My guitar learning log...

[Jedi4Yahweh]

In addition, I would avoid using an Luthier unless your guitar need major repairs.

[OneLight]

4 minutes ago, Jedi4Yahweh said:

A good guitar setup is not expensive compared to buying a new guitar.  You can get a good setup for around 40-50 dollars and that usually includes new strings.  It is a better option then telling a beginner you need to go buy an expensive guitar that can range from $800 to thousands of dollars, where in most cases beginner guitarist end up up ditching guitar playing in their first year.  Plus, taking your guitar to a guitar tech can help advise him on any issues with the guitar and help him make decisions if his guitar is worth using or to upgrade.

My suggestion was to spend time in a guitar store playing different guitars to see what guitar fits the need of the player, not to shell out a lot of money, so I don't understand why you would even mention that.   I'm inviolve3d in this thread to help out, not debate what I think is best and what is not.

[OneLight]

10 minutes ago, Jedi4Yahweh said:

In addition, I would avoid using an Luthier unless your guitar need major repairs.

Every guitar store I have worked with employees as luthier to work on guitars.  That is their job and when work needs to be done, that is who does it.  Your post puzzles me ...

[NCAP]

41 minutes ago, Jedi4Yahweh said:

In addition, I would avoid using an Luthier unless your guitar need major repairs.

I'm thinking in terms too of how much a luthier is paid to work on a guitar.

For example, and by way of comparison, if I have a bicycle that cost me $120 to buy brand new and want a bicycle shop to true each wheel but they charge $60 per wheel, how am I coming out ahead of the game?

I think Onelight has a point though, and that is to go inside a music store and try out a few guitars. And maybe ask questions, especially when an employee approaches and asks one of those kinds of questions: "May I help you?"

I'm considering, too, new strings, as you suggested. But before of all this, I want to take a picture of the fretboard and upload it here and maybe get your opinion about the action. I'll try to do that before the day is over.

Edited September 21, 2022 by NCAP

[NCAP]

43 minutes ago, OneLight said:

May I ask why you are looking into a classical guitar?  Personally I like them, but not sure your of reason.  Consider how they are designed and why they are designed in such a way.  Are you planning on finger-picking a lot?

Yes, exactly. I want to finger pick. I just like Classical Guitars better than steel string guitars. The following link is an example of the type of finger picking I would like to learn.

The Most Beautiful Yet Simple Chord Progression.

Edited September 21, 2022 by NCAP

[Jedi4Yahweh]

42 minutes ago, OneLight said:

Every guitar store I have worked with employees as luthier to work on guitars.  That is their job and when work needs to be done, that is who does it.  Your post puzzles me ...

Most guitar shops have guitar techs some may have a luthier.  A guitar tech does basic guitar adjustments such as neck adjustments, refret, saddle and neck adjustments, replace tuners, strings, pickups, etc. Where as a Luthier does major guitar body repairs, such as replacing a neck or resetting a neck, replacing damage wood, fixing cracks, etc...  Luthier can build a guitar from the ground up.   A luthier by nature is much more expensive to have your guitar worked on than a guitar tech.

For example: I take my guitar to a guitar store to have my guitar adjusted and setup by a guitar tech.  In the process they find a crack in my neck but a guitar tech will not touch a structural issue but will send it off to a Luthier to have the neck repaired and that is where it gets expensive.

Edited September 21, 2022 by Jedi4Yahweh

[OneLight]

4 minutes ago, NCAP said:

I'm thinking in terms too of how much a luthier is paid to work on a guitar.

For example, and by way of comparison, if I have a bicycle that cost me $120 to buy brand new and want a bicycle shop to true each wheel but they charge $60 per wheel, how am I coming out ahead of the game?

I think Onelight has a point though, and that is to go inside a music store and try out a few guitars. And maybe ask questions, especially when an employee approaches and asks one of those kinds of questions: "May I help you?"

I'm considering, too, new strings, as you suggested. But before of all this, I want to take a picture of the fretboard and upload here and maybe get your opinion about the action. I'll try to do that before the day is over.

Luthiers are not expensive unless you need major repairs on you favorite old guitar.  Like your example about the $120 bike and wheel tuning, I was doing the same with the guitar.  Good beginner guitars don't have to be expensive in order to have great action.  Here is a link to a list of 15 low action guitars.  Notice you can break the bank or not, it's a choice each of us have to make. 

When you do visit a guitar store, don't be afraid to take notes.  You will notice some differences between makes and models, and writing them down will eliminate the task of trying to remember them all.  Some necks are not as wide as other.  Some necks have a slight curve while others are flat.  Different body styles give different tones and that can be a major factor in making a decision.  Does a parlor guitar feel better than a dreadnought?  Different woods also give different tones.  Note how low the action is. Even when it comes to making your first purchase, what you end up buying will be what you play for a long time, unless money is no object.

When buying strings, keep in mind the thinner the string the less pressure you need to play a note.  Thinner strings also have a tinnier sound, emphasizing on the highs where thicker strings sound mellower. 

[OneLight]

16 minutes ago, NCAP said:

Yes, exactly. I want to finger pick. I just like Classical Guitars better than steel string guitars. The following link is an example of the type of finger picking I would like to learn.

The Most Beautiful Yet Simple Chord Progression.

I also prefer finger picking.  For many years I would strum or flat pick songs, but never really felt I was bringing out the beauty of the song until I began finger picking them, than it rang out and I enjoyed playing a lot more.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

24 minutes ago, NCAP said:

Yes, exactly. I want to finger pick. I just like Classical Guitars better than steel string guitars. The following link is an example of the type of finger picking I would like to learn.

The Most Beautiful Yet Simple Chord Progression.

Yes, classical guitar are great for finger style picking.  I keep an assortment of different guitars for different play styles.  I currently don't own a classical guitar because I gave it to my daughter, but have been on the market looking for another one.  

[Starise]

Just some thoughts on it.

Classical guitars have very often have a wider neck. Not that this will hold a person back. It depends on the size and reach of the hands/fingers.

A smaller guitar such as a parlor guitar can play very easy for those with smaller hands if set up correctly.

To adjust string height-If you know the mm measurement fret to strings all you need is a ruler and an allen wrench that fits the truss rod. It isn't really rocket science. The luthier just makes the turns in fractional increments until the height is correct. If strings are too high the rod needs to be loosened. Lefty loosey rightey tightey. If strings are high out of range turn left on rod. If strings are too low and buzz tighten slightly.

Sometimes on really inexpensive guitars or guitars exposed to lots of humidity in bad conditions, the neck might be warped. An adjustment won't fix that problem. If the neck is warped, it will throw intonation off too. Playing in the upper frets will be slightly out of tune.

Older hard played guitars will often have fret wear which means string height is compromised.

Both classical and parlor guitars can have pickups in them like any other guitar, so they can be made to sound 'bigger' with amplification. 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Starise