Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
I think I'm leaning towards an acoustic guitar, especially since they can be had in the sub-$200 range and I have a birthday coming up. I will make do with my electric. I think with some adjustments, it will be fine. The wiring can be fixed with a quick soldering job I think. I think at this point I will only buy a new electric when (or if) I think my skill has improved enough to warrant buying an instrument that will sound really good. I just don't have the tools and materials.
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The only thing to keep in mind when looking at entry level (sub-$200) guitars is that
caveat emptor is in full effect. Some really great guitars can be had in that price range, as can some really shoddy ones. Go to a proper music store with people who know guitars, ask questions and don't buy an instrument without trying it out first. Epiphones are excellent instruments, but may be out of your price range. Oscar Schmidt is good. Jay Tursers are nice instruments, and I've never played a Seagull but I've heard good things about them. Hyburns are hit and miss; some of them have really great tones, some not so much. And despite being completely enamoured with their electrics, I don't like Silvertone acoustics very much.
I can't effectively diagnose your Peavey without seeing it, but I'd say that you can probably do the bridge, neck and basic wiring on your own. If you want a tone circuit or pick-up replaced, you'll probably want someone with a bit more experience to do it, and the frets are a major pain in the ass, so I'd say if you decide to get that done you should leave it to someone else. Generally I leave anything regarding the fingerboard to professionals, because it's a part of the instrument that is difficult to repair or adjust properly and is crucial to the playability of the instrument.
Your idea of waiting on getting a new instrument is a good one. That was my thinking, and I played on the same acoustic for five years because of it. I'm now up to six guitars if we count my bass, and it's only limited by financial concerns. If you get serious about it, you might end up like me, with musical instruments taking over your apartment.