which guitar to buy?

stuzhunter

I am looking to buy an acoustic guitar. I don't mind whether nylon strings or steel strings.

I used to play a lot but stopped about 7 years ago. I would like to re-start playing again..Hopefully it will all come back:p

I've been looking around and there are so many varieties/prices. I was wondering whether somebody could recommend a particular brand/make/model based on their experience.

I think my budget would be £75 initially & may go up to £100 maximum.

Anybody please?

snowqueen555

guitars all sound differently, esp the lower end guitars as they have lower quality control, so I don't know whether you would entertain the idea of buying online? I think buying in store is your best bet as with sound, playability is the most important, so you have to check the frets are all okay etc..

You could maybe find a nice second hand guitar for best value, but if you wanted nylon yamaha do some nice low end ones, but with that budget you would be restricted to plywood tops

*Kat*

I bought my SO a Squier Fender, he has 3 electric guitars as well and he likes it

http://www.reddogmusic.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=acoustic&manufacturers_id=129

Stompa

stuzhunter wrote: »

I don't mind whether nylon strings or steel strings.

I think that's the first thing you need to decide!

fluffymuffy

For nylon strings you need to grow your nails and learn to read sheet music. It will take about 12 years to master.

For steel strings you need to buy a plastic thing to strum them with and learn a few chords from TAB. Takes about 12 months to get good.

Stompa

fluffymuffy wrote: »

For nylon strings you need to grow your nails and learn to read sheet music. It will take about 12 years to master.

For steel strings you need to buy a plastic thing to strum them with and learn a few chords from TAB. Takes about 12 months to get good.

Hmmm, I don't think you necessarily have to do either. Many do play nylon strings without nails, or steel strings without a plectrum.

And whether you decide to go for TAB or sheet music doesn't depend on the type of strings surely?

fluffymuffy

Nylon stringed guitars are Classical instruments. Played with the nails (OK, or fingertips if you're of that very obscure school), & never a plectrum (That would be just really crass.)

Steel stringed ones are for pop, folk, rock etc. Yes you do get people trying to play steel strings with their nails (but they'll soon have no nails left) and sometimes they do pick their way through a piece of classical music, usually by ear, and generally with very poor technique, and always lame.

They are completely different instruments. The choice isn't really about string material as the technique that's intended to be employed/learned and the music played.

I don't know any classical guitarists who use TAB. I teach Classical Guitar. I wouldn't know where to begin with an acoustic one. It's a different instrument.

Stompa

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Nylon stringed guitars are Classical instruments. Played with the nails (OK, or fingertips if you're of that very obscure school), & never a plectrum (That would be just really crass.)

I agree, that would be crass! Nylon stringed guitars are not solely for use as classical instruments though, they can also used for other types of music (e.g. flamenco, folk, etc.).

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Steel stringed ones are for pop, folk, rock etc. Yes you do get people trying to play steel strings with their nails (but they'll soon have no nails left)...

Playing steel stringed guitars with the fingertips rather than a plectrum is pretty common though.

fluffymuffy wrote: »

and sometimes they do pick their way through a piece of classical music, usually by ear, and generally with very poor technique, and always lame.

I seem to recall that Agustin Barrios played a steel string guitar (though for climatic reasons), and I doubt that he could be described as lame - though admittedly he's the only example I can think of!

fluffymuffy wrote: »

They are completely different instruments. The choice isn't really about string material as the technique that's intended to be employed/learned and the music played.

Indeed, the point I was originally trying to make was that the OP should probably decide what sort of music they want to play, and use that to inform their choice of nylon/steel.

fluffymuffy wrote: »

I don't know any classical guitarists who use TAB. I teach Classical Guitar. I wouldn't know where to begin with an acoustic one. It's a different instrument.

I agree a serious classical guitarist would never consider TAB. Having said that there's a surprisingly large amount of classical music out there which has been transcribed into TAB, which is fine as it allows those who are unable to read music to 'have a go'.

Stompa

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Is that the smell of snobbery I detect here? Or have I fried my amp without realising it?

[I can read treble, bass clef and TAB, BTW]

it's harder to play a piece by ear, surely, rather than by simply reading it from the sheets in front of you?

snowqueen555

Nylon and Steel acoutics are both very versatile, you can play any style on both, lets not pigeonhole each into its stereotype. I have 3 guitars and I find myself playing the nylon one more.

Pauley_Paul

I play and teach guitar, and have seen from student's guitars that a lot of budget manufacturers have upped their game in the last few years, which I would imagine is due to them making guitars in the far East. Encore and Stagg are good examples of this, both do 'starter packs' for under £100 that include nylon or steel string guitar, carrying bag, tuition material (could be handy for revision in your case?) etc. I also agree with the above point about going to a shop rather than buying online.

Good luck - hope you find something!