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

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Question:
I am looking to purchase a guitar. I don't play but of course have high hopes of learning... The guitar I was looking at is a Fender DG-11E. It is an acoustic electric. Does anyone have any experience with this guitar or any of the other affordable Fender guitars? Or...could you suggest a decent quality guitar to pick up to learn on?

Answer:
For a new entry level acoustic, Seagull is my fave.  Fender cheapo acoustics are...cheapo. Bought 5 month ago a Fender DG 20 acoustic/electric after trying a lot of different guitars in the same price-range I preferred the sound of the Fender. I am very satisfied with this instrument. Have been playing for 30 years but now finally decided to go ahead and learn some more. After reading a lot good about Martin and Seagull Guitars in this group I was worried that I bought too cheap, but... 2 days ago I went to a shop and tried a few other guitars a.o. 5 different Martins. I was not that impressed and in fact prefer the sound and look of my Fender to the cheaper Martins. The deep bass is louder in the Martins however, but my Fender gives a very nice sound. The finish is 110% OK and the playability/set up perfect. Hear the same comment from an old freak I know that has been working with guitars ever since the ww2. I know it is not a solid wood guitar, but believe you’ll get a decent guitar at the price. Must admit that American guitars like Martin and Seagull are rather expensive in DK and that might make a difference. Paid 550 USD for my Fender DG 20. A Martin D-28 is 4200 USD fyg. Did not try the D-28 however. Think after all I would switch it for my Fender(or keep both) if some day I can convince my wife of the necessity) I'll agree that the lower end Martins aren't that great.  They're trading off the name.  When I got my seagull S6 I tried everything I could find for under $700, even though my budget was really around $400.  Tak, Ibanez, Martin, Fender, Baby taylors, etc. The Seagull was hands down the best in sound quality and playability. I bought a Washburn acoustic-electric just now for about $330 brand new. I spent some time shopping around and I'm very happy with the quality. The Yamaha FG series is well worth a look. You might want to think about going for a non-electric acoustic as you'll be able to get a better quality guitar for the same price and the electric option is unlikely to be that much of an advantage initially. Look for one with a solid top (ie. not laminated). I love my Washburn and it wasn't very expensive--$300.00 (acoustic, plug-in.)  I've had several professionals tell me that it sounds and plays great.  I went back and bought a Washburn Acoustic Bass---like it too.  Now I need an amplifier. I'm sure it does sound great. What I'm saying is that the average $300 acoustic guitar without electrics is likely to be a better guitar than the average $300 acoustic guitar with electrics... An unplugged $300 Washburn acoustic guitar with a piezo pickup is likely to be equivalent in quality to a $250 Washburn acoustic without that pickup. You just have to question how useful that pickup is going to be. Note the use of the word 'likely'. Sure, it depends.  I rarely use the plug in on my acoustic, but I'm still learning.  A friend of mine has borrowed it twice though cause he is in a band and he used it for performing--needed to extra volume.  It gives him some variety, he says.  My husband has a larger Washburn acoustic with no pickup and it is a nice guitar too. Personally, I love my Big Baby Taylor.  It's it absolutely one of the best acoustic guitars I've ever played.  It has a little bit thinner neck than most, the frets are great, and the tone is just incredible, especially for a guitar for around $350.  Playability is great, and it would be a perfect beginner guitar.  A lot of people might overlook it because it's a 15/16 ratio of a full size dreadnought, but when you play it, it feels just like a full size guitar.  You can't tell it's any smaller unless you put it beside a big one.  I highly recommend it.  I put a set of 13's on it, which I have on it now, and added even more tone, and the guitar handles them well.