Expert: The Luthier Lady! - 5/15/2011

Question
I am an adult brand new to guitar. I'm currently borrowing a friend's dreadnought. The lower bout is too large for me and is pushing my shoulder up unnaturally. It's aggravating a preexisting shoulder problem and is becoming quite painful. I went to a local guitar store where the clerks wouldn't give me the time of day, but I was able to see that the lower bout of the guitar I have is much larger than average. I'm now trying to narrow my options and purchase my own.

I think I would like a good quality acoustic steel-stringed beginner's guitar with a cutaway. A solid top would also be nice as I tend to appreciate the warm, soft sounds and good volume. The music I tend to gravitate towards is world folk as well as the guitar tapping style. The presence or lack of electronic pick-ups isn't important to me, but if all things were equal then I'd probably lean toward having them. I'm having a little trouble with the pressure needed on the strings, which I know is primarily because I haven't yet built up calluses but I think an easier-than-average action would still be beneficial for my arthritic hands. It would be great if I could stay under $300 and I really want to stay under $400.

Do you have any models you recommend I check out? I'd be very grateful!

Answer
Hi Heather,

The purchase of a beginner guitar is highly subjective. You really need to just go in and try out a few to see which one might fit your paying style and budget.

However, a couple of models, in the price range you listed, would be one of the lower end Breedloves or an Epiphone PR4E. Both are under $300 and have pretty good tone for inexpensive guitars.

The PR4E comes in what's called a "gig pack". That's where you get a guitar, soft case, amp, and a few other little things, all in one "kit".

When I was just starting out, I bought the PR4E "gig pack", sold the amp, because I didn't really need it. With the money I made off the sale, the guitar and case ended up only costing me about $75!

I still have that guitar and case to this day and it still plays great!

You can get these at Guitar Center, Sam Ash, or online at Sweetwater or Musician's Friend.

You would have to look at Breedlove's online site to see where to find one of those.

Also, Yamaha makes a nice sounding, inexpensive FG (folk guitar) for around the price you want to pay.

FYI, any guitar in the price range you listed is going to be laminate construction. You would have to get into the $800-$1200 range to be able to buy an all solid model.