Based on this, here's what I'd recommend Archived Message Posted by GrandmotherPearlsJam on November 21, 2024, 11:22:02, in reply to "Answers:" https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EA10NACH--epiphone-dr-100-natural Epiphone is a good brand that is owned by Gibson. They make good guitars. That's a beginner guitar that if you take it to a good guitar shop and get a proper setup and higher quality strings put on it, it will sound pretty good for a young adult/beginner level at a minimal investment. Then as they get better and you need better materials in your guitar, you can step up. Message Thread: | This response ↓ Anybody here know anything about acoustic guitars? What's your pick for under $500 new?* - Herman Blume November 21, 2024, 9:50:14 RELATED: My son is teaching himself piano by ear and he’s blowing us away. Need a rec… - Desert November 22, 2024, 19:21:04 I use Ultimate Guitar / Guitar Pro for guitar stuff, but they have some piano tabs and sheet music - ghost_of_clt November 27, 2024, 13:28:10 It’s crazy that people can do this. I have zero talent in this area. I’m awed by people who do.* - ATL November 22, 2024, 22:41:48 I asked ChatGPT since I wasn't familiar with any specific resources - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 22, 2024, 21:41:37 OOO - Stu November 22, 2024, 12:26:12 Gibson says "not so fucking fast"... - haighter November 27, 2024, 13:20:34 Woof. That things a real hunk of shit too. * - haighter November 22, 2024, 21:10:16 Sidejack...I think I'm getting my kids the Squire Mini Strat and P-Bass for Christmas. * - haighter November 22, 2024, 10:01:16 Well as long as we are talking about guitars we are going to purchase or recently purchased - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 22, 2024, 10:15:44 Nice! - Illiniphil November 22, 2024, 10:28:37 Being in San Francisco, my local Guitar Center is somewhat the shit show that you described... - haighter November 22, 2024, 10:34:00 I bought an AC30CC2 right around the beginning of covid - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 22, 2024, 10:50:06 Try out a 15! Still plenty loud. Still very Vox-ey. Still way cheaper... - haighter November 22, 2024, 11:00:44 I like where your head is at...* - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 22, 2024, 11:49:37 Here’s what I got yesterday, mis-priced at the SF Guitar Center… - haighter November 22, 2024, 22:18:42 I was surprised she encouraged this by buying it for me - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 22, 2024, 10:33:43 The Cleaver or something like that? Hot damn you lucky bastard...* - haighter November 22, 2024, 10:24:29 Yeah, this one - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 22, 2024, 10:32:05 Which of your children are you sentencing to a lifetime of mocking and derision by making them... - Illiniphil November 22, 2024, 10:11:47 I had a HUGE crush on my teacher/club sponsor's daughter who went a rival HS. She played bass. - ATL November 22, 2024, 10:35:04 Shocking* - Stu November 22, 2024, 12:26:24 lady bassists are the shit, from Paz Lenchantin to Melissa Auf der Maur to Nikki Monninger - Sammich November 22, 2024, 11:57:23 I feel like you are now making names up* - ATL November 22, 2024, 13:19:43 Let's show some respect for Carol Kaye. - complainant November 22, 2024, 12:26:13 Looks like she semi-retired before I was born but played on some amazing songs - ATL November 22, 2024, 13:18:42 The wildman. And bass is fucking awesome. And he's far too small to play my Jazz bass... - haighter November 22, 2024, 10:23:46 One of the larger Baby Taylor types* - Chilango November 22, 2024, 9:08:05 Some questions: - Illiniphil November 21, 2024, 10:09:52 mini enjoyed his Takamine G-Series when he stepped up from a Baby Taylor - ATL November 22, 2024, 9:06:36 Takamines and Washburns are good guitars as well. - Illiniphil November 22, 2024, 9:36:33 Knowing nothing myself about the Takamine, I love the aesthetic of the Koa wood and gold metal - ATL November 22, 2024, 9:59:22 I like the Takamine and the Taylor series. * - OWWDig November 22, 2024, 9:35:33 I'll play... Probably willing to stretch that budget a bit, too, if it's worthwhile. - illinibone November 21, 2024, 15:21:05 Rock prompts the question acoustic or electric?* - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 21, 2024, 15:22:29 Acoustic -- I prefer unplugged type sets. may graduate to E later, but probably not* - illinibone November 21, 2024, 15:23:44 I'd still stick to the brands Phil mentioned below, unless you really want to stretch the budget - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 21, 2024, 15:37:27 Thanks. - illinibone November 21, 2024, 15:43:51 I have a friend that has a Breedlove. It was a perfectly cromulent guitar. - Illiniphil November 21, 2024, 16:01:39 higher end Breedloves are really nice sounding* - OWWDig November 22, 2024, 9:37:45 I'll add, don't be intimidated by going into a shop and not really knowing how to play - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 21, 2024, 16:10:23 Co-sign avoiding GC, unless it's like ours and doesn't have a ton of traffic. - Illiniphil November 22, 2024, 8:41:33 The one near me in Charlotte is super annoying. Always tons of people. - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 22, 2024, 9:19:29 We have 3 tiers of music stores. - Illiniphil November 22, 2024, 9:33:58 Also...for a board based primarily outta Chicago...Chicago Music Exchange is AWESOME. * - haighter November 22, 2024, 9:55:11 Guitar Works in Evanston is also a great place. * - OWWDig November 22, 2024, 10:20:52 Answers: - Herman Blume November 21, 2024, 10:46:48 I like Yamaha's in that price range. They're very well made. * - haighter November 21, 2024, 11:46:38 I have 2 Yamahas from the early 80s that still sound good...and I beat the heck out of them - OWWDig November 21, 2024, 12:43:44 Based on this, here's what I'd recommend - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 21, 2024, 11:22:02 Lol, I think that's the exact guitar he has now. Looking for an upgrade.* - Herman Blume November 21, 2024, 11:45:31 And he's probably closer to intermediate than beginner, now that I think about it* - Herman Blume November 21, 2024, 11:47:12 If you're willing for a bit more money, the Epiphone inspired by Gibson J-45 is outstanding... - haighter November 21, 2024, 11:49:18 There are some J-45 A/E that are in his price range, that would be nice - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 21, 2024, 11:54:23 Epiphones are nice, especially in that $300-500 range, as are Yamahas. - Illiniphil November 21, 2024, 11:35:15 Yep, those are all good brands - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 21, 2024, 11:40:33 It's stuff like this that makes this place worthwhile - RSMBob November 21, 2024, 11:43:11 Would the two of you say anything different for an 11 yo beginner?* - memyselfandillini November 21, 2024, 11:43:03 Nope. That Epiphone (or something similar in a similar price range) - GrandmotherPearlsJam November 21, 2024, 11:55:43 That was going to be my proviso. If they have small hands, maybe a 3/4 scale guitar to start. - Illiniphil November 21, 2024, 12:08:03 thanks a ton* - memyselfandillini November 21, 2024, 12:01:37 Picks shouldn't cost that much* - Phytynlini November 21, 2024, 9:52:08 Thanks a lot, Bidenomics. * - doubledown November 21, 2024, 10:01:20   Searching