1) While practice (alone) time is certainly necessary, find some other people to pick with. If you don't have friends or family that play, look for a local jam session. Playing with others can certainly be intimidating when you're new at it, but it's far more fun and rewarding than "practicing" alone.

2) Buy the best guitar you can afford. You are far more likely to play a guitar you love. And it's easier to learn on a higher quality instrument that plays well. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks about this. If you don't stick with it, most decent guitars will hold a substantial amount of their value if you've taken good care of them.

Find a guitar you like at Sweetwater.com. Call them, and ask them for a quote. They will almost always knock %15 off the top, just for asking.

Don't hesitate to buy online from Sweetwater. They have fantastic customer service. You have 30 days to return the guitar if you don't like it (though you may end up paying shipping back).

I prefer to buy local when I can, but it's not always possible. If you don't have a local store where you can get your hands on some decent guitars, just find one you like at Sweetwater and pull the trigger.

I also recommend Sweetwater. The purchases I have made there have been excellent. However, I have never purchased a guitar sight unseen. I like to examine a guitar before I purchase it because each one is a little different.

the first thing to do is try several guitars and see which is most comfortable - which one fits your body shape so its comfortable to hold

does it have a cut out so you can work comfortably above the 12th fret?

how does the neck feel? is it too wide for your fingers? is the neck radius too much? can you get a smaller one?

try to narrow it down to a make and model and then call Sweetwater

at this point don't even worry about tone because once you get the guitar likely the first thing you will do is get new strings pout on it and get it set up properly and have the frets dressed

I’ve done a lot of fret dressings. That’s not something you do unless the guitar needs it. It’s pretty rare that a new guitar will need a fret dressing, and a new Taylor should not. Full stop. Should. Not.

I’ll also disagree about tone. If the op hates the way a guitar sounds, it doesn’t matter how well it plays if it sounds like it was made out of a cigar box and scraps from the kindling pile.

If you want, we can keep bumping this thread and ask if you've practiced today?

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
If you want, we can keep bumping this thread and ask if you've practiced today?

Haha! The answer would be yes!!

I have my eye on a Builder’s Edition Taylor.

To the OP: apologize for the delay in answering your question, work gets in the way of my personal life! Anyway, I got a 314 GA. Builders edition for me would be a seriously aspirational purchase. I have 3 expensive hobbies already so getting back into guitars makes four. As for practicing, frequency is better than duration, which is why (so far) I like the app. Pick up right where I left off when I am pressed to make time. I am not new to the hardware having gone through a slew of instruments over the decades. The Taylor is attractive.... I am drawn to playing it. Kinda sorta wish I had one of my old nitrocellulose finish Guilds BUT I like the neck on the Taylor better.

quote:

Originally posted by Oscars father:
To the OP: apologize for the delay in answering your question, work gets in the way of my personal life! Anyway, I got a 314 GA. Builders edition for me would be a seriously aspirational purchase. I have 3 expensive hobbies already so getting back into guitars makes four. As for practicing, frequency is better than duration, which is why (so far) I like the app. Pick up right where I left off when I am pressed to make time. I am not new to the hardware having gone through a slew of instruments over the decades. The Taylor is attractive.... I am drawn to playing it. Kinda sorta wish I had one of my old nitrocellulose finish Guilds BUT I like the neck on the Taylor better.

No worries! I've really enjoyed this thread and all the advice people have offered has been really helpful. I hope others will continue to chime in!

I really like the 324ce Builder's Edition. The 3-series has the tone which I really like--smooth with a pronounced low-end and great sound.

If we are instigating an expansive guitar purchase, I highly recommend a Martin and contacting Maury’s Music. They generally sell at 60% of the MSRP. I think everyone needs a 2014+ 000-18 personally. It is my favorite do everything and do it well guitar.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
If we are instigating an expansive guitar purchase, I highly recommend a Martin and contacting Maury’s Music. They generally sell at 60% of the MSRP. I think everyone needs a 2014+ 000-18 personally. It is my favorite do everything and do it well guitar.

Is there a reason why you prefer Martin over Taylor? I know a lot of people do. Just curious why.

quote:

Originally posted by Rigby470:

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
If we are instigating an expansive guitar purchase, I highly recommend a Martin and contacting Maury’s Music. They generally sell at 60% of the MSRP. I think everyone needs a 2014+ 000-18 personally. It is my favorite do everything and do it well guitar.

Is there a reason why you prefer Martin over Taylor? I know a lot of people do. Just curious why.

Completely different sound. I think Martins have a fuller, richer tone.

Not that Taylors are bad, it’s just Martins pretty much set the standard and tend to be what everything gets compared to. Some better, many worse.

Oh, and the Martin standard line and above have the traditional design with a dovetail neck joint. Some feel it makes a difference.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Completely different sound. I think Martins have a fuller, richer tone.

Not that Taylors are bad, it’s just Martins pretty much set the standard and tend to be what everything gets compared to. Some better, many worse.

I don't know about "fuller, richer tone" but Martins do tend to project a bit more, and have a nice heavy boom for loud strumming. It all depends on the guitar, honestly. My Taylor is an absolute cannon and projects like a Martin, but with more sustain and top end as well. The first time I picked it up and strummed a chord, it was like getting struck by lightning.

The main difference between Martins and Taylors that isn't subjective is the neck joint and the bracing. Taylors all have a bolt-on neck, and as far as I know, Martin is still only doing glued neck joints. What's the difference? Well, with Taylor, you're getting wood-to-wood contact throughout the guitar and a bit more resonance because of the neck joint. It's also easier for a tech to remove the neck and shim it if the neck angle is wonky. Martin's hide glue neck joint is absolutely traditional, but you're not getting direct wood-to-wood contact in the neck joint (which is part of what the Martin sound is) and over time and if exposed to enough heat, that glue will soften and the strings will pull the neck forward and away from the body, and you end up with strings a mile off the fretboard. Not all, but many, many Martins have to go back to the factory at some point for a neck reset. Taylor's bracing also keeps evolving to make for a lightweight guitar that resonates like crazy, with that comes more sustain and clear highs, which they're known for.

So, construction methods do impact the sound, and since both companies use different methods, you have a fundamental difference in sound. Some people are drawn to the boomy projection that Martins are known for, and they feel that's a superior sound. Some people are drawn to the chiming highs and sustain of a Taylor, and they think that sounds better. Both companies have put out guitars that sound a bit more like the other companies' product, so some overlap can be found and these descriptions should be viewed as generalizations.

I sold a lot of Taylors where I worked, and if I hadn't moved away, I would have been selling Taylors and Martins. You can't go wrong with either, both are quality American made guitars. Just know that the big differences come in terms of construction and what you'll have to keep an eye on in terms of maintenance. But if a Taylor is what's calling to you, a Martin isn't going to scratch that itch.

quote:

Originally posted by Rigby470:

quote:

Originally posted by sigspecops:
What level of playing are you at now? Do you know any chords? If so, can you switch between them without much effort? If not, stay with the baby Taylor and learn you're basic chords. You'll be able to make a much better choice when it comes time to buy another guitar if you can actually play some chords. It would be like buying a nice car before you get a license.

I know several of the major chords and can switch between most of them with a slight amount of pause. I like the BBT for practice. But I have this lingering notion that if I get to where I want to be I will eventually want a full size guitar with electronics. So my thinking is, why not go ahead and get that now?

Why are you here typing about ti? Just DO it.

Bob

Rigby470, have you practiced today?

quote:

Originally posted by Eponym:
Rigby470, have you practiced today?

Yes I have! I have found keeping my guitar out on a stand really helps me to pick it up for 10-15 mins multiple times a day.

quote:

Originally posted by rbert0005:

quote:

Originally posted by Rigby470:

quote:

Originally posted by sigspecops:
What level of playing are you at now? Do you know any chords? If so, can you switch between them without much effort? If not, stay with the baby Taylor and learn you're basic chords. You'll be able to make a much better choice when it comes time to buy another guitar if you can actually play some chords. It would be like buying a nice car before you get a license.

I know several of the major chords and can switch between most of them with a slight amount of pause. I like the BBT for practice. But I have this lingering notion that if I get to where I want to be I will eventually want a full size guitar with electronics. So my thinking is, why not go ahead and get that now?

Why are you here typing about ti? Just DO it.

Bob

Thanks! And I have. But this being a social forum I enjoy talking about it too. Especially with others who enjoy the topic. I have received lots of great, helpful advice in this thread and I am grateful.

I didn't think I'd have anything more to contribute to this thread after my first post, but as you've indicated, it's a social forum and sometimes we just converse. Here's something that's less advice and more personal experience...

I have more guitars (27) than I do firearms (13). So, at least I have some experience with different makes and models. My oldest guitar is a 1957 Gibson ES-225, my most unique guitar is a handmade 1974 classical. I have an aluminum-bodied Fender Stratocaster (one of 400 made), a Gibson Les Paul "Classic Rock II" that is wood, but looks like marble. I have a carbon-fiber travel guitar made by KLŌS that I take with me everywhere (and is a fabulous guitar -- I'd keep it if I had to get rid of my others). I have six-strings, twelve-strings, acoustics and electrics. I cover all the bases.

So, why am I writing this? Because I have finally gotten a guitar that I'm not in love with.

My most recent purchase was a Martin OMC 15ME. It's a mahogany body in "Weathered Red." I liked the looks of it because it strikes me as a "busker's guitar" and not a case queen. I knew going in that many considered it a "strumming guitar."

And it's enormously good at that. Deep lows, brilliant highs, great projection and sneaky electronics (a sole jack beneath the strap pin). What it's not that good at (in my opinion) is single-string runs and chording up on the neck. I do a lot of both in addition to open chord strumming. If I were just a singer playing accompaniment, it would be a great guitar. But I'm a player, not a singer (trust me, you don't want to hear me sing!). Thus, I'm likely to sell it to someone who can use it the way it was intended.

That's my point, in a roundabout way: The guitar you play should be suitable for what and how you play! You've frequently mentioned Taylor (I have a BBT-e), which suggests you're looking at acoustic playing. But it goes further than that. Do you finger-pick? Strum? Tap? Are you a rhythm player, or do you also play runs and fills? So many things to consider.

It's a shame this COVIDIOCY has made going to a guitar store impractical. I feel for those people! There's a very nice locally-owned store just 15 minutes from me. They have an entire humidity-controlled room filled with acoustics, as well as a lot of electrics on the wall and hanging from the ceiling. I'm afraid to go in there during the good times, because it's even more of a threat to my wallet than my local gun shop!

See if you can find a way to play those Taylors. It sounds like you had some experience with them. More can't hurt.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Completely different sound. I think Martins have a fuller, richer tone.

Not that Taylors are bad, it’s just Martins pretty much set the standard and tend to be what everything gets compared to. Some better, many worse.

I don't know about "fuller, richer tone" but Martins do tend to project a bit more, and have a nice heavy boom for loud strumming. It all depends on the guitar, honestly. My Taylor is an absolute cannon and projects like a Martin, but with more sustain and top end as well. The first time I picked it up and strummed a chord, it was like getting struck by lightning.

The main difference between Martins and Taylors that isn't subjective is the neck joint and the bracing. Taylors all have a bolt-on neck, and as far as I know, Martin is still only doing glued neck joints. What's the difference? Well, with Taylor, you're getting wood-to-wood contact throughout the guitar and a bit more resonance because of the neck joint. It's also easier for a tech to remove the neck and shim it if the neck angle is wonky. Martin's hide glue neck joint is absolutely traditional, but you're not getting direct wood-to-wood contact in the neck joint (which is part of what the Martin sound is) and over time and if exposed to enough heat, that glue will soften and the strings will pull the neck forward and away from the body, and you end up with strings a mile off the fretboard. Not all, but many, many Martins have to go back to the factory at some point for a neck reset. Taylor's bracing also keeps evolving to make for a lightweight guitar that resonates like crazy, with that comes more sustain and clear highs, which they're known for.

So, construction methods do impact the sound, and since both companies use different methods, you have a fundamental difference in sound. Some people are drawn to the boomy projection that Martins are known for, and they feel that's a superior sound. Some people are drawn to the chiming highs and sustain of a Taylor, and they think that sounds better. Both companies have put out guitars that sound a bit more like the other companies' product, so some overlap can be found and these descriptions should be viewed as generalizations.

I sold a lot of Taylors where I worked, and if I hadn't moved away, I would have been selling Taylors and Martins. You can't go wrong with either, both are quality American made guitars. Just know that the big differences come in terms of construction and what you'll have to keep an eye on in terms of maintenance. But if a Taylor is what's calling to you, a Martin isn't going to scratch that itch.

Thank you for this! Great information here!

OP, if your budget is that of the Taylor 324CE suggest to check out other guitars. I have a Furch Grand Auditorium cut away Cedar top, Rosewood back/sides. A good friend has a Mcllroy A25C Cedar top/Walnut back/sides. Both amazing guitars. Avalon another guitar brand. These don't have the brand recognition of the Taylor, but....

I'm a unplugged only "couch" player. Light/medium strummer, some picking. Had my action lowered for my style of play, well worth it, ease of play. Action is set lower then Taylor standards. Play on average 10hrs or so a week. Last couple years I made an effort to learn a song or two a week, so I'm not playing the same couple dozen songs over and over....