What guitar should I buy?

I 'played guitar' when I was in high school, but that really just means I had a cheap electric guitar and hammered down on power chord and drop-d songs at as close to 11 as I could get. 

Now that I'm (at least) twice as old as I was back then, I find myself thinking about getting back into playing more and more. I don't think I'd go to the level of writing my own songs, but I want to get to where I can play recognizably well around a campfire or singing with the kids. 

I don't currently have a guitar. I think I want to buy one. 

1. Budget around $200 - not hard and fast, I could go up a bit if needed for the right guitar
2. I think I want an acoustic/electric - I would mostly plan to play without an amp
3. New or used, either way
4. Good (easy) to play with good sound, but I am not an audiophile. 
5. Hopefully something long-lasting and rugged. I have kids and I'm sure they will want to play from time to time as well. 

One of my big concerns is that I only bought very cheap guitars when I was in high school. And I think my enjoyment suffered, as often you CAN play a cheap guitar but when the setup is bad they don't sound great or the distance from the strings to the fret board is too far and therefore playing is more difficult than it should be or the fret board is too close and the strings buzz when they shouldn't etc. So I want to spend the money to know that it's not the instrument that sucks, it's just me. 

What should I look for?

For acoustic, the simple answer is but what you feel the most comfortable playing. In that price range, I would look used at local music/pawn shops. I wouldn't buy online. 
I would also forgo the electric part. If you want to amplify the sound, there are inexpensive pickups that can be either permanently installed or just used as needed. 
As for brands, i wouldn't worry too much. Yamaha builds quality inexpensive stuff, but there are a ton of independent/off brand manufacturers that make very good stuff that sells second hand for pennies because of a lack of branding/name recognition. 
My only real suggestion is to look for build quality. Look for smooth edges on the frets, straight necks, tuning pegs that operate smoothly. Watch out for cracks, bad jointing, frills, but don't judge based on appearance. 
 

As an example: when I bough my current acoustic I didn't know exactly what I wanted. So I went out in my little town and played every guitar I could get my hands on that day. What I ended up with is an Epiphone ej200 even though I've never cared for the Gibson jumbo they're modeled after. It plays very well and sounds great. $300 used but it didn't include a case. The guitar is black (not fond) and has some very country western detailing (extra not fond). But it plays and sounds great. That's what you want. 

For an acoustic I will recommend finding a used Seagull S6 with a cedar top. They pop up on Reverb and craigslist for under $300. Canadian made, solid top guitars that punch way, WAY above what their price suggests.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the electro part of the electroacoustic. Anything in that price range is going to sound bad unplugged and much worse when plugged in.  I'm not a fan of the piezo pickup sound.

I have been playing the same S6 for 20 years because I can't find anything that sounds better than it for under $1500.

The simple answer to this is to buy a Yamaha, FS800 or FG800. It'll run you about $200-$250. It has a solid top so it sounds decent, and it will be playable at worst. It is kind of like the Toyota Corolla of guitars - which is a good thing in this price range. 

I recommend NOT getting an acoustic/electric, unless you're planning on playing open mics soon. And even if you are, the pickups that come with guitars in this price range are really crappy piezo pickups, and sound like it (quackquackquack). If you want to get into that later, get a Fishman Pro-Neo-D01 or Seymour Duncan SA-3SC soundhole pickup for $50. I personally never plug in my guitar unless I'm playing an open mic or other gig... and I spent $200 on my pickup. I might even have a soundhole pickup I can give you. 

Before buying anything though, I would head over to Down Home Guitars in Frankfort. They're really good. They mostly deal in high end guitars ($2k on up to probably $20k), but they also have beginner models probably starting around $250. Pick up a bunch, even the expensive ones. Figure out what you like. Ask a bunch of questions. Even if you don't buy something from there, I would plan on getting whatever guitar you buy set up there. Budget $50 to $100 for that - it will be worth it. 

See this thread for more information: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/guitar-help/177271/page1/

I would check out this one personally. Eastman makes good stuff and that is a nice gig bag. 
 

Eastman on Facebook

If you want full electric and can spend $300 or so, I'd look at a used PRS SE or Mexican-made Fender. I have both and they do everything a good guitar should do: sounds good, looks good, plays well and stays in tune. Why fight the guitar? 

Another vote for a local guitar shop vs. a private seller. It's nice to know that the guitar is set up and doesn't have any hidden horrors. Plus, at a shop you can try a bunch and find one that you like. 

At the entry level price point, it's very hard to beat Yamaha guitars for value. 

For a little more money, do take a look at the Seagull.  My son's favorite for the last few years is a Seagull--great sound, and very easy to play.

In reply to Trent :

Friend bought a Seagull when our local shop first got them in. Would have said a dozen years ago... till ya mentioned 20 years! When I think about it it was prolly '95 or so. Great guitar. Well worth 3 bills if ya found one for that!

Mtn has some good advice. With price increases of everything lately your budget might be hard to work with unless you come across a really good deal in Reverb or locally.

As someone who has played the guitar and drums on and off for 25 years, better guitars are so much easier to play.

One thing I do remember from back in HS is that one of my buddies had an acoustic electric (I think it was actually his aunt's or something, he found it in a closet) that I really loved. I had a rounded plastic (maybe composite?) back and seemed to be a bit skinnier than a standard full size acoustic. I remember that it seemed to sit in my lap a bit more like the smaller frame electric guitar I had, and was MUCH more comfortable than the acoustic I had. 

Searching around the internet this morning tells me it was likely an Ovation, I think the model is 'balladeer' or maybe 'applause'. Any feedback on those? They look to be a bit above my stated budget but I am seeing them in the 350-400 range used so if they meet my other criteria I could be convinced. 

I do think it is a good idea to go to a shop and try a bunch. I checked out the Down Home Guitars' website and holy moly the prices (mtn nailed it above)!! I'll admit that is a bit intimidating to me. 

I used to have some nice gear, sold it all to fund cars. I still tool around but on a budget. Good recommendations above. I personally have a Yamaha acoustic (I'll edit with model later- fs700s) and a PRS SE singlecut electric. Gets me to about 80% of what my Martin and Gibson collection did for pennies on the dollar.

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

Certainly sounds like an Ovation. Some folks don't care for the round backs because they can slip and slide around, but I've seen folks put rubber strips or even skateboard grip tape to keep that from happening  

That said, if you like the feel and sound, buy one. 

I had a couple of the early Applause guitars, one back in the mid 70's when they first came out, and another later on. They were fine for me, friends had Ovations I played occasionally which were a step up. While my friends thought the Ovations were worth the higher cost I didn't, perhaps because they were more musician types and I was more of a car and motorcycle guy who spent more money on those types of items than they would.

Yep, Ovation/Applause/Celebrity. Most serious players who use them only use them for live gigs, but they're decent guitars. I have issues with them for the sound (not my cup of tea), and more importantly, their construction. Unlike most guitars which are either X-braced or ladder braced, Ovations are braced more or less along with the grain. When you combine that with the fact that plastic doesn't move but wood does, it means that you're more likely to get a cracked top, or have the top split from the back. That can all be repaired, and it can happen on conventionally built guitars as well, but it is more likely to happen with an Ovation. They definitely look cool though. 

Don't be intimidated by Down Home. They have beginner guitars too, they just don't have them on the website.

Sawtooth makes great guitars for this type of thing. 

David S. Wallens said:

 

Another vote for a local guitar shop vs. a private seller. It's nice to know that the guitar is set up and doesn't have any hidden horrors. Plus, at a shop you can try a bunch and find one that you like. 

Especially with cheaper acoustics the action has a good chance of being terrible. If you can sit down and play the thing for a while you can tell if it's a finger destroyer or not. For me, nothing demotivates me to play like a sky-high action and rough feel on an acoustic.

barefootcyborg5000 said:

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

Certainly sounds like an Ovation. Some folks don't care for the round backs because they can slip and slide around, but I've seen folks put rubber strips or even skateboard grip tape to keep that from happening  

That said, if you like the feel and sound, buy one. 

Some of the best actions I have felt on acoustics were on Ovations. But the old Roundback sneakaway was distracting.

I've had a seagull for...15 years now. Anniversary edition in spruce I think. 

Great sound but the neck and action aren't the best. I'd play one before pulling the trigger.

Just wanna say acoustic is much harder to learn than electric

SpeedwayFan said:

Just wanna say acoustic is much harder to learn than electric

I disagree. They're a little easier. Not much. Electric has easier action, but a good setup and light strings will negate most of that. Playing for a few weeks will negate it as well. 

Trent said:

For an acoustic I will recommend finding a used Seagull S6 with a cedar top. They pop up on Reverb and craigslist for under $300. Canadian made, solid top guitars that punch way, WAY above what their price suggests.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the electro part of the electroacoustic. Anything in that price range is going to sound bad unplugged and much worse when plugged in.  I'm not a fan of the piezo pickup sound.

 

I have been playing the same S6 for 20 years because I can't find anything that sounds better than it for under $1500.

My favorite acoustic is one of the original S6 Seagulls, something about the way that Cedar top has aged. It also has a magical setup that I've never touched and plays easier than any acoustic I've tried. Not bad for a beat up old thing I found at a used guitar shop. I think I paid $250 for it with a hard case.

All that to say, if you've got a local shop that does used guitars you might be able to find something cool.

mtn said:

SpeedwayFan said:

Just wanna say acoustic is much harder to learn than electric

I disagree. They're a little easier. Not much. Electric has easier action, but a good setup and light strings will negate most of that. Playing for a few weeks will negate it as well. 

You can get away with G C and D for life on an acoustic but after a while people are going to expect more from someone's electric playing.

GCrites80s said:

mtn said:

SpeedwayFan said:

Just wanna say acoustic is much harder to learn than electric

I disagree. They're a little easier. Not much. Electric has easier action, but a good setup and light strings will negate most of that. Playing for a few weeks will negate it as well. 

You can get away with G C and D for life on an acoustic but after a while people are going to expect more from someone's electric playing.

I mean.... yes? But also no. That said, pick up an SG, play those same chords, instant AC/DC cover band. 
 

As for acoustics being more difficult, it depends on the guitar. In standard tuning, most folks will have an electric with .009 or .010 strings while their acoustic is wearing .013s with twice the action height. The flip side is my old lead player. Learned every note of the first 5 Metallica albums on his Washburn acoustic, and he played it properly. He swears that those first few years were the key to his phenomenal speed. He's a machine, and also one hell of a cook. 
 

All that is to say, proper strings and setup can usually make all the difference. Definitely worth budgeting for. 

I would be concerned about the chips? dog bites? Whatever it is, in the back, but this is a good deal on a good guitar. Don't know if it's worth driving to the city or not - I wouldn't personally - but if you're around the area, might be worth it. 
 

Seagull on Faceboob