I need help picking a guitar.

[JohnC]

It's that time of year again guyses, almost my birthday and ever since I picked up guitar last spring I've wanted a nice 12-string acoustic.

My first choice was a Yamaha, which was going for 330-something on Amazon. Recently a local shop had an Aria (Ovation) for around 289, and even an Epiphone for under 170 then my family basically said that wasn't really expensive enough, and they suggested I might want a semi-electric once in a while, so I'm glancing at more expensive Fenders and Deans now, but I still don't want to spend money to the point where I'm afraid to scratch it.

What do you guys recommend?

[twiz]

Guitars, especially acoustics, are very dependent on the wood. No two pieces of wood are alike. Go to a store with a good selection and play them until you find one you like. I've played $150 acoustics that sound really good, and I've played $600 acoustics that sound bad.

I wouldn't order an acoustic online.

[Rick_D]

/agree

[Duff-e]

just to throw a little flavor into the mix....perhaps you would be interested in the setar

a different sound, cheaper (usually), and if you master it you'll be in high demand at your local Mosque or hookah lounge.

[2d-chris]

I'm not a guitar player, but 12 strings are hard work

[Section_Ei8ht]

What twiz said. For an acoustic guitar you'll want to head down to the music store and try it out first hand. There's just too much that goes into an acoustic guitar to give it a unique sound that you just can't tell offhand. I personally think my $300 Fender T-Bucket sounds better than my friend's $1200 Taylor.

Electric guitars are much more open to modability and changing the sound (pickups, differnt pots, pickup configs, positions... wood kinda matters but not really. On an electric you just have to worry about body weight and natural sustain of the wood and the feel of the fretboard) so you don't have to worry too much. With an acoustic, I would never buy one without playing it first. Only reason I bought the T-Bucket online was because I played one at a local music store and it sounded great, but was able to get it cheaper online.

[FrieChamp]

I'm not a guitar player, but 12 strings are hard work

That's what I thought! I know nu-metal folks like the guys from Korn and Wes Borland got 7 string guitars, but 12?? Damn...

[Sindwiller]

I'm not a guitar player, but 12 strings are hard work

That's what I thought! I know nu-metal folks like the guys from Korn and Wes Borland got 7 string guitars, but 12?? Damn...

The twelve-string guitar is an acoustic or electric guitar with 12 strings in 6 courses, which produces a richer, more ringing tone than a standard six-string guitar.

Damn Mallcore kids thinking they know stuff because they listen to Korn and shit :-|

[FrieChamp]

Did Sindwiller just call me a kid?

[Psy]

I want a 7-string to learn some of Petrucci's awesome stuff.

[e-freak]

12 strings play easy. it's nothing special about this but the sound. go to the store, try them out, take the one you like without looking at the pricetags first. if it's too expensive you might still look for another one. but that's basically how i did with all my instruments.

[twiz]

12 strings play easy. it's nothing special about this but the sound. go to the store, try them out, take the one you like without looking at the pricetags first. if it's too expensive you might still look for another one. but that's basically how i did with all my instruments.

Ditto, except all a big pricetag told me is how much I need to save up

[Sindwiller]

What e-freak said. Don't buy anything you haven't tried out - even if it is for a birthday present, since choosing the right guitar is a task that requires some time You might even find a nice bargain

[Sentura]

I want a 7-string to learn some of Petrucci's awesome stuff.

yeah, if i ever get a guitar i'll get a 7-string for sure. change of seasons = <3

[Section_Ei8ht]

I want a 7-string to learn some of Petrucci's awesome stuff.

yeah, if i ever get a guitar i'll get a 7-string for sure. change of seasons = <3

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=519787

Highly recommended. My buddy has this, and I get some great sounds out of this in a stock config. Great quality for the price. I'd pick one up for myself, but I have a Washburn that I detune to C-Standard and Drop B, so I don't really need a 7 string just yet.