someone who is a phenom keyboard/piano player, never picked up a guitar, only wants a starter, guitar easy on the price

What's a good value 300$ or under? Used a better way to go?

I can play some but sure as hell can't talk it like I've read here.

Electric or acoustic? I'm assuming acoustic. Yamaha and seagull both make good starters, although the seagull will def be more, but will also have more resale value.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... tic-guitar this is what I have and it's surprisingly solid. One of my friends even said it's one of the best acoustic guitars that he's ever played. No matter what though, I'd say go to an actual shop to at least get a bit of a feel for different guitars.

agree you should play them in person, i think with cheap guitars in particular there is a wide range of quality within the same brand.

but that $179 Squire telecaster I posted in the heard thread would be a damn good starter guitar.

Those Danelectro reissues are a mega value at $200. The play great, sound great, and look super cool.
They are also a starter guitar that, if he goes on with the instrument, he would probably want to hold onto and keep playing. My son has one and I love playing it, myself!

Yeah meant acoustic, sorry for that. Thanks all. I will be trying them out. I agree that the Yamaha is pretty solid for value but its been a while since I tested out the low $ range of guitars so I'm glad you all chimed in. And PT that Danelctro is cool reminds me of the Dussenberg guitars, also on the lower $ side, but nice looking and fun to play.

Also check out the low range Fender acoustics--for whatever reason they've got some that sound/play above their pay grade. (And you might have enough left over for something else)

Pretty sure you can get a decent Alvarez for right around 300 as well.

What they said. Aim for known brand names, play a bunch in a store and see which one has the best action and yet sounds the least "dead."

The hard part about making a great acoustic is usually the top and the bracing. The top of an acoustic is the speaker, so to speak. It needs to be stiff and bright and very well braced. Cheaper guitars used laminated tops because it costs less, it's easier to assemble, and it's more stable (won't crack and split and warp as easily over time). But laminated tops just don't wiggle and jump and bark like a solid, book-matched slab of cedar or spruce. Those woods are light but really stiff, like a good speaker cone. Take you fingers and thump / tap the tops of some guitars - cheap ones first, then the nicest ones they left hanging within reach. Put your palm on there and then peck it with your middle finger. Cheaper guitars sorta "thump" or make a low frequency pop. The really good ones have more of a trebly knock to them, a much more full range sound with higher aspects to it.

If you poke around and try everything out, it's possible to find something really decent for short money.

So my mom is wanting to get my dad a guitar for christmas. He's retired now and she wants to give him something to do and he's always expressed a desire to learn how to play.

She gave a budget of around $300-$400.

I was going to suggest to her this:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Hu ... 1171404.gc

Thoughts on that guy? I always thought they were pretty.

i dont know, looking back if i was to start playing guitar all over again i'd probably want an electric. easier on the fingers to play and you could shred out some sweet distorted licks if you felt the need

I hear ya but my dad's 68 and listens to mostly southern country gospel or appalachian bluegrass.

Doubtful he's looking to rip off some hot Zeppelin riffs.

What about...

For the love of God Monty, resize.

I've got a legit inquiry going on here.

My answer would be "what I said to the other guy looking to spend less than $400 for an acoustic." Literally go into a BIG store, grab everything brand-name in that price range, and spend some time. You need to be playing each one, thumping and tapping each top to hear how it knocks, then narrowing it down and going back for a Finals round. It needs low action - newbies especially don't like the added hurt of sore fingers - and then look for the best tuners, or a solid top, etc.

I started on a classical and it was very easy on my fingers, but it doesn't make those bluegrass / country sounds... unless you're playing All Willie, All The Time.

Ha ha, true dat

I bought a Jr sized guitar a few years ago for traveling purposes for 80 buckeroos, very easy on the fingers, has a neat sound ukelele like with a capo, already dinged from kids messing with it no worries,

Those Taylor Jr's are about 250$ maybe that's a way to go for a starter

Ended up getting my dad a used Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500RE. Acoustic-electric. Solid Sitka Spruce top, solid Rosewood sides and back. Rosewood fretboard. Satin finish.

Thing sounds awesome. Got it used at Guitar Center. They're retailing for around $700 and I got with the bag for $450.

Not my pic but it looks just like this one:



They had another AJ500 that was acoustic only for $300 but I talked my mom into upgrading to this one because it A) had a bag with it and B) it has a built in tuner which I'm sure he'll need.

Also, I have a feeling he's NEVER going to play this thing and get into it like she thinks he will and I'll ultimately end up with it.

Don't judge me.

That's what I would probably get my kid if she were to show enough interest.

that looks pretty

Yeah you were 90% shopping for yourself. Every chance you will wind up with it.

Never start on an electric.

Before you know it you'll be posting youtube videos of yourself in your bedroom using the two-hand fretboard tapping technique on your shiny new Schecter.