My girlfriend has a really crappy acoustic guitar that she practices with a lot but she is kind of outgrowing it. What is a really, really good guitar that I can get for her that will also look pretty. Her Birthday is on February 20th and I can spend at the most 1500 dollars.
Get her a Taylor.
This is a great guitar - but right up against the top of your budget. You'll be a hero for sure if you get her this one.
One good bet is to find a local guitar shop and discuss it with them - don't go to a Guitar Center or similar chain store.
Don't spend that much on her first decent guitar, make her earn it by getting really good. If you want to spoil her buy her a good guitar and other present.
go with an all wood takamine....they are a good bang for your buck and her next guitar could be a $1500 taylor..and get some really good strings, they will help the sound of the guitar immensely.
While this seems like an awesome surprise, I don't know that it's a good idea to buy her a guitar that she hasn't had a chance to play. Buying a guitar is kind of like buying clothes in a way. Top of the line is nice, but ultimately it has to be a good fit for the person who is using the thing. I wouldn't buy a $1,500 guitar for myself without spending significant time at the store playing a number of different instruments.
If you're slick about it, you might be able to get her into the shop to play a few instruments and tell you which she likes without letting on that you are going to buy the thing for her. I think that this would be a better route than simply buying what others deem to be a good guitar.
Lots of people like Baby Taylors. To me they are too bright. Personally, I like Martins. You can get a good Martin for $1500.
Taylors are good stuff, this coming from a guy with a Martin. Don't know what the "low end" Martin quality is these days (they went through a bad patch many years ago).
Don't rule out a used instrument. They are well-seasoned and you can sometimes get a very good value.
As for pretty, some folks liked some of the old Gibsons.
Totally agree with "Bear" that one should get to know the instrument before buying. Maybe find a really good guitar shop and do the promissory gift. I can just see you taking your loved one in, letting her pick an instrument (at a "reasonable" price), then, asking the shop, "What's the next step (or two) up?" Good buy some major good will.
Haven't been in a guitar shop in some time, so I'm pretty much out of the loop regarding price.
I am a sucker for giving gifts. I like to have fun doing it.
What I would do is exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, or the day after Christmas. A day that the guitar store of choice will be open.
Have her open a pack of really nice guitar strings. make her think that is her gift. Be like, "I heard these are really, really nice strings. I cannot wait to hear you play them."
Wait like 10 minutes and make her sweat a little. Then lean back, stretch your arms and say, "well, lets go get you something to use with those new strings!"
Now for the important part. Call the guitar store today, like now, and let them know you are bringing her in to buy a guitar. Tell them your price range and situation. Have them pick as many guitars as they can that fit the bill and ask them to treat her really well when y'all come in the door. Make sure they know her name, etc. If they are a good shop, they will have fun and make her feel special.
She can play all the guitars and pick one out to take home.
That is more fun and she will get the axe that she wants.
If the store seems cool, have them remove the price tags so that she doesn't make her decision based on price. Obviously, you will tell her later on that she picked out the most expensive guitar in the store so that you will get a killer BJ.
Agree with everyone who says try it first. I had my mind set on a certain brand when I walked in to buy my first "good" guitar but after playing a bunch I went with a completely different brand and I love it. If you want to surprise her, bring her in to a good local shop with knowledgeable staff and give her top price and let her choose. Who knows, you might get out a few hundred bucks less than you expect and she'll be happy with her choice.
A Husband wrote:
I am a sucker for giving gifts. I like to have fun doing it.
What I would do is exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, or the day after Christmas. A day that the guitar store of choice will be open.
Have her open a pack of really nice guitar strings. make her think that is her gift. Be like, "I heard these are really, really nice strings. I cannot wait to hear you play them."
Wait like 10 minutes and make her sweat a little. Then lean back, stretch your arms and say, "well, lets go get you something to use with those new strings!"
Now for the important part. Call the guitar store today, like now, and let them know you are bringing her in to buy a guitar. Tell them your price range and situation. Have them pick as many guitars as they can that fit the bill and ask them to treat her really well when y'all come in the door. Make sure they know her name, etc. If they are a good shop, they will have fun and make her feel special.
She can play all the guitars and pick one out to take home.
That is more fun and she will get the axe that she wants.
If the store seems cool, have them remove the price tags so that she doesn't make her decision based on price. Obviously, you will tell her later on that she picked out the most expensive guitar in the store so that you will get a killer BJ.
You're a regular Mike Damone aren't you?
malmo wrote:
A Husband wrote:I am a sucker for giving gifts. I like to have fun doing it.
What I would do is exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, or the day after Christmas. A day that the guitar store of choice will be open.
Have her open a pack of really nice guitar strings. make her think that is her gift. Be like, "I heard these are really, really nice strings. I cannot wait to hear you play them."
Wait like 10 minutes and make her sweat a little. Then lean back, stretch your arms and say, "well, lets go get you something to use with those new strings!"
Now for the important part. Call the guitar store today, like now, and let them know you are bringing her in to buy a guitar. Tell them your price range and situation. Have them pick as many guitars as they can that fit the bill and ask them to treat her really well when y'all come in the door. Make sure they know her name, etc. If they are a good shop, they will have fun and make her feel special.
She can play all the guitars and pick one out to take home.
That is more fun and she will get the axe that she wants.
If the store seems cool, have them remove the price tags so that she doesn't make her decision based on price. Obviously, you will tell her later on that she picked out the most expensive guitar in the store so that you will get a killer BJ.
You're a regular Mike Damone aren't you?
And don't forget, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV...
I agree with my esteemed colleague from Dallas!!! Martin's ain't bad either and you should be able to get either for $1500. Personally, I wouldn't pay that much for a guitar unless I was pretty good playing it though. Take her to a good local guitar shop as others have said. Not a chain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWTzyU5MFgM#t=0m9malmo wrote:
You're a regular Mike Damone aren't you?
malmo wrote:
You're a regular Mike Damone aren't you?
Could there be a bit of Vic Damone in there too?
Martin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz2zVcO9Euscommon wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWTzyU5MFgM#t=0m9
1) you never let on how much you like a girl.
2) you always call the shots.
3) act like wherever you are, that's the place to be.
4) when ordering food, you find out what she wants, then order for the both of you. It's a classy move.
5) now this is the most important. When it comes down to making out, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.
malmo wrote:
You're a regular Mike Damone aren't you?
Except I last a little longer in the sack... Just a little. And I listen to a lot of Helmet.
malmo wrote:
1) you never let on how much you like a girl.
2) you always call the shots.
3) act like wherever you are, that's the place to be.
4) when ordering food, you find out what she wants, then order for the both of you. It's a classy move.
5) now this is the most important. When it comes down to making out, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.
If that doesn't work
1) Have her open a pack of really nice guitar strings. make her think that is her gift. Be like, "I heard these are really, really nice strings. I cannot wait to hear you play them."
2) Wait like 10 minutes and make her sweat a little. Then lean back, stretch your arms and say, "well, lets go get you something to use with those new strings!"
3) Now for the important part. Call the guitar store today, like now, and let them know you are bringing her in to buy a guitar. Tell them your price range and situation. Have them pick as many guitars as they can that fit the bill and ask them to treat her really well when y'all come in the door. Make sure they know her name, etc., and have them put on side one of Led Zeppelin 4
AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK
1) cut a hole in a box
2) put your junk in that box
3) make her open the box