Help a guitar newbie! Remember you were once in that position . .

[dark_shadow]

Hey guys this is my first post so please be nice!

 

I've been wanting to play a guitar for a while and I think I'm now going to take the plunge!

 

I was initially looking to buy one for

[smatel]

Define superficial.

How's this for superficial? Get the one YOU want.

[babablowfish]

smatel is correct IMHO. Connecting with a guitar is about a lot more than sound. It includes sound, feel looks, preferences on neck width, bling, tone woods, etc. etc. If you really go gaga over a guitar then that is more likely going to be the guitar you bond with and play and get better on. Follow your heart. Also, Yamaha makes very solid guitars that give you a lot of bang for the buck. Le us know how it works out and post pics.

[drnihili]

Starting out the most important thing is to play. A lot. If your guitar is sitting in the corner, it doesn't matter how good it sounds.

 

No matter what guitar you get now, if you stick with it, you will eventually want another. If you don't stick with it, then the difference between guitars is a lot less important.

 

Buy the guitar that makes you want to play it. The reason doesn't matter. Color is as good as any. Then play the hell out of it.

[AndThinkOfTexas]

May I suggest allowing someone who's experienced at playing help you decide on a guitar? While you definately should choose one that you like, it may also be a good idea to have someone "approve" your choice.

For instance... I know many people who quit playing based upon the fact that they have chosen a crap-guitar to start with. The fret board will be to wide, the body will be too large, or the overall sound will suck, etc... There are too many obsticles for a beginning guitarist, such as learning how to play, for the giutar itself to be an issue.

Get a decent, easy to play guitar (which you can do on a low budget). I reccomend Yamaha, if you decide upon an acoustic. The playability in an affordable Yamaha is well worth the price and their cosmetics aren't bad either. Other guitars on the market, such as Epiphone's lower level acoustic giutars have sharppened frets along the edges of the fret board and can be a huge pain for any player, experienced or not. So, consider everything when making a first purchase... the sound (of course), the look, and most importantly - the feel. Make sure it feels comfortable.

ALSO - When starting guitar many people are often discouraged due to the fact that they know they're playing correctly and it still sounds BAD, which has a lot to do with the beginner mistake of FORGETTING TO TUNE. Make it a priority to tune your instrument before every play session. No one sounds good out of tune, so learn to make that the very first step of learning to play giutar and sounding good when you play - always play in tune!

If you need any more advice - let me know. Take care and good luck!

[Stackabones]

Go for it.

[Dan Hall]

Pay attention to BaBa on this one Dark. You asked for advice and he's more or less the resident Yami man. The setup is a good idea but read around on what kind of setup you want first. Then instruct them as to what you need.

[Tony Burns]

Their are other options , you can order that instrument ( or one simalar ) from the US and have it shipped - with little or no duty ( from what i hear ) Your not just limited by whats available in your local music store - I hear this over and over again on this forum -I hear this all the time from folks in Europe ( Especially the UK ) who want this or that Martin , but its not available to them - Their are so many options on the Net with great prices - Id give that some consideration -

[dark_shadow]

Excellent advice guys

I went in again today and asked for the FG730S I was told that I'd have to wait 5 weeks due to a shortage and when he called Yamaha there were only a couple left at Yamaha or something?

The guy there said it was rather strange and it maybe possible that a new range may be due. Are there any rumours regarding this?

I also had a good play with the Epiphone and the fret buzz on that was nasty! The sound wasn't even near the Yamaha, that said the black EJ200 looks quality albeit being laminate.

Tomorrow morning I'm placing an order in store around 9am (just before work). I'm set to buy the black FG720S if they price match the new price I've found. Once tuned properly with the same strings as the display model, they should sound similar . . . right? I'm not expecting the exact same but similar.

I'm going to have one last play with everything though

I'm also taking a friend but I'll definitely go with whatever my heart is set on!

Their are other options , you can order that instrument ( or one simalar ) from the US and have it shipped - with little or no duty ( from what i hear ) Your not just limited by whats available in your local music store - I hear this over and over again on this forum -I hear this all the time from folks in Europe ( Especially the UK ) who want this or that Martin , but its not available to them - Their are so many options on the Net with great prices - Id give that some consideration -

I really would love to take that option but I've practically been stung every time by import duty, it's also very dear and works out almost same price as UK. Not to mention if things go wrong, it's just not worth the hassle.

Now if I were in the US on holiday then I was brining it over, that'd be a completely different issue!

[Hudman]

I picked up a used, 2002 Yamaha FG 413S on Ebay a few weeks ago. It appears to be an early version of the FG 720S. The specs are almost identical (solid spruce top, laminate nato sides & back, nato neck, etc). It's a very well made guitar. The neck profile is very comfortable. It sounds great and is nice and loud.

 

The FG 720S is an excellent choice for your first guitar. Yamaha makes great guitars.

[AndThinkOfTexas]

Glad to hear you figured out what you want. I doubt you'll be disapointed with your choice.

[Sisyphus2]

I was wondering which branch of sound control youd been to - I know there are other well stocked yamaha guitar dealers in Bristol for example. Whatever - the yamaha is a good choice.

[therichardsgang]

ditto ditto ditto on what everyone else has said. Buy a guitar that makes you think "God that's beautiful - I gotta play it". As already posted, it doesn't matter how good a guitar it is if it stays in the box.
Using

[dark_shadow]

I'm in Sheffield lads

 

I've been in and placed my order

 

I found a place that had for

[Tony Burns]

like usual baba is right on the money - but ill throw this into the pot . If you know anyone who is an experienced player , please take that person with you to check out any guitar your interested in - have them play it and rate it . Ask them to leave any predudices they have against certain makes at the door ( ex- I hate this brand ) true some makes have better reputations , but for a starter guitar your probably not going to come home with the players choice of guitars . Another idea is to look at decent used guitars , more bang for the buck ! ( you can sometimes buy a great guitar thats not popular for the time at a phenominal price )

[dark_shadow]

Therichardsgang, I will definitely post a pic when it arrives!

It doesn't come with any bag albeit I was told it did, but the guy was wrong

Tony Burn, read rest of the thread

[Rickkkk]

I'm a bit late to this dance, but if it helps, I've been very happy with my Yamaha FG-365S for the last 29 years. Good choice.

Happy playing and Cheers !

[LaurentB]

I'm in Sheffield lads (...) I felt a little embarrassed as he was right. I whipped out my debit card and placed an order for

[babablowfish]

Yes, you should consider strings - consider them another fun project for you to explore. Get any 3 of us in a room and you'll get an argument over which strings are the best. Freeman did a spectacular string test that is posted in the sticky "Is My Guitar Sick" on the front page of the forum - it will give you an opportunity to hear how different strings give you different tones. I personally use Martin SP Phosphor Bronze on all my guitars, but when I use up all the sets I bought I want to try some others based on Freeman's test.

[whit townsend]

You Yami should come from the shop decently set up with a decent set of strings. Play it for a month or so. Then buy some light guage acoustic strings, (pick your brand, my opinon is there aint much difference, but not every one thinks that way). Get someone to show you how to change them. THen chage them regulary thereafter. You will come to appreciate when to change them. They last some folks longer than others, depending on playing time, how much you sweat, how much you wipe them off, how hard you pick, etc.

Things you should definatly invest in:
A bag for transport/some protection.
An electronic tuner to keep it in tune.
Video or lessons.

[dark_shadow]

Had a call today and collected it earlier. Words cannot describe how much I'm in love with it. It looks and sounds bloody awesome.

The guys at SC are brilliant! The chap in store took off an A stand off display and gave it me free. Also gave me different Jim Dunlop plecs to get started, I picked some more after buying a Boss tuner for

[LaurentB]

Had a call today and collected it earlier. Words cannot describe how much I'm in love with it. It looks and sounds bloody awesome. The guys at SC are brilliant! The chap in store took off an A stand off display and gave it me free. Also gave me different Jim Dunlop plecs to get started, I picked some more after buying a Boss tuner for