Buying a guitar

[Wood_workur]

I've found Ernie Balls to be rust magnets. I've has some D'Addario ulltra lights on my 2 guitars forever, and no signs of rust.

YMMV.

[Tom Slick]

Which strings did you play?

[radhak]

Wow, lotsa info, and even a PM! Thanks!!
I am sorry I could not respond earlier as I was out of home.

I had seen a lot of posts and blogs about making a guitar in the shop but the very idea seemed intimidating : if I ever dared take that step, for every note played wrong, I might be wondering - was that the player, or the instrument ! ??!?

Dunno why, but I understand the instructor had recommended an Acoustic; maybe to make it more portable? I believe an electric would need always need an amplifier, and of course a power point! Or maybe it's the right way to start? I'll check again with him.

So we have a choice between nylon and steel strings? Surely nylon should be softer for kids?

[sparkeyjames]

I play DR strings. DR blues 10's to be exact. Anything heavier than that and I find barring and bending harder on my fingers. Plus their packaging is eco friendly they put 2 strings in every envelope woopie. You should change the strings on your guitar at least once every 2 to 3 months. Plus cleaning them after playing will extend their life (rust avoidance for nickel strings). Also in high humidity areas you may need to change strings more often or buy the more expensive coated strings.

For beginners put 9's or even 8's on a steel string guitar. Those being the gauge of the high E string for those not in the know. If your child's music instructor insists on an acoustic then get one of those.

I do not think using a nylon string guitar is going to be a wise decision. They have far less resale value. I have seen the nylon classical guitars stay on Craigslist for months without being sold. If you must buy a low end acoustic the brands to get are Epiphone, Washburn, Ovation, Ibanez, and if your desperate Fender and for god's sake DON'T buy an Esteban.
High end models with really good resale Breedlove, Martin, Taylor, Guild and Gibson. 3/4 size guitars don't have the resale but are better for shorter arms. Do not discount shopping on Craigslist good deals can be had there.

BUY AN ELECTRONIC TUNER.

Some children have the persistence and talent others do not. Learning to play the guitar is not easy. It takes dedication and many many hours of practice. So do not be surprised to find your child's interest waning after 6 months or so. Don't push them too hard but do push. Make sure they practice at least 1 hour every evening on top of doing their homework for school. This will either get them to quit sooner if they find it too hard (thereby lessening your financial burden) or their persistence and talent will show.

Small amplifiers can be had on Craigslist for as little as $20-30. They are usually 10 watts and are quite small (portable). Get one with a headphone jack if you buy an electric guitar. You can also get battery powered portable amps at any online full service music retailer.

An electric guitar, when not plugged in to an amp, is actually quieter while being played than an acoustic. Yet the person playing it can hear every note and chord just fine.

Sorry for the rambling nature of this post it's just so many topics needed to be addressed.

[Wood_workur]

Which strings did you play?

I got the regular slinkies. It could have been the humidity of my basement, but when I went to replace them there was a typo on the guitar center website that got me 10 sets of d'addario ultra lights for $5, so I went with those.

I'm more of a drummer than a guitarist.

[Tom Slick]

You will be thankful the instructor is not recommending an electric. Imagine a radio in the other room playing nothing but a beginning guitarist's favorite scales and mary had a little lamb!

OT:
Side bit of guitar string trivia:
Ernie Ball "invented" the custom guitar string because he noticed when giving guitar lessons the younger students had a difficult time with the thick strings. Before that, all strings were basically the same. When "Surf Rock" came along players liked the "beginner" strings producing a different sound. EB partnered up with D'Addario (at the time a piano string manufacturer) to produce a variety of string "gauges." EB has produced their own strings since the 1980's but they are manufacturered viturally the same way as D'Addario. Both argue they are the #1 producer of guitar strings, EB is currently selling over 7 million strings per month!

[kirkroy]

My daughter has a nylon string Applause AN13 that a friend gave me. It's not a bad little guitar at all, quite playable, and you can find them for about $150 online.

http://jacksmusicstore.com/catalog/g...s-agt-p~an13-4