Acoustic Guitar for Beginners

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Probably going to purchase at Guitar Center if that helps at all.

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Meh - that's disappointing unless you're going to look at used.

I would strongly consider a used quality guitar than go for a "new" budget/entry level guitar.

Either you will take to the hobby (and then it is even more important to not have a disposable instrument) OR you won't - either way you're better served with a mid-level (or higher if your budget supports it) quality guitar - because you'll likely be able to get about what you paid when you resell it.

Selling a "used" (however lightly) budget, entry acoustic guitar is only slightly more profitable than throwing it away.

Does GC have much of a used section these days? I would scour Craig's list or Ebay for a quality Seagull or Guild, maybe a Yamaha (but they have a bunch of entry models, so do your research) that fits your condition expectation and budget.

Good luck.

This is tricky IMO.

Idk what your budget is but, whatever you do, don't drop $100 bucks on a cheap new guitar. Cheaper guitars are just that, cheap. The action won't be right, etc and it will make learning that much more difficult.

But obviously, you don't wanna rush out and buy an expensive martin, etc.

There are plenty of youtube vids on introductory guitars for all types of budgets.

This guy runs through 10 that are reasonable.

Expect to drop $200-400 on something brand new that would be good to learn on.

Could always go the used craigslist route as well, get a little better guitar for the same money. Do that if budget is an issue.

Go to GC and feel them. Even if you can't play them. Find one you are comfortable holding in your budget then go from there.

FWIW, my beginning guitar was an Ibanez AW54OPN. Love it. $200 bucks and sounds great.

Whatever you do, do not get a cheaply made guitar, i.e. $100 bucks, thinking you'll learn on it and it'll be a throwaway. Those suck and they discourage more than they encourage.

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Ibanez

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Ibanez makes great introductory electric guitars.

I would also say to the OP to consider Ovation. They have a line made in Korea - not dirt cheap, but in that $300 to $400 range, that is of really high quality as well.

For most major manufacturers, the same machines make the guitars on both sides of the Pacific. The main difference is quality control and use of materials. You're much less likely to get a bad problem with a domestic made guitar, they're far more likely to bend over backwards to fix and it you pay for that whether you need it or not.

I have 2 acoustic guitars - one that was essentially free (an old Guild D-35 that is broken and cracked) and one I paid about $1000 for. They're both very nice guitars. The Guild has a great action and is 37 years old - something I could not have gone into a big box music store and bought. The thing resonates like a grand piano - even cracked.

So, I also agree, a cheap acoustic with a bad action is worse than no guitar at all. It really is.

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Looking for a fairly cheap one that can produce quality sound. Probably going to purchase at Guitar Center

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Epiphone Dreadnaught

Guitar Center Used online. 45 day return policy. Have it delivered to a store near you. If it’s cracked or reeks of smoke or whatever, you return it right there on the spot.

Maybe you eat the shipping? 20 bucks?

Has the OP given his price point?

A couple things to look for:

Make sure the neck is relatively flat lengthwise. Just glance down at space under strings. From end near body and looking down under the strings. There should be a little very-slight bow or downward dip. Just look at a few and you'll start to get the idea. Hint: the strings will be straight and neck not so much. Shy away from anything not near flat or anything with way high action (unless having setup) that's the space between strings and neck.

Try a few and see how they set in your left hand (if right handed*). They'll feel different as you cradle it in your hand. Everyone likes something different. Your looking at the shape-arch-curve of bottom of neck and it's width. Some like wider and others narrower. Wider lets fingers more easily fit between strings, but makes you stretch further with a chord. The reverse for narrow. It's personal and may change as you learn. But can be a major concern depending on hand size, finger length, and finger size (fatness).

Buy several different thickness picks of varying size, shapes, and materials. They're cheap and you'll learn to like one or two best. That's ok because you'll probably change styles along the way - maybe even to one of the not used.

Just talk to people/customers/shop people wherever you choose to look. You may find an a-hole but most everyone remembers starting out. And definitely ask about having it setup (or where). A setup is kinda like buying a baseball glove.... it's just not right off the shelf.... they need tinkering with before they're very usable.

*If left handed you'll need a left handed guitar or definitely an extra special set up. ETA:... considering your going with a used guitar.

Seagulls aren’t that expensive and they are good quality solid guitars.

"Looking for a fairly cheap one....."

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this might not hurt as an aid in comparison.

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This. Pick up an expensive one. See what a better action and nut width and bridge feels like. How easy it is to fret beginner chords.

Then go to all of the ones in your price range and you might find one by accident that feels similar. Lots of inconsistencies to cheaper ones. Find one that feels close to that D28 or (pick another ridiculous one)? That’s your guitar. You don’t want to spend 50-100 bucks on a $150 guitar having it set up and tweaked.

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Go to the “good room” at Guitar Center and look for a used one. There’s a big room full of cheap acoustic guitars, and a smaller room that is mostly Taylors, Martins, plus a few other good brands. They usually have a few used ones in there. They had a reall nice Taylor for $449 at the Elmwood location a couple weeks ago.

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I have never been to a GC set up like that. The new stuff and the used stuff is always in the same room in the 4 I have been to.