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My son has entered the awkward teenage years, and has decided to annoy us all by learning the guitar. I am going out to buy him one. Does anyone know anything?

The choice in my town seems to be a Tanglewood or a Tacomine. One is a little cheaper than the other, and if they are both the same I will obviously go for the cheaper. But if one is a good make, and the other not, I want to get him the right one.

Anyone know? Thanks.

From what you've mentioned, you have acoustic guitars in mind? Yamaha make good, inexpensive models. I remember Tanglewood as being pricey. I'd spend less than £100 at this stage.
T.

They are both brands with a good reputation

soveda wrote:They are both brands with a good reputation

Agreed. And massive price tags, unless that's changed in the last 20 years!

I don't know anything about Tacomine (I've never heard of them - EDIT: although on second thoughts I realise you mean Takamine who also make great guitars!) but I'm a big fan of Tanglewood. I have a pretty decent Tanglewood myself and have played several others over the years and they've all been fine guitars.

Kind regards,
Derek

I am a classical guitarist. I've been playing for the last 20 years. What I can say is that price is irrelevant. I've had £2000 guitars in my hand that I've hated, and £50 guitars that I've loved. Basically, if you're starting out, any cheap electric will do. Electric guitars are easier to learn on than acoustics because they tend to have slimmer necks which makes for a faster action and easier handling. The greater expense always tends to relate to the action and the pickups. When starting out the pickups are irrelevant. Buy cheap, you won't regret it!!!


K

I don't think that price is irrelevant. My cheaper guitars sounded worse than my better ones, for example. And tone is an important detail: )

But I'm into value for money and s £100 Yamaha is a far more sensible choice for a learner than a £300+ model of any brand. IMHO...

Ted wrote:I don't think that price is irrelevant. My cheaper guitars sounded worse than my better ones, for example. And tone is an important detail: )

But I'm into value for money and s £100 Yamaha is a far more sensible choice for a learner than a £300+ model of any brand. IMHO...

Agreed, I started on an inexpensive hohner acoustic, more important is to get the strings swapped for a lighter set to start with so the pain doesn't put them off!
I do love my 16yr old Simon and Patrick acoustic, and my '72 Les Paul custom (bought when they were cheap!)

Thanks for the replies, guys. Greatly appreciated. I am tone deaf, and so am completely at sea. I have never held a guitar, or listened to one. But the advice here helps.

It is an acoustic one he wants - I should have said that. I did not know there were two types until he told me. Now I might not sound like a dork when I go to the shop.

Tony,

It's best to learn on an acoustic as its harder and gets the finger tips in order. (A horrible mess for a while until the skin on the tips hardens.)

But.... An electric can be played quietly without an amp and would be easier on your ears! I wouldn't spend more than £100 on a first guitar.

as somone who has worked in a musical repair shop in my youth I can tell you that any of the starter kits, guitar case strap and tuner + dvd, are all you need to get you going there all going to sound the same in the little brown jug stage.

acustics are very much an emotional choice if you decide to persue it, you might end up with a beat up one from a pawn shop with history or a modern eloectro - acustic hybrid, yes they do thoughs as well, covered in bling but invariably everyone starts with a basic model even argos do them so buy with confidence for the first couple of years its not going to make any diference.
the real advantage of an electric guitar is headphones that and you can plug then into computers and learn as you go, so wichever route you go down start with a basic kit and lots of egg boxes for sound proofing.

Personally I'd get a TAKAMINE!! G series and up!

I fell in love with this instrument over 40 years ago, & have played daily ever since.

Takamine is one of the best acoustic guitars on the market, I have two.
I have tried Taylors, & Martins, IMHO not as good as Taks.

Having said that, there is a relatively new guitar on the market called "Faith"
I was messing around with one of these the other week, & there quite nice.

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for, as with most things in life.
Look for a good quality second hand one on eBay, there's plenty on there.

Happy hunting.

CArl

An interesting take on the guitar - financed by investment from 'Dragons Den' - is the The VOYAGE AIR GUITAR

Nope, it's not an 'air guitar' but rather a folding guitar that makes transporting it easier. I have played a couple of different models and they have nice sound also!

Guitar. Meh... What the world needs is more 5-string blue grass pickers.

Earl Scruggs and friends

Béla Fleck plays that old banjo classic

**Edit to add**

If he practices every day, he could get this good.