Guitar players. Opinions
 

As some of you may or may not know, I'm a studying to be a music teacher. I've taken a guitar course that's realllly gotten me interested in the guitar. I've only played for 8 weeks or so and have gotten pretty damn good for the time. Now that my course is over (played on okay classical guitars with nylon strings), I want to keep it going. It'd be a great tool to have in a general music setting as well.

Here's my reasoning for buying it. I want to have a guitar that is going to be in tune in all ranges of the instrument. I'm not going to be playing in Carnegie Hall or anything on that grand of a scale. I just want it to play around with by myself and then take it in to the classroom later on. I'm not a novice, yet I'm not a pro. My ear is good enough to pick up on bad tuning, shitty sounds, and other background noises that shouldn't be audible.


So I was looking at a local guitar store and they were selling this model of an ibanez: http://www.ibanez.com/acoustic/guitar.aspx?m=AEL20ETBS

Everywhere I look online they're selling it for $350+. This store is selling it for $299. Good deal? Any suggestions?

I'm not looking to pay much more than that for a decent guitar. It's nice that it has the electric pick-up in it, but it's not necessary imo. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I'm not an expert on acoustic guitars, seeing that I only play electric (or that is, I only OWN an electric), but I briefly glanced over the specs of that model and it looks to be a great guitar, especially for $299. Realistically, acoustic guitars don't sound that much better until you break the $500 price bracket, unless you get a Taylor for about $400. The Ibanez has a nice rosewood neck and fretboard, and maple top, so you should get good sound out of it. Having an onboard tuner is nice, but not necessary. The electric jack for an acoustic amp is actually a great feature. Playing an acoustic on a good acoustic amp really allows you to hear so many nuances of the instrument and it makes a big difference, but that probably won't be something you'd get right away.

That guitar goes for $350 on musician's friend, which is my de facto retailer for guitar equipment, pickups, parts, accessories, etc.

P.S. please don't get the blue finish. That would make my penis weep.

I own an Ibanez Electric. IMO Ibanez makes some fine guitars. If you know of any guitar shops go in an give a few different makes and models a try before you settle on one guitar. You may find the neck on one guitar is too wide/ narrow for your hand. Also some guitars feel different when you have them in your hands(such as Ovations) due to the design of the back of the guitar. Just try a bunch out. Find a couple you like and look for the best deal.

hahah Chronic @ blue finish comment. I was thinking I'd get the blue finish one or buy an Esteban guitar with the black hat & shades to go along with it! [sarcasm]

I am a big fan of the Les Paul era.

Check the reviews at Harmony Central to see what other players say about it.

Dobro FTW!


http://www.peteatkin.com/images/national.jpg

i haven't personally tried the guitar.. but my advice to you is just go play it, and play other guitars in its price range to get a feel for them, and go with the one you like best