#1932947 - 04/26/08 09:03 PM
$300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old? (followup)
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PRW
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Registered: 04/26/08
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Hi, I need a recommendation for a "step up the ladder" guitar for my son, who's 13 going on 14, and has gotten serious about the guitar in the last year, after having a couple that he got as Christmas presents over the years sitting around for a while, and has made amazing progress as far as his skills. He knows his chords, has started fingerpicking and playing some rudimentary lead lines.
His current acoustic guitar is a Johnson 624, a $150 guitar, nice sound and action for $150 although the tuners are crap, but basically it was a good guitar for him to start on. (He also has a DanElectro U2 electric guitar that I picked up cheap and had some work done on for him, new bridge and some neck work, so he's covered "electrically" for a while).
I am looking at something in the $300-$500 "out the door price, including case" range. I don't want to go any higher up the ladder than that because I feel that's a decent step up for right now, plus (a.) his playing skills may be improving but he's still barely a teenager and doesn't take care of his stuff as well as he should, he's treated the Johnson better than I thought he would but it still looks like a 13-year-old kid's guitar; and (b.) whenever he takes a higher step up the ladder, he's going to need to be in a position to contribute so that he will appreciate it more (my wife and I and my wife's parents are going in together to get him this guitar for his birthday, which is approaching).
One important variable, he's a left-hander. I just joined the forum and was nosing around and saw a lengthy thread on left-handed players and I know the advantages of him learning how to play right-handed (i.e., easier to get guitars). However, the kid has been an absolutely dominant left-hander at everything he's ever done since he first started using his hands, and while he can play pretty well right-handed, messing around on my guitars, he told me when I talked to him about this, "Dad, it just feels more natural to me left-handed." How can you argue with that? So any recommendations would have to be a guitar that also comes in a lefty model.
I'm familiar with Seagulls, I've also seen some reviews of some Alvarez and Fender products that might fit in our price range, I just wanted to see if anyone out there could give me some more specific guidance on particular models.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Edited by PRW (05/01/08 08:03 PM)
Edit Reason: added followup
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#1932953 - 04/26/08 09:25 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: PRW]
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Mike Gug
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Registered: 06/23/03
Posts: 1483
Loc: Sacramento, CA
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Seagulls are awesome guitars for the money (the few I've played). I'm an electric player, but I know what I like.
I just don't see a lot of people playing Fender acoustics. That may tell you something with Fender being as large of a company as they are. I'm sure they can make some good ones, but the Fender Acoustic players are scarse in Northern California.
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#1932957 - 04/26/08 09:40 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: Mike Gug]
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Zack Pomerleau
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Registered: 10/28/07
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http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/W...Case?sku=516863
I got that Guitar, and can tell you it is amazing, from the top, to the tone! Plus it has an XLR Jack and 1/4 Jack so it can be amplified, comes with a case too. $389, it is sweet! They make left handed ones, but Musicians Friend doesn't seem to carry it.
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#1932960 - 04/26/08 09:50 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: Zack Pomerleau]
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bbqbob
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Registered: 01/10/06
Posts: 308
Loc: Maine
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Have a look at these:
http://www.zagerguitar.com/
I have one and bought one for my daughter and they sound awesome and play nicely. I have been amazed how well it stays in tune, nice grover tuners. Other reviews on Harmony Cental are through the roof.
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#1932961 - 04/26/08 09:56 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: bbqbob]
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bbqbob
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Hmmm, I don't know if they sell lefties.
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#1932962 - 04/26/08 10:08 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: bbqbob]
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PRW
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Hmmm, I don't know if they sell lefties.
I'm going to email them to find out ... looks like a real possibility if they do. Thanks!
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#1932964 - 04/26/08 10:14 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: Zack Pomerleau]
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PRW
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http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Washburn-D10CEQSB-Cutaway-Dreadnought-Quilt-Top-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-with-Case?sku=516863
I got that Guitar, and can tell you it is amazing, from the top, to the tone! Plus it has an XLR Jack and 1/4 Jack so it can be amplified, comes with a case too. $389, it is sweet! They make left handed ones, but Musicians Friend doesn't seem to carry it.
They have a lefty D-10 cutaway electric in natural finish without the quilted top for $399 including case, I was looking at that as a possibility.
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#1932966 - 04/26/08 10:16 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: Mike Gug]
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PRW
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Seagulls are awesome guitars for the money (the few I've played). I'm an electric player, but I know what I like.
I just don't see a lot of people playing Fender acoustics. That may tell you something with Fender being as large of a company as they are. I'm sure they can make some good ones, but the Fender Acoustic players are scarse in Northern California.
We have a local music store that carries really low-end Fender acoustics and I wasn't impressed. The Johnson my son has now wasted them as far as sound and action for that little amount of money. I just saw a few higher end models at some sites online, was curious about them.
FYI, my first guitar, in 1971, was a Fender Malibu acoustic with a Strat neck, like the one Johnny Cash played every now and then, black with a gold pickguard. To say it's not the greatest acoustic guitar ever made is an understatement, LOL!
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#1933021 - 04/27/08 06:34 AM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: PRW]
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A String
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Registered: 12/18/03
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I've always been a fan of the Yamahas in that price range. Some of the cheaper Yamahas can be disappointing and for the cost of the more expensive ones, there are better options, but in your price range, I would seriously consider Yamaha.
I have an FG-420-C that is one of the nicest sounding stage guitars I've played. They seem to age really well too. The sound just keeps getting better!
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#1933026 - 04/27/08 06:40 AM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: A String]
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soggybomb
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Registered: 08/03/07
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Yamaha or Alvarez are your best bets IMO.
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#1933027 - 04/27/08 06:40 AM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: A String]
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Trucks
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I have also heard good things about Yamahas in that range. Although I haven't tried any.
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"do I see a vacuum there, or am I b-goin' blind.."
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#1933029 - 04/27/08 06:44 AM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: Trucks]
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A String
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I have also heard good things about Yamahas in that range. Although I haven't tried any.
I think they'd be right up your alley Lee. The best thing is, the sound is good when you get it, but just seems to keep getting better as it ages.
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#1933114 - 04/27/08 10:46 AM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: A String]
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caprae
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Registered: 11/28/04
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Seagull S6 - local musician plays one: http://www.JeffSoileau.com/music.html
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Raise your children and spoil your grandchildren. Spoil your children and raise your grandchildren.
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#1933117 - 04/27/08 10:55 AM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: A String]
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Trucks
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I have also heard good things about Yamahas in that range. Although I haven't tried any. I think they'd be right up your alley Lee. The best thing is, the sound is good when you get it, but just seems to keep getting better as it ages.
I definitely need a nice dreadnought, although I was putting it to the sideline 'til I can afford a really nice one :-)
A guy I worked with took a couple of his friends guitar buying for acoustics. He picked them both out Yamaha's after trying just about every acoustic in a 50 miles radius lol So I might have to check one out, next time I am in a music store.
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"do I see a vacuum there, or am I b-goin' blind.."
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#1933177 - 04/27/08 01:07 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: jbote]
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SonicCanvas
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Registered: 04/23/05
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Loc: Nashville, TN
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I like Yamaha's, Takamine's and Ibanez Left Handed guitars. I also have played some great sounding Walden's, the Walden guitars also have great feeling necks...
http://www.musiclandcentral.com/walehag5grau.html
Good Luck!
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#1933185 - 04/27/08 01:23 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: bbqbob]
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caprae
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Registered: 11/28/04
Posts: 3178
Loc: Athens, Georgia, USA
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Have a look at these: http://www.zagerguitar.com/I have one and bought one for my daughter and they sound awesome and play nicely. I have been amazed how well it stays in tune, nice grover tuners. Other reviews on Harmony Cental are through the roof.
Interesting...how would you describe the neck shape and size? Are the strings spaced differently?
_________________________
Raise your children and spoil your grandchildren. Spoil your children and raise your grandchildren.
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#1933299 - 04/27/08 06:24 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: A String]
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koolkid
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Registered: 06/04/02
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i sell guitars for a living,check out the Takamines in that price range..forget about Ibanez in that price range they have absolutely no mids or bass.....yamahas are also good in the 3 to 500$ range....by spending a little more money you will get one of the best sounding guitars in the under 1000$ category.. a Martin DXM ....about $650
Edited by koolkid (04/27/08 06:28 PM)
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#1933329 - 04/27/08 07:25 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: koolkid]
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bbqbob
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Registered: 01/10/06
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Caprae, the strings are space normally. The neck is pretty even insofar as thickness goes from nut to the guitar body, does not feel clunky to me. What I like about it, besides the easy action is how nice it sounds. When you strum the Zager it seems like it rings forever.
I took a guitar class though adult ed this last fall in which there was 4 of us in the class. The instructor frequently had the others tune their guitars to mine, one time commenting: "Bob always seems to be in tune." I do not really have to work to keep it in tune.
What I also noticed about it was when playing with the others mine seemed to sound so much better than the their guitars. One had a Yamaha, one was a no name, one was an Estaban (no kidding!) and mine just seemed to ring out so clear. Bear in mind these were not Martins. My daughter also has a Zager as well as a Takamine and there is no comparison, the Zager make the Takamine sound dead. These are just my opinions now!
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#1933634 - 04/28/08 11:27 AM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: bbqbob]
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PRW
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Registered: 04/26/08
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FYI, I emailed Zager, and not only do they not have any leftys, but apparently what is on the site right now is it, he's retiring from doing this. So if you are interested in getting one, you'd better hurry.
And thanks to all for the responses, it has certainly given me some guidance. And I'm glad I registered for the forum, I'll try not to be a stranger on other threads.
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#1933862 - 04/28/08 06:47 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: PRW]
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bbqbob
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That's too bad, glad I got mine!
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#1935627 - 05/01/08 08:11 PM
Re: $300-$500 lefty acoustic guitar for 13-year-old?
[Re: bbqbob]
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PRW
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Registered: 04/26/08
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Just a followup, had a chance to visit the closest Guitar Center with my son today and sample some guitars. I let him play them, then I played them. We tried a Seagull (I was very disappointed in that one; I had played one before and it was great, but this one sounded no better than my son's current $150 Johnson; I posted about this on a few other forums seeking info and some folks told me that the quality in newer Seagulls was a bit lacking and based on this one I would agree), an Ibanez AEL10 with pickup (cool looking but very dead sounding), an Ovation Celebrity Standard with pickup (not a bad guitar, but with the shallow bowl it was lacking as an acoustic guitar and my son wants something he can play unplugged)and a couple of Fenders (didn't like them at all). However, there was one lefty guitar there that just wasted everything in the price range, a Yamaha FG720S like A string recommended. Great sound, structurally it just felt good in your hands and it was set up nicely. Just a really, really good guitar for the money and we were quoted a good "out the door, including case" price. That may be the direction we go, although I'd still like to try a Washburn.
Just as an FYI, my son did try a few lefty electrics, although he doesn't really need one, the Dan-O is sufficient for him right now, and they had a Mexican-made Standard Telecaster that was a killer, one of the best Fender maple necks I've ever had my hands on (it was evident to me even playing upside down) and the sound was no different at least to my ears than a more expensive Tele. I was really impressed with that guitar and would highly recommend it for a starter electric.
Edited by PRW (05/01/08 08:14 PM)
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