Taking my Mum guitar shopping!

Simon_M

Next Saturday I'm taking my mum to Newcastle to try to find her an acoustic guitar. She's asked for a guitar for her 60th birthday next year plus with Christmas coming up and Black Friday deals on it seems like a good time.

A few questions and some advice would be appreciated:

1) Geordies! Where would you recommend that has lots of choice, nice staff etc... I'm planning to go to PMT, GuitarGuitar and The Guitar Shop as they're all quite close to each other but I've never been to any of them before. Friendly and helpful staff thing is probably quite important because...

2) My mum is basically a beginner. She played a few chords in her youth and can still remember a few basic shapes but that's about it. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable so I could do with some tips to encourage her to have a play. We have all day so I thought I would learn a few of her favourite songs (not my kind of thing but hey) and try to teach her bits as we try different guitars out. Any other ideas to make it a less daunting experience?

3) Mum likes folk music mostly and, although she doesn't know much about different types of guitars, she has been to lots of folk festivals and concerts so she has an idea of what her guitar should look and sound like. I on the other hand, have not idea what is fashionable on the folk scene at the moment. Is there anything I should look at? Shapes, styles, woods, brands etc?

Hopefully it should be a fun day!

Thanks anyone who has any suggestions.

hassleham

Buy second hand and get more for your money

sawyer

All the above shops are nicely laid out and friendly. The Guitar Shop tends to be mostly vintage/collectable but great to have a look round in. There's also a shop called 'Windows' in Central Arcade. Guitars and other stringed instruments upstairs.Just ask anyone for directions. You'll have a good day out!

Simon_M

hassleham said:

Buy second hand and get more for your money

Don't have to tell me twice! I always buy second hand but not really practical for this particular mission!

Simon_M

sawyer said:

All the above shops are nicely laid out and friendly. The Guitar Shop tends to be mostly vintage/collectable but great to have a look round in. There's also a shop called 'Windows' in Central Arcade. Guitars and other stringed instruments upstairs.Just ask anyone for directions. You'll have a good day out!

Thanks! Great advice. I'm not really into vintage/collectible but it could be an interesting visit and I'll add Windows to my list.

Funkfingers

Has it absolutely, definitely, got to be a guitar? I wonder whether a ukulele might bring success and enjoyment more swiftly?

toescantalk

Try 3/4 size too - as she could find these more comfortable to play.

Veganic

Nylon strings?

dogload

I'd say Windows is the best option for a starter acoustic. Traditionally deals with education-end stuff too.

The Guitar Shop is a bit 'niche' and has limited stock (although the owner will be very helpful). PMT is bloody awful and Guitar Guitar is well, Guitar Guitar!

ToneControl

consider a Tenor guitar
Much easier to get started with, and fits well into the folk genre
I got a Blueridge one years ago that is great


Whatever you buy, if you buy new, try to get the shop to properly set it up: cut the nut if too high (which it often is), which makes a massive playability difference, especially to a beginner with soft fingers, and also the action.

You can order little plastic cards (same size as credit card) that help you assess this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-String-Measuring-Electric-Acoustic/dp/B07D2688FW/ref=sr_1_43?ie=UTF8&qid=1542612562&sr=8-43&keywords=guitar+action+gauge
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ammoon-Repairing-Maintenance-Organizer-Measuring/dp/B078PFXLF8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1542612484&sr=8-10&keywords=guitar+action+gauge


or even a steel one (hard to use and carry): https://www.amazon.co.uk/StrungOut-Function-Electric-Acoustic-Millimeters/dp/B00STTCOJ4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542612452&sr=8-3&keywords=guitar+action+gauge ;

Simon_M

Brilliant advice from all. Thank you very much!

McToot

Pah! Dissuade her from acoustic and get her a Firebird. 

It has the size and feel of an ironing board so she'll feel right at home...

... I'll get me coat

  

Seriously, though, a parlour acoustic would be bang on. I got one not long ago for a colleague and it was fab. Tanglewood...

sawyer

How'd ya get on? 

57Deluxe

THE only way I would ever get to get my Mum Guitar Shopping if she WAS in a wheelchair!

Simon_M

sawyer said:

How'd ya get on? 

We are going on Saturday. I now have my sister on board who's after some sheet music and my girlfriend who I suspect intends to make an awful racket beating the hell out of a drumkit. Should be fun - I'll report back on guitar choices.

starwarsnosebleed

Are you going to show yr Mum some fingering techniques??

BarrySW19

ToneControl said:

or even a steel one (hard to use and carry): https://www.amazon.co.uk/StrungOut-Function-Electric-Acoustic-Millimeters/dp/B00STTCOJ4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542612452&sr=8-3&keywords=guitar+action+gauge ;

A third of the price on eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Guitar-Electric-Luthier-String-Action-Gauge-Ruler-Guitar-Setup-Measuring-Tool/183470672593

riffpowers

PMT is the best one . Good selection and helpful staff . 

Simon_M

We tried lots of guitars: Yamaha, Sigma, Alvarez, Takamine, Taylor but after lots of playing and testing we ended up buying a Martin Junior Dreadnaught from PMT (thanks Dagan if you read this, very helpful!). Got the guitar, case, a Snark tuner, a Hercules stand and a strap all for £600. They offered us free set ups every year for the life of the instrument and it was set up well in the shop. Not my kind of guitar but the short scale was really easy to play and it has a lovely sound, amplified and acoustic. The Taylor GS Mini was a close second with the spruce top but the Martin beat it in the end. We spent a bit of time in the acoustic room at GG and it is a great space to try the instruments but ultimately we purchased from PMT as mum preferred the look of the top on the one in PMT.

Great day out and very successful! Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Moominpapa

Sounds like a result - hope your mum gets lots of enjoyment from it.