Acoustic Guitars/help me please

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Expert: The Luthier Lady! - 3/7/2011


Question
hi my name is rebecca and im 16 years old
i have a yamaha f310 acoustic guitar and i was hoping you could help me.
i have been learnin myself to play for about 3 month and i was hoping that you can give a some ideas about better guitars??
i havent got much money so i cant spend to much money on one.
help me please
thank you

Answer
Hi Rebecca,

My first question to you is, what is wrong with the one you have?

If it seems hard to play, your money would be better spent taking it to a luthier/guitar repair tech, and getting a proper set up done. Even dime store junk plays like a million bucks if it's set up correctly. And a set up should cost no more than $65 or so.

If you just are itching to get another guitar, I would recommend looking at the lower end ($500 and below) Breedlove's. They are reasonably priced and have great tone.

But the one you have is very popular. Many people really like them and play them for many years.

Whether you keep the Yamaha or get another brand, the bottom line is , neither will play well if they are not set up properly.  

Acoustic Guitars

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The Luthier Lady!

Expertise

I'm not a licensed appraiser so I WILL NOT answer questions having to do with giving values for instruments. Don't ask. I WILL NOT answer these types of questions. I CAN answer in the following categories regarding acoustic guitars: repair, maintenance, restoration, custom inlay work, Buzz Feiten Tuning System. I CANNOT answer questions having to do with values, original manufacture dates or history of vintage acoustic guitars. I AM NOT the Alvarez/Yari expert. Please ask the other "expert" here those questions. Please do not mark your questions "Private" as doing so limits helping others from benefiting from the answers. I will no longer answer questions marked "Private"!

Experience

I have owned my own guitar repair business for about 3 years. Also, I have built 2 guitars: an acoustic and a jazz bass.

Organizations
Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A)

Publications
I have an upcoming article that will be published in "Guitar Maker" magazine. "Guitar Maker" is A.S.I.A.'s member publication.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Galloup School of Luthierie, Big Rapids, MI - Journeyman Program, Graduate of Dave Nichols' Custom Pearl Inlay School, Malone, NY, Authorized Level 2 Buzz Feiten System Retro-fitter

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