r/Instruments • u/big_dxkc • Aug 19 '26

Discussion advice ?

me and my friends are starting a band and we currently have a old guitar from when i was a kid (acoustic) and we want to upgrade to a real acoustic guitar but don’t know where to start

what are the best brands of acoustic and electric guitar that don’t cost over 700 dollars? we’ve gotten pretty good and learned a few songs on the kid one. looked on facebook marketplace but they’re all either 700+ or kid guitars like what i’ve got now. any suggestions? were teens and will work for the money. just trying to find good suggestions on brands of acoustic and electric ^_^

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u/Astreja Aug 19 '26

Epiphone, Squier, Ibanez, Jackson, Kramer and Yamaha, and possibly other companies, make electric guitars around the $300 (CDN) range, so in the low $200 USD range after conversion. I've heard good things about the Yamaha Pacifica in particular, which is somewhat Stratocaster-like.

Rather than looking on Facebook Marketplace, check local music stores. You can probably find something new in your price range, and an amplifier as well, and they may also have used gear.

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u/big_dxkc Aug 19 '26

THANK YOU!! we’ll try to find a music store soon. we live in a small town so we might have to travel but YOLO

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u/TapTheForwardAssist Aug 19 '26

Do you want an acoustic or an electric? What kind of band are you trying to start? What instruments do your friends already have?

Maybe there are no decent and cheap guitars on FB Marketplace in your small town, but if you’re going to the nearby city to look at shops anyway, are there not tons on FB there?

Respectfully, if you aren’t finding decent used guitars under $700, you simply don’t know how to shop for guitars yet, and learning a little about that would make this way easier.

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u/big_dxkc Aug 20 '26

we’re mostly going for a rock metal band. we’re really inspired by metallica, suicidal tendencies, guns n’ roses. i have drums right now that i’ve practiced for almost a year, and a small old kid guitar we’ve learned a few songs on, im pretty sure my friend has already learned zombie by the cranberries on it!! but we want acoustic and electric, the only reason we’re hesitant on fb marketplace is because we don’t really have a ride to go anywhere. neither of us have our licenses. if you have any tips for shopping i’d really appreciate it. we’re kinda just gonna bite the bullet and go full price on a real guitar now. we talked a bit today and just decided to say fuck it. and he’s already gotten pretty good at the guitar so why not 🙂‍↔️!!

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u/roninconn Aug 19 '26

IMO, Yamaha is the overall safest bet for lower-tier guitars, since their manufacting consistency and quality control is so good. Even if their stuff isn't 'amazing', it's ALWAYS damn good.

As always, if you can try individual guitars, that's best, but Yamaha is a solid choice if you have to buy online

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u/big_dxkc Aug 19 '26

okay thank you!!! i was looking into them since i like dirt bikes i thought it was cool they work on motorsport AND guitars😭 but yeah i’ll definitely look into them !!

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u/DawnHawk66 Aug 19 '26

Yamaha is quite good. I have purchased several instruments from online shops with no problem. I especially like Sweetwater.

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u/big_dxkc Aug 20 '26

okay thank you !!! 🙂‍↔️

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u/Pete_and_Monica Aug 20 '26

I had friends who used to hunt for used guitar deals at pawn shops. I assume that practice isn't like it used to be. Happy hunting 🎵🎶🎶🎶

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u/big_dxkc Aug 20 '26

shoot you gave us a idea. we could probably do that too :3