Acoustic Guitars.

[oh totes]

So next semester I'm going to be taking a guitar class and I need to buy an acoustic guitar.
I know NOTHING about guitars but I'm willing to learn everything technical about them along with learning how to play.
So what should I look for while purchasing an acoustic guitar?
or if you just want to recommend a few inexpensive, beginner guitars that'd be awesome too.

[miketrondson]

Squier, Epiphone, Yamaha and Ibanez make some great beginner acoustics for under $200-$300. Check them out online and check music stores near you.

[oh totes]

cool, thanks.
any specific models I should check out?
I'm looking on craigslist and ebay because money is tight right now and i'm finding a lot of yamahas for about $100.

[Burn That Shit]

Takamine are pretty great for how cheap they are, imo. Look for one that has a cutaway style body if you plan on doing anything with solo's.

[StreetSpirit76]

If it was me I'd steer clear of both Yamaha and Ibanez, two brands I'm not particularly fond of based on personal experience. Squier isn't too great either in my opinion, especially when it comes to acoustic guitars. The only half-ass brand that, well, isn't half-ass I think is Epiphone.

Check out MusiciansFriend.com. Good place to hunt for different brands and models, and they offer a few buying guides as well.

[bassdrummer2333]

epiphone dove 300$ amazing.

[fullofdust]

So next semester I'm going to be taking a guitar class and I need to buy an acoustic guitar.
I know NOTHING about guitars but I'm willing to learn everything technical about them along with learning how to play.
So what should I look for while purchasing an acoustic guitar?
or if you just want to recommend a few inexpensive, beginner guitars that'd be awesome too.

My favorite relatively inexpensive acoustic is the Washburn D10S. Looks like they've gone up in price a little but you should be able to find one for about $300.

If you want something real cheap but a very decent guitar, look at the Samick D1. It's under $150 everywhere. The action is usually real solid from the factory and they have Grover tuners so they stay in tune waaay better than most guitars in the price range.

[oh totes]

My favorite relatively inexpensive acoustic is the Washburn D10S. Looks like they've gone up in price a little but you should be able to find one for about $300.

If you want something real cheap but a very decent guitar, look at the Samick D1. It's under $150 everywhere. The action is usually real solid from the factory and they have Grover tuners so they stay in tune waaay better than most guitars in the price range.

thanks! i'm actually looking for something more in the under $150 range.
which is why i'm checking craigslist and ebay. i'll check out he samick you recommended.

[eraserhead]

I played a $350 Epiphone that other day that sounded phenomenal.

[shes.a.ghost]

Save your money and get a decent guitar. Cheap guitars are exactly that... cheap. They will come out of tune easily and will be harder to play than a better made guitar. I would recommend spending at least 400. But do what you want.

[Burn That Shit]

Wait for some holiday deals, imo. Borrow a friends guitar until then.

[oh totes]

Save your money and get a decent guitar. Cheap guitars are exactly that... cheap. They will come out of tune easily and will be harder to play than a better made guitar. I would recommend spending at least 400. But do what you want.

Wait for some holiday deals, imo. Borrow a friends guitar until then.

yeah the new semester doesn't start til january anyway but i figured i'd get a head start on some research.
i know i won't be getting a phenomenal guitar for 150 or less but i figured maybe there'd be a nice one around that price, used even.
thanks for help though guys!

[miketrondson]

Anything $150 and cheaper, you might as well just get a First Act guitar.

[oh totes]

alright i'll consider bumping up my budget a bit then haha.
i just have no job at the moment but maybe with some christmas money i can invest in a nice one.

[patrickhowell]

alright i'll consider bumping up my budget a bit then haha.
i just have no job at the moment but maybe with some christmas money i can invest in a nice one.

Yeah, also, cheap guitars are generally harder to play and therefore harder to learn with.

[oh totes]

thanks for all your help guys. i've been reading reviews on some cheaper guitars and they all basically have the same complaints (cheap strings, the action is too high, and shitty tuners).

i have another question as well.
in my songwriting class at school we're using the program finale to create all our small projects. i guess since we just have a midi controller. are there any free programs that can do the same thing as finale where its just sheet music and you can insert the notes either by clicking them in or playing them with the midi controller? not necessarily recording though. i basically want to play all my ideas into this program and be able to print off the sheet music for it too. but i'm pretty clueless on this stuff.

[StreetSpirit76]

thanks for all your help guys. i've been reading reviews on some cheaper guitars and they all basically have the same complaints (cheap strings, the action is too high, and shitty tuners).

i have another question as well.
in my songwriting class at school we're using the program finale to create all our small projects. i guess since we just have a midi controller. are there any free programs that can do the same thing as finale where its just sheet music and you can insert the notes either by clicking them in or playing them with the midi controller? not necessarily recording though. i basically want to play all my ideas into this program and be able to print off the sheet music for it too. but i'm pretty clueless on this stuff.

The only program I've used of that nature is Powertab.

[acor]

For a cheap acoustic I think Fender makes a quality one

[Chigwinkle]

I agree with Acor, the Fender standard Acoustic- I think its squire based- arn't too shabby. I own one and it was my first acoustic, yeah the necks are a bit chunky and the action isnt too great, but for a beginner guitar its perfect, and you'll probably find one in your price range.

[oh totes]

The only program I've used of that nature is Powertab.

i read up on that and it only does guitar and bass tabs. i'm looking for something that does sheet music and for piano and also comes with some midi sounds that i could try messing around with other instruments. but i'll definitely keep that program in mind when i get more into guitar. thanks!

and thanks everyone else for their input on acoustics. i'm gonna wait til around the holidays and see if i can get any deals on a nicer guitar instead of cheaping out.