guitar recommendation

Easy Runnin

I’m looking for an acoustic guitar recommendation for my 14 year old. It will be his first guitar but he has been playing the tuba for 4 or 5 years. I saw a Yamaha F335 online. Would that be a good choice or should I be looking for something better.

MrBuhl

I'm not sure what your price range here is, and that will have a lot to do with things.

There are certainly folks here with more experience than I - but I was going to suggest that Breedlove makes a really nice entry level (I have one and it's great) and the Baby Taylor is also a nice entry level. (Both are about $300-$400 though). If you're looking to be in that $100-$200 range there are a few names, Yamaha included (Washburn, Fender, Alvarez) but you might be better off going to your local Guitar Center or B&M and picking up something used, you'll get a much better value IMO at that price level.

Have you considered electric? Much easier on the fingers, (easier to play for a beginner) and you'll get a better guitar for the buck in that price range. Rick88 has a great one on here for a hundred you probably couldn't beat for $250. Whoops, sorry, I think it's sold now... Still, cheap practice amp and an entry level electric are a new players dream compared to brass wound acoustic strings IMO!

decal

Seagull S6. I've had mine for 18 years and it just keeps getting better.

Polkie2009

Seagull makes a very fine guitar. Agree with Mr.Buhl, many brands make a variety of acoustic and electric guitars , say in the under $350.00 range. Samick used to make most of those guitars for other brands , not sure if they still do today. Best thing to do is take the lad into Guitar Center or comparable guitar store and let him play a bunch of the guitars in your budget and see what feels best in his hands. Used instruments are also a great___ idea, I myself have bought many used guitars back in the day. One of my favorites was a used Takamine acoustic with pickup I picked up for $350.00. Looks similar to what Blake Shelton plays.

JayCee

I purchased an Ovation acoustic guitar back in 1990 with every intention of learning to play. Definitely not the best guitar out there but the price was right. Needless to say, it's traveled with me all these years and I never made the time to take lessons.

Two years ago I received an advertisement for a "Fretlight" guitar. I was a skeptic but decided to give it a try. Caught them just before the holiday's and picked everything up on sale. Has built in LED's in the neck and pretty slick software. They offer both acoustic and several variations of electric. The guitar is attached to a PC via USB and has narrated lessons. I knew I'd probably not take traditional lessons, so this appealed to the techie in me. I purchased their Fender knock off and a Fender Champion 20 amp from Amazon.

Build quality of the Fretlight is very nice and I like the lessons. The lessons are created in-house and provide musical theory but I can also just jump right in and start learning a song. Lots of additional discs (songs) can be purchased. It's so easy to look down and see the frets light up and know where to place my fingers. When not lit, you can't tell the LED's are there and it looks/plays like the real deal.

I know the folks that really know how to play (@Rick88 among others) may have a different view on learning this way, but I'd seriously consider this for my kids if they weren't already out of the nest. I did recommend this to my sister for my geeky nephew.

Just so happens I'm listening to Alice Cooper as I type this...he's one of their celebrity endorsers. Not sure if that will make you want to buy it or run the other way! You can check out the company propaganda (videos) and products here:

http://www.fretlight.com/

A pic of my two "axes". Fretlight's on the right.



...need to add the obligatory "No Affiliation" to this product.

John

MrBuhl

+3 on the Seagull! Had one in the early 90's and have always regretted selling it... but like audio, that seems to be the way of guitars!

Mikey081057

My best advice is set a budget and let the kid pick it out... Go to your local guitar center and make it a moment that you and your kid will remember.The big thing behind it is that he/she likes it and that they practice it. you don't need the kid to not play it b/c it wasn't what they wanted.

Ovations, Taylors, Fenders, Yamahas they all have some decent stuff to get started with. Get a hardshell case!!!

cnh

I'm with Mikey, and that's exactly what I did a couple of years ago. Took my daughter to a Guitar Center, showed her some acoustics in a price range (250-300), played a few myself (I'm pretty much an amateur and not that good, no lessons, etc.), then let her play with a few. We made off with a Fender which she likes quite a bit, and she's already much BETTER than I, who has to remember to pick up a guitar every month or so).

Mikey081057

I bet you both had a blast!!!

Easy Runnin

Great idea, I'll help him do the research then will head out after Christmas to get it.
Should be a fun day

halo71

The Ovation, what I call bowback, that JayCee posted above is a awesome acoustic! But there are many others out there as well. The Guild M120, Washburn WD7, Breedlove, Godin, Alvarez.....and several other brands I like. Best thing to do is go to a local Guitar Center and play some different brands.

Also there are tons of acoustics on Craigslist all the time. If you wanna roll the dice that way. But I firmly believe if you buy a crappy made/playing guitar. Your son will probably lose interest soon. I would look for an acoustic (electric acoustic) that you can plug into an amp for sure. Perhaps not buy an amp right now. And wait to see if he retains an interest long term in playing guitar. If he does buy an amp later. That way if he decides he does not care for guitar you are not stuck trying to sell a guitar and amp.

zingo

The Yamaha F335 is a great intro guitar from experience.