Entry level acoustic (where to buy)

Harley

Hi guys

My sister is looking at buying an new acoustic guitar to learn on. She stays in Boksburg, are there any decent stores around that area
that have a decent variety, price range round R1500.

Thanks ?

Bob-Dubery

Steel string? Nylon string?

Harley

Oops :-[

Steel

VellaJ

Watch Gumtree closely. I'm amazed at the amount of guitar-related ads that pop up from around that area...

You can get a pretty decent 2nd hand guitar for that cash. I wouldn't go new if I were you. For example, I bought my Cort acoustic for R1,500 2nd hand. New, it would have costed me about R3k at the time...

Norman86

Tanglewood TW28 Series guitars!

AWESOME value for money!!!
Lovemore music, Music Mate K90...
Im not really a fan of Musicworld in East Rand Mall, but i like their book selection!

For Tanglewoods though, the best price i found was from mercury music in Edenvale, across from greenstone mall...
R1150 for the Tanglewood TW28 CLN like i have:

http://www.mercurymusic.co.za/pMMTW28CLN/Tanglewood-Evolution-TW28CLN-Acoustic-Guitar.aspx

The Tanglewood tone for an "entry level" guitar is by far the best!
Much better than the Yamaha's, Cort's and Ibanez of the same price range!!!
In my opinion of course, but many people will tell you the same thing here!!!

Norman86

Forgot to mention....
What sets the Tanglewood apart, is the bone nut and saddle, which you wont find on any other entry level guitar, and only on much more expensive guitars!

And after watching this, i wouldnt consider Cort guitars!!!
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/guitar-gear/pretty-unpleasant-look-at-cort-factories

Bob-Dubery

The problem with buying and entry level guitar is that you're an entry level buyer - you don't know much about guitars.

If your sister has a friend or relative who has some experience with guitars then she should take that person along and get their opinion on anything she's thinking of buying.

DO NOT buy on the basis of colour or looks unless that's the decider between two guitars. Rather seek something that is reasonably physically easy to play and that will stay in tune OK.

Well cared for second hand instruments are a good way to get more guitaring bang per buck.

If she's taking lessons she should seek advice from her teacher.

Take a drive into Jo'burg on a Saturday morning and visit some shops there. You'll get a better choice and probably better advice from the sales staff.

StephenG

as for the original question - take a look at Crafter guitars too... not sure of they make in that price range anymore, but you can find an absolute gem in amongst their guitars as well.

domhatch

someone's already mentioned it, but she's gonna need a teacher. and a teacher is probably the best person to go guitar hunting with. so mebbe get some advice from the lads and lasses on how to find a good teacher in that area, specifically one that'll help pick out a good beginner guitar for her.

you've already had some good manufacturers mentioned, my pick would be cort (despite the rather horrible video referenced), tanglewood, crafter, and none of the above new. second hand you're almost always going to get better value. the only problem with buying second hand is you absolutely always need to know what you're doing - hence the need for a teacher, or someone who knows what to look for, to accompany the new guitar purchaser. plus, it's safer.

one little piece of advice i give to anyone looking for a new guitar is to look both a little above and a little below your target spend. below, and you might find a real steal. spend a little above, and you may run into the bargain of the century.

good luck
dh

Harley

Thanks for all the advice.
Phoned a bunch of stores and the only one that actually had variety and stock was Marshall Music in Woodmead.
She got friendly service and the sales person was very helpful. She was looking at a Cort AD880 and a Tanglewood TW28 SSN, she ended up
taking the Tanglewood, the Cort had a manufacturing flaw (the salesman found when inspecting it).
She sent me some pics, it looks amazing!!!! Will check it out when she comes down in December.

So a big thanks to Marshall Music ? The guitar she got was above her price range but they gave a REALLY good price!

She's super stoked and is probably already busy playing while I am typing this reply.

Norman86

Harley wrote: Thanks for all the advice.
Phoned a bunch of stores and the only one that actually had variety and stock was Marshall Music in Woodmead.
She got friendly service and the sales person was very helpful. She was looking at a Cort AD880 and a Tanglewood TW28 SSN, she ended up
taking the Tanglewood, the Cort had a manufacturing flaw (the salesman found when inspecting it).
She sent me some pics, it looks amazing!!!! Will check it out when she comes down in December.

So a big thanks to Marshall Music ? The guitar she got was above her price range but they gave a REALLY good price!

She's super stoked and is probably already busy playing while I am typing this reply.

Well im glad you got sorted!
Out of curiosity, and you can pm if you like, what was the price she paid for the Tanglewood?

Let it also be known, i have no saak with Ray, i know him and didnt take offence, he was just offering an opinion!
i didnt see the second edited reply though?!
anywho...

domhatch

Harley wrote: The guitar she got was above her price range but they gave a REALLY good price!

She's super stoked and is probably already busy playing while I am typing this reply.

i'm also glad she got what she was after. i've seen tanglewoods around, played one or two (dunno if it's this exact model), and been really impressed. i'd be interested to know whether she told them what she had to spend and whether they then made a plan for her. i've done this once or twice - last time was with my larrivee - and it works. once the salespeople understand you have a limit, and what it is, they know what they can put in your hands.

pretty good solution all round
dh

Harley

@ domhatch

she told the guy upfront what she had to spend and they offered her a very nice discount (a bit more than usual).

these pics are off the net, but the same model as hers.

Not too bad for R1400, I think...

domhatch

yup, figured that might be the case. i sometimes find this is quite an effective way of getting that 'great' discount. i got my larrivee for a WHACK less than ticket because the sales guy knew up front i only had x-amount to spend. anyhoo, the thing that matters is that your sister now has a great entry-level guitar that'll probably last for years and years...

hope she enjoys!
dh

Norman86

If hers is anywhere as nice as that one, its fantastic!!!

costafonix

very very lekker ?

VellaJ

Excellent choice ? I've never played the Tanglewoods, but I think they look amazing...

Does this guitar come with electronics as well? I was wondering about getting a similar guitar at some point...

Norman86

VellaJ wrote: Excellent choice ? I've never played the Tanglewoods, but I think they look amazing...

Does this guitar come with electronics as well? I was wondering about getting a similar guitar at some point...

Hey Vella...

http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/products/acoustic/evo_exotic/evolution/TW28.html
The normal dreadnoughts have no electronics!!!

all the CE range guitars have fishmans fitted though! they sound great!
http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/products/acoustic/evo_exotic/evolution.html

TW28 CE; TSF CE; TSJ CE

So the Cutaway Dreadnought, the Super Folk and Super Jumbo guitars have the Fishman Isys fitted!
Costa can confirm whether i have the right Fishman pre!!!

VellaJ

Norman86 wrote:
VellaJ wrote: Excellent choice ? I've never played the Tanglewoods, but I think they look amazing...

Does this guitar come with electronics as well? I was wondering about getting a similar guitar at some point...

Hey Vella...

http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/products/acoustic/evo_exotic/evolution/TW28.html
The normal dreadnoughts have no electronics!!!

all the CE range guitars have fishmans fitted though! they sound great!
http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/products/acoustic/evo_exotic/evolution.html

TW28 CE; TSF CE; TSJ CE

So the Cutaway Dreadnought, the Super Folk and Super Jumbo guitars have the Fishman Isys fitted!
Costa can confirm whether i have the right Fishman pre!!!

Awesome, thanks ?

Google wasn't kind to me when I searched for your sister's model... :-[

costafonix

VellaJ,,, last time I checked, TOMS had 2 of the cutaway models with preamps......at a VERY good price....