NFT: Acoustic guitar recommendations......

their low end models in your price range are very decent guitars.

you won't be happy with anything in that price range...

but, if you just want something to bang around on, Yamaha and Takamine are both ok

For $200 I'd probably go with an Ibanez. Feels a bit like an electric, can plug it into an amp.

Seagull is supposed to be great for that price range but I've never played one.
Entry level Ibanez A/E - ( New Window )

A good (meaning not crappy) instrument makes all the difference and a Great instrument will inspire you to play.

Check out Acoustic guitar forums and you will learn a lot. Most of the guys there are into really high end guitars, but you can learn a lot about great QPR values.

I payed a Seagull (by Godin) for years and you can find those for a few hundred bucks and some of the best sub $400 guitars on the market in my opinion. A slight step up are Eastmans.

Good luck
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but if you're patient, you might be able to find a used Taylor 110 on Craigslist for around $300.

I would buy a used Taylor 110 if I could find one in my price range, or a new Yamaha or Seagull.

Where are you in VA? Here's a Taylor 110 for $300 in Charlottesville:

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I'm in Alexandria, Britt so Charlottesville is a bit of a hike

...and if you don't mind spending a hair more, the Yamaha APX500 is a really sweet guitar at $300 - probably can be had at your range used or on Craigslist.



FWIW - I've been playing for almost 40 years, my primary is a Martin D-15 BUT I still have every acoustic I ever bought, and frankly, I still like my old cheap Yamaha's and Ibanez acoustics.

And nowadays, there is MUCH more bang for the buck. Yeah, Seagull's are nice too, some of the Tak's - there's simply a wealth of cheap, good guitars that simply weren't available when I was young.

Really, the best way to buy is to go shopping with a friend who is a good judge, a player. Then you can at least judge the TONE of the axe when played well, and get a handle on how well the setup, the action is.

Do not just buy the brand. Buy what feels comfortable in your hands. I have bought guitars in the past because of the name and later wished I hadnt. I played a Gibson Les Paul Studio for years and never liked it but bought it because it was a les Paul.

I play an old Ovation acoustic that felt great from the time I held it and it is awesome.

I recently bought a new electric and after several visits to guitar center, I ended up with an LTD ESP Iron Cross...

Never would I ever think that would be what I ended up with but it just felt right....

my .02

Good luck

for $300 bucks on craigslist. Basically brand new.

Best sounding acoustic available for under $200, save the rest for a Snark tuner.

Some guys that used to work at Taylor started a company.. Made in Oregon... Great instrument. I am super happy with mine. They come up with new models frequently so resale value is low, but I keep my guitars until they break, so that didn't matter to me!

in Aspen Hill, MD, a bit closer to you:

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recommend getting someone you know who is a good player to go with you and try/find a solid used guitar for that price. There are a million people that buy them and stop playing, or upgrade, etc.

Check craigslist or a good used dealer, or both. I would echo the recommendations about Yamahas, Seagulls ( I hate the headstock !) and Breedlove (tend to be more $$).

There are several others. Ibanez are a bit cheap, but not bad.

The key is to save money and get a better guitar by getting one used. It will go further in your playing career before you want to replace it.

And they can vary greatly in quality and sound and feel, so taking someone who knows what they are doing is important.

Good luck.

I would heavily consider a Blue Ridge. I forgot about them. Amazing guitars for the $.

If you are set on buying a new one, get the highest rated Blue Ridge or Seagull you can find in your price range.

If you don't know what style/size/shape you want though, you'll have to figure that out first.

We can help on here with that.
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To budget for lessons. You can learn a ton from You Tube and the internet, but it's best to get a good start and not get into bad habits by taking some lessons.

A group lesson package with a small group would be great cause you can meet people and steal ideas, talk to them, etc.

And last piece of advice...you need to stick with it and get past the frustrating early stages. Once you can play a song or 5 you really love, you will be more motivated.

Via con Dminor.