Is it worth a beginner having a high end guitar?


nugentfrance
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nugentfrance
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12/09/2012 5:45 pm
Hi

I began playing acoustic guitar three months ago, having never played guitar before. I bought a Stagg James Neligan electro-acoustic to see if guitar is my thing. I find myself playing every day and wishing that I started playing twenty years ago.

I just passed by the luthier where I bought the guitar and strummed on a couple of high end guitars for fun. I found the Martin D35 fantastic. Very tempted to get it. The feel and the sound of it is just great.

However, is it worth a beginner playing on a high end guitar? I know that I am going to stick with this guitar thing now.

What does everyone out there think?
# 1
haghj500
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haghj500
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12/09/2012 5:59 pm
If you think youā€™re going to stay with it, Yes! buy a nice guitar.
They play better, sound better and that is really what you want to do right now, play better and sound better.

If you have the money gab it, you will not look back.
With that said, you may want to try a few other guitats in that price range. A different neck may feel better in your hands. Not knocking Martins, fine guitars. But it sound like you have not played many high end guitars. I would hate to say grab it, then have you find something else for about the same price you like better.
# 2
compart1
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compart1
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12/09/2012 9:00 pm
haghj500 gave you a good answer.. Like he said, try as many as you can.. You may want to try a few different genre. Lots of people go electric after awhile..
Keep GAS in mind.
G-uitar A-cquisition S-yndrome
Good luck and happy shopping
# 3
The Bede
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The Bede
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12/12/2012 2:50 pm
... If you like the guitar and you've got the 'crinkle' why not buy a good guitar. As previously mentioned they usually sound better and play well plus they hold their value and resale better.

... The danger can be you overlook lower cost instruments that can play and sound just as good and almost every model has it's good and bad examples.

... I tried a friends ESP 'cheap' strat years ago which was great to play and I've been searching for an equal ever since. Strangely, Max, my buddy who owns the ESP still raves about his first Squire strat and they don't get much cheaper.

... (Mind you I do have my custom shop Schecter strat and you'll have to pry it from my cold dead fingerrrrrss! :D )
I've had a perfectly wonderful evening... this wasn't it!
# 4
shayes012900
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shayes012900
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12/12/2012 9:50 pm
Take a look at Seagull guitars. I'd say they're on the higher end of beginner guitars and play as easy, and sound as good as Martin or Taylor.
# 5
nugentfrance
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nugentfrance
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12/12/2012 10:09 pm
Thanks for your replies, guys.
# 6
Owen Gillett
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Owen Gillett
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01/05/2013 2:25 am
Yes! yes and Yes! There is no substitute for having a great instrument. Although it is like a scale of perception that once you've played the best you can't go back to cheap, starting with quality can ONLY be a positive thing in my opinion. great instrument= easier to play=easier to learn= more inspiring= you learn/progress faster=you want to continue!

Also, if it is a decent quality instrument, it will hold its value so really you're not throwing anything away.

I have a friend who has only been playing for a few months and he already owns a Gilmour strat and another 2 very nice strats.

Best,

Owen Gillett
# 7
Slipin Lizard
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Slipin Lizard
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01/12/2013 3:59 am
It might be too late, but that's a pretty high-end guitar, and pretty pricey. If money is no object, just go for it. But if it is, then shop wisely. The problem when you have a crappy "beginner" guitar is that a really expensive guitar just seems like a gift from the guitar gods that you can't live without. However, it might surprise you when you actually try a number of high end guitars side by side... a $1000 guitar might seem just as nice as a $2500 or even higher priced model. Use your ears, try to compare the feel and playability of each instrument before you blow all your money on something.

I do recommend that you avoid fancy-smanchy guitars that are expensive because they have extremely detailed artwork. For me, its all about the tone and playability. Some of the best players in the world play very plain or even beaten up guitars, and paying extra for pretty is just a waste of money unless that is really important to you. I actually think it adds more stress, because you'll eventually bang or bump the guitar, especially if you travel with it, and then you'll be in tears because you scratched your "baby".

Guitar shopping is a lot fun, good luck!
# 8
M Oberholtzer
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M Oberholtzer
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02/27/2013 1:26 am
I say absolutely yes, if you are seriously interested and want to stay with guitar, if you can afford it, you should buy a good guitar.

Here are my questions which support my answer: Are YOU worth having the good guitar? Not, is the guitar worth it. Do you deserve it? How old are you? What are you waiting for? How long will you live?

Here is my analysis of buying a Martin guitar. I have studied the market and enjoy studying the guitars. I am letting the cat out of the bag here with some steps that will result in some real serious dollar savings, and getting a better guitar, and getting the best guitar model for YOU.

Now as to WHICH guitar to buy, that is worth some analysis and shopping. What woods - rosewood or mahogany? Nut width? 12 or 14 fret length? Body shape and size? New or used?

My opinion is that if you buy a new Martin "right", barring complete economic meltdown you will not lose money. The price will be about the same for a year, then it will begin to appreciate due to rising prices. And, Martin guitars will always have a demand.

Other lesser brands are harder to sell, don't hold their value as well, and just don't have the brand recognition. Exceptions may be Gallagher, Collings, Santa Cruz, etc which have their special market.

Here is a tip: Musicians Friend has good prices on Martin guitars. The regularly have sales where you get up to 15 percent off of a high dollar item with a maximum of $500 discount. Also, they do not charge sales tax or shipping. AND, if you call their "Private Reserve" department, they will negotiate on the price even further. AND, if you ask nicely, they will look at multiples of the same model and help you select one that sounds better than the others, or has nicer wood, or both.

With that in mind, I really like the D-35. It is a great guitar. However, Martin has a bunch of models out this year and last year, some of which are new models and some are variations of the standard models. Take a look at what is out there.

Have fun shopping and best wishes. M
M Oberholtzer
# 9
maggior
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maggior
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02/27/2013 2:53 pm
Originally Posted by: shayes012900Take a look at Seagull guitars. I'd say they're on the higher end of beginner guitars and play as easy, and sound as good as Martin or Taylor.


I have a Seagull S6 I bought over 10 years ago. Of the selection in the store, it played better than guitars that cost hundreds of dollars more (Gibsons, Fender, Yamaha). It was a toss up between this and an Ibanez. What appealed to me the most was the action and playability.

Cheap acoustics are hard to play and as a beginner, they will just discourage you from playing. However, as a beginner, you probably wouldn't be able to fully appreciate what a really expensive guitar does for you.

I agree with others that you should check out other guitars before you make your decision. However, if a Martin truely inspires you to play and you have the financial means...go for it!!
# 10
uhhuh35
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uhhuh35
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02/27/2013 10:22 pm
I'll bet a lot of my guitar heroes from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's learned on High End guitars.

Play whatever guitar you enjoy and makes you want to play it.

Guitars are like clothing: They have to fit well, be comfortable, look good and you have to feel good wearing them.
# 11
aschleman
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aschleman
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02/28/2013 4:30 pm
Just wanted to say that I agree with everyone and that I'm glad to hear people on the forum be supportive of the idea rather than negetive.

Guitarists can get a bit snobby about things like this. Mostly, I think they get bitter when they see a lesser guitar player playing a guitar that's of higher quality than anything they own. I started on a $99 Fender acoustic and a $99 dollar strat knock off.... Wouldn't go back and change that now, but back then I would have killed someone to have the guitars I have now. Instead I had to save my money and purchase them one by one and now I won't part with them. There are many paths to take in the journey of learning guitar...
# 12
renjams
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renjams
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03/19/2013 3:27 am
Originally Posted by: nugentfranceHi

I began playing acoustic guitar three months ago, having never played guitar before. I bought a Stagg James Neligan electro-acoustic to see if guitar is my thing. I find myself playing every day and wishing that I started playing twenty years ago.

I just passed by the luthier where I bought the guitar and strummed on a couple of high end guitars for fun. I found the Martin D35 fantastic. Very tempted to get it. The feel and the sound of it is just great.

However, is it worth a beginner playing on a high end guitar? I know that I am going to stick with this guitar thing now.

What does everyone out there think?



In my opinion, I think there is nothing wrong with playing high end guitars even if you are just a beginner. As long as you do not have any problem with the price, there won't be any problem. Of course, it is still advisable that you start from the beginning or you first try to enhance your skills with the help of new beginner guitars as they are easier to operate or use compared to high end ones. You can find some of those guitars here: http://www.squidoo.com/best-beginner-guitars. Anyway, that is just my own opinion. Cheers! = )
# 13
jex2013
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jex2013
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03/19/2013 5:47 am
If you really want to learn to play the guitar, start of with a top beginner guitar which will give you more basic techniques. that will be your stepping guide within your career, :)
# 14
ianrox
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ianrox
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03/22/2013 4:33 pm
I tend to to be the type of person who will spend for something nicer. It's a curse I tell you. The only thing here is that I have found that as you begin to learn how to play, you may not have a clear picture of what you want. You may want to start out basic and discover all the possibilities. I originally thought my dream guitar was a Mark Knofler signature strat. Now that I have been playing a $350 Squire for two years, I am stalking a Gibson ES 335. My point is that what I thought I wanted when I was starting out has completely changed. Spend wisely my friend and enjoy.
# 15
Stringybark
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05/11/2013 7:35 am
It is definitely worth getting the best quality you can afford, even if you don't end up sticking with it you can easily sell it without too much loss in value.

You can't possibly play worse on a good quality instrument, but you definitely can play badly on a low quality instrument that has various issues, and it is those issues that might just kick you out of learning guitar all together.

A high quality instrument that is well made and intended for professional performance, and is set up correctly, will do its best to your abilities and you will grow into it over time. This is what happened to me with another instrument I learned to play. As a result, I aimed for the best guitar I could afford.

I was lucky this time around in that I found a used ESP M-II which was just a tad over $700 and yet it is an immaculate instrument. It looks to me like it's never been played before.

It feels so comfortable and well balanced, that I didn't want to put it down when I gave it a bit of a try today. Alas it is not tuned, and because it has Rose Floyd double locking tremolo, it is beyond my abilities at this stage to tune. So, I'm taking it to a technician next week for new strings and tuning. When that is done, I'm off to a flying start to learning the electric guitar on one of the best instruments out there. If it sounds crap, then I know it's me, and not the instrument :)

Always get the best you can afford. It's definitely worth it.
The accidental guitarist.
# 16
Razbo
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05/11/2013 11:35 am
Originally Posted by: StringybarkAlas it is not tuned

Stringybark, I can't send you a PM, so am posting here (I don't mean to embarrass you or anything). Your Floyd will not stay in tune permanently, plus you will have to change your strings now and again. They are a b*tch to tune and I have a love/hate relationship with them. Temperature and humidity will affect even a Floyd from day to day, place to place. You don't seem like a stranger to research :) , so I'd recommend taking the time to become self-sufficient in that. Just my opinion.

Back to the OP... I've considered (and still do) purchasing a LP at $2500+, but I can't bring myself to do it. The "highest end" instrument I own pricewise is my SG. I own probably 15 guitars, including acoustics, ranging from (used) $40 to $1300. My $40 Yamaha 3000 (essentially a hard tail Strat that was a project guitar) is one of the smoothest playing I own. I have an $800 Soltero and I have yet to play a better actioned guitar. Don't get caught in the Corporate Hype. It's BS. There are many fine guitars that don't have that pricey label. Just sayin' :)
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.
# 17
Stringybark
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05/11/2013 12:25 pm
Originally Posted by: RazboStringybark, I can't send you a PM, so am posting here (I don't mean to embarrass you or anything). Your Floyd will not stay in tune permanently, plus you will have to change your strings now and again. They are a b*tch to tune and I have a love/hate relationship with them. Temperature and humidity will affect even a Floyd from day to day, place to place. You don't seem like a stranger to research :) , so I'd recommend taking the time to become self-sufficient in that. Just my opinion.

...snip....


PM enabled. I think I have to learn a lot more about that Floyd, because you are right, I need to become self-sufficient with the tuning side of my guitar. I did tune it tonight, but within minutes of finishing, I checked it over once more, and it was all out again; some strings more than others. I don't think that this is 'normal' behaviour. It's probably best to have those strings changed and everything else checked out to make sure it is set up correctly before I do the day to day tuning of it.
The accidental guitarist.
# 18
Razbo
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05/11/2013 3:04 pm
Originally Posted by: StringybarkPM enabled. I think I have to learn a lot more about that Floyd, because you are right, I need to become self-sufficient with the tuning side of my guitar. I did tune it tonight, but within minutes of finishing, I checked it over once more, and it was all out again; some strings more than others. I don't think that this is 'normal' behaviour. It's probably best to have those strings changed and everything else checked out to make sure it is set up correctly before I do the day to day tuning of it.


All in all, it might help to get that standard set up from a pro so that you can see and remember. I never took that advantage.

The thing with Floyds (I find) is every single thing affects every single thing! I recently made the mistake of making a "minor adjustment" to the level of the trem to body (springs). I probably spent an hour getting it back in shape after that, and I think I was exactly back where I started. I am not particularly skilled at it, but still....

Anything that affects tension affects your (my) Floyd. Complete retuning is essential after every single little adjustment because it is such a precariously balanced unit. My Floyd equipped guitar is the only one I change one string at a time. The rest I like to give a good cleaning with the strings off. (Sorry, Stephen White) :)

That said, once It's in, It's IN! Except for this brain fart, I really have not had to mess with it much at all in 3 years :)
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.
# 19
Stringybark
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05/11/2013 10:37 pm
This is getting seriously off topic, but to conclude the sideways discussion of Floyds, reading of your experiences and those of others on other forums, my next goal is to really become familiar with the Floyd setups so that I fully understand its quirks and can do all tunings myself. There is a heap of material on Youtube explaining the intricacies, but nothing is more educational than actually doing it.

I'll do anything for my beloved ESP M-II to sing :D
The accidental guitarist.
# 20

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