Acoustic or Acoustic Electric - which to buy?

[spanishben]

Hi,

 

I am a complete novice about to dive into the world of guitar learning. I am looking at cheap guitars like the Seagul S6, Washburn D10S, Takamine Jasmine, but am not sure what the benefits are of getting an acoustic with the electronics built in as opposed to a straight acoustic. Is is just in case I want to play live some day? Which should I get? Thanks for any help in advance. Ben

[denvertrakker]

Hi Ben, and welcome to the forum.

If you're just beginning, having an A/E won't serve much of a purpose. Adding electronics to an inexpensive guitar means either the guitar isn't as good as it would have been without the pickup and preamp, or the guitar would have been cheaper without them.

My Cort has built-in electronics, but I bought it used and that's the way it came. I've tried it plugged-in just so I know everything works, but never since. I can't think of much use for amplification if you're just starting out - put your money into the guitar, and then down the road you can either add electronics, or get a nicer guitar with it built-in.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[Samilyn]

Hi, Ben. Welcome to HCAG.

I have to ditto Denver's advice. Put your money into the best git you can possibly afford. While you're learning, you can save up for good electronics, add-on or external, whatever you think will best suit the style you'll eventually develop as your learning progresses.

I honestly think you'd be happier in the long run with a moderately-priced git sans electronics than a cheap git with cheap electronics. Some cheap gits can actually sound pretty good, especially with a good setup. (I'm thinking Yamaha here) But cheap electronics, in my experience, sound just plain cheap.

Best of luck in your new guitar adventure. I do hope you'll stick with it and enjoy it as much as I do.

[spanishben]

Thanks Guys, great advice, I shall forget the electronics for now. And many thanks for the welcome! I can tell these forums are going to come in really useful over the next few months, or years! I can't wait to get my guitar.

[Stackabones]

Hi, I am a complete novice about to dive into the world of guitar learning. I am looking at cheap guitars like the Seagul S6, Washburn D10S, Takamine Jasmine, but am not sure what the benefits are of getting an acoustic with the electronics built in as opposed to a straight acoustic. Is is just in case I want to play live some day? Which should I get? Thanks for any help in advance. Ben

Welcome to the forums, Ben.

Out of the three you've mentioned, I really like the Seagull S6. Though I don't own one, I've played several (in store, friends, etc) and they are great sounding and playing guitars imo.

Also, in the getting-more-guitar-for-your-money category, check out Yamaha in the same price ranges as the ones you've mentioned. Yammies are all around exceptional instruments.

[denvertrakker]

+1 on Seagull and Yamaha.

I have to say, though - having just now noticed you're in Spain - that what you might want to consider is a Spanish-made classical (gut string) guitar. I'm sure you would have access to many small factory, craftsman-made guitars of excellent quality for what you'd pay for any of the others mentioned. Certainly wouldn't be a bad way to start off.

[happy-man]

Hi, I am a complete novice about to dive into the world of guitar learning. I am looking at cheap guitars like the Seagul S6, Washburn D10S, Takamine Jasmine, but am not sure what the benefits are of getting an acoustic with the electronics built in as opposed to a straight acoustic. Is is just in case I want to play live some day? Which should I get? Thanks for any help in advance. Ben

 

 

I agree with the others. I'd get the best one with what you are looking to spend without electronics. Of the ones you mentioned I think the Seagul and the Washburn are nice. The Takamine Jasmine is not in the same class since it has a laminate top while the others have solid wood tops. In that same price range I also like the Yamaha FG700S at $199.

 

If your picking from a store play them side by side. Play the same thing on both. If you don't know how to play, just strum or do whatever. Make sure you get one that makes you smile when you play it. The one where you say, "yeah, I like this one."

 

Scott O

[spanishben]

Thanks for the further advice and welcomes! I am going to go and try the Seagull, Yamaha and Washburn tomorrow, hopefully side by side, and really hope tomorrow will be the day I get my guitar, I can't wait to get going!

 

 

I have to say, though - having just now noticed you're in Spain - that what you might want to consider is a Spanish-made classical (gut string) guitar.

 

 

I thought about that too, but first of all I think that the styles I will most enjoy learning to play at first (rock, folk, Neil Young, Radiohead, Floyd, bit of Beatles and who knows what else!) will better suit a steel stringed guitar.

 

Also, knowing so very little about guitars, I think it will be easier for me to make a buying error if I go for something locally made. I hope once I get good down the road, and learn more about guitars, I'll be able to choose a really nice Spanish guitar and try some Flamenco.

 

But starting with classical and Flamenco on a classical guitar... I worry that it might put me off... I just want to get strumming and learning some of my favourite tunes first on a guitar I know has been recommended (e.g. the Seagull, Yamaha, Washburn...)

[Samilyn]

Thanks for the further advice and welcomes! I am going to go and try the Seagull, Yamaha and Washburn tomorrow, hopefully side by side, and really hope tomorrow will be the day I get my guitar, I can't wait to get going!

 

 

Sounds like a good plan. Let us know which one you choose.

[lauren]

and hiya:wave:

[AndrewGG]

Ben, when you're buying your guitar remember to factor-in the cost of a good set-up (around $30-$40, or the store might throw the cost in with the purchase). This will personalise the feel and playability for YOU; a guitar which is comfortable to play is a lot more inspiring!

Have fun in your search and let us know how you get on.

[spanishben]

 

Ben, when you're buying your guitar remember to factor-in the cost of a good set-up (around $30-$40, or the store might throw the cost in with the purchase). This will personalise the feel and playability for YOU; a guitar which is comfortable to play is a lot more inspiring! Have fun in your search and let us know how you get on.

 

Sorry to be totally ignorant, but what do you mean by a good set up?

 

P.S. Starting aged 35 and determined that that is not going to make a difference!

[AndrewGG]

Sorry to be totally ignorant, but what do you mean by a good set up? P.S. Starting aged 35 and determined that that is not going to make a difference!

 

 

 

Ok, the playability of a guitar is primarily governed by its 'action'. This is the height of the strings above the fingerboard; too high and it will be uncomfortable and tiring to play. Too low and the strings will rattle against the frets and some tone and volume will be lost.

The straightness of the neck comes into play as well. The guitar tech at the store will check that the strings are not too high at the nut (at the end of the neck near the tuners) and at the bridge saddle. This is essentially what a basic set-up entails. A few minor adjustments to the basic factory set-up will make a big difference in how the guitar feels; kind of like having a suit made to measure as opposed to wearing one straight off the peg.

 

P.S. It's never too late!

[spanishben]

Ah, OK, thanks. If the shop where I find my ideal guitar won't do this for me, is it something I can get adjusted later elsewhere?

 

(Re your location, "The sticky out bit, bottom left of England..." - that area is one of the few things I miss about living in the UK!)

[AndrewGG]

Ah, OK, thanks. If the shop where I find my ideal guitar won't do this for me, is it something I can get adjusted later elsewhere? (Re your location, "The sticky out bit, bottom left of England..." - that area is one of the few things I miss about living in the UK!)

 

 

 

Yes, any competent luthier or guitar technician can do it. Ben, I'm in glorious Devon:thu:

[Cripes]

Sheesh, it's tough to suggest to someone who isn't aware of any of the physical aspects of the various guitars. Wide/thin vee/oval/modified necks etc. seem like mute issues at this point not to mention body shapes/sizes.

Go out and play them all. What is the most comfortable may not be the best sounding to you. At this point I'm not sure you should obey your ears but rather your hands when making your decision. A frustratingly hard to play neck is worse than bad sound, IMO, when learning.

[spanishben]

I guess I'll just have to go for the one that feels best at this stage. Surely popular guitars like the Seagull S6 or Washburn D10S are all set up the same and designed to be as comfortable as possible from the outset anyway?

[happy-man]

I guess I'll just have to go for the one that feels best at this stage. Surely popular guitars like the Seagull S6 or Washburn D10S are all set up the same and designed to be as comfortable as possible from the outset anyway?

 

 

Unfortunately no. It takes manual effort to set up a guitar, so there is variation. Also, not everyone likes them set up the same (depends on playing style). It is easier to lower the strings than to raise them, so some manufacturers might tend to set guitars up a little high so they can be lowered to taste. Unfortunately this makes it harder to play when you just grab them off the wall at the store. My guess though would be that a Seagull, Washburn or Yamaha would have a pretty good setup. But certainly if they have more than one of a particular model, try them all, you might find one is easier to play than another - or sounds better. Every apple doesn't taste the same - not even if all are from the same tree - or the same branch on the tree.

 

Scott O

[phil_harmonic]

A pup is not important if you are justing playing around the house by yourself. You can always add an after marker pup later if you decide you want one. One thing to remember, the pup costs money (no matter how good or crappy it may be). That means less of your buying power ($$$) is going towards the guitar as some has to cover the pup.

My first guitar did not have a pup (Yamaha). My Taylor does but I got it just in case I ever need it. I almost never use it.

Good luck

[spanishben]

Thanks Scott. I've found a local store with some Seagull S6's coming in later this week so I'm going to take a look at them. The only other guitar on my list I can find in Madrid is the Washburn D10S ... both hugely more expensive than in the States unfortunately...

[spanishben]

And thanks Phil too!

 

Update!

 

One more question, about cutaways. My terminology is so bad that I can't even define the style of music I want to play, but instead of just strumming chords I also eventually want to be able to put nice tunes together, singer-song writer style... perhaps it's called folk, or finger picking style, I really don't know!

 

For example I am listening to Mercy Now by Mary Gauthier right now and love the simple guitar she has going on in the background - it's not strumming, its a beautiful melodic combination of notes, same on 'I drink' on the same album. For this style of music do I need to think about a cutaway, or are cutaways just for people who like playing higher-up the neck solo stuff over an amp? I notice that most cutaways have electronics so I guess there is a link between cutaways and performing live, rather than the style. If I just want to play beautiful tunes will a dreadnought like the Seagull S6 take me everywhere I need to go on the next few years musical journey?

 

Sorry for my ignorance, but I want to buy the right guitar that's going to last me years....

[denvertrakker]

Thanks Scott. I've found a local store with some Seagull S6's coming in later this week so I'm going to take a look at them. The only other guitar on my list I can find in Madrid is the Washburn D10S ... both hugely more expensive than in the States unfortunately...

 

 

That's a shame. How about something made in the EU? Should be more of a bargain than the Canadian Seagull or the Chinese Washburn. C'mon, you Yurrupeaners, give this guy some less expensive alternatives!

[spanishben]

Seems all the nice steel strings are made outside the EU! By the way, not sure if you saw I updated my last post above... not sure if you can help on the cutaway question too, it's all pretty confusing when you start out knowing nothing!

[phil_harmonic]

Let's see. The cut-away allows easy access to the higher frets (say above 12th fret). A lot of modern music doesn't use this area much or at all. So, it's not a must. I got a cut-away to allow flexibility (in case I needed it). Some people think cut-aways ruin the look of an acoustic, it just looks normal to me.

The style you are probably refering to is called "finger-style". It is played without a pick (or with finger picks). The strings are plucked one or more at a time (sort of like it is done in classical). A lot of folk music uses finger-style techniques. There's also something called "Travis Picking" which is used in songs like Dust in the Wind by Kansas (and many many more).

I strum, play classical, and finger-style (all at a noob 2.5 year level). Your choice in guitar should be okay strumming (aka flat picking) as well as fingerstyle. Some will say the smaller sized guitars are more well suited to fingerstyle. You can do it on a Dreadnaught or a small bodied guitar IMO.

If you sing, then strumming chords will be enough. If you want to play solo guitar (not with a band and no singing) then you will gravitate more towards fingersyle and perhaps even Jazz guitar (or classical) as those styles tend to stand well on their own without vocals or other band mates to support them.

[spanishben]

Thanks for the great explanation. I think on balance I don't need to be worrying about cut-outs right now seeing as I can't play a thing yet! I guess the thing to do is to go for a standard shape now and down the line I'll know what I like more and want to do and can always get another guitar then.