I am looking for a guitar and i am a beginner please help.

[extra_strong]

Hello I am not sure what to look for in a guitar.
and I need one the one I am using now needs replaced.

my buget is about 200 dollars.
I would like to get a cutaway style acoustic electric.

I am not sure of the best places to look or what to look for other than price.
thanks any help would be great.

[z0s0_jp]

acoustic electric ....dont know ...electric/esp ec-50 check www.musiciansfriend.com for choices and reviews...i think danelectro might have what u want in that price range.

[6strngs_2hmbkrs]

I don't know much about these guitars, so may want to do your own research on them before you buy them... but check out these acoustics:
http://www.rondomusic.net/acoustics.html

[extra_strong]

thanks guys. i was familur with music friend. but I am still not really sure how to pick one except on looks..???

[fretboarddragon]

Picking one on looks is definitely NOT a good idea....you really need to play them. Musician's Friend does have a return policy, but what a pain in the butt. If you can, scope out as many guitar stores as you can. Sometimes you have to go a little farther than normal but in the long run it's worth it. When I bought my Fender acoustic/electric, I spent 4 hours trying out guitars...going back and forth between two music stores each with a good set of choices. My wife was ready to blow a fuse, but in the end I came out with a good guitar that I'm thrilled about and enjoy playing. If you don't have many music stores near you that have what you may want, then go the route of Musician's Friend. Be sure to read ALL the product reviews...they can definitely help you make your decision. I know someone who bought three guitars at once from MF and had them all at once to try out. Once he made his decision, he sent the other two back. I will say this, though...a $200 guitar is just that. If you can be patient, I would wait and save up more. The more you spend on acoustic, the better it is....most of the time. I spent $600 on my Fender and compared to my old $250 Epiphone, it's a dream come true.

[6strngs_2hmbkrs]

The more you spend on acoustic, the better it is....most of the time. I spent $600 on my Fender and compared to my old $250 Epiphone, it's a dream come true.
only when the added price is going towards better wood... getting a guitar with some fancy inlay or whatever, or has some other kind of feature that you don't really need. and that's all your paying the extra $$$ for... then it won't be so good... but, other then that, it was some good advice, go try some out in your price range at various music stores near your house... but it seems you started this thread in order to better understand how a different kind of wood will affect the sound... well, there is this website: http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/options/options_bodywoods.cfm but that's about electric guitar wood choice... but it should be relatively close to the same for an acoustic. so, I hope that helps you any

[Dr_simon]

Id have a look at Squire strats. I had one in the early eighties and loved it to bits !

You are probably going to find them in a local music store and they will let you sit down and have a good long play. See what else they have there in your price range and don't be put off by hype, salesman waffle, or what your friends or other reviews say. Just close your eyes and play it and make a decision based on how it sounds and feels. Some will suit you better than others so take your time and make up your own mind !

oh yes and remember to enjoy your self.

On a more technical note, other things to look at are the neck joint (make sure it is not cracked) and how straight the neck is (a bit of forward bow is good and will allow a faster action but any twisting (warping) from side to side is very bad !!)

[Andrew Sa]

I am not sure what things cost over there, but if you are going to get an acoustic electric, make sure you get something with a solid top...a laminate top just doesnt cut it! the solid top may be a bit out of your price range, in which case, save some more money and get a solid top acoustic...this is not something on which you can bend...go solid top!

[Blues_Man]

I think your probably lookin for a squier strat or a $200 epiphone sg if you want humbuckers but there is also a epiphone les paul special for a small sum.

Good luck!

[6strngs_2hmbkrs]

Id have a look at Squire strats. I had one in the early eighties and loved it to bits !

You are probably going to find them in a local music store and they will let you sit down and have a good long play. See what else they have there in your price range and don't be put off by hype, salesman waffle, or what your friends or other reviews say. Just close your eyes and play it and make a decision based on how it sounds and feels. Some will suit you better than others so take your time and make up your own mind !

oh yes and remember to enjoy your self.

On a more technical note, other things to look at are the neck joint (make sure it is not cracked) and how straight the neck is (a bit of forward bow is good and will allow a faster action but any twisting (warping) from side to side is very bad !!)
I think your probably lookin for a squier strat or a $200 epiphone sg if you want humbuckers but there is also a epiphone les paul special for a small sum.

Good luck!
he said he wanted an acoustic...

[Blues_Man]

He said CUTAWAY STYLE acoustic electric. I suggested some other choices.

[aschleman]

Yeah... he said cutaway style ACOUSTIC/electric... As in an acoustic with an electric jack... not acoustic OR electric...Your best bet would be to stick with the main guitar makes Gibson (Epiphone) and Fender (Squire). You're obviously not going to be able to go out and nab a Gibson for under 500 dollars... However, Fender makes some nice acoustic/electrics for not too much. Have a look at the Fender acoustics on musiciansfriend.com and sort them by price so that you can see which ones you can afford. Also... as said before... the price tag is usually an indication of quality. But, since you're a beginner it won't matter as much. Once you learn how to play the guitar well enough you will be able to enjoy a quality instrument... For now, just get one and learn how to squeez all the tone you can out of it. I started on an old Fender acoustic dreadnought... it's decommishioned now because a frat party got a little rowdy one night and I had to bash it over someones back. I repaired it but I don't ever play it. Good luck and enjoy the experience

[extra_strong]

What is a spruce top?

ok these seem to be my choices.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=clearance/search/detail/base_pid/519196/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=clearance/search/detail/base_pid/510190X/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=clearance/search/detail/base_pid/518378/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=clearance/search/detail/base_pid/519468X/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=clearance/search/detail/base_pid/518367V/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=clearance/search/detail/base_pid/510190X/