Comments on: Buying Your First (or second) Guitar http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/ Classical Guitar Lessons, Interview, News, Tips & More Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:11:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Blueno http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-13879 Blueno Sun, 05 Jun 2011 11:32:35 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-13879 George, I bought a Pavan (tp-20) spruce, 640 scale sight unseen last year. My teacher was incredibly impressed, even moreso when I told him it was only around $1100 with exchange. It is actually more consistent and crisp than my (cedar) Ramirez 3e. This pavan has wonderful volume, sustain, all solids, perfect finish, great for my student needs. But I have to agree, better to try out an assortment. The caveat, I'm a relative beginner (Bridges books 3 and 4) and have used only Yamaha, Ramirez and the Pavan (and do have a Blackbird nylon on order for travel). Blueno George, I bought a Pavan (tp-20) spruce, 640 scale sight unseen last year. My teacher was incredibly impressed, even moreso when I told him it was only around $1100 with exchange. It is actually more consistent and crisp than my (cedar) Ramirez 3e. This pavan has wonderful volume, sustain, all solids, perfect finish, great for my student needs. But I have to agree, better to try out an assortment. The caveat, I’m a relative beginner (Bridges books 3 and 4) and have used only Yamaha, Ramirez and the Pavan (and do have a Blackbird nylon on order for travel).

Blueno

]]> By: Christopher Davis http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-9322 Christopher Davis Wed, 18 May 2011 15:34:46 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-9322 I sent you an email about it! I sent you an email about it!

]]> By: Matt http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-9135 Matt Tue, 17 May 2011 13:30:29 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-9135 Chris, Just curious where you would recommend buying a concert level classical guitar in the DFW area? I can't seem to find anyone who knows a good answer to this. Thanks! Chris, Just curious where you would recommend buying a concert level classical guitar in the DFW area? I can’t seem to find anyone who knows a good answer to this. Thanks!

]]> By: laetion wind http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-8808 laetion wind Sat, 14 May 2011 22:21:48 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-8808 BUYING A CHEAP GUITAR? Your first guitar should *not* be the cheapest in the store! TONE... This is vital, since with a very cheap guitar no good tone production is possible and you as player will not experience a maturing, or even that you are able to produce a sound that you want. A guitar is an instrument where the tone is of vital importance, and the interesting thing is that the guitarist produces the tone himself; and is able to vary the tone. (Reason: the fingers and nails are in direct contact with the strings). So using a cheap instrument will not even allow you to be a real "guitarist": i.e. someone who experiments with tone; since cheap guitars are utterly limited. HOW MUCH SHOULD IT COST? If you want to buy a first guitar, it really should cost at least $250 (unless there's someone experienced with you who's thrilled by a cheaper guitar). WHAT GUITAR? Good and have a look what's available. Yamaha is often a good call. In case you're in Europe... I know that EGTA Germany have a Guitar-building/manufacturing competition in which they rate student guitars, showing the best value for your money; while keeping a tight budget. BUYING A CHEAP GUITAR?
Your first guitar should *not* be the cheapest in the store!

TONE…
This is vital, since with a very cheap guitar no good tone production is possible and you as player will not experience a maturing, or even that you are able to produce a sound that you want.
A guitar is an instrument where the tone is of vital importance, and the interesting thing is that the guitarist produces the tone himself; and is able to vary the tone. (Reason: the fingers and nails are in direct contact with the strings).

So using a cheap instrument will not even allow you to be a real “guitarist”: i.e. someone who experiments with tone;
since cheap guitars are utterly limited.

HOW MUCH SHOULD IT COST?
If you want to buy a first guitar, it really should cost at least $250 (unless there’s someone experienced with you who’s thrilled by a cheaper guitar).

WHAT GUITAR?
Good and have a look what’s available. Yamaha is often a good call.
In case you’re in Europe… I know that EGTA Germany have a Guitar-building/manufacturing competition in which they rate student guitars, showing the best value for your money; while keeping a tight budget.

]]> By: Christopher Davis http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-8719 Christopher Davis Sat, 14 May 2011 04:13:23 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-8719 No, it was Kenny Hill "new world" guitar. No, it was Kenny Hill “new world” guitar.

]]> By: George Feener http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-8692 George Feener Fri, 13 May 2011 22:55:38 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-8692 Chris, Was your student guitar a Pavan from Tom Prisloe? I'm considering to buy one. Thanks George Chris,
Was your student guitar a Pavan from Tom Prisloe?
I’m considering to buy one.
Thanks
George

]]> By: Aaron http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-349 Aaron Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:28:04 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-349 As a leftie who plays guitar right-handed I'm not really sure whether it would have been easier to have purchased a left-handed guitar as I've never played one before. However, I merely wanted to point out that I've been playing piano since I was seven years old, and the classical piano repertoire is definitely biased towards having the right hand do more intricate work. Guitarists are lucky to have the choice! =) I've never felt at a disadvantage playing a right-handed guitar, but I picked it up after 11 years of playing piano so perhaps my right hand had been strengthened so much by then that I never thought about it. As a leftie who plays guitar right-handed I’m not really sure whether it would have been easier to have purchased a left-handed guitar as I’ve never played one before.

However, I merely wanted to point out that I’ve been playing piano since I was seven years old, and the classical piano repertoire is definitely biased towards having the right hand do more intricate work. Guitarists are lucky to have the choice! =)

I’ve never felt at a disadvantage playing a right-handed guitar, but I picked it up after 11 years of playing piano so perhaps my right hand had been strengthened so much by then that I never thought about it.

]]> By: Chris http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-339 Chris Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:43:35 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-339 That's a good point, Jeffrey. i started on electric guitar for the same reason. -CD That’s a good point, Jeffrey. i started on electric guitar for the same reason.

-CD

]]> By: Lexinator http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-329 Lexinator Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:38:33 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-329 Hi Chris, You didn't "offend" me, my skin is just way too thick for that. I don't think you could survive the music business without "scales" instead of skin... I just wanted to voice the other side of that coin, as a "leftie." It took me years to get on "play lists." But until that time, some of the most enjoyable times I had were in the hunt for that next "girlfriend..." The 6 and 12 stringed kind! And I learned a lot, along the way... ;-) Sorry I came off "Too strong." It wasn't intentional. In fact, it was YOU who inspired me to begin a new blog, for "lefties." I appreciate what you're doing, and I hope that I can measure up to the mark you're making. And... "glad to meet you!" Lexx Hi Chris,

You didn’t “offend” me, my skin is just way too thick for that. I don’t think you could survive the music business without “scales” instead of skin… I just wanted to voice the other side of that coin, as a “leftie.”

It took me years to get on “play lists.” But until that time, some of the most enjoyable times I had were in the hunt for that next “girlfriend…” The 6 and 12 stringed kind! And I learned a lot, along the way… ;-)

Sorry I came off “Too strong.” It wasn’t intentional. In fact, it was YOU who inspired me to begin a new blog, for “lefties.” I appreciate what you’re doing, and I hope that I can measure up to the mark you’re making.

And… “glad to meet you!”

Lexx

]]> By: Mark Antony http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/02/how-to-buy-your-first-guitar/#comment-328 Mark Antony Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:29:07 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=684#comment-328 I am left handed, playing right handed. I think it's down to the individual. Though my last tutor said he would have advised me to play "left handed" because of the natural co-ordination. I believe playing with the "wrong hand" hampers me in faster scale playing or arpeggios, for this reason. Tremolo playing though, is possibly my strongest technique. The right hand is in a set position though, and that makes the difference. <abbr><em>Mark Antony’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.guitar.markantony.net/2009/02/guitarists-and-sight-reading/" rel="nofollow">Guitarists and Sight Reading</a></abbr></em> I am left handed, playing right handed. I think it’s down to the individual. Though my last tutor said he would have advised me to play “left handed” because of the natural co-ordination.

I believe playing with the “wrong hand” hampers me in faster scale playing or arpeggios, for this reason. Tremolo playing though, is possibly my strongest technique. The right hand is in a set position though, and that makes the difference.

Mark Antony’s last blog post..Guitarists and Sight Reading

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