I didn’t learn to play guitar the first time around, which was about 40 years ago but finally, once I was 47 I learned and the feeling of satisfaction was indescribable. Let me be the one to tell you that it’s a great feeling showing something about playing guitar to someone else.
I have never owned a new acoustic guitar but I have had two good Yamaha acoustic guitars and it takes a good guitar, not an expensive one, to get the quality sound you need to keep on learning. And that leads to a question:
What Do I Need In Good Acoustic Guitar
For me the number one thing I need to know about an is if the tone is quality. If it doesn’t sound good to me I look for something else. I also want a guitar that fits me, it needs to feel right in my hands and on my lap. I also want a guitar that looks good to me, so it needs to fit my taste.
While checking out the sound and appearance I have to think about staying within my budget. I have known too many people who end up selling their guitar for far less than they paid because it was too much.
The two Yamaha acoustic guitars I’ve owned were both at a really good price and have served me well. I have certainly got my money’s worth as both cost me less than $100.
Note: All the time I was learning to play my used $40 guitar I figured I would be buying a new guitar but instead I bought a second Yamaha acoustic guitar from a friend buying a new guitar, for just $75 and still play it today, ten years later.
When Buying A New Guitar
The first thing you need to do is look for music stores in your neighbourhood that carries a good collection of acoustic guitars and make a list of the guitars that catch your interest. If possible, bring a friend or family member who have a good ear and who know something about acoustic guitars. For me that means Jason, Gary or Robert, my local guitar heroes.
If you have multiple guitar stores or even a pawn shop be sure to check them all out to see if there is a guitar that makes you happy, within your budget.
Where you knowledgeable friend comes in handy is checking the workmanship of the guitars you are looking at. A guitar with a price that’s too good to be true is likely too good to be true, don’t get sucked in.