My wife and I are both interested in learning guitar and I found a Taylor Big Baby for $100 locally. It’s got a little chipping on the back of the guitar. Does this sound like a good purchase to learn on?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: thumperfbc,

Taylor is the #1 seller of acoustic guitars. I own a Big Baby-e, and I think it's an awesome guitar! $100? If the chipping isn't going through and affecting the sound, I'd go for it!

sounds like a good deal but I'd check a few things if you get it

take it to a music store and have it looked at

for $100 it might need new strings, may need the frets files, may need the truss rod in the neck adjusted for intonation -and all of this might set you back a whopping $50

the other thing to keep in mind is can you comfortably hold it? If the guitar is too big or stoo small, you may not be in the best learning position

The Taylor Big Baby scale length is the same as a full-sized dread, 25.5" but the nut width is a reasonable 1 11/16".

Personally, I'd look at a concert-sized guitar with a "short scale" for its slightly closer frets and reduced string tension. But 1] they are really hard to find used at a reasonable price, and 2] that model would be geared to my short fingers and age-related dexterity.

I've sold several $100 guitars which might cost only double that new, but I've set them up to play really well. A Taylor for $100 is nice.

As always, check for cracks, separated top/back/neck, warpage, bowed top, pulling bridge, inoperative tuners, or an odd smell from the sound hole.

If I was still in Mariposa I'd drive down the hill and check it out for you. Hey, if they say it was used on the set of American Graffiti, you might want to doubt them.

100 dollars for any Taylor is a good deal, if the guitar is in decent shape. I'd give it a very thorough going over before buying it. If it turns out to be not such a good deal, take a look at Yamaha. For entry level guitars, they're hard to beat.

Well, we looked at it. And bought it. It’s obviously older but sounds great. The chipping on the back is just through the first layer and everything else looks pretty good, best I can tell.

Time to start learning!

quote:

Originally posted by MarinetoRN:
100 dollars for any Taylor is a good deal, if the guitar is in decent shape. I'd give it a very thorough going over before buying it. If it turns out to be not such a good deal, take a look at Yamaha. For entry level guitars, they're hard to beat.

I was probably going with a Yamaha before this Taylor popped up. The local Guitar Center has a used FG800 for $140 that is really clean looking.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
Time to start learning!

Now the fun, and aggravation, begins.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
Well, we looked at it. And bought it. It’s obviously older but sounds great. The chipping on the back is just through the first layer and everything else looks pretty good, best I can tell.

Time to start learning!

Congrats, and enjoy! A little “buckle rash” on the back of any used guitar is more or less to be expected, and learning on a full scale length will help with muscle memory if you end up getting another guitar later, so you’re not re-learning things.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
Well, we looked at it. And bought it. It’s obviously older but sounds great. The chipping on the back is just through the first layer and everything else looks pretty good, best I can tell.

Time to start learning!

I am a big Taylor fan and it sounds like you got a great deal on a first guitar. Congratulations!

If you are looking for online resources to get started I would recommend Justin Guitar

https://www.justinguitar.com/

quote:

Originally posted by Chance:

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
Well, we looked at it. And bought it. It’s obviously older but sounds great. The chipping on the back is just through the first layer and everything else looks pretty good, best I can tell.

Time to start learning!

I am a big Taylor fan and it sounds like you got a great deal on a first guitar. Congratulations!

If you are looking for online resources to get started I would recommend Justin Guitar

https://www.justinguitar.com/

Thanks for link, I will check it out!

Nice grab at $100.

So, I initially thought my wife and I would share the guitar. I was wrong, apparently, and we need a second. I was perusing the Justin Guitar website linked above and he seems to strongly recommend an electric for beginners. So I’m thinking our 2nd guitar maybe should be an electric? Thoughts and recommendations? Not worried about an amp at this time.

I know *nothing* about guitars but isn't an electric w/o an amp like a semiauto w/o a magazine?
Yeah it will "work" but not really the way it's supposed to.

Obviously you don't need Nugent's equipment but a small amp shouldn't break the bank.

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:
I know *nothing* about guitars but isn't an electric w/o an amp like a semiauto w/o a magazine?
Yeah it will "work" but I have not really the way it's supposed to.

Obviously you don't need Nugent's equipment but a small amp shouldn't break the bank.

Nah. Learning to play in a quiet environment you can hear an electric fine without an amp. And if I so chose I have other options. I used to work professionally as a live sound engineer and have the means and knowledge and equipment to plug safely into my of my home sound systems for basic amplification without regard to tonality issues. Good enough to learn to play