Acoustic Electric Guitar Info Requested

janmike

After watching and listening to my son play guitar for a few years, I discussed the possibility of me buying and guitar and learning how to play it with my son and he was very enthusiastic of the idea. That should be interesting - me learning how to play.

I want to keep my involvement with my son and as he gets older some of the things we used to do together are not as much of an attraction to him. I have always have been part of his life and will continue to do so.

Anyway, I am now looking for a guitar and am thinking Acoustic Electric Guitar. I have no musical background so would like to get some info from you folks. We do have a music store in town (one), but I will probably buy on-line.

I do remember friends owning nice Yamaha guitars and I checked a few of them out. So if I was buying one somewhat blind, I may opt for the Yamaha brand. I guess this is a personal thing. I am thinking about keeping the price at $500 or less.

All info and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

PS - Going to a music store to look and different brands is NOT an option for me.

Dennis Gardner

I've worked on a number of nice guitars from the Godin lineup, both Seagull and the Art & Lutherie would fit into your budget and support a great guitar maker/company from your country.

http://www.godinguitars.com/

http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/

http://www.seagullguitars.com/intro.htm

dragon1952

There are quite a few questions you need to answer before getting the right guitar. What type are you looking for or does it matter? There are dreadnaughts, OM's, jumbo's, all different sizes. Are you going to just strum or are you going to possibly use your fingers for fingerpicking also, what size are your hands and fingers, what type of music would you likely be playing, etc. If you want something similar in style to your son's, what does he play?

newrival

I would recommend OM for a beginner. It's about the most comfortable, especially sitting. Additionally, they offer good blends for strumming and finger picking. Something from the seagull line was a good recommendation. Or maybe Guild GAD line, Breadlove atlas series, Takamine, etc. They all offer super sound for low price. Also there is a pretty nice sounding Taylor thats right around $500. Personally, I'd start checking out CL for those brands and see what comes up. You can look for Martin too, but I personally dont think their budget guitars are very good. just my opinion. Also, I don't care for Godin at any level.

janmike

Thanks for the info folks. I spoke with a guy in NJ today and he directed me to the Takamine line, specifically the TAKAMINE LTD EDT EG333CLTD. Sounded like a very good starter guitar.

janmike

dragon1952 wrote: »

There are quite a few questions you need to answer before getting the right guitar. What type are you looking for or does it matter? There are dreadnaughts, OM's, jumbo's, all different sizes. Are you going to just strum or are you going to possibly use your fingers for fingerpicking also, what size are your hands and fingers, what type of music would you likely be playing, etc. If you want something similar in style to your son's, what does he play?

Excellent questions. I know I am probably jumping into this kind of quickly, by doing that with my son and more important than probably getting too particular about the guitar. Our music preferences are obviously quite different, but landing on a song that we both like is not out of the question. I really band the bonding thing that we have to continue. We play golf together woodwork together and both enjoy a little aviation together. This is another one of those father/son things that I am really looking forward to getting into.

dragon1952

I've heard that some of the Takamine's sound OK plugged in but not so great unplugged. You might do some Googling and maybe find some comments on some of the acoustic guitar forums.

janmike

dragon1952 wrote: »

I've heard that some of the Takamine's sound OK plugged in but not so great unplugged. You might do some Googling and maybe find some comments on some of the acoustic guitar forums.

I did do some research on that and talked to a couple of friends that own Takamine guitars and all indicated that they sound full bodied when unplugged. The Yamaha guitars I am told sound "tinny" when unplugged. The Takamine body is thicker than the Yamaha.

VR3

Takamine is an excellent brand - we have had issues in the past with necks going crazy with temperature changes.... even in doors.

Very strange.

One of the best guitars I have seen in a LONG time is LAG Guitars. They just hit America -- distributed by Korg. But I am around hundreds of guitars all day and I can tell you they are by far the best I have seen.

We have received 4 shipments and sold all of them in a month and a half...

janmike

Thanks Trey. I was looking at their T100 series and now seeing if I can find the difference between the different models in the T100 series. Do you play?

B Run

I've got a couple ovations i've been very happy with, you should check them out and see if they fit what your looking for. It's like speakers, it's a very personal decision and everyone has a preference but at the end of the day you have to get what sounds/feels best to you. You can definitely get a nice guitar for that price though. Here's my first acoustic/electric and i still play it to this day: http://www.ovationguitars.com/archive/guitar/mob57

halo71

I would probably look for something used since you are a beginner. Check your local Craigslist? All the suggestions above are good. I personally love Ovations. Godins are nice as well. I had an A6 several years ago. Great playing guitar but sounded very thin without an amp.

Poee7R

+1 Ovation.

They play like butter, and chances are you wont outgrow an intro Ovation, something like this could last you a lifetime. The action is great and they'll hold a tune forever. Plugged or unplugged, they sound great. And again you could play for 20 years and not outgrow or feel the need to upgrade, easily.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ovation-Celebrity-CC44-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-103574794-i1149078.gc

If it was my money, no question. Other manufacturer's get into the sub 500 range, but few get it right. And dont forget about a case to protect your investment, make it hard as "gig" bags are garbage.

Good luck.


Dave

Pycroft

I have an Ovation Legend - It sounds very good, but can't recommend it unless you play it for hours. He shape of the back of my guitar is so irregular that I can't even play it because it slides all around my body. If interested, I would suggest playing whatever Ovation guitar you are looking for at least 20 minutes - standing, sitting, etc. to make sure it will work. For me - it does not.

James

SWFalken

My first acoustic electric was and is a Fender CD140sce. Under $400, solid spruce top, Fishman preamp. The guitar is Chinese made but is built very well. The guitar plays very well and it stays in tune for hours at a time as long as the temperature doesn't change drastically. Since it only has a solid top (Mahogany laminate sides and back) it doesn't have quite the low frequency punch as a Taylor or Martin, but it does ring out rather well on the top end which I kind of prefer anyway. Fender has never been known for making great acoustic instruments but this one is definitely a diamond in the rough. Guitar Center and Musician's Friend keep them in stock. You should definitely sit down for a couple of hours and play several models before you throw down the money though. The way a particular instrument feels in your hands is as important as how it sounds to you. I usually play for two or more hours straight at a time and how the neck and body feel when playing can mean the difference between a great experience and a really painful and frustrating one. Good luck, there are a lot of great affordable instruments on the market right now.

VR3

I do not play -- but I have worked at a Music store for 5 years and been around countless guitarists...

Hands down Lag is the best I have seen sub 500. I would put Seagul and Alvarez up there too...

dragon1952

janmike wrote: »

Thanks Trey. I was looking at their T100 series and now seeing if I can find the difference between the different models in the T100 series.

There are basically just 2 models, the Dreadnaught T100D and the Auditorium T100A. Those are non-electric. You can get each with a cutaway and electronics though, the TCE and ACE. Additionally, you can get the Auditorium ACE model with a slim body, the ASCE (body is not as deep). Auditorium models have a smaller body width, depth and height than a Dreadnaught, and a smaller voice. Personally I prefer the Auditorium and Orchestra (OM) bodies over the Dreadnaught because they are smaller and more comfortable to play, and usually have a more balanced sound, bass to treble. It depends on what you want to play on them though.

unc2701

Pycroft wrote: »

I have an Ovation Legend - It sounds very good, but can't recommend it unless you play it for hours. He shape of the back of my guitar is so irregular that I can't even play it because it slides all around my body. If interested, I would suggest playing whatever Ovation guitar you are looking for at least 20 minutes - standing, sitting, etc. to make sure it will work. For me - it does not.

+1 on that. I'm a skinny guy, so I shouldn't have a problem w/ the Ovation, but I could never get them to sit right. Definitely try before you buy- otherwise they're great guitars, plenty of people love them, I just couldn't make it feel right.