Hi & advise

[Martial]

Hi All,

My first post on the group and wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself and my journey.

I am now in my mid 40s and have been threatening to start learning the guitar for a number of years. Had an acoustic electric that I bought myself a long while back on the cheap but this, unfortunately, eventually broke. I bought my son (8) an acoustic about a year ago and watching him learn, love and play his guitar has lit a fire under me to now actually find myself something new and really begin the path to learning and playing. I would love to be able to play with him one day.

I am hoping smarter minds will be able to help a know nothing beginner like me out with some advise.

I am currently looking at getting myself a Yamaha FGX830C from a local shop. Have read about these and most people seem to say this is a good guitar. That being said, it is always good to hear what others have to say on the subject, and to hear what your opinions would be regarding this.

Look forward to contributing and learning as much as I can from the community.

Cheers

[kdawg2a]

Hey Stormy, welcome to the group. There are a bewildering array of options for guitars at any level or price point so asking here is a good thing!
May I ask what your budget for a guitar is?
The reason for that is you may find an offer here of something used but very good that will be in your price range. The members of this forum really are a bunch of good blokes (yup, pretty much all dudes) and they're definitely encouraging and helpful.

[NippleWrestler]

If you're just starting out and don't want to spend too much but still have something good quality and reliable, I wouldn't look beyond Yamaha. They do it right at every price point.

[Martial]

Hey Stormy, welcome to the group. There are a bewildering array of options for guitars at any level or price point so asking here is a good thing!
May I ask what your budget for a guitar is?
The reason for that is you may find an offer here of something used but very good that will be in your price range. The members of this forum really are a bunch of good blokes (yup, pretty much all dudes) and they're definitely encouraging and helpful.

Hi kdawg2a,

Thank you for the warm welcome, glad to see this is such a welcoming community.

I am super stoked to start learning and can't wait to get my hands on a new guitar.

Currently looking for anything around the $1000 mark, my Dad always said, penny wise pound foolish and to be honest, the previous cheap unit was probably not the best purchase. Would rather do it right the first time and know I have something good for years to come.

Can't wait to hear what everyone suggests.

Cheers,

[Martial]

If you're just starting out and don't want to spend too much but still have something good quality and reliable, I wouldn't look beyond Yamaha. They do it right at every price point.

Thanks for the advise. My cousins all had Yamaha Guitars when we were young and I remember how good it sounded when they played.

Looking forward to see what options there are as I am super keen to get playing.

Cheers,

[jeremyb]

Welcome aboard!!

[WellyBlues]

Definitely try it out instore if you can. Plus any others that look possible. If you can't play any music ask the store to demonstrate them. Some you'll like the sound, others you might not. Even within the same brand/model there'll be differences because the wood will be different. When we bought an acoustic it was surprising the differences in sound. Tried Takamine, Crafter, Fender, and others instore and the Fender by far and away sounded the best. Some of the others sounded muddy, muted. All around the $500 mark. The Fender CD-60 was the best. BTW: I'm about to put it up for sale as that size is uncomfortable for me with a dodgy shoulder. I may well replace it with the Parlor version. (the sale is not my reason for commenting BTW).

[Olderama]

[griff]

Whatever guitar you start with, get the action lowered as much as possible. Your fingers will be much happier and your motivation will stay high.

[hamo]

Whatever guitar you start with, get the action lowered as much as possible. Your fingers will be much happier and your motivation will stay high.

I was trying to find a way to say this, but you put it better than I could.

[Martial]

Amazing, thanks for all the advise so far everyone, really appreciate the advice, will def look at getting whatever I end up buying to a pro shop to see what they can do to help set it up properly for me from the off.

[Danger Mouse]

I don't have anything to add over what has already been said, so instead welcome and stick around, it's a good bunch on here.

[Slowy]

Hi Stormy and welcome.

What everyone else has said. You say you want to learn; can you currently play any chords? No matter if you can't but If you can, play lots of guitars. You may find some seem easier to play on than others. I'm guilty of comparing guitars to women, saying there's not much difference on paper but not all will make you happy. Even two instruments of the same make and model can feel very different under your fingers and the best guitar in the world is the one that makes you want to play it every day.

But the Yamaha is a solid choice. As Kdawg said, spend the extra to get it properly set up; you'll never regret it. Learn to change strings and do it regularly. You won't regret that either

And stick around here. Within 5 years, you'll have a couple of $5000 acoustics, an amp or 3 and a selection of electrics.

We're good like that!

[Rog]

Main thing is - it has to feel right for you. There is no global best and to be honest, we don't actually need 'the best' to enjoy playing. An instrument that doesn't feel right to play will inhibit your progress remarkably, whereas one that fits you will be a delight and an encouragement towards learning.

[Martial]

Hi Stormy and welcome.

What everyone else has said. You say you want to learn; can you currently play any chords? No matter if you can't but If you can, play lots of guitars. You may find some seem easier to play on than others. I'm guilty of comparing guitars to women, saying there's not much difference on paper but not all will make you happy. Even two instruments of the same make and model can feel very different under your fingers and the best guitar in the world is the one that makes you want to play it every day.

But the Yamaha is a solid choice. As Kdawg said, spend the extra to get it properly set up; you'll never regret it. Learn to change strings and do it regularly. You won't regret that either

And stick around here. Within 5 years, you'll have a couple of $5000 acoustics, an amp or 3 and a selection of electrics.

We're good like that!

Hi Slowy,

Thanks for the warm welcome. Really glad I found what seems to be a great group of like minded people.

I am super excited to get started, which is probably quite normal for every newby

Tbh I can sorta play 2 or 3 simple cords, but I always feel super embarrassed to try and play in a shop as I see such amazing & talented people play and can't bring myself to sit there and half ass it. Something I am always working on to improve but it is my achilles heel.

Glad to hear that the Yamaha is potentially a good choice, I do often wish I was able to play a guitar even slightly so that I could compare the different brands & models.

I have asked the sales people in the shops to play on 1 or 2 of the units that I thought looked good, unfortunately I am always getting side tracked by how nice it sounds when someone plays a guitar that I would probably end up just buying the wrong one.

Looking forward to the day I can really play something and not call all the cats in my neighbourhood