $200-400 and it has to follow the classical/folk guitar setting but Im still curious on the different between the 3 guitar, so any advice and knowledge? :confused:

1

~Recon
 
My best advice would be to start with a nylon string guitar. The term "folk" guitar is really passe, and doesn't accurately describe anything. In your price range, don't concern yourself with an electric-acoustic. You need to spend all the money you can spare on the guitar itself.
Given that you are not a guitarist, you would do well to go shopping with someone who is. Real classical guitars have pretty high action, and you will note that they usually do not have fret markers on the side of the neck (the little dots). Classical guitarists love this high action because of *the sound* it produces. In your case, you would do better to look for a guitar that is easy to play. Many student guitars have easier action and fret markers, which you are likely to find helpful in the beginning.

I recommend nylon strings because they will be easier on your fingers in the beginning, and you will most likely have to practice a lot to do well in this class. For student classicals, I favor Yamahas, but there are lots of brands. No thin bodies, or 3/4 size guitars, unless you are a short woman with very small hands. You need a straightforward student guitar, and make sure you get a hard case. Soft cases suck, and if the case doesn't come with the guitar, it will cost 50-100 bucks or so extra, so plan for it.

Here's a good example:
http://www.musician.com/product/Yamaha-CG111S-Spruce-Top-Classical-Guitar?sku=512440

Best of luck-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
My best advice would be to start with a nylon string guitar. The term "folk" guitar is really passe, and doesn't accurately describe anything. In your price range, don't concern yourself with an electric-acoustic. You need to spend all the money you can spare on the guitar itself.
Given that you are not a guitarist, you would do well to go shopping with someone who is. Real classical guitars have pretty high action, and you will note that they usually do not have fret markers on the side of the neck (the little dots). Classical guitarists love this high action because of *the sound* it produces. In your case, you would do better to look for a guitar that is easy to play. Many student guitars have easier action and fret markers, which you are likely to find helpful in the beginning.

I recommend nylon strings because they will be easier on your fingers in the beginning, and you will most likely have to practice a lot to do well in this class. For student classicals, I favor Yamahas, but there are lots of brands. No thin bodies, or 3/4 size guitars, unless you are a short woman with very small hands. You need a straightforward student guitar, and make sure you get a hard case. Soft cases suck, and if the case doesn't come with the guitar, it will cost 50-100 bucks or so extra, so plan for it.

Here's a good example:
http://www.musician.com/product/Yamaha-CG111S-Spruce-Top-Classical-Guitar?sku=512440

Best of luck-Richie
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice will definately try to get that. I do plan on playing the guitar rigorously and learn as fast as possible for studio needs. And plan to take lessons on the side as well. As for the eletric-acoustic guitar I was more curious on if it was actually worth to do that or if getting two seperate guitars would be more benefical to me. A lot of times in many products Ive found combo'd components tend to be less savory than a unit dedicated to specific needs. But thanks again for the adviced I might just get this guitar then later this months try it out at Guitar Center and see how I like it.

Thanks

~Recon
 
Never hurts to look at used guitars for a budget entry intrument. Nylon string guitars are generally very easy to play (and learn on) and have a nice warm tone that is reallypleasing. They are not loud, and don't have the ability to stick out like a steel string would. if you play a bunch of used guitars and pick one that sounds and feels pretty good, you can get somethin you really like for about $200, for instance.

Daav
 
You can find a nice starter guitar in that price range. You might want to look at some of the "Jam Packs" that most of the brands have out. You usually get a decent acoustic with a tuner, cable, gig bag, instruction book and small practice amp. Ibanez has a few that are pretty playable and quite reasonable.

I am going to warn you away from a nylon/spanish guitar. The width of the fingerboard and darker sound make it less than ideal for the modern beginner. Most of us started on classical guitars, as that was what you learned on "back in the day". But I remember being really frustrated that i could play Neil Young songs but it sounded nothing like Neil Young.

Just go to your local shops(preferably with a guitar player) and see what speaks to you.

Good luck buddy, its an awesome journey, and ya definitely get out what you put in, so get practicing!
 
I don't often disagree with Richie, but this time I do. Smaller bodied guits (O, OO, OOO) are still often refered to as folk style guitars--as sometimes are OMs. The Idea is of a smaller bodied guits--as opposed to a dreadnaught or jumbo.

I also disagree with the nylon string recommendation. In that price range my experience is the steel strings are, dollar for dollar, a better value. Also, most acoustic guitar is played on steel strings--unless you want to go into classical. You shoud learn on what you will probably be playing--not the other way around.
 
If possible, try to find out what type of guitar your instructor will be using and try to find something similar. This way the sound from your guitar will be cloce to the sound of the instructor and make it much easier for you to hear when you are playing the parts correctly (you'll hear your mistakes easier too.) As you learn more about guitar you will discover that there is quite a difference between acoustic and electric, the notes and chords are the same but they are played very differently, mostly picking technique. Acoustic/electric guitars are more for playing live where you need to amplify the acoustic guitar. As mentioned, have someone who plays guitar help you choose one for you. Listen to their playing to decide if you like the tone of the guitar. Try to find someone who has hands about the same size and shape as yours, if it plays good to them it should (with practice) play good for you. Be prepaired for lots of practice, it takes a while to develope finger strength, dexterity and coordination of both hands.
 
Wow thanks for the advice guys, I guess I will have to go check out a music store and see if either those Nylon strings or steel strings will be easier for me to learn with, I got a couple of buddies who play the guitar with almost the same hand size as me so it shouldn't be hard to find one then. And Dani Pace I think you are right I might hold off and get information from my instructor and see what type of guitar they will be playing, hopefully nothing back breaking lol. But I think it this class will be a little more contemporary/classical type music we will be learning, but as long as I am learning the basics I can adapted it into my rap/hip hop genre I am intending to learn it for.

Thanks again for the advice, you guys gave a lot of answers to questions I would asked later.

Thanks

~Recon
 
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