What do I need to look for?

Don't buy a cheap guitar (less than $200). They will not stay in tune and you will end up spending more money than if you'd just bought a decent one in the first place. Check out some of the good, mid-priced guitars (less than $600) at your local music store. Gibson, Fender, Takamine, Olympia, Crafter, Washburn are just a few of the brands that sell decent guitars in this price range. If you want to spend some big bucks, look at Tacoma, Larivee, Martin or Taylor. Ask other guitar players what they like.

Do your homework and check out lots of web sites. Ed Roman Guitars is a great place to start. He primarily builds and sells hand-made custom, high-end electric guitars but sells acoustics as well. His web site will give you a decent education about construction and who makes what. He claims to be the largest guitar dealer in the world. Also, check out Folk of the Wood. This site has some on-line demos and lessons for various instruments from guitars to mandolins.

Have fun and good luck!

 

I hear Wal-Mart is having a special on POJ's.

Just Kidding. Seriously, as a band director, if you only knew how frustrating it is to see a kid walk in with a Wal Mart brand clarinet. Please, don't buy musical instruments of any kind from a department store. If only I could convince them to not even sell them, I would be oh so happy. It is like going to Home Depot to buy a truck.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I bought my guitar about 12 years ago with the cash I got from my master's graduation. I have played it more in the last 6 months than in the first 10 years. Bob is right about the finger callouses. Even taking a couple of weeks off sometimes means you start over with the pain until you are really calloused. I played for about an hour on Tuesday and couldn't even pick it up yesterday it hurt so bad ... Today I played for about 15 minutes.

My first public playing was at our Christmas dinner where myself and another guy in the church did a Christmas program on our guitars. I was nervous as I could be but it turned out alright. I just couldn't keep my foot still. I did my first solo in Sunday AM church a few weeks ago. You just have to force yourself to do it to get better. The musical theory and knowing what chord to play is easy since I have a long background in music. Making my fingers go the right places at the right time is a whole different ballgame.

I bought a Washburn and payed about 350 or so as I recall. I would like to have a new one. I was at a guitar store yesterday looking for an acoustic pickup for use in our services. I saw some in there that sounded beautiful. If I were starting, I would probably look for a used one from a higher end. For X amount of dollars, you can get more in a used guitar than a new one, and the sound is already broken in. Guitars do change their tone some over time I think. Find a good guitar store ... they are usually the ones that look like dumps ... they are very crowded and the staff all has long hair and the like ... they will know what they are talking about. Have someone who really knows how to play play it for you and ask them for recommendations. Just make sure the neck is straight and have them put some new strings on it. (Ask if you can watch them do it so you will konw how next time.)

With respect to my friend Bob, personally I would stay away from a cheapo simply because you will enjoy a good one a lot more and will tend to play it more. It will stay in tune easier. If I were buying a first, I would look to spend 300-500 on a used one. That will probably get you a guitar that sold new for 500-1000. Make sure it is in good shape and has a good tone.

Also, I would plan on springing for some lessons. It will get your started on the right track. Even if you only take 10 lessons or something and then get some do it yourself books/tapes or a computer CD that will teach you more. Start off right. It is a whole lot easier to learn it right the first time than to teach old dogs new tricks.

 

Mine have never actually bled. They get a little tender. I have never had a problem playing the piano afterwards. It is mostly the direct pressure of the string on the same spot that hurts. The piano keys are wider and spread out the pressure.

 

what about the one the guy sells on the info-mercial "Gift of Guitar"?

Of course, he may be so good at it he can make even a cheapo sound good.

www.giftofguitar.com