What guitar to buy?!

Hey everyone, my name is Danielle. I'm new and I need to know what type of guitar to get. Everything is closed lol so this forum is my only help. So I would like to play classical and acoustic music. Also down the line jazz and blues. I know I need a solid body top and nylon strings for classical guitar. But I guess my question is, can I play all those genres with one guitar or will I need more than one. Excuse my ignorance but I want to do this properly and have fun! Hope you guys can help!

Hi im also a new fresh guitar player. I got the old spanish guitar from my dad and realize during playing my fingers get sore and right positioning is quite hard especially with 3 fingers on adifferent fret, so I wondered how people with artritis play guitar. Then I bumped in to "Zager" guitars. Designed by a man with 70 years of guitar experience. Maybe that's the kind of thing your looking for, dont know, just an idea. I would like to get one, 2nd hand, so I may be going to the shop tomorrow, here in Holland it's still open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvslLrZANME

Good luck.

Regards Jeroen

Hi Danielle,

Do you know what your budget is?

You can get either get a normal classical guitar.

Electrified or not.

If you have the funds, you can actually get a custom made 'Classical Guitar' but they are very expensive. Some luthiers make classical guitars with more modern features like narrower necks so that you can pay other styles of music on them.

http://pktguitars.com/custom-acoustic-guitar-models/classical-hybrid-guitar/

The above is just an example...

Or you could get a Godin:

https://godinguitars.com/product-category/guitars/world

They make electric nylon string guitars but then you need an amplifier to hear yourself as there is no sound hole per se.

Morgan

Budget is #1.

#2 is fit.

#3 is style.

I say this because in the acoustic guitar world you certainly get what you pay for.

Not saying cheaper guitars do not play well because that isn't true. It is just that when you move up into higher priced guitars you move into better woods (solid wood vs plywood) better material (bone nut vs plastic), ect.

I would look at a OM or OO size as they can be more versitile. I know you want to play classical but I would shy away from a classical guitar for a first guitar. They tend to have very thick necks, wide flat fretboards, a much higher action and they are really only suited for classical guitar. Should you buy a classical guitar then decide that you want to play something more traditional adjusting the string height will not be easy, or cheap. Selling a classical is more difficult as well.

If you are a smaller framed person the OM/OO, or even OOO or Parlor guitar can be a good fit. My wife plays a parlor as she is 5' and it fits her quite well. Some smaller bodied guitars are well suited for jazz, blues, folk/rock,country, ect. Some are better voiced for fingerpicking, while others are more strum oriented. You can play classical music on a standard acoustic, some you can even tie nylon strings too, I know some Taylor guitars you can.

If I were a new guitarist I would look @ Eastwood, Blueridge, Seagull, Taylor Baby Taylor, and the Guild Waverly line. These are all made overseas (not sure about the Baby Taylor?), but very well made and inexpensive (as acustics go). If shopping on-line I would look to a shop that has a good return policy too.

Another tip is do not rush into buying the first "pretty" guitar either. Listen to sound clips, read forums and reviews. As forums go there are plenty but one commonality is there are many elitists who post on them and they can be very brand loyal. However there is a lot of good advice on them too.

Consider buying used too. Reverb is good place rather than an auction site just make sure they have a good return policy and reasonable shipping costs. Do not be afraid to "Make an Offer either :)

Good luck!

Originally Posted by: Morpeli

Hi Danielle,

Do you know what your budget is?

You can get either get a normal classical guitar.

Electrified or not.

If you have the funds, you can actually get a custom made 'Classical Guitar' but they are very expensive. Some luthiers make classical guitars with more modern features like narrower necks so that you can pay other styles of music on them.

http://pktguitars.com/custom-acoustic-guitar-models/classical-hybrid-guitar/

The above is just an example...

Or you could get a Godin:

https://godinguitars.com/product-category/guitars/world

They make electric nylon string guitars but then you need an amplifier to hear yourself as there is no sound hole per se.

Morgan

Thank you so much for replying!! I don't really have an ideal budge but hopefully no more than $800. Not really sure the usual price for guitars so I'll say that number. But I will look into those sites now! Thank you again!

Originally Posted by: Just.Trey

Budget is #1.

#2 is fit.

#3 is style.

I say this because in the acoustic guitar world you certainly get what you pay for.

Not saying cheaper guitars do not play well because that isn't true. It is just that when you move up into higher priced guitars you move into better woods (solid wood vs plywood) better material (bone nut vs plastic), ect.

I would look at a OM or OO size as they can be more versitile. I know you want to play classical but I would shy away from a classical guitar for a first guitar. They tend to have very thick necks, wide flat fretboards, a much higher action and they are really only suited for classical guitar. Should you buy a classical guitar then decide that you want to play something more traditional adjusting the string height will not be easy, or cheap. Selling a classical is more difficult as well.

If you are a smaller framed person the OM/OO, or even OOO or Parlor guitar can be a good fit. My wife plays a parlor as she is 5' and it fits her quite well. Some smaller bodied guitars are well suited for jazz, blues, folk/rock,country, ect. Some are better voiced for fingerpicking, while others are more strum oriented. You can play classical music on a standard acoustic, some you can even tie nylon strings too, I know some Taylor guitars you can.

If I were a new guitarist I would look @ Eastwood, Blueridge, Seagull, Taylor Baby Taylor, and the Guild Waverly line. These are all made overseas (not sure about the Baby Taylor?), but very well made and inexpensive (as acustics go). If shopping on-line I would look to a shop that has a good return policy too.

Another tip is do not rush into buying the first "pretty" guitar either. Listen to sound clips, read forums and reviews. As forums go there are plenty but one commonality is there are many elitists who post on them and they can be very brand loyal. However there is a lot of good advice on them too.

Consider buying used too. Reverb is good place rather than an auction site just make sure they have a good return policy and reasonable shipping costs. Do not be afraid to "Make an Offer either :)

Good luck!

Thank you for replying as well! This was so detailed and informative (which I love) I will do more research with both information. I'm 5'6 but small lol so I'll look into OO since I'm still unfamiliar with the terms. And I promise I won't buy the pretty guitar lol. Thank you again for your input!!

EDITED RESPONSE[br]Welcome! You've been given great advice! Like others have said, I would start on the steel string acoustic. More versatile. The Guild M240e is a nice guitar, slightly larger body than a parlor (not by much) and for my small hands, it was excellent (I now own a Guild M20 and sold the m240e). it is in your price range, too.

Chicago Music exchange has really helpful sales people. They have a chat function on their website and are reputable. As does Sweetwater.

If there is a local guitar store in your area that is at least open to mail or curbside pickup, contact them, either by email or phone. If they are not allowing customers in the store, they may be able to help you narrow down choices. I have found that by establishing a relationship with a local shop, I've learned a lot about taking care of my guitar. By the way, I went in hell bent on either a Martin, Epiphone, or Taylor (all under the $500.00) Fell in love with the Guild.

Again welcome!