Guitar Advice

[wayne19540]

Mate I love it when someone wishes to learn a instrument
Only if its for your own enjoyment stick at it don't ever give up;
In my collection I have two acoustic a 12 string electric and a 6 string;
You can learn to play now by your PC that's not to bad; But I will tell you to have some lessons as well from music teachers or from some one that can play
As I have said all the best and don't let any one tell you can not.

[Disco LT]

Well I went to Landers today, had a look at a few and fell in love with the Cort Earth 60.. it's laminate top, steel stringed, nice size and shape and a bit more than I wanted to spend at $259.

It definitely projected and sounded better than any of the cheaper guitars though - it's amazing how noticable the difference is actually.

[cyclobs]

yeah. even more so when you get into electrics. even the tiniest thing like the thickness of your pick will alter your sound. After i got my new guitar lead i was turning down the treb and bass on my amp because of how much clearer it was coming through.

i used my old lead a couple of weeks ago and my ears nearly bled

[Disco LT]

I should note that there is a second favourite, with a $60 price difference, which is an Ibanez, which is actually a solid top, but it's $190.

Decisions decisions..

[Dinwiddie]

Ibanez make some good guitars. Do go for a solid top whichever you end up with.
As has been said - something that feels comfortable.
Second hand is a good way to go. I've always bought my guitars second hand, but check for heavy fret and fret board wear. Check that the neck is still properly attached, and there are no cracks where the headstock meets the neck, and always compare the price with a new comparable model. Well played with a bit of wear on the finish should not be an issue.

Regarding picks - pick out several. I use different types for different style music.
Different picks for driving rhythms vs cross picking bluegrass and country.
My favorite strings have always been dr Thomastik medium gauge, partly because of the flat wound G string, and partly because they are a little lighter than most medium gauge, and the bass strings are still heavy enough to get a nice thump when finger picking
(also determined in part by the tops bracing).
Going too light can make it difficult to play without bending strings out of tune as well - imo.

Yamaha's from the 60'-70's can be quite nice, I still have one of the Folk series (FG200).
I'd seriously think about pointing out to your Gran's the downside of letting the guitars molder away out in the shed.
Better that you carry your Uncle's guitar playing spirit, and memory forward, I reckon.

.

[wayne19540]

Ibanez make some good guitars. Do go for a solid top whichever you end up with.
As has been said - something that feels comfortable.
Second hand is a good way to go. I've always bought my guitars second hand, but check for heavy fret and fret board wear. Check that the neck is still properly attached, and there are no cracks where the headstock meets the neck, and always compare the price with a new comparable model. Well played with a bit of wear on the finish should not be an issue.

Regarding picks - pick out several. I use different types for different style music.
Different picks for driving rhythms vs cross picking bluegrass and country.
My favorite strings have always been dr Thomastik medium gauge, partly because of the flat wound G string, and partly because they are a little lighter than most medium gauge, and the bass strings are still heavy enough to get a nice thump when finger picking
(also determined in part by the tops bracing).
Going too light can make it difficult to play without bending strings out of tune as well - imo.

Yamaha's from the 60'-70's can be quite nice, I still have one of the Folk series (FG200).
I'd seriously think about pointing out to your Gran's the downside of letting the guitars molder away out in the shed.
Better that you carry your Uncle's guitar playing spirit, and memory forward, I reckon.

.

Very good advice...

[Disco LT]

Yamaha's from the 60'-70's can be quite nice, I still have one of the Folk series (FG200).
I'd seriously think about pointing out to your Gran's the downside of letting the guitars molder away out in the shed.
Better that you carry your Uncle's guitar playing spirit, and memory forward, I reckon..

Maybe, I honestly don't know much about them - there are two, both acoustic and both need new strings for obvious reasons.. I think they're 3'4 though, I wouldn't mind asking but it feels inappropriate, do you know what I mean?

[Dinwiddie]

I wouldn't mind asking but it feels inappropriate, do you know what I mean?

Definitely. Especially if your Uncle died recently. People are different and you would obviously have a
better idea of your Grans state of mind.
Of course you would have to be fairly conversant with them already as well.
Just try to bring up your interest by way of conversation and see if they make an offer,
or have your parent from that side of the family bring up your interest in playing to ease the way.

I think they're 3'4 though

3'4 as in three quarter ? Are you referring to the body, neck length or both ?
A short scale neck does not have to be a problem with acoustic. There's still plenty of room do do a few riffs and runs.
The smaller bodies and short scale like the old 00 series Martins can have a sweet sound too.
If your Uncles guitars were 3/4 size it would also be a good lead into a conversation. [*says the shameless opportunist*]
'Someone said that 3/4 size guitars are nice to play, but I haven't seen any around to verify this....' or something similarly sneaky

Anyway - you should still be able to come up with good value in time from the pawn shops
or second hand market somewhere (depending on where you are located).
.

[Disco LT]

I wouldn't mind asking but it feels inappropriate, do you know what I mean?

Definitely. Especially if your Uncle died recently. People are different and you would obviously have a
better idea of your Grans state of mind.
Of course you would have to be fairly conversant with them already as well.
Just try to bring up your interest by way of conversation and see if they make an offer,
or have your parent from that side of the family bring up your interest in playing to ease the way.

I think they're 3'4 though

3'4 as in three quarter ? Are you referring to the body, neck length or both ?
A short scale neck does not have to be a problem with acoustic. There's still plenty of room do do a few riffs and runs.
The smaller bodies and short scale like the old 00 series Martins can have a sweet sound too.
If your Uncles guitars were 3/4 size it would also be a good lead into a conversation. [*says the shameless opportunist*]
'Someone said that 3/4 size guitars are nice to play, but I haven't seen any around to verify this....' or something similarly sneaky

Anyway - you should still be able to come up with good value in time from the pawn shops
or second hand market somewhere (depending on where you are located).
.

I just mean they seem smaller than a full sized dreadnaught guitar, more like the smaller bodied martinez style guitars you see now. I may try to bring it up with them, he's been dead for 30 years.. so they've been sitting in their shed since then. They may not even be playable, I don't know, but it might be worth a look - I see them fairly regularly so I might make mention of it next time.

I might also check out the local cash converter type store, despite my reluctance to ever deal with slimy pawn shop owners.

[Dinwiddie]

might also check out the local cash converter type store, despite my reluctance to ever deal with slimy pawn shop owners.

lol - Hey! Cash Converters is the new age Pawn Shop. They're not slimy anymore
You do want to know what your buying and what it is worth retail though.

Guitars don't have to be dreadnought to put out good sound. At least check them out. You may be pleasantly surprised.
EDIT: Another thing to consider is the Yamaha from that era will have better quality top,
neck and fret board woods than a plywood top Cort. Back and side too. Probably better bracing as well.
Guess that pretty much equals a better gitfiddle (assuming the shed is nice and dry).

EDIT again: Anyone in the market for a Maton Southern Star ? Well played and well loved.
Vintage, around '72. Best offer over $1000- before I take it to sell in the USA on May 14.

I also have an Ibanez Artist solid body electric twin humbuckers with six way coil switching, and a Yamaha 'Superflighter' electric, lightweight mahogany twin humbucker with split coils/ push pulls switch (needs new string nut). Will send photos and negotiate $ with expressions of interest.

.

[Tera]

Sometimes I wish I started on an acoustic.

[Disco LT]

Sometimes I wish I started on an acoustic.

Why is that?

Well gentlemen I visited my grandparents today, and here are the results:

















The smaller, darker of the two was my Uncles first guitar that they bought for him as a Christmas gift when he was 12, so that would be 1970 or so.. it's an old guitar and in pretty condition - the strings that are on it sound nice actually.. To be honest, they both sound nice with that strings they've got.

The second lighter guitar I don't know much about and it's history seems a bit of a mystery, it seemed that my Uncle bought it at some point, and it's done the rounds as the family learner guitar.

So.. what do you think, suitable to learn? They don't seem to be damaged or warped, and the strings obviously need replacing (suggestions??) I notice that the way they secure to the.. bit of the guitar in the 4th picture is different to how they seem to go in now.

[Dinwiddie]

Either would be good enough to give you time to prove your dedication, and long term interest.

You may be able to use light steel strings on the Challenge as it has a tail piece, steel reinforced neck, and tuners that will work well with steel, but the neck join at the body may suffer over time, depending on how well it's blocked.

The Suzuki would be the better quality guitar and looks would be a pretty nice guitar for classical, and jazz or folk finger picking styles,
and you can still do rhythm with a light pick or flaying fingers, but for driving rock rhythms, bluegrass flatpicking, and finger picking blues/ragtime steel is king.
Steel strings on this guitar may rip the bridge off due to the higher tension even though there are probably bolts under those dots. The neck is not likely reinforced either (not adjustable anyway).
The strings are commonly looped over the bridge on classical style guitar, more like the two are on the Challenge.

As has been mentioned the wider neck of classical style guitars is a bit tricky to get used to,
but it sort of forces you to hold your hand more correctly (tip of thumb on middle of neck). Nylon strings are easier on the fingers for beginners though.

The ball's in your court -

.

[VitalBlurs]

I'd stay away from Cash Converters for guitars. They sell them in crappy condition for only a tiny bit less than a brand new one of the same model.

[Dinwiddie]

I'd stay away from Cash Converters for guitars. They sell them in crappy condition for only a tiny bit less than a brand new one of the same model.

Often true, more so with electricals like power tools dumped by tradies, but that's why you have to know your retail prices, and what to look for regarding condition aside from finish (not that hard really). It helps with keeping from getting ripped off, and with bargaining.
But that's the name of the second hand game no matter where or who you buy from.

It was in the old days of 'slimy' pawn shops where the owner didn't know a Martin from a Mandrin that you could sometimes get a great deal, especially when they were still required to hold auctions - They were the glory days for buying and reselling, they were (best to stay out of sight of the owner or he'd out bid you if he thought you were up on the game).