Which acoustic electric guitar would you recommend for a beginner (never played before)?

Question

I'm debating between getting one of these 3 acoustic electric guitars to start off (never played a guitar before). They all fit roughly in the budget (~$170) that I was looking for so I was wondering if anyone has any opinion on them i.e. the brand in general. Thanks!

Jasmine by Takamine ES31C Acoustic Electric Guitar:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000653JNO/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Yamaha FX325 Acoustic Electric Guitar, Natural
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-FX325-Acoustic-Electric-Natural/dp/B001R2HE18/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1383098501&sr=1-3&keywords=yamaha+acoustic+electric+guitar

Applause by Ovation AE128-4 Acoustic Electric Guitar
http://www.amazon.com/Applause-Ovation-AE128-4-Acoustic-Electric/dp/B000EEJF44/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1383098452&sr=8-2&keywords=ovation+acoustic+electric+guitar

Epiphone AJ-100CE Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Passive, Natural
http://www.amazon.com/Epiphone-AJ-100CE-Acoustic-Electric-Passive-Natural/dp/B0002F76T6/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1383105019&sr=1-2&keywords=epiphone+acoustic+electric+guitar

Answer 1

I started with a Tak Jasmine without the electronics, great guitar, although it has a long action.



You don't gain really anything as a beginner by getting an acoustic electric, so I'd go without the preamp.



If you are serious about playing and want to get the most out of your first guitar, you can pick up a seagull s6 for about 400$. That will last you a long time before you'll want to upgrade instead of going though a whole bunch.



I've found that its pretty hard as a beginner to tell the difference between guitars, and without a doubt I can tell you that the S6 is GREAT quality beginner guitar with a warm sound shorter action. I look back at some of my earlier purchases and wonder to myself..damn why did I buy that?!?!? You wont with the S6.



I now play a tak LTD-97, acoustic electric. its awesome.

Answer 2

I would go with something cheap, since you are a beginner and if you aren't going to stay with it, you'll never get that money back. Having said that, I would start with a simple acoustic guitar, no electrics. If you stick with it, you then have two options. You can get rid of the acoustic and step up to an acoustic-electric, or you can mount a sound-hole pickup rather cheaply and rock out with your original guitar. Besides, you don't need to plug in until you get good enough anyway.



Having said that, there are several options for an acoustic guitar. Epiphone has several in the $100-150 price range, as does Fender. Musician's Friend has a house brand called Rogue (Guitar Center carries the brand as well). They have about a dozen guitars, ranging from $80-150. The build quality isn't as good, and they will have to be set up by a pro, but they are decent for learning on. In fact, they even have some electric-acoustics in that price range as well.

Answer 3

You can choose from either Takamine or Yamaha.Both of these companies make great beginner acoustic guitars.Take a friend or someone you know who plays the guitar listen to sound of both and decide.Its not to say that other two are not good but from Epiphone check out DR-100.It might be well within your price range.

Answer 4

For a complete beginner, I would say that your best bet would be to go to a pawn shop and try out a bunch of acoustics and buy the one that feels the best and/or has the best price.



Take a friend with you who plays so that they can look it over and make sure it is decent enough to learn on.



You don't want to go spending money on a high quality instrument yet if you have never played.



If you get going and improve significantly, then you would do better to buy something nicer.

Answer 5

I wouldn't recommend any of them. Why waste your money on features you don't need? Are you going to spend a few hundred dollars on an acoustic guitar amp too?



Buy an ordinary acoustic guitar to learn on, and when you do, go to a music store and try they to see which you like best..

Answer 6

Epiphone is my choice but taylors are good as well.