FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

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Question:
I am a beginner to guitars and am planning to pick one up. Unfortunately where I come from u don’t get many second hand guitars. So I will be going for a new one. Would u recommend me going for an electro acoustic one instead of an ordinary acoustic? Will there be much tone difference and stuff like that.

Answer:
*for the same money* an electro will be a bit inferior, purely because some of the cost of the guitar will go on the pickup and electronics, cutting a hole for fitting, etc. Although some may argue otherwise, it's always worth spending as much as you can afford on a first guitar - the better guitars will generally be easier to play, being built to higher standards, and will sound better. Things to look for include a solid top (spruce for the usual bright acoustic sound, cedar for a slightly mellower, warmer sound which plays in more quickly but is a little more vulnerable to damage from picks etc.) *not* a laminated top plywood is fine for packing crates, boats and such, though ;o) ), decent quality tuning machines (enclosed so you can't see the gears is a good indication), and a good action (the relationship between the strings and the frets). Often new guitars straight from the factory aren't set up well - the bridge may need work, as may the depth of the nut slots (which set the height of the strings at the head end of the neck) and the frets may not be level or well-finished - the ends of the frets are generally a good clue to the quality of the guitar - if they're sticking out and sharp, they'll make a mess of your fingers. If you have time, be a real pain for the shop staff, and spend hours or even days trying lots of guitars (including others of the same make and model - they vary from instrument to instrument), take a friend who plays along if you're unsure of your abilities, and so you can hear the instrument from another's point of view (hearing?) - most guitars sound completely different when you've got them in your lap, compared to what an audience will hear. Try to find a quiet spot in the shop away from other guitars, too -  I've been in shops where all the other guitars rang when I played the one in my hands...If you decide on an electro-acoustic, be sure to try it amplified, as the whole reason for it is to be able to play loud in concert situations - I have an electro myself, but rarely use it amplified, preferring to record it through a pair of microphones. Above all, *don't rush your decision*, a decent guitar will be your friend for many, many years. Leaving aside the question of choosing a guitar that's right for you, it depends on what you want out of it.  My first guitar was straight acoustic, because I wanted to play unamplified (folk circles mostly).  I had no need for the extra electronics.  I've been playing it ever since. However, since I got it, I've decided I want to play out more, like at open mics, where amplification is much more important.  I've bought sound-hole pickups, none of which have thrilled me, to get me into the mixing board. As for actual guitar tone, they should be about identical - the pickups won't alter your guitar that you'll notice.  Tone differences between built-in pickups and sound-hole ones might be significant, but it'll depend on how much you spend later for pickups. Basically, figure out what you really want to do.  If you're just playing at home and for friends, go for a better acoustic.  If you want to play amplified (bars, company parties, whatever), get an A/E now. It's easier and more convenient. And like the other guy said, audition it unamplified _and_ amplified, so you can know what you're getting.  If you can, have someone else play it far enough away from you that you don't get spillage from the acoustic sound when you're listening to the amplified sound. I've heard good things about the Yamaha APX models, although I've never played one. Really there is not much difference between having the electronics and not. The questions you have to answer are ... What are willing to spend on a guitar and then what are uses going to be?  Not knowing what part of the world you’re in I base my opinion on US market. You can get a good acoustic guitar to start off with between $200 to $500. The more you spend, obviously the better quality the instrument will be. If you just going to be strumming around the house, electronics aren't going to do you any good. If you plan to record or play live at some point then electronics are a must. As one poster pointed out Yamaha makes some of the best beginner or guitars in that price range. They sound nice and play real easy.  Fender makes a model called the DG20 that's a pretty nice beginner guitar. If you really want something nice sounding that you can grow into as a player .I recommend the Larrivee D03 or the Martim DM. these are great playing, great sounding guitars. If you walk into your local shop and strum a $1000 guitar and a $500 you notice a big sound difference. The reason is the woods and the way there constructed. As you learn and get better, tone and playability become bigger factors. The Larivee and Martins are a bit pricey starting around $600 but they are guitars that you'll want to keep around for a while. The bottom line is figure out what you want to invest in a guitar and check out as many models in that price range as you can. Pick them up, strum them, each guitar, even by the same company, is it own unique beast. Pick the one that feels comfortable in your hands and pleases your ear.