Did not want to derail the other thread going -
But have any of you first picked one up late in life?
I'm pushing 50, and just started to try to learn a couple months ago. Always wanted to but never got around...
Current GF has a couple old guitars but doesn't really play,
a REALLY old entry level Gibson that has structural problems (bridge torqued up,pulling loose),
and a 000 size off brand "kids guitar"

I have seen accomplished friends make nice sounds on both of these, but feel like I'm in sort of a catch-22.
I may never play worth a crap, so don't really need a great one - but wonder if some of my frustrations are because I'm trying to learn on junk...

Jeff, don't try to learn on junk. You can get a very decent starter guitar for $300 or less. Invest in some lessons, too.

My Dad, who was a musician, always said "Even a professional can't play on junk."

If a guitar has structural issues or doesn't fit you because it's not full size, then it will frustrate you. To a large extent what more expensive instruments get you are a better tone. Go with a starter guitar and if you find you enjoy it, then put the money into a higher end guitar.

A more expensive instrument won't put in the study hours for you, but as you gain experience you'll find a better instrument is more enjoyable to practice with.

Thanks for the advice guys, hopefully that will help inspire me to do some shopping, find a decent one soon.

I'd love lessons too, but will have to wait till at least end of deer season. Love the hunting, but sometimes 3+ months of it gets, well, draining. No time for anything else.

Will keep goofing around, at least I'm getting some hellacious callouses built up

Yeah, much as I love my guitars, they don't make good eating. Deer season is a priority.

Girlfriend was raised in northern MN, we talk a lot about the differences in how seasons are between here and there -
She says everything has a season, usually short and with not much overlap, easier to keep your priorities straight and gear in order. Here, could be hunting, fishing, riding horses or mc at just about any time... frequently having to choose one to the detriment of others. Ahh, grass is always greener!
But too damn cold up there for me.

Eating snow is highly overrated as a dietary alternative.

Taylor 100 or 200 series. Same neck / playability as the expensive ones but they use laminated back/sides.

under $300 out the door

I'd take it to someone to see what it will take to fix. They don't make really old Gibsons anymore, and I'd prefer a repaired old Gibson over a newer something else. If it's a Spanish style, I might think twice about that, though, as the fretboard is wider. Depending on your hands, that could be OK too, though. If you take it to get a repair estimate, ask them what they think, too. Gibsons, particularly old ones, are hard to beat for sound and playability.

Really good guitars at a great price. American made, too.

I would be careful with the old Gibson and make for certain that it does not have some unique value.

The recommendation for a 100/200 series Taylor is a good one. Also Yamaha makes very good inexpensive guitars. You are NEVER to old to learn.

Have fun with it.

Randy

Agreed. I have been playing since I was about 14. You need something with good play-ability and a comfortable neck size and you won't be able to put it down.

Warning...guitars can quickly become addictive like fine rifles.

Good luck and take some lessons or there is tons of free stuff to start you out online. Then move on to something like this.

Vanderbilly


twofish

I've taught rec-level players from 9 to 73. Want to, and you will. Another vote for Taylor. I have too many guitars, some in the high $ category, but my go-tos are Taylors, albeit at a bit higher level. There's no point in buying a guitar more than $325, unless you spend close to $1000. Everything between is about finish, too often plastic-type. If you want something that's super-durable and forgiving of climate, you might look into a Rainsong. Great machine, not as good as wood, but plays well and you'd have to really want to hurt it, to do so. Luck.

This!

Anyone play a McPherson?

I have a couple Takamines. One was bought new in 1982, so 30+ years old. It has an internal pickup (called palanthetic, IIRC) and it is a beautiful piece of lumber, and has very nice sound plugged or unplugged. I got a super deal on it when it was new, and have recently turned down $1,800 for it.

The other Tak I bought to leave at my daughters house 300 miles away so I wouldn't haave to travel the good one. It is not as good a guitar, but the price was a lot lower. With decent strings, it sounds and plays good -- just not as good as the old fella. Out the door on that one was @ $300. It is a single cutaway with no electronics. Think the model was G360.

Older Yamahas are usually a decent buy as well, and there is no substitute for decent quality. If you like playing it, you'll play it more, and eventually better.

Deer camp is where I play most! I've got some cheap guitars that play wonderfully. They just don't have the volume of the better stuff. Plenty good to learn on or pass around a bunch of drunks. I highly reommend this little Fender CP-100 for playing around the house. It's cheap, has a neck and action identicle to a Stratocaster and is EASY to play. I just wouldn't want to perform in front of anybody with it. The sound is muted by the plywood construction.

http://www.fender.com/acoustics/parlor/

I recommend beginners start with an electric guitar because they are WAY easier to fret and that encourages more practice time. No amp needed, but I've seen decent used guitar/amp combos on craigslist for $100-$150.

Hell, Jeff. Just buy a D28 Martin and be done with it. You can't do better.


Jim

I've heard some good sounding Kays,and Harmonys,.I wouldn't invest too much money in one at first,but I figure you can probably pick up a decent one at a pawn shop,after all a lot of druggies can play,and I wouldn't eliminate nylon.They aint too loud,but they make for an easy action.I'd say they are probably the easiest to learn on

This^. You can buy a decent acoustic for $300-$500. Check Musicians Friend and Guitar Center online as well as your local music stores. I would suggest an acoustic with a solid spruce top as opposed to a laminated top. They sound a lot better. Most of your local stores will match the online prices.

Definitley don't rule out used...

Check local pawn shops, music stores or Craigslist. Lot of people think they wanna learn guitar, drop the grenade and then find,out it takes work and give it up. You could get a higher dollar guitar for a little to a lot cheaper.

Couple of years ago some friends asked me help them pick a guitar out for their teenage son. They had about $400 to spend. I recommended a Seagull intro model,but found a barely used one higher end model) in the local music store with solid cedar top and gloss finish for $500 and talked them into throwing in the case.

Great guitar and the boy loved it. Whatever you do, get one with a good action. Tone can come later (and at much greater expense!)

As others have warned, it can become an addiction. But also a lifetime of joy especially with likeminded friends...

last Saturday with my two bros....

You guys are scratching an old itch here - about 50 years' worth. Have played studied/played/written music forever and been decent on several different instruments - but always have wanted to study and play guitar well. And, do quite a bit of listening to good guitar players - simply love the sound.

Seems like every year I say (or think) - "this is it - am going to start playing guitar" - but other instruments to practice and play and continuing stuff to write simply gobble up the time. And, have always wondered what to buy as a "starter".

So, thanks very much for the comments on Taylor, Fender CP-100, Takamine, Rainsong, etc. My hands are on the smallish side, and goofing-around experience indicates that I need a somewhat narrow neck and closer frets. Any pointed advice there?

Thanks again.

I am 65 and started this year. Getting to where it actually sounds like I am playing a guitar, after 7-8 months of lessons. Started with a beginner Alvarez I had but moved up to a Seagull a couple of months ago for $300. Highly recommend the Seagull for a beginner.

A bit higher priced than any mention so far(around $1000), but I think Eastman guitars are one of the best values for the buck out there right now. Solid Adirondack spuce top and solid wood sides, scalloped x bracing.
If they ever come out with a 12 fret dreadnought slot head I'll put some serious thought into getting one.... ya, it can get addictive!

For a starter guitar, you are looking for one with an easy action. This will make it easier to play, which will make it easier for you to stick with it.

Guitars are like fly rods... cheap ones will make it MUCH harder to stick with it...

There are some cheap $200 guitars that play fine. The Yamaha FS700s guitars I've seen come through the store play very well. They're thin and bright sounding but the action is fine. You can always get a cheap gut (nylon) string and it will be relatively easy to fret. Always have a good guitar player look em over first. If he thinks they play well, all you gotta do then is spend the time it takes to learn.

I've seen a lot of guys spend big bucks on solid wood guitars when they'd have been much better served by a plywood guitar with a nice action. Most of the pros on the road go for plywood guitars with good electronics. The high dollar, solid wood guitars are hyper sensitive to weather/humidity changes. It isn't any easier to learn on $3600 HD28v or 914 than it is on a $199 FS700 that is set up well.

I would suggest a Fender Stratocaster to learn on if don't just have an acoustic at first. They have thin necks and are very easy to play. Different models of various brands have different neck "feels". I had a Gibson Southern Jumbo that sounded great, but felt like a 2x4. The one I have now has a thin neck. The strings will be closer together, but the distance between frets will not vary.

Good advice. I was lucky enough to have my Dad's stuff to learn on. Save the pain for an acoustic later.

Has anyone tried the JDL Bridge Doctor or Mitchel'e PlateMate? I just ordered them for a Cortez J-6000-12.

I'm surprised no one has suggested starting out on a nylon stringed guitar - much easier on the finger tips.

Also, learn a basic 1-4-5 chord progression and you'll be able to play a million and one songs. (G-C-D, E-A-B, C-F-G, etc.)