Getting First Guitar with Low Budget

[xEnOnn]

Hi everyone...I decided to take up guitar as a new interest and hobby kind of thing but I don't know how far can I go. I am completely new to guitar and don't know how to play on it. I do not have other musical background either. I am intending to learn on my own through books and articles.

However, I don't know what kind of guitar I should get to start learning. I did some reading and is considering the steel-string acoustic guitar. I am hoping to play rock musics like Far Away by Nickelback, Wonderwall by Oasis, etc. Since I still don't know how far I could go in this new hobby, I want to keep my budget as low as possible.

I have seen some guitars are selling only at $50-$80 while there are also other low-end guitars costing $200++. Are those $50-$80 guitars the same?

 

[heavynoize]

definitely not the same, i mean you pay for what you get rite? i suggest you get a cheap solid top from brands like yamaha or if you want takamine or fina those costing around 200 - 300 should suffice for now, it isnt worth getting those without a solid top because it wont hold up well with time and if you do continue on with the hobby you'll outgrow it in less than a year. oh if you like strumming i suggest you get a dreadnought. google it you'll get the sizes there.

Hope this helps
cheers!

 

[xEnOnn]

Apart from from sounding better, more durable, and look nicer for those around the range of $200-300, what other thing do I have to take into consideration?

Spending $200++ is like a little out of budget to me. I am wondering the $50-$80 range of guitars could be played the same way and it is totally similar to the other more expensive guitars other than better sound and quality? Or at least allow me to learn before to proceed on to a better model and eventually an electronic guitar?

 

[van_halen]

typically, the $50-$80 guitars will kill your interest, due to extremely high string action and tension that will be very hard and uncomfortable to play and also kill your fingers.

given your budget, i suggest you check out the "custom acoustic" brand at citymusic. and maybe some j&d available at music theme, and ranking sports and music.

 

[xEnOnn]

What are custom acoustic brands? So these "custom acoustic" brands have guitars at the range of $50-$80 and yet isn't very uncomfortable and fingers-killing?

 

[Merduka]

First Guitar

Hi bro,

I understand where you come from being budget consious.

Therefore, I would propose that you get someone experienced and source for and hand one starting right here in this forum.

Sometimes if lucky even an unknown brand i.e. from Philiipines and Indonesia may sound good.

All the best.

 

[Ocean]

typically, the $50-$80 guitars will kill your interest, due to extremely high string action and tension that will be very hard and uncomfortable to play and also kill your fingers.

+1 on that. I have been playing on a $50 acoustic for a few months and it seriously is killing me.

If you want to start playing, i suggest you save up abit more. There's no rush in getting a guitar. I have been saving up for a few months to get an electric.
So yeah... Rather save up and get a better guitar to keep the passion alive than to get a horrible one and ur passion dying out right? But by all means, if u feel that u are gettinh the $50-$80 guitars just to start practising and in the mean time save up for better guitars, go ahead.

Maybe u can save up abit more to abt $150-$200 range?

 

[xEnOnn]

Any idea any shop where I can find varities of guitars within my budget? And most importantly, good for a beginner to start off and learn.

 

[Vindicated]

Check out http://www.davisguitar.com/ They do have pretty decent beginners' guitar there....

 

[Rendezvous]

yeap davis. ranges from 80 to 100+ for low end models.
But yea try to get a solid top guitar.it will sound fuller and better than laminated tops.

 

[xEnOnn]

I heard that solid top guitar requires maintenance? I don't know need to do what kind of maintenance.

The low end models of ranges from $80 to $100 at Davis Guitars are different from the other low end models elsewhere?

 

[theunknown]

low end models elsewhere are quite the same. Just some brands have a better reputation in terms of QC. Dont expect much tone from these. Just physical quality.

Some brands with good QC: Takamine, Fina, Cort, J&D

check out the guitars at

Bras Basah Complex Level 3
- Ranking Sports & Music
- Swee Lee
Peninsular/Excelsior Basement
- Davis
- Music Theme
- Guitar Connection
- Tymc
- Maestro
Peace Center
- City Music

Like those above have mentioned, the very low end ones are usually uncomfortable to play. Main culprit: high string action that means the string are high, thus u need to press down alot to get the sound out.

 

[van_halen]

What are custom acoustic brands? So these "custom acoustic" brands have guitars at the range of $50-$80 and yet isn't very uncomfortable and fingers-killing?

custom acoustic is a brand, not some brands. so your budget is $50-$80 or $200? you are confusing me. anyway custom acoustics can be bought below $200 but definitely not for $80.

 

[Dinky]

i think its best to just save.in the future,music as a hobby will seem like its taking your bank away,bit by bit.

save and get something worth it man.no rush?

 

[xEnOnn]

I am trying to keep my budget below $100.

Usually the thing that causes our fingers to hurt is it because of the strings that are too high? Other than this, what are things could cause our fingers to feel painful when playing?

 

[hahaxz]

Dude, dont be scared of the pain, slowly and surely, you will become quite used to it if you practice constantly.

And yeah, i agree that you should save up more for a first acoustic guitar, mine was some cheap rubbish and it almost killed my interest in guitaring.

 

[ShadowsDiamond]

i think its best to lesson... the reason i say this i noticed most who are self taught, taught themselves the wrong method of playing.. and if u wanna change to correct way of playing, its gonna be really hard cos ur comfortable playing the wrong method...tat ma opinion

 

[xEnOnn]

Dude, dont be scared of the pain, slowly and surely, you will become quite used to it if you practice constantly.

And yeah, i agree that you should save up more for a first acoustic guitar, mine was some cheap rubbish and it almost killed my interest in guitaring.

How did your cheap guitar almost killed your interest in guitaring?

 

[Hito]

i think fina is good. I played one before and the action is pretty low without setup down. Can be easily barred so will not kill your fingers

 

[LadyInTears]

dont be a retard. what you pay is what you get. if you are serious in guitar get a decent one , simple. some things cant be saved, and in this case, talk is bs