Beginner Acoustic Electric
- Thread starter hardwired
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Nadnitram
Most Honored Senior Member
Something you'll need if you ever have to change the tires on your cat?
Exhead
Strat-Tinkerer
Picked up this 2012 Yamaha F335 TBS for $75 used. Had no expectations as it was dirty and the strings were old. Cleaned it up, restrung and it has such a rich sound and playability I decided it is a keeper.
1stpitch
Strat-Talker
My only acoustic is a Harley Benton acoustic-electric. It was about $200US a couple years ago.
fishermike
Strat-Talker
Over on AGF, the Yamaha FG800 would be the consensus choice. $229 all day every day damn near anywhere that sells guitars.
Another great choice would be a used Seagull S6, which you can find on Craigslist in that same price range.
Neither of them come with a pickup, but he doesn't need one yet. There's no reason to play an acoustic amplified unless you're playing to a crowd, which no beginner is going to be doing. Plus, if he's going to plug in, he needs something to plug into = more $$$. If he gets good enough, he can add a pickup later, trade up, or just play into a microphone to get better tone than any pickup is ever going to give him.
The other thing to budget a few bucks for is a good setup. If a guitar is easy to play, and sounds good, he'll be hooked for life. If it has high action, poor intonation, buzzes, etc., he's likely to get frustrated, put it down, and never pick it up again. A good setup is the key to playability.
Another great choice would be a used Seagull S6, which you can find on Craigslist in that same price range.
Neither of them come with a pickup, but he doesn't need one yet. There's no reason to play an acoustic amplified unless you're playing to a crowd, which no beginner is going to be doing. Plus, if he's going to plug in, he needs something to plug into = more $$$. If he gets good enough, he can add a pickup later, trade up, or just play into a microphone to get better tone than any pickup is ever going to give him.
The other thing to budget a few bucks for is a good setup. If a guitar is easy to play, and sounds good, he'll be hooked for life. If it has high action, poor intonation, buzzes, etc., he's likely to get frustrated, put it down, and never pick it up again. A good setup is the key to playability.
My default recommendation in these cases is Yamaha. The guitars are good and priced right. The electronics in their low cost acoustics sound surprisingly good too. Buy new or wade through the used guitars churning on Marketplace locally.
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hardwired
Strat-Talker
That must be the “Cat Jack” modelMaybe this one is an option too? A but smaller, cutaway, pickup built in… and it’s rather cheap, at least here
she was ribbing me on.
I hear you, I have two Yamaha acoustic electrics in the house. Wife has the thin body and wAnted a plug in. But these are rarely plugged in.
But that’s the thing, the kid “wants” an acoustic electric as this is what the uncle plays live. He expressly said acoustic electric. Anything else and there is disappointment because of the expectation.
My first choice would have been electric for a beginner. Fender Strat Pack. But that’s not what he wanted.
I’ll check it out when it come in. Went the extra mile to get a solid top and preamp/tuner so the budget is shot, so no pricey GC setup. I’ll sneak in a gig bag, picks and a strap.
FrieAsABird
Senior Stratmaster
Uhh what is that Cat Jack stuff you keep talking about? The one I posted is a Fender model…
albala
Dr. Stratster
I have given guitar lessons to a lot of beginners over the last 25 years, and this is just my opinion.
I would look for the easiest playing, best sounding used acoustic guitar you can find locally. Even if it means saving up a little longer. You might even find one with a built in pickup.
If the guitar is hard to play and doesn't sound good, he won't play it and you will have wasted your money and possibly turn him off to guitar permanently.
The electric part is more of an overpriced distraction, and I guarantee it will barely get used.
Let his second acoustic be acoustic/electric and let it be a reward for sticking with it for 2 or 3 years.
I would look for the easiest playing, best sounding used acoustic guitar you can find locally. Even if it means saving up a little longer. You might even find one with a built in pickup.
If the guitar is hard to play and doesn't sound good, he won't play it and you will have wasted your money and possibly turn him off to guitar permanently.
The electric part is more of an overpriced distraction, and I guarantee it will barely get used.
Let his second acoustic be acoustic/electric and let it be a reward for sticking with it for 2 or 3 years.
What is your price point?
Something to consider, I think a lower end acoustic, with a bad set up, is about the worst way, for any student, to try and learn on,
I would look for a well set up used guitar, that plays well, regardless of brand, much more than a brand new one, that has a horrible set up, I think this issue right here is responsible for more student’s quitting than any other, a bad set up on a low end acoustic.
just my opinion.
I would look for a well set up used guitar, that plays well, regardless of brand, much more than a brand new one, that has a horrible set up, I think this issue right here is responsible for more student’s quitting than any other, a bad set up on a low end acoustic.
just my opinion.
For $250 I’d be looking at pawn shops and Craigslist. There is nothing new in that price point that will be suitable.
a used takamine or Yamaha acoustic electric is what I’d be suggesting At this price point.
a used takamine or Yamaha acoustic electric is what I’d be suggesting At this price point.
I can say that I've had one of the reasonably priced Fender acoustics with cutaway and pickup. It was a pretty decent guitar that played and sounded nice. They can be had used for a very good price.
hardwired
Strat-Talker
If a Martin comes into the house, it’s not leaving.
hardwired
Strat-Talker
Sorry I meant the Boroughs slick deal Burst that exhead posted. Clicked reply on the wiring sunburst, they all look the same to me on a small phone screen LOL.
FA135 was a runner up. Paid close to that price in old $US inflationated dollars for the CD-60 version.
