The two guitars that captured my heart were both Takamine Acoustic/Electric guitars. They were both really pretty, and both seemed well made. The store was more of a band lesson sort of store, not Guitar Center, so I wasn’t allowed to play the guitars unless I was “seriously interested.” So, what I know about the two guitars is that I like them both, but one was $600 and the other was $1,400.

Takamine EF-350SMC-SB Acoustic-Electric Guitar Vintage Sunburst Solid spruce top. Highly figured maple back and sides. Concentric rings rosette. GRAPH-EX pre-amp.

If I had found $2,000 lying outside in the street (and I weren’t married) I might have gone back inside and purchased one of the guitars. At that point, obviously, I would have played them both and gotten a feel for which I liked better. But, I wonder if I would be able to make a rational choice.

Takamine G Series G5403S-VFT NEX Acoustic Guitar Violin Finish 6-string acoustic. Body shape: NEX. Rosette: concentric rings. Top: solid spruce. Inlays: dots. Back: flame maple. Sides: flame maple. Fingerboard: rosewood. Tuners: nickel with ivory buttons.

Obviously I perceive from the outset that the more expensive guitar is “better.” It is probably made of a finer wood, or constructed using better materials. But, I know a thing or two about marketing. I know that you can but take two cars from the same factory and double the price of one of them if you put the right logo on it. I know that Fruity Dino-Bites are pretty tasty, and cheaper than Fruity Pebbles.

I also know that crappy guitars sound crappy – no matter who you are.

But, we’re not talking about crappy guitars – at least, for $600, I hope it’s not a crappy guitar. So, when given the choice between two guitars, one of which is more than double the price of the other, will we always think the more expensive guitar is better?

I do want to play both of these guitars. I see that Guitar Center has them online, so I may go to the store and see if I can play them. In the interim, I’m going to go shop for Guitars at GuitarCenter.com

I think the bug is about to bite again.

I had Free Acoustic Guitar Lessons, and when I get together with by guitar playing buds who paid for their lessons, it’s pretty clear that I got what I paid for. I taught myself, which is the free-est kind of free there is. And, I am here to tell you that there are things about playing guitar – sometimes little, sometimes not – that you don’t get from books or software or internet sites.

Of course, I’ve picked up things from my friends, and eventually, I’ll be where they are today. They’ll be that much further ahead as well, but my goal is not to be better than anyone, but just to be able to pick up and play when we get together without feeling like an amateur.

My point about Free Acoustic Guitar Lessons is that, if it is at all possible, you should invest in yourself (or your kids) and pay for some decent lessons – at least while you are starting out. I wish I’d done so – I think much of what I struggle with would come more naturally, and that I would be more confident in my ability.

This is where I should be giving recommendations, but I have none. I’d check out the board at your local music shop or Mega-Music store. There are lots of folks out there willing to share their guitar knowledge with you. But, keep in mind that it took them years of hard work and practice to be able to play effortlessly. If this is something you value, then you might consider compensating the person for their time and knowledge. It’s just the right thing to do.

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