Buying your first acoustic guitar can be quite a daunting task.
Especially as a birthday or christmas present.
As a guitar teacher I get asked a lot about the best acoustic guitar to start on.
My advice goes like so,
Spend no more than £150-£200 and no less than you can afford.
The Guitars listed here are Under £150
But be aware a steel string acoustic guitar that costs around £50 – £60 brand new is more than likely not going to be very well made. The ‘action’ – the height of the strings on the guitar will be suspect – this is the main consideration for kids and absolute beginners.
Nylon string guitars are great.
Little fingers tend to get sore. It’s a fact also kids tend to lose interest in things pretty quickly.
In my experience as a guitar teacher it is best to (1) get a guitar suitable for kids fingers and (2) not break the bank.
The following guitar is a 3/4 size nylon strung guitar and it’s ideal for kids.
It’s also a cheap travel guitar for adults!
At £32.99 it’s a no-brainer really.
Acoustic Nylon Guitar@Amazon £32.99
You should also look at the Elevation Junior,
3/4 size junior classic guitar.Natural finish.Plywood fretboard.Fitted with nylon strings.
Half price tuner, stand and 1/3 off starter pack with guitar.
Under £100
A 3/4 size guitar is perfect for kids but think about it – how big are you.
Might sound strange but I know plenty of people who love playing 3/4 size acoustic guitars. They’re not just for kids.
If you are on the small size or find full size guitars too big then this might be the solution for you.
Remember t’s to learn with…
Squire 3/4 size steel string acoustic
The Squier MA-1 3/4-Size Steel String Acoustic Guitar is a fitting choice for the beginning player who needs the MA-1’s smaller profile to play comfortably. Built with an agathis body, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, chromeplated machine heads, and 22 frets, this acoustic is a remarkable value!
The Ibanez V50MJPNT JamPack Quick Start is fantastically low-priced package with everything for the beginning guitarist. The V50 natural-finish acoustic guitar features a spruce top for fantastic tone. The package also includes an accurate electronic tuner, gig bag, guitar strap, and accessory pouch…everything you need! THIS IS OUR BEST VALUE STARTER PACK – BUY TODAY!
The package also includes an accurate electronic tuner, gig bag, guitar strap, and accessory pouch
Ibanez 3/4 @Dolphin Music £77.31
A full-size instrument is too big for very young learners of the guitar, and the little JR1, modelled on the dreadnought lines of Yamaha’s famous FG design, is the perfect answer. Its short, 540mm scale length is easy to play for even the smallest hands, while the compact body depth feels comfortable on the lap.
Despite its size, the JR1 has an authentic and enthusiastic acoustic sound, which has also made the instrument popular as a go-anywhere strumming companion. For this purpose it comes fitted with two strap buttons and is supplied complete with a gig bag.
Yamaha JR1 3/4-sized Dreadnought 3/4 @Dolphin Music £99
Epiphone DR-100 @ Gear 4 Music £89
The Epiphone DR100 6-String Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural Finish. Affordable dreadnought with a select spruce top for sweet tone and projection.
The Epiphone DR100 acoustic guitar builds on Epiphone’s great tradition of affordable acoustic guitars. A select spruce top for sweet tone and projection is the hallmark of the DR-100. The Epiphone DR-100 features a select spruce top, mahogany body and a set mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard. The neck profile is comfortable with dot inlays, while the bound body, plus chrome hardware make this guitar a comfort to play and watch. The Epiphone DR-100 provides affordable sweet tone and style to inspire all musicians.
The main features of the Epiphone DR100 include:
Affordable dreadnought with a select spruce top for sweet tone and projection
Under £150
Vintage V400:
The Vintage acoustic dreadnought guitars offer an open and expansive acoustic sound with crisp definition from their brightly-toned spruce tops.
DR-90S ACOUSTIC PLAYER PACK – Player Pack Collection:
A great value on a classic, the DR-90S Acoustic Player Pack features a dreadnaught acoustic guitar with Mahogany back and sides with a Solid Spruce top for superior tone. Included are a gigbag, pitch pipe, strap, picks and Instructional DVD. [Also available- DR-90 with Select Spruce top
Under £200 and over budget but worth it…
Recommended buys
Epiphone Hummingbird:
Epiphone Hummingbird Artist Limited Edition VS Acoustic Steel Guitar, Spruce Top, Back & Sides Mahogany, Rosewood Fretboard Splitt Inlays, Plain Tortoise Pickguard, Limited Edition Logo on back of headstock, Kluson Style Tuners, Finish Vintage Sunburst
The Bright, crisp sound of the Dove has been beloved for years, and the trademark dove on the pickguard has been the companion of countless legendry artists.
All of these guitars are totally suitable to learn on.
Save your money and get a few months and lessons in before you think about parting with lumps of cash on something that could potentally end up being an expensive ornament.
Remember, guitars are made to be played not viewed…
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