Yamaha Gigmaker Review
Without doubt one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners, the Yamaha FD01S Gigmaker Deluxe Acoustic Guitar Package contains everything you need to get started playing acoustic guitar in double quick time. Featuring accessories such as instructional DVD, QT-11 guitar tuner, gig bag, strap and picks of a variety of colors, this deluxe kit is the perfect gift for any young guitar enthusiast.
The guitar itself is made of solid spruce at the top, nato back, sides and neck, and beautiful rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Although the FD01S is a starting guitar, the materials are top quality and built to last, and can be found in many of the more advanced guitars as well. When you consider the costs of all the additional accessories usually required along with the guitar, you will often find that the accessories can cost as much as the guitar itself. This new Yamaha Gigmaker Deluxe Package eliminates those costs, as well as the inconvenience of having to purchase each accessory individually.
This Yamaha Gigmaker is available on amazon for 45% off. Click here to secure this discount on Amazon today!
Features of the Yamaha Gigmaker Deluxe Package include:
- A deluxe acoustic guitar starter kit including guitar, bag, strings, strap, picks and instructional DVD
- Spruce top and nato back/sides
- Qwik Tune QT-11 guitar tuner with pitch pipe function
- Kit contains all that is required for beginners to start playing
One thing of note with the Gigmaker Deluxe Acoustic Guitar Package is the fact that it is meant to be an entire starter kit in one. This all-in-one functionality definitely makes it the best acoustic guitar for beginners who don’t want to buy everything individually. It eliminates a lot of the inconvenience of learning to play the guitar as all the equipment needed to learn is right there in the kit, from the picks to the bags, the straps and the learning materials. As I mentioned above, this is perfect for those beginners who cannot go out and buy each individual accessory, however there is a major drawback to this method as well. What you get in convenience, you often lose in quality. For example, the DVD which comes with the Gigmaker Deluxe package is not good quality at all, and it is far better to access one’s own learning materials via the internet or via a separate learning package. Similarly, if you need to play standing up and are quite tall, you will need a strap, and if you use it regularly, the strap enclosed might not be sufficient for the long term. All in all, it is recommended for most people who are now able to use the internet to their advantage, to purchase accessories and learning materials separately, and consider instead buying the guitar separately also. In this way you can access the best acoustic guitar for the same price, and get the best learning materials separately too, in order to give yourself the best chance of learning to play well. But of course, you have to accept a considerably higher total cost if you do everything separately. It all depends on your preferences and how much you are willing to spend, but I hope I have laid out clearly the advantages and disadvantages of both options.
Here’s what one current owner had to say about the Yamaha Gigmaker Deluxe Package:
I’ve seen a few other acoustic guitars like the Yamaha FG700S that I might have bought if I were picking an acoustic guitar myself, but as it happens I got this as a gift so I was kind of ‘stuck’ with it. Thank heavens it’s a really good guitar, otherwise my parents would have wasted quite a lot of money! I love the fact that the tuner is so simple, even for someone such as myself with no prior experience of playing or tuning guitars, I got it working perfectly in a few minutes. The variety of colors in the picks is a nice little bonus, and the bag that holds the guitar is strong and made of fairly good quality material as far as I can tell. However one weakness of this package is that the strap could be better made, it looks a bit cheap in my opinion. The guitar itself is really stunning – it looks great and is a pleasure to play, a perfect first guitar if you ask me. (Happy Guy)
Review reworded for space purposes. Click here to read the full original on Amazon.
Yamaha fg700s Acoustic Guitar Review
The Yamaha FG700S jumbo acoustic guitar is the perfect companion to any beginner to intermediate player, as well as more advanced players who will appreciate its rich sound and high quality manufacturing. It is no surprise that the Yamaha FG700S is currently the best selling acoustic guitar in the entire USA. Boasting 6 die-cast tuners for quick and accurate adjustments, a rosewood fingerboard and a solid spruce top for maximum durability, the FG700S is a household name in the acoustic guitar scene.
Although Yamaha is not a product specialist and has a diverse catalogue, this certainly does not mean that considerable time, effort and investment was put into making the FG700S acoustic guitar one of the most impressive guitars on the market. Online reviews across a large variety of websites are generally stellar, with 29 out of 34 amazon’s customers rating the FG700S 5/5 stars (85%) and the remaining 15% giving this guitar 4/5 stars. This makes it one of the best acoustic guitars available in terms of customer satisfaction. No customers on amazon have given any rating below 4 stars, as of April 2011, an extremely impressive feat which simply underlines the sheer quality on offer, more impressive yet being its very affordable price.
Currently amazon is knocking 38% off the List Price. Click here to benefit from this amazing offer on Amazon!
Here are some features of the Yamaha FG700S:
- Six strings
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Solid Spruce Top
- Gloss Natural Finish
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
I had tried to play the guitar previously in my life, during my teenage years, but like many people I ended up giving up. I didn’t want to be the classic example of a bad workman blaming his tools, so I simply put it down to my own laziness and apathy. However, about 3 years later, out of nowhere, playing guitar popped up in my head again. I tried a few guitars which were decent, but they all felt like my old one (Johnson) which I quit playing all that time ago. Then finally I picked up the Yamaha FG700S and the feeling I got when strumming away – despite the fact that I couldn’t play anything at all – was a great rush. Now that I’m a lot better I can safely say that this guitar is not only good for beginners and intermediates, it sounds great on advanced stuff too. Sometimes you really don’t need to empty your bank account to find true quality. This is a top class guitar concealing itself behind a mid-range price.
Here’s what one current owner had to say about the Yamaha FG700S:
I went to my local guitar store to try out a few guitars before I made the final purchase. I looked at any and every guitar they had in stock that was less than 500 bucks. You know, the traditional brands – Ovation, Martin, Gibson etc. In general they sounded alright but it was obvious that they weren’t high end guitars – each guitar had good aspects but considerable defects at the same time. After trying them all my partner came across the FG700S which wasn’t actually in the main display, I guess the shop weren’t so eager on selling it as they were with their other models. From the first sound I made with the FG700S, I was addicted – I did a bit of minor damage to my fingers at first as I played it so much, but I get similar teething periods with every new guitar I buy. The sound of the FG700S is rich and deep, as well as subtle and sweet when you get to the high points. For under $200 it’s a steal, but make sure you’re aware that it’s a JUMBO guitar meaning that it might be a bit big for some small people, e.g. people younger than 16 learning the guitar. (S Quinn)
Review re-worded for size. Click here to see the original on Amazon.
Jasmine by Takamine s34c Acoustic Guitar Review
Famous Japanese guitar maker Takamine has released the Jasmine S34C NEX, a mini-jumbo acoustic guitar with high quality features such as mahogany frame, spruce top and covered tuners, all at a very reasonable cost. And if that wasn’t enough, the Jasmine S34C NEX is covered by a lifetime warranty, which gives added peace of mind of support for your product when you need it the most.
The Jasmine S34C NEX produces a remarkably smooth, encompassing sound which truly resonates throughout the room as you play it, but remains subtle and smooth enough to be beautiful at the same time. As with most guitars made by the famous Takamine guitar company, the Jasmine S34C NEX possesses the quality of a guitar far more expensive than its actual price. And, with hefty discounts available at some retailers during sales periods, the Jasmine S34C NEX is surely one of the most desirable prospects for new and experienced guitar players alike.
This guitar is available on amazon for a massive 58% off. Click here to secure this huge discount on Amazon!
Here are some features of the Jasmine s34c Nex Acoustic Guitar:
- Spruce top
- Nato back and sides
- Rosewood fretboard
A few issues about the Jasmine S34C NEX to note, which could potentially help new owners: You may notice that the tuning pegs can rattle slightly – a quick remedy for this is to use rubber bands to keep them still. I’ve had no problems with this method and every guitar has its own little quirks which you have to customize to your comfort. The tuning is impressive and it nearly always keeps in tune without any alteration on my part. Very rarely do I have to tune it, which is a far cry from your typical new guitar. Another tip – after buying this guitar you may notice that the professional acoustic guitars seem quite overpriced. This is natural. If you don’t need one and are happy with this Jsamine S34C NEX, then there’s no need to fork out for another one if you’re already performing well.
Here is what one particular owner said about the Jasmine s34c Nex:
I got this guitar from a store near me and I came here to amazon to review it because I am just so pleased with it! I’m a keen guitar player, having begun in my early teens and now, nearly four decades later, still going strong. I’ve got a very pricey Martin model as my main guitar, but as I was in the store I took a look at the Jasmine S34C, had a go of it, and was blown away. Even more surprising to me was the price of under a hundred bucks. Fast forward to today, and its my backup guitar that I use almost as much as my Martin guitar – the S34C really punches above its weight. If I didn’t know the price of it I would expect to pay at least $700. Now that I know I can get one of these for under a hundred, well, I’m not going to buy another overpriced guitar ever again. (Stephen)
Review reworded for space purposes. Click here to see the original on Amazon.
Jasmine by Takamine s35 Acoustic Guitar Review
The Jasmine by Takamine S35 is the ideal companion to a beginner or intermediate guitar player, delivering strong volume, resonating sounds and wonderful precision at a very reasonable cost. Its manufacturer, the Japanese guitar specialist Takamine, is known the world over for their top quality wood acoustic guitars. As with the majority of Takamine guitars, the Jasmine S35 is covered by a limited lifetime warranty, so there is support for your product available whenever you need it, although unfortunately this doesn’t include lessons on how to play it!
For an extremely low priced guitar, the Jasmine S35 boasts all the right features necessary to make the step from beginner to intermediate and beyond. Made of all wood with a spruce top and a beautiful satin finish, this guitar uses d’addario strings for perfect tone and the rosewood fingerboards make playing a very comfortable experience for beginners and intermediates alike.
The Jasmine by Takamine S35 Acoustic Guitar is available on amazon for 58% off. Click here to secure your guitar at this reduced price on Amazon!
Some features of the Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar include:
- Spruce Top
- Laminated Nato back and sides
- Satin Finish
- Chrome covered Tuning Machines
- Rosewood Fretboard
What is particularly impressive about this guitar is its attention to detail in the manufacturing. Despite the low price range it seems that Takamine have not gone for any ‘quick fixes’ or cheap options in the assembly line. I think that is what makes this my favorite guitar of the three beginner-intermediate acoustic guitars that I’ve owned in the past. The S35 not only looks good, with its dark matte finish (no fingerprinting!) and all wood frame, but it also sounds superb as well. The sound of it is quite ‘resounding’, rich and really pleasing to the ear, well, as long as you can play reasonably well. It has got to be one of the best, if not THE best acoustic guitar for entry level players, for the price. It may be cheap in price, but in quality, it’s anything but. Dollar for dollar, the S35 beats them all.
Here is what one particular owner said about the Takamine S35:
I had no trouble paying under 80 bucks for a Takamine guitar – it’s a well respected name and this S35 didn’t disappoint. I used to have a different model, namely the ‘ovation’ but it really wasn’t up to the high standard I’d expect of Takamine so I got this Jasmine S35 instead. A shrewd decision on my part, I must say. The quality of sound which the Jasmine model achieves is fantastic especially when you consider the low price, I play my favorite acoustic songs and some of them give me chills, as cheesy as that sounds. It’s really worth it when you’re able to play what you want, and with a good acoustic guitar it all just comes together. You need to be careful though with the tuners on this guitar as they come somewhat loose now and again, but this issue is not that big of a deal and is easily remedied. All in all, if you’re a beginner or you can play but just play for fun, this guitar is perfect. (Andrew)
Review has been re-worded for space purposes. Read the original here.
Buyer’s Guide Part II
For this somewhat shorter second part of the buyer’s guide, I want to name names out of all the acoustic guitars for sale on the market. We’re going to explore just a few items, but they are not going to be the best acoustic guitars, in fact they are going to be some of the worst, however they may still be tempting to buy as a beginner, due to their extremely low prices, but they are to be avoided, if you are at all serious about playing the acoustic guitar. If you haven’t read part 1, I suggest you go ahead and do that before continuing here. As a quick recap, don’t go too cheap, it will hurt your guitar playing efforts. But don’t go too expensive, it will hurt your bank account (and is wholly unnecessary). So, without further ado, here are some definite acoustic guitar duds:
38″ Sunlike Guitar with Carrying Bag and Accessories
It’s a tempting buy on amazon with 69% off, reduced to 39.95 from an original list price of 129.99, but don’t be enticed by numbers. Sure, discounts are wonderful, but if a discount makes you get a poor product, they can actually be a bad thing. I say this because after a couple months you will probably have to replace this acoustic guitar. The frame is so thin and flimsy it’s like trying to play with a giant flat eggshell, and the frame even cracks on attempts to tighten the string. As for the sound, it’s shallow and unspectacular to say the least.
Lauren LA30 30″ Student Guitar
The name Student Guitar sounds highly appropriate and might tempt some beginners particularly with the basement price of 39 bucks, but these two are the only things this guitar has going for it. There are problems aesthetically – the finish is rushed and looks very odd in places, and more importantly it’s just impossible to practise properly on a guitar which can’t tune. There are problems getting the tension on some of the strings which means it can’t be tuned and sounds terrible. It’s a basic guitar but doesn’t even reach a basic level of quality. For the price of $35, it’s not a bad deal; but for a beginner, it would be prudent to spend a little bit more in order to acquire a guitar of sufficient quality.
Beginner 38 Inch Pink Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag and Accessories
OK, now perhaps the manufacturer was hoping to appeal to female guitar players with the bright pink color but to be honest most girls I know think it looks cheap and obnoxious. Not to mention the fact that when you’ve got that bright pink thing in your face while you’re playing, it kinda hurts your eyes. But for $39.95, and including a Gig Bag, it’s OK if you like the design and are not serious about playing. Maybe as a kind of ornament for a girly bedroom or something. The sound quality just isn’t there.
Buyer’s Guide Part I
When you’re buying an acoustic guitar, the best option for you might not be the best choice for someone else. You obviously want to get the best acoustic guitar you can possibly get for your money, but how exactly do you do that? Well, this short 2-piece buyer’s guide aims to help you in this process. First off, it all depends on which stage in your guitar playing career you’re at, and how serious you are. A casual beginner might only need a basic, modestly priced guitar, for example one of the favorites from Takamine, while a very serious player might demand a higher priced, more extravagant model. However, it’s always worth noting, that bigger is not always better, extravagant does not always mean excellent and high price does not always mean high quality. Many advanced players still find that their favorite guitar out of all acoustic guitars for sale out there is the Jasmine by Takamine, for its durability and rich sound. This concept is very simple, but you would be surprised how many over-enthusiastic beginners have wasted their money on high-end acoustic guitars when they would have been better off with a cheaper, yet no less effective, alternative.
At the same time, professional guitar players and serious amateurs are unlikely to be looking for a new guitar simply by reading reviews on the internet. Indeed, they will more than likely know more about the best acoustic guitars for sale at the moment than any of us will. Therefore, this buyer’s guide is more geared to beginners and intermediate casual players.
Having been a zealous beginner myself, searching in vain for the best acoustic guitar so that I can start playing as soon as possible, I know how tempting it can be to do one of the following, depending on your finances:
a) Spend too little on the guitar and end up with a cheap piece of junk
or b) Spend too much on the guitar and end up with a hole in your pocket
With respect to point a), there are indeed some acoustic guitars for sale out there for $50 or even less. However, as a general rule of thumb, don’t go for any guitar that is below the $70 figure, unless it has excellent reviews and is by a reputed manufacturer e.g. Takamine, Yamaha and so on. Common problems with under 50 dollar acoustic guitars include rigid strings, poor sound quality, flimsy wood as the frame, and potential to break very easily, either by dropping it or by a simple act of tightening the strings. Spend a bit more and you will get a guitar that will last you years, rather than a couple months, and thus you will save a lot of money in the long run.
At the other end of the spectrum, beginners are sometimes so eager to be brilliant at guitar the minute they start playing, that they decide they absolutely must have the best guitar out there. It’s easy to spend 500, 700 or even a thousand dollars on an acoustic guitar. For a beginner, this is an extremely unwise outlay as you don’t even know if you’re going to stick with your new interest – I’m not saying you will quit, I am just pointing out that many people do. It’s a natural fact of life. People lose enthusiasm for things. You might not be one of them but are you really going to risk regretting the grand you spent on an acoustic guitar, even if you see it as a small chance of happening right now? Read reviews, not just the ones on our site, but the ones on the product pages we link to, and of other products as well. Get the best acoustic guitars and take note of multiple acoustic guitar reviews stating the quality and value for money, and in particular reviewers who have had more expensive guitars but come back to the cheaper guitar because of its quality. There ARE real gems to be found – we’ve reviewed some of them on our site but always explore, verify the facts for yourself and you will feel great when you get the guitar and play it for the first time, knowing that you got a great item for a low price.
The moral of all this for the first time buyer of an acoustic guitar is moderation: Finding the middle ground. Extremely cheap acoustic guitars for sale will hinder your progress, but so will extremely expensive ones (in addition to hindering your bank balance as well). Find the gem in the happy medium, and you have the very first step to success in playing guitar. Stay tuned for part 2 coming within a few weeks, or perhaps a little over a month, depending on how quickly I can research and write; we will cover a lot more on how to secure the best acoustic guitar you can possibly get for your hard earned cash.