TOPIC: What Brand Guitar Should A Beginner Buy?

I have a friend who ask me what Brand Guitar should he buy? I assume he does not have lots of money to spend so it would be at the economy end but still not so low as to sacrifice quality sound. Any Suggestions?

i bought a washburn d30s from musiciansfriend for $249 and am very pleased with it

DJ -

If he goes to First Quality through my site and users the Code (Jakubiak) he will get an additional 5% off and save taxes as well. Have him look at the First Quality website.

Definitely do what Dave says! I just bought an electric from first quality music and I have to say I was very pleased with the people and service, not to mention I saved a good bit of money using Dave's coupon code.

I played quite a few guitars last year looking for a new acoustic. One that really impressed me for the money was the Epiphone "Masterbilt" series. These are made with all solid woods (no laminates) and have a bit more human attention in construction than the entry lines. Street prices are around $500 despite an inflated MSRP around $1000.

I think the difference between in quality between these Epi's at $500 and the $200-300 entry point guitars is worth the extra money.

Martin and Taylor now have entry lines in the sub-$1000 range, and they are pretty good guitars, but I think you are still paying a premium for the name and can get as much or more guitar for less money with the better Epiphone.

I wouldn't recommend a beginner go out and spend $2k+ on a Martin or Taylor, but I also strongly advise against buying low end junk. I believe a lot of new players quit in the first few months due to frustration with poor instruments. I know, my first guitar as a kid was a real klunker. "Character building" or suffering for your art is highly overrated. It's frustrating to not know if you sound lousy because you are playing poorly or because you're playing on a cardboard box Clapton couldn't make sound good.

My 2 cents, and maybe not even worth that...

-Chris

I went to the guitar shop on Okeechobee and tested quite a few! The John Mayer C.F. Martin fit me perfect! The neck is small enough for my hand and it sits well on my lap! I was sold! HOWEVER, I did not buy it there (shame on me. I went to First Quality as Dave recommended and using his code saved a bunch! (Actually, Sam saved a bunch, it was a gift to me ) I really like it! and it sounds great when my instructor plays it!