My wife is interested in taking some lessons with the guitar. She has been looking for tips on good beginner guitars, we are mainly shopping on craigslist for a good deal. If she likes it and sticks with it we will upgrade later. Any guitar players here have an opinion on what guitars to look at?:-)

Thanks,
Eric
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Electric or Acoustic? It is easier to learn on an electric guitar because you don't have to press as hard on the guitar strings. However, if you learn on an acoustic, it helps build up hand strength!

The real trick is the buy what you can afford, or what you are willing to give up if she decides not to pursue it any further. You can always upgrade later it she is really into it. Reselling an expensive guitar and recouping your losses is a pain and doubtful.

You may also want to check local pawn shops. I don't recommend buying a guitar that you haven't played. Even for a beginner. You need to feel comfortable when you play. If you don't, you won't want to play as often.

HTH!
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Along with Riff Raff, I would recommend starting on an acoustic guitar. You can find good ones, relatively inexpensive. I would highly recommend Yamaha acoustic. They're good beginner guitars that don't cast a fortune. Make sure that whatever you get is a solid top.

If she absolutely wants to go with electric, fender makes a decent, inexpensive electric, as does Epiphone.
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:-)
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Sorry, hadn't have my morning coffee yet :-) she wants an acoustic. I appreciate the opinions and thoughts on this. We have been to a couple pawn shops looking, but it is difficult to make a decision when I do not know much about them. Thanks again for some new ideas. :-)
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Post up a couple of the ones from criagslist you are considering.
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Right that would help and we can give you are 2 cents worth.
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I am in the same boat as your wife a months ago. I wanted to learn how to play an acoustic guitar. However, after trying several guitars, I ended buying an electric guitar to learn on. I bought the cheapest Ibanez the store had. Made learning a lot easier.

If she insist on an acoustic, I would get her one of the smaller 3/4 scale guitars (little martin, baby taylor etc) and have the action adjusted (not sure if that is the correct term).
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http://www.google.com/search?q=how+t...coustic+guitar
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I echo the comments on the Yamaha acoustic, a great beginner's guitar. Electrics are easier to play, but they need to be plugged in and can be more of a hassle if you're just trying to play some chords and strum.

Another great option is to find a Taylor Big Baby. Gorgeous sounding little guitars that don't cost too much. As mentioned above though, take your guitar to a professional shop, even a guitar center is fine, and have the guitar "set up" professionally. It'll cost about $30 but they'll adjust the action and the neck and everything and it makes the guitar much better to play.
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I agree with the Taylor Big Baby, for the price you can't beat the sound it produces, Also, noteworthy is the Martin LX1. Personally I prefer the Martin tone. Many professional level artists still keep one around as a backup guitar.

One cool factor that may or may not sway your decision is checking out who else plays the instruments. My brother and I go back and forth bragging about which of our favorite artists ally with our guitar brand of choice. (Martin for me, Taylor for him) Although you arent buying an artist quality instrument, Brands usually tend to have similar tonal characteristics, and if there is an artist that she wants to emulate, it brings a new kind of connection to the instrument while emulating the tone of an instrument she aspires to replicate.

I would recommend avoiding Ovation acoustics. The plastic body, although extremely durable, feels cheap, sounds cheap, and is awkwardly shaped, so to me, they are uncomfortable to play.
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Here is a "just fine" beginner's acoustic. I bought one of these for my daughter because I didn't want to sink money into a whim, which it turned out to be. I inherited this guitar. Now I use it as my "banger"...traveling, camping, layin' on the couch etc. It has good action and a decent tone. Best of all, it's UNDER $100 'Nuff said.

Would I use this to perform? No. But that's not what you're looking for.
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+1 The Jasmine is a nice guitar. Spend the $30 or $40 bucks to get it professionally setup and you will have an excellent student guitar.
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Thanks for all of the advice. Definitely taking a look at the Jasmine, and will also post any craigslist ads that are enticing. I knew I could count on the asylum for some sound advice :-)
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http://www.hobgoblin-usa.com/ check thos out mate its who i use
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man i loveeeeeeeeeeeeee Takamine
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If you can find a Fender DG series, its a great little guitar to learn on and is pretty inexpensive. You should get your wife to play around with guitars with different widths to the necks and see what she is comfortable with. I would also second the "set up" but only if she is actually going to play it. Let her play for a month or two first, then take it in to get "set up." Sure, it might only be $30-40, but I know too many people who wanted to learn, bought a guitar, played for a day or two and decided it "had to be set up right" only to have their desire to play fade with a new fad in the two or so days it took for a guy at a guitar shop to get to it. After she plays on it for a month or two and wears out the crappy strings it comes with, bring it in for the "set up." Itll get great new strings and sound like a much better guitar with an improved action. I've found that "new sound" keeps people's interest pretty well because they come back to playing and it sounds better than they remembered, making them think they have improved.
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I had a Fender F230 (?) and a Yamaha acoustics and a Taylor, (now its a Larivee) they were pretty good. That Jasmine looks interesting for under a 100. My thought is to

A-get the Jasmine as it's got good reviews and it's cheap
B-Throw some very light guage strings on there .010's or .011's Elixer's
C-get a easy to use accurate tuner, I think the clip ons are the best and easy to use
D-Get her a lesson or two or maybe just a book

There you go cheap, easy, your all set. I used to give lessons what a great way to earn $$.
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Awesome advice inmates :-), definitely looking at the Jasmine. Might have to make that a surprise Valentines. 2 birds, 1 stone :-) I will keep everyone posted with the final decision :-)
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You should be able to pick up a Jasmine at just about any local guitar shop. They might discount the set-up if you pay for it initially, but bring it back the following week so that you can present it on the big day.

Also, that guitar comes in a satin finish that I personally really like. :-)
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