I want to buy a guitar from the internet-revised (ignore the earlier posting).

[crowdpleeser]

I want to buy a acoustic steel string guitar off the net.The key thing I am looking for is that it will get better with age. I am aware that I can get one much cheaper from the net than from the shop, but where do I start looking? An example: In a guitar shop I have been quoted �659 for an Ayers CCR cedar top acoustic steel string which I really like, and I know SOMEWHERE on the net it must be cheaper but I've been getting bogged down with searching. I know that guitars made in the Far East are sell for much less because they have lower overheads over there and the guitars are not comprimised on quality so maybe I can go down that path, but I don't know where to start.I don't really want to try ebay because my budget is about �800 and I don't want to risk buying something that's second hand. There must be so much I must research before buying a guitar-I even have to apply for a credit card! Help me people!

[j2buttonsw]

You must be mental to buy a guitar from the net: how can you tell whether you get a duffer if you never play it? I would use the net to find guitar shops near you then spend time visiting and trying them out. If you are near Luton/Stevenage then go to Coda-Music who have a vast collection of guitars (from cheap to very expensive Gibson J200s and Martins: see http://www.coda-music.co.uk ) which you can compare and contrast. You will always loose money on acoustic guitars unless you buy a good quality one so treat it like buying a car. For my money I would get a Yamaha: they don't make rubbish guitars and some of the more expensive ones (JC12 for example) sound great.

[j2buttonsw]

And another thing: second hand guitars have been "played in" and are often much better sounding than new guitars plus they are cheaper and you will lose less money if you resell. The trouble is there are not many shops that sell good second hand ones (Coda being the an exception. BTW they are selling a second hand Gibson J50 (with case) for �899 at the moment. New they are �1200).


To your other post, kahunabean wrote: "hiya. there is loads of choice and info thats true.... IMHO the website http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/ gives loads of good reviews. I think any good acoustic (when i say good i mean anything with a list price over �250) will improve with age as long as it is reasonably well looked after. If I were you I would cross-reference a few well-established on-line guitar stores with the reviews in harmony central." - AB Editor

[sft42]

How rare that someone actually asks a question that's slap bang in your area of expertise...well at least for me anyway...but I can field this one.

Okay Button hasmade a very good and valid point that all second hand guitars will have a huge advantage in that the older they all the longer the wood will have has to mature and age....all guitars tend to feel a little tight till they have a couple of years under their belt......as for a quality guitar around the �800 mark....well a 70s Gibson of the J45 or J50 type should leave you just enough change for a good hard case to go with it but it's mostly the looking for a good 'un that will bog you down here. I wouldn't touch a Yamaha (sorry!) they are seen as a poor relation in the company that this sort of money will buy you (Taylor, Gibson, Lowden or if your real Lucky Martin) A couple of links:

http://www.moonguitars.co.uk/

http://www.musicalinstrumentsales.co.uk/acouguitrs
.html this second one has a nice sounding Fylde guitar (i have an Oberon) which seems cheap if it's in good nick)....Hope some of this info help...if you need more help ask again and I'll try and help some more.