I'm going to learn to play a guitar... even if it kills me. I've been looking at Taylor acoustic guitars but a few electrics i've tried are more comfortable. I just want to make sure I'm not missing the obvious or there's something I haven't been told about the negatives of learning on an electric. Keep money out of the equation. Everyone in the store has an opinion, I might as well hear yours

 

There are really no pros/cons to learning on either one. They're the same instrument. What you should really be concerned with is what style of music you want to play. Let that be your deciding factor instead

 

Generally, electrics are easier on the fingers at first, but after 2-3 weeks you'd build callouses anyways, so it really depends on what kind of style of music you're planning on playing (jazz? rock? blues?). Also depends on how mad you want to make your neighbors as you crank up your amp as you try to to learn that pesky "F" chord....

 

Taylors are great acoustic guitars, but are you really going to spend $2000 for your first guitar?

anyway, i started on electric. i still don't play my acoustic very much because it isn't my style. i could live without it, but will never give up my electrics.

as said, electrics are generally easier to play because of the size, strings, etc. but if you get into electrics, you'll also get into different amps, effects pedals, gadgits, etc. you can do the same with acoustics but generally you'll just have the acoustic guitar and that is it.

 

The old-school line of thinking was that learning on an acoustic was better because (a) the strings are thicker and (b) the action is higher. In theory, this would make your fingers stronger and your note/chord formations more accurate. In the real world, I would agree with this to a point. I learned on an acoustic and whenever I play electric, there is certainly a lighter touch needed. However, the real key to learning guitar (or anything for that matter) is enjoyment. If you like the sound of an acoustic, you'll be more likely to practice. Alternatively, if your tastes are, eh, more energized, then, well you know the drill. Repitition is the key, sometimes gets boring or monotonous but just remember, Tom Scholz of Boston wrote Foreplay/More than a Feeling a mere 12 months after first picking up a guitar. At the tender age of 21.

 

...and don't forget, the first song you have to learn is Stairway....

 

The Taylor 210 was $699 or something like that.

 

you can get a good used taylor for much less than $2000, and the 1, 2, 3, and 4 series taylors are all less than $2k new

 

If you like Taylors, you may want to look at:

Art & Lutherie
Blueridge
Breedlove Atlas Series

All of these can be had for less than $500 and play as well as any $500-$1500 guitar.

The trick with any guitar, whether electric or acoustic, is to get the guitar set up by a trained professional luthier!!!! Otherwise, you're just throwing money away.

 

The Breedlove's look nice. I'll go check them out today. None of the other shops i've been to had any.