Members HooBass Posted December 2, 2011 Members Share Posted December 2, 2011 I've been tasked by my wife to help buy a guitar for one of her coworkers' kids. I think he's 12 or 13 and wants a guitar for Christmas. I've always been of the opinion that even for a starter guitar you should get something that's good quality, otherwise it'll play like crap and the kid won't want to stick with it. I'm thinking $300 is a good price point for quality that won't break the parents' bank. But I'm not familiar with what's out there in that range that's good. Musician's Friend and Sweetwater seem to review the various Fenders and Epis in that range well, but if anyone here has some suggestions that they like, I'm all ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members acousticdepot Posted December 2, 2011 Members Share Posted December 2, 2011 Isn't there an acoustic/electric version of the Yamaha FG700? FGX700 maybe? I think it lists for 299, so the electronics adds another 100 bucks. Can't speak for the electronics but the FG700 is a decent solid top guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted December 2, 2011 Members Share Posted December 2, 2011 The Yamaha I would recommend goes for $499. FG730SCA I think is the model number. You can take G series Taks for around your price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted December 2, 2011 Members Share Posted December 2, 2011 I assume that you play - if so you should go to every guitar store available and play everything you can with hang tags up to $500. This is a negotiating market - you might be able to get a price break. If you don't play, at least get someone who does (and preferably the style this lucky kid likes) to go with you. The reason for you to play them is not only to judge the sound but also the playabilty. I have heard too many cases of people buying a guitar from one of the big internet stores, only to have problems when they get it. At least if you are negotiating face to face you can have it set up properly for the young player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BLUtunes Posted December 2, 2011 Members Share Posted December 2, 2011 Well, if you want my opinion, I don't think you can get a good quality acoustic-electric for $300. You can get some amazingly good quality acoustics for that money, though. The Yamaha FG730S is right at $300 and the FG700 is $200 (slightly less flashy looking, but perfectly acceptable). My advice would be to get a good quality acoustic and then later, if he sticks with it, put a pickup in it. I mean, c'mon, man. Why the hell would a 12 or 13 yr. old who doesn't even know how to play the guitar yet NEED an acoustic-electric guitar, anyway. So he can perform in front of thousands of his admiring fans??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike003 Posted December 3, 2011 Members Share Posted December 3, 2011 Yamaha APX500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Steadfastly Posted December 3, 2011 Members Share Posted December 3, 2011 Get him a nice Seagull, Norman or S & P. They are all made by Godin. The Norman is the same style build but with lesser quality than the others. I would go with any of them, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 Well, if you want my opinion, I don't think you can get a good quality acoustic-electric for $300. . . . My advice would be to get a good quality acoustic and then later, if he sticks with it, put a pickup in it. . . . ^ Seconded. In fact, if you're knowledgeable or know someone who is, start out with a decent used acoustic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike003 Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 Everyone's idea of "good" is different. I recommended the APX500 because Yamahas are known for quality, even at the lower end. My 12 string is an APX700. The only difference is the 700 has mahogany sides and back, and the 500 is Nato. Both have solid spruce tops and decent electronics and a tuner. The APX500 sellls for $299.00 everywhere, and if the kid doesn't stick with it, or wants to upgrade, it should be easy to sell.[video=youtube;z2VPYObcHRQ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 Well, if you want my opinion, I don't think you can get a good quality acoustic-electric for $300. You can get some amazingly good quality acoustics for that money, though. The Yamaha FG730S is right at $300 and the FG700 is $200 (slightly less flashy looking, but perfectly acceptable). My advice would be to get a good quality acoustic and then later, if he sticks with it, put a pickup in it. I mean, c'mon, man. Why the hell would a 12 or 13 yr. old who doesn't even know how to play the guitar yet NEED an acoustic- electric guitar, anyway. So he can perform in front of thousands of his admiring fans??? Thirded. The first guitar should be more about fit rather than tone anyway IMO. +1 on Yamaha though. They're probably the best bang for the buck in that price range, electronics or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Samilyn Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 My vote goes to a Yammie. Supreme quality for modest bucks. Nothing wrong with a FG700S with an aftermarket pickup - keeping the price within your budget if you look at add a Martin Thinline Gold or K&K Pure Western. Easy DIY install - about 45 minutes or so if you're not utterly brain dead and can follow simple instructions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingerpicker Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 Listen to what Mike said about the Yamaha's. See if you put a a pickup in yourself you can run into even more problems. If you dont get a yamaha, Im going to let you in a little secret: CORT I worked at a music store and people would come in all the time wanting to me to "fix" their undersaddle transducer because there would always be one string not as loud as the rest. By the time it was fixed it wasnt worth the cost of DIY. K&K are much easier to get a balanced sound but i tell you i have put that p/up in probably 25 - 30 guitars and i still would rather have a stock pickup with some onboard volume/eq because i change mine on the fly alot. If your a folkie who is sitting and its a serious "artist" gig then maybe but those people also mic their guitar and think what I am saying is BS!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members valentsgrif Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 First, are you sure the kid wants an acoustic guitar? Its quite possible the young 'en wants an electric. Either way, I'd try to find something with a short scale length neck, such as a Seagul- easier on the fingers for a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastblueheeler Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 Hmmm....12 year old kid, just learning, acoustic/electric, under $300.................something is screaming Ovation to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Neal Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 Hmmm....12 year old kid, just learning, acoustic/electric, under $300.................something is screaming Ovation to me. He'll never be able to hold it in his lap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members katopp Posted December 4, 2011 Members Share Posted December 4, 2011 As long as you don't go fo the shallow or super shallow bowl, those Ovations are quite comfy to hold. I love my mid-bowl baritone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 I'm quite fascinated with these: Fender Sonoran 329.99 at M.F. Played one locally, set up was good, decent but not exceptional acoustic sound. Plugged in, pretty decent piezo tone, better than average for this price point IMO. Looks cool as hell. But I like the looks of the Kingman better @ 399.99 Also played A smaller bodied Malibu like this: Was pleasantly suprised at the quality of the acoustic sound and volume that came out of it. The fancy one is the same price as the Kingman 399.99 But there is a plainer one for 249.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Neal Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 In reality, there's so much out there for that price that is heads above what was available to me in 1974. Throw a dart at Guitar Center, and you'll find a decent starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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