Guitar Questions?

aliasojo

Daughter's guitar is warped apparently.

Her teacher spent sometime with it today and the upshot is she needs a new guitar.

I'm not in the least surprised as this guitar was a cheapo from Argos and was only ever meant as a starter to see if she would stick it. She got it maybe 4 years ago now but didn't go to classes as she lacked confidence and really only had the courage to take proper lessons around 18 months ago so it's been lying in a cupboard for a large part of it's life.

I have no problem with buying a new guitar but her next one will be a better quality one and I'd like it to last longer than this one did.

Is there a particular way guitars should be kept? On a stand? Lying flat? In a case?

Any advice would be warmly welcomed.

TIA.

GlynD

Firstly I'd be interested to know if it is the neck that is warped. If it is, does it have a truss rod fitted to the neck? This is a metal rod with usually only the tip visible at the head but soimetimes under a little triangular shaped plastic cover. Using a thin metal object this bar can be turned and the rod which runs through the neck rotates to take the warp away.

The correct way to lay a guitar down is to either put it in its case, or instrument stand. If you don't have either then place the guitar upright in a room corner, strings facing inwards.

Plenty of guitars for sale out there for around £100 which will last for years and give great service.

room512

Excellent advice above - the only thing I'd add is make sure if you're putting it in a case that you've bought a hard case, not a padded/plastic one like a bag.

aliasojo

Yes it is the neck that's warped. But also the board where the strings attach on the actual body of the guitar is coming loose too.

Advice is that it's best to replace.

aliasojo

GlynD wrote: »

The correct way to lay a guitar down is to either put it in its case, or instrument stand. If you don't have either then place the guitar upright in a room corner, strings facing inwards.

room512 wrote: »

Excellent advice above - the only thing I'd add is make sure if you're putting it in a case that you've bought a hard case, not a padded/plastic one like a bag.

Existing guitar is in a soft case (think it was either a freebie or a cheap promo offer at the time of purchasing the guitar).

Best to make sure the next one has a hard case then.

Thanks.

GlynD

aliasojo wrote: »

Existing guitar is in a soft case (think it was either a freebie or a cheap promo offer at the time of purchasing the guitar).

Best to make sure the next one has a hard case then.

Thanks.

Hard case is correct.

Have a look at this wee gem: http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Squier-by-Fender-SA-105-Acoustic-Guitar-Black/I30

or this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-Acoustic-Guitar-Natural-Starter/dp/B000I1V5KA/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1359997936&sr=8-2-spell

Either would provide a nice sound and not break the bank. Kept in a hard case there's no reason why either wouldn't last a lifetime.

It's possible the the existing guitar could be repaired but if, as you say, it was only a cheapie then perhaps you're right, now is the time for a change.

If you want to go above £100 then let me know and I'll find you something appropriate.

aliasojo

GlynD wrote: »

Hard case is correct.

Have a look at this wee gem: http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Squier-by-Fender-SA-105-Acoustic-Guitar-Black/I30

or this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-Acoustic-Guitar-Natural-Starter/dp/B000I1V5KA/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1359997936&sr=8-2-spell

Either would provide a nice sound and not break the bank. Kept in a hard case there's no reason why either wouldn't last a lifetime.

It's possible the the existing guitar could be repaired but if, as you say, it was only a cheapie then perhaps you're right, now is the time for a change.

If you want to go above £100 then let me know and I'll find you something appropriate.

Thanks Glyn, appreciate the help.

Yes, time for a change, I think this guitar has had it's day now.

Out of the two links you gave, I prefer the second but I haven't shown daughter yet.

I think maybe a spend of somewhere between £75-£150? That seems to give a reasonable playing field I think?

GlynD

aliasojo wrote: »

Thanks Glyn, appreciate the help.

Yes, time for a change, I think this guitar has had it's day now.

Out of the two links you gave, I prefer the second but I haven't shown daughter yet.

I think maybe a spend of somewhere between £75-£150? That seems to give a reasonable playing field I think?

Two reasonable examples here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-F370-Full-Acoustic-Guitar/dp/B001C5OBCU/ref=sr_1_51?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1360001533&sr=1-51

http://www.amazon.co.uk/YAMAHA-FG700MS-Yamaha/dp/B000NUWUZU/ref=sr_1_113?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1360001598&sr=1-113

Two pieces of advice: ensure you do not buy a classical style guitar with nylon strings and inset machine heads. There are for classical/Spanish guitarists and have a very broad neck and fingerboad. Do not buy a dreadnaught. As the name suggests it is much larger than a standard guitar.

Ich_2

So a few weeks ago I was in a music shop buying some strings for my wife's 12 string. A sad shop as it was about to close, defeated by the internet!

Do you not think one place to get advice and find a suitable guitar could be a shop, your daughter can actually touch them & try them out before buying. A good one can advise you about care and even sell you some music to play on it!

I know it may cost a bit more but there is far, far less chance of getting the wrong instrument!

GlynD

Ich wrote: »

So a few weeks ago I was in a music shop buying some strings for my wife's 12 string. A sad shop as it was about to close, defeated by the internet!

Do you not think one place to get advice and find a suitable guitar could be a shop, your daughter can actually touch them & try them out before buying. A good one can advise you about care and even sell you some music to play on it!

I know it may cost a bit more but there is far, far less chance of getting the wrong instrument!

How, when she's taking advice from an instrument technician and professional guitar player of over 40 years experience?

paulsad

Watch where the guitar is kept/left too ... right next to radiators aint the best place.