What's a good beginner acoustic?

mburekenge · November 2017

Would appreciate some advice...

My nephew is looking to start playing guitar, and is after an acoustic.

Who makes a decent inexpensive acoustic these days, suitable for a beginner?

Would you recommend a Yamaha F310?

Ianpdq · November 2017

Tanglewood

Lestratcaster · November 2017

Tanglewood or Yamaha.

rustneversleeps · November 2017

Also Sigma which are good value.

Sparky · November 2017

How old is he? An F310 might be too big for him or the wrong shape. What is your budget? Best advice if you're buying new is to go to a reputable shop and get him to play lots of them. Buy the one he likes the most within your budget.

Phil_aka_Pip · November 2017

wis @Sparky Gretsch Jim Dandy is a parlour size that sounds better than it should given its price.

mburekenge · November 2017

Thanks for the suggestions.

mburekenge · November 2017

Cheers Sparky. He's a big lad, 15 years old, but doesn't live in the UK so can't try any out unfortunately. I reckon he can handle a full size guitar.

BRISTOL86 · November 2017

I have an inexpensive Fender parlour acoustic in the classifieds with a solid top if that’s any good.

It’s a lovely little thing but it crossed over with another incoming and so ended up being surplus to requirements.

Legionreturns · November 2017

mburekenge said:

Cheers Sparky. He's a big lad, 15 years old, but doesn't live in the UK so can't try any out unfortunately. I reckon he can handle a full size guitar.

If he can handle a full size I'm selling a very good tanglewood (tws115 sce) elsewhere for £200 but I said early on I'd let it go for £150 to a Fretboarder

Fuengi · November 2017

Used Ovation? Bullet proof and stay in tune forever - always thought they're ideal for teenagers.

BigLicks67 · November 2017

The Yamaha F310 is a good bet for a beginner, it's got a shorter scale as well which reduces string tension.

EricTheWeary · November 2017

We bought a ‘beginner’ acoustic this time last year. I couldn’t bring myself to spend money on the shonky Epiphones and the Yamaha’s just seemed so much better built. I can’t remember the exact model number now, the only hesitation really is that they can have slightly narrower nut widths than other guitars. I guess this is part of being aimed at learners/ smaller people although if I go between the Yamaha and one of my guitars it takes me a little while to adjust. From what I looked at in PMT last year in the sub £200 acoustic market it was hard to beat Yamaha.

Sparky · November 2017

How about looking for a used APX500III? They are a good introduction to acoustic guitars-their main strength being they are slightly slimmer in their body depth and so a little more forgiving for a new player. You can't really go wrong with any Yamaha to be fair.

mburekenge · November 2017

Thanks for the input. He's going to grab a yamaha starter pack with a dred and see how he gets on.

usedtobe · November 2017

I picked up a used Washburn wf10s, recently, smaller than dread size, based on the fact that I’d had a dreadnought version in the past, which was great for the money. Under 100 notes, used, plays and sounds great!
Worth considering, imho...

Funkfingers · November 2017

Fender CD-140, if you can stretch to it. CD-60 if you can't.

Yamaha F and FG series used to be great value for money. I have not played one in recent years.

ThorpyFX · November 2017

anything from the Faith Naked series is great value

sinbaadi · November 2017

BigLicks67 said:

The Yamaha F310 is a good bet for a beginner, it's got a shorter scale as well which reduces string tension.

Is 25" considered a short scale length for an acoustic?

Anyway, I've had an F310 for about 6 years. Would I recommend it as it is now? Yes. Would I recommend it the way it was delivered? No. The action was needlessly high and a bone saddle transformed it tonally and playability-wise.

Chris_J · November 2017

ThorpyFX said:

anything from the Faith Naked series is great value

Agreed! Even better if you find one that needs tlc like the one I've just bought and repaired for £100

It's now going as a gift to my Aunt though

BigLicks67 · November 2017

sinbaadi said:

BigLicks67 said:

The Yamaha F310 is a good bet for a beginner, it's got a shorter scale as well which reduces string tension.

Is 25" considered a short scale length for an acoustic?

Anyway, I've had an F310 for about 6 years. Would I recommend it as it is now? Yes. Would I recommend it the way it was delivered? No. The action was needlessly high and a bone saddle transformed it tonally and playability-wise.

Current F310 scale is 634mm, which compared to the standard scale of 645mm (Martin's etc) and Larrivee/Lowden 650mm, so therefore I'd say it is fair to say it is a shorter scale similar to the Gibson J45 at 629mm.

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