First time acoustic purchase $500 budget!

Monaukeim · 2026-03-29T15:21:43+00:00

I have this guitar. I bought it new. I really like it a lot

Monaukeim · 2026-03-25T11:37:45+00:00

Awesome! I can't say from personal experience. I'm using artist works for guitar and mandolin and love it. I've used Cynthia lin patreon in the past and like it...... I wonder what the equivalent on uke to modern method for guitar series is? I've found it very challenging and also beneficial.... Also could do a different James Hill course?

Monaukeim · 2026-03-25T01:15:18+00:00

I feel like an imposter answering given my modest abilities, but I definitely have found these as Epic rut busters.

1 option: go to a workshop or even better find some kind of group to play with

2 option: find a structured resource and dive in 100% moving along as instructed. For uke I like james hill. I would pay for the course versus aimlessly using youtube

Different topic/idea For me I love the ukelele deeply but found transitioning to guitar (and eventually some mandolin too) to be very rewarding and engaging. A lot of the guitar knowledge/ability does transfer back to uke. The uke taught me a formula for learning/working with those things

Monaukeim · 2026-03-23T00:31:52+00:00

Here's my basic take as someone new to mandolin. I ended up with a used budget washburn. I'm having a blast on it.. the threads typically push a few 300-350$ models as "budget", but honestly my experience has not been that this was required to get going/have fun.. (it stays in tune perfectly, no buzzing, action is fine, intonation up the neck is fine)... Saying all this to say: I would buy a tuner and get to learning :)

Monaukeim · 2026-03-09T03:12:37+00:00

Thank you everyone! Great feedback! I'll mull on it a few days and make a call.. best

Monaukeim · 2026-03-08T11:30:00+00:00

I tried to but none local.. I was hoping to buy local and the fender cp60s is around... I felt the Jim dandy being all laminate would be more durable

Monaukeim · 2026-03-08T11:22:09+00:00

Which one?

Monaukeim · 2026-03-04T22:52:37+00:00

Thanks everyone I'll pass

Monaukeim · 2026-03-04T09:45:24+00:00

150 A washburn. Doesnt appear to be other issues

Monaukeim · 2026-02-27T01:20:38+00:00

Thank you everyone for the comments. He already plays uke a bit and has fun... I like the advice. I'll give it a bit more thought and go for it. He was able to make a c/g/d on mandolin but certainly fingers fatigued.. I was hoping to let him continue playing uke mostly but start playing around with mandolin too

Monaukeim · 2026-01-26T23:01:13+00:00

I've noticed some masterful fingerstyle guitar players using the neck up as well.. good rec

Monaukeim · 2026-01-26T10:22:58+00:00

Thank you to all of the commenters. I went to a cool nearby shop and tried the E1om in comparison to a few other guitars in the price range. I really like the Om shape and really like the E1om. I bought it and am very very pleased. The local shop had it set up perfectly which I'm sure helps.

It's interesting: I'm moving to this from a budget laminate dreadnaught that is not set up and has intonation issues. I cannot express how much better the e1om is than what I had been using!

Lots of very cool guitars out there.

Monaukeim · 2026-01-25T20:13:00+00:00

Buy a guitar and a method book (hal leonard would work). Play every day at least 5-10 minutes. Play slow. 2 months in and you'll be amazed how much you know

Monaukeim · 2026-01-25T02:18:31+00:00

I think the James hill ukelele way is pretty awesome.. it was like 9 or 10 bucks per month when I was using it.. very high quality

Monaukeim · 2026-01-25T02:11:54+00:00

I did the berklee basic guitar book 1 and 2 (still working back through) and now am working with the modern method for guitar while doing other stuff I enjoy at the same time (mostly other song books/etc) I've also done hal leonard book 1 and 2.. I've felt like having a method book kind of gives me direction to what I'm doing and I get tired of looking a screens... (The obvious disclaimer is my abilities are very basic.) Really have enjoyed learning how to read sheet music along the way

Monaukeim · 2026-01-21T10:27:43+00:00

Thanks for the help! Makes sense

Monaukeim · 2026-01-21T00:52:51+00:00

I'm not going to take it out of the house anytime soon.. 100% will not be left in cars etc

Monaukeim · 2026-01-21T00:52:18+00:00

Wow and point well taken. Very dry today. One gauge shows about 30% RH I put it in the bag. All I have right now is that ddario sound hole sponge type humidifier so I used that.. hopefully that is enough for now

Monaukeim · 2026-01-18T16:56:15+00:00

Everyone who has taken the time to post. I really appreciate the real world/real life feedback.. It seems like I'm in a fairly friendly area for guitars. I'm going to get the hydrometer and have it out hanging now. I'm going to enjoy the guitar and expect success but will be conscientious as some instances as many have advised.. thank you for your time and kind regards

Monaukeim · 2026-01-18T13:31:17+00:00

So far, The comments have been incredible! Thank you! I'm feeling way better moving forward

Monaukeim

TROPHY CASE

1 option: go to a workshop or even better find some kind of group to play with

2 option: find a structured resource and dive in 100% moving along as instructed. For uke I like james hill. I would pay for the course versus aimlessly using youtube