Firstly, I’m glad that newg07 found the advice helpful and is really getting into the Washburn. All the best for 2008 😀

Secondly, just as happy to read that CAbeginner found the thread useful. It’s always a bit daunting getting an instrument without knowledge or useful friends/family. First off, are you sure? Try a “does anybody play guitar?” at your works canteen or out for a drink with friends. You never know, somebody you trust may have a hobby unknown to you.

If that fails, here’s a bit of general advice based on my exp getting a trumpet for my son. None of us could blow a note but we got the (very cheap and good value) Stagg without any major drama. First, you need a bit of research and you’ve already done that. All of the dreadnoughts discussed in this thread are capable of playing nicely; I don’t think any will sound like lard. Your main worry is if the one in the shop has taken a knock or if it’s been set up by the gormless apprentice who’s already late for lunch.

I’m assuming you’re in California; I was wondering if you were thinking of starting straight away with a guitar teacher or trying a bit of strumming for yourself first. If the former, then do what I did with the trumpet. Buy it with the (written, if necessary) proviso that you take it back for a full refund if your teacher says it’s a dog. If you’re really, really on your own; here’s a few tips I can think of. Others might add to them.

The “mom and pop” shop selling acoustics is likely to have them better set up than the big chainstores in your area. The drawback is that the small independents often charge full RRP whereas Musician’s Friend and the like have heavy discounts. Either way, decide on the acoustics you’re interested in before entering. I say this because some salestypes see you as a mark, don’t have that guitar in stock anyway and spin you a “oh, we had loads of trouble with those. Switched to the Nungai D20 which is only $40 more and twice as good” story. I’ve had this happen to me with hifi separates before I realized what a fool I’d been. Use the “I’m OK just for now” line with salestypes unless and until there is a problem getting them off their wallhooks.

Things to look for are any cracks in the finish, especially if they appear to be going into the wood. Binding (usually white, around body and neck edges); is it lifting anywhere? Starting at the bottom end, look at the bridge. Is the rosewood lifting from the guitar surface? Do the strings sit nicely on the ivoroid saddle or are there nasty looking chips? As those strings go up the neck, do they stay inside the width of it – I’ve seen bad ones that don’t. Do the strings sit nicely in the grooves of the nut at the end of the neck? Do the tuners resist very gentle turning pressure (good) or do they swing 180 degrees if blown upon (bad)?

If you can, without attracting too much attention, try the guitar for feel; preferably sitting or at least able to bend one leg at right angles. The “classical” position is to have the rounded cutout resting on your LEFT thigh (assuming you’re a right hander) but many like the rockier-pose of resting on the right thigh. Make sure that both seem OK. Get your hand around the neck near the 1st fret. I know you’re new, but try holding down strings with some fingers while the thumb’s on the back of the neck. See if another guitar feels more comfortable if it’s really hard.

Another thing to quickly try is action and intonation. See if you can hold down the thickest string in the space on the fingerboard before the first fret. Does it buzz no matter how hard you try? hmmm. Now try it with the same string in the space after the doubledotted fret. Does it sound an octave higher or is it sharp/flat? Is it ridiculously hard to press down here, because the string is like a half-inch off the fingerboard? That can indicate bad action or intonation, but it’s difficult to be sure because absolute beginners have trouble holding down strings to start with. You could also try a very gentle strum of all strings (of course, it may be slightly out of tune) to get an idea of the guitar’s tone.

One Important Last Thing

Do not get pressured into making a purchase there and then just because some salestype is hanging over you all the time. Take time to go home and re-examine your gut feelings. If you have to, use the cover story that you were meant to be joined by your experienced-guitarist friend but he called it off at the last minute. You’re just getting a feel of the ones he suggested to save time when you next come in with him 😉