What kind of guitar should I buy?

Question

I m 15 and been playing for almost a year now and I want a new guitar. I bought one of those cheap $60 beginner guitars, only 3/4, for learning and I didn t think it was terrible. However, I recently tried my aunt s Martin X1 full size and the sound quality was a whole new level. I thought my cheap one wasn t bad because I have never tried a REAL guitar before. I only have $500-600 in savings and I want an acoustic full size that is NOT for beginners. Also, if there is a guitar that comes with a case that would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Mikey is a great guy, and Eastmans are seriously good, but are often way over your budget, even used:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Eastman/Guitars.gc



Right now, you've tried a BMW after driving around a rusted out Toyota, and sure, it's OMG. Just like cars, there are a lot more guitars between the two levels. Aside, most will not come with a case, but it is wise to get one. So I recommend checking out what's available at around $400.

Musician's Friend/Guitar Center websites have a useful sort-select feature, so here's a quick look at $300-500 for 6 string acoustics:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/6-String-Acoustic-Guitars.gc#pageName=subcategory-page&N=18154+1086&Nao=0&recsPerPage=20&v=g&postalCode=68113&radius=100&profileCountryCode=US&profileCurrencyCode=USD

This is the same company for Guitar Center stores, where you should go and try many, as you have exactly enough experience to do that. There, I would further recommend skipping Fenders, and trying Taylor, Seagull, and others, but don't get seduced by the "cheap" Martins.

With luck, you'll get a really nice guitar that you can use for many years. If, like many, you later shift to electrics, don't sell it then, either, or you will regret it, believe me.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Kind is pretty vague, And at this stage of your journey I wouldn't go blowing your whole wad on a guitar just yet, As there's a lot of different Kinds of acoustic guitars, From Concert in a variety of different body sizes to big old Dreadnaughts, Auditoriums in various sizes and several others, Meaning I like a Dreadnaught but you played your aunts Martin X1ae Auditorium and liked it, But if you played my Dread you might be like, Whoa! this things huge and uncomfortable for me, So your best bet here is to go to a good music store and play a bunch of different guitars, look to spend between $200 to $300 and pick the one you like best, then buy a hard shell case for it, generally about $75 bucks, Another thing your looking for is a solid wood top, If in its description it doesn't state Solid then it's not, Select does not mean solid, Spruce does not mean solid, Solid Spruce means Solid Spruce, or Solid Cedar and so on, Plywood is plywood no matter what its made out of, I know its deceptive but that's just the way it is, And granted after a certain price point the word solid is not needed, Meaning if you drop $3500 the whole damn guitar better be made of solid wood, not just the top, Get it? As to brand, it really doesn't matter, all are made in Asia or Indonesia in a price range under $1000, ( in case your wondering your aunts Martin was made in Mexico) and all of the same quality within the same price point. Cheap is what cheap gets, Which you discovered with your $60 dollar 3/4 guitar shaped toy, So you may have some preach you one brand whereas others a different brand, all solid tops, the only difference will be design, meaning a different neck shape and profile or body style making it feel a certain way and different bracing and body style along with materials making it sound a different way, other than that the quality is the same, and chances are made at the same Chinese factory, So making any suggestions would be pointless, you need to develop your own preference, mine may not suit you,

Answer 3

I agree that Eastman is one of the best deals out there. I am not familiar with their entire line, but most I've seen were a little over your budget new. I am only basing this on what my shop carries and they start at about $650. Here is a used one on Reverb for $549. It does come with a case and is an all solid guitar, top, back and sides which is hard to find for that price. Another brand in that price range I was impressed with was Guild. These are the import models obviously, but thought they played and sounded very good. This is the one I tried.



http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/guild-om-120-orchestra-acoustic-guitar





https://reverb.com/item/2870966-eastman-ac322ce-acoustic-electric-grand-auditorium-guitar-mint?_aid=pla&pla=1&gclid=CjwKEAjwm_K_BRDx5o-sxq6ouXASJAC7TsFLaHSgIJ0VGYeJaOJQcN_Ab3zkmsSqAHDs8n3zISleXBoCokLw_wcB

Answer 4

Go to your local music store almost all guitars come with a case.I my 35 years of playing i have never seen one that didn,t, and 500 can buy you alot of guitar.even 350.

Answer 5

By the best bargains in your price range are Eastman Guitars. They're not easy to find but they're worth the effort. Check their web site for the dealer nearest you.