need help guitar shopping in GTA

[mingcourt]

So, im trying to buy a new guitar... ive got one right now, but its pretty crappy... im looking for a new acoustic one that sounds right in terms of when im playing with others... (so that they match? and they dont sound like crap when played with others?)

anyway, where in the GTA should i look? (i was at long & mcquade... but prices seem sort of expensive)

im looking to spend... $200-300? what should i be looking for?

thanks

[PriceMatchIT]

Musician's Friend has some good guitars but too bad they don't ship to Canada
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

I'm also looking for a guitar anybody know anyplace online that has good prices?

[weedb0y]

So, im trying to buy a new guitar... ive got one right now, but its pretty crappy... im looking for a new acoustic one that sounds right in terms of when im playing with others... (so that they match? and they dont sound like crap when played with others?)

anyway, where in the GTA should i look? (i was at long & mcquade... but prices seem sort of expensive)

im looking to spend... $200-300? what should i be looking for?

thanks

$500 is your budget boss for something that sounds half decent. I know cuz my brother was in the same situation as you. He ended buying locally in Mississauga though and spent about $500 but he is very satisfied.

[mingcourt]

yes, but how do i tell what sounds nice or doesnt? or will every guitar past $500 be sufficient?

[expergo]

check out seagull guitars. affordable and great sound. i get everyone to get one who's just starting out. it'll last for years.

http://seagullguitars.com/

those are the higher-end that the company godin makes. other brands from godin are norman guitars. www.normanguitars.com and simon&patrick.. http://www.simonandpatrick.com/

these all have solid tops which make a huge difference.

i buy them from here...
http://www.theguitarshop.ca/

it's in mississauga.

[mingcourt]

how many different tops are there on guitars?

what is the price range for most seagull guitars when you mean "affordable?"

there are so many models of seagull guitars... where do i start?

[expergo]

you can get an S series or M series for $500. they are all good.

most acoustic guitars either have spruce top or cedar top. and then there are different types of those woods. but for the <$1000, it's usually sitka spruce. Anyways, you should go to the store and check it out. I believe Steve's music downtown has Norman guitars and possibly Cosmo music in richmond hill. But Steve's and guitarshop are probably the best prices. And don't forget thigns are negotiable.

[danfromwaterloo]

yes, but how do i tell what sounds nice or doesnt? or will every guitar past $500 be sufficient?

Just play it and close your eyes. Your ears will be able to tell you what sounds nice.

I bought a really good acoustic guitar about 10 years ago for 300 bucks. It was a Cort. Who in the world has ever heard of Cort? Its a POS name. BUT, the sound is phenomenal on it. Better than any other guitar I've ever heard.

Use your ears.

[epiphony]

Yeah, Seagull guitars are always getting props. I think most have solid tops that get better than age, unlike laminate tops.

Also, they'll have a better resale value if you decide to call it quits. If you buy another POS $200 guitar, in a few years you'll likely want to upgrade once again. If you don't have the $500 for a new acoustic, than just cut back other spending and put it towards the guitar fund.

[awais]

actually cort guitars are pretty decent .. if i rememebr correctly they actually build guitars for other brand names but they also manufacture under their own line as well and they are a lot cheaper as compared to brand name..

the few things u wanna look for a good guitar before u purchase one is .. the body of the guitar.. is it solid top? and if so .. play a chord and see how it sounds .. is the sound deep and enriched? or does it sound really crappy.. look for a good neck .. play few chords and see if ur hand plays smoothly on it and if its comfortable... check the shape of the guitar.. is it easy to reach the higher frets? check what kinda pegs it uses.. good quality ones will keep the tuning a lot longer than crappier ones..

well good luck shopping around.. theres a store called in streetsville called strings attached.. i have purchased two guitars .. effect pedal.. from them previously... good service.. and nice people..

[thrifty1]

if you don't mind "previously enjoyed" you still find many excellent guitars at second-hand stores/pawnshops
many times people buy them , or have them given to them and they get little use and end up trading them for cash or electronic equipment at one of these stores
most recently i have seen several seagulls and normans in the $200 range that were "as new", the same being$400-500 new retail (plus tax), at local stores in scarborough (i would imagine that there are many downtown and in the burbs also)
if you aren't sure you can always take a friend with you and try them out
most shops have someone knowledgeable in guitar strumming and if asked would make some noise on several for you to see the difference
a good used one blows away a cheaper new one almost all the time
as long as the neck is half true and there are not cracks in the body from massive humidity changes/accidents a guitar will last almost forever
strings are cheap...
my thoughts anyway
good luck in your quest for a nice instrument whatever you choose to do

[Paolo]

Go to L.A. Music, ask for Mike, tell him Paul (the cellphone teckie guy) Sent Ya.

[fordtaurus]

if you don't mind "previously enjoyed" you still find many excellent guitars at second-hand stores/pawnshops
many times people buy them , or have them given to them and they get little use and end up trading them for cash or electronic equipment at one of these stores
most recently i have seen several seagulls and normans in the $200 range that were "as new", the same being$400-500 new retail (plus tax), at local stores in scarborough (i would imagine that there are many downtown and in the burbs also)
if you aren't sure you can always take a friend with you and try them out
most shops have someone knowledgeable in guitar strumming and if asked would make some noise on several for you to see the difference
a good used one blows away a cheaper new one almost all the time
as long as the neck is half true and there are not cracks in the body from massive humidity changes/accidents a guitar will last almost forever
strings are cheap...
my thoughts anyway
good luck in your quest for a nice instrument whatever you choose to do
Can I ask which stores in scarborough?

[malaco0219]

i suggest cosmo music.

DONT EVER BUY GUITARS FROM SOURCE BY CIRCUIT CITY!

[thrifty1]

Can I ask which stores in scarborough?

the one is called "Encore Sales" (i think), it's located at the north-west corner of Brimley and Eglinton (in a plaza, around the centre)

the other is a chain, CASH CONVERTERS, the one on the north side of Lawrence Ave. E. near Victoria Park is the one that i saw with the used instruments (maybe they all have them but i am not sure, i was looking for a clarinet once and after phoning i remember going to that store)

for what it's worth...

[stealth]

Years ago I bought a used 12-string Ovation from Long & McQuade for about $325. It had a couple cracks that I had repaired by Steve's Music for about $100.
Still have it, still works great.
No idea what its worth today, but IMO, you cant go wrong with an Ovation or a Martin (if you can afford it). I think Yamaha make some of the better value branded stuff. Never the best, but never the worst.
I vote for used.

Good luck!

[mingcourt]

how much does it cost to get a decent 12 string?

[poedua]

So, im trying to buy a new guitar... ive got one right now, but its pretty crappy... im looking for a new acoustic one that sounds right in terms of when im playing with others... (so that they match? and they dont sound like crap when played with others?)

anyway, where in the GTA should i look? (i was at long & mcquade... but prices seem sort of expensive)

im looking to spend... $200-300? what should i be looking for?

thanks

Try....

Cosmo Music Company
9201 Yonge Street

http://cosmomusic.ca/frame/mfguitar.htm

[mingcourt]

Thanks for all your input

I really like the sound of a 12 string guitar... but then, it seems that only chords can be played while sounding nicely...

are there any guitars that sound lucious in sound LIKE a 12 string, but can still be played with normally if i'm picking for example? so, basically.. im looking for a lucious sounding 6 string. a warm, vibrant, ringing sound...

[mingcourt]

anybody?

[thrifty1]

http://toronto.craigslist.org/msg/225278192.html

saw this simon & patrick twelve string on craiglist for $300
price is right if guitar is as good as it looks

don't know if you're interested in a twelve but i thought i'd post just in case

btw...this isn't my guitar, just happened upon it whilst searching deals

[KevC]

Look for used. Craigslist is a start.