Korean Job Discussion Forums

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

Okay I am tone deaf. In fact tone deaf ally cats with a cold cover their ears when I sing.

However my wife is pretty good with the guitar (was semi pro). Her guitar is pretty much fked and I would like to get her a new one. She only plays it for herself and doesn't play live anymore.

My question is, can anyone recommend a brand/model to buy? I know nothing about guitars. I would like to spend less than 200,000 to 300,000 (but would go over if I need to). also where would you recommend? I am in anyang but travelling to seoul is no problem

Her current is a Samick 6 string acoustic (do all guitars have six strings?).
She likes to sit outside on the deck and play to herself.

Cheers

milspecs · Joined: 19 Jun 2008

splurge for a Martin

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

I bought a Korean guitar called "Hessod".

The tension is a BIT high but it has a BEAUTIFUL tone. PERFECT.

It sounds better than my Takamine but the Tak is better to play

DrOctagon · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

For me, a good guitar is a guitar that sounds and plays well. You can find a "good" guitar for 25$.

Do NOT fall for the "good guitars cost a lot of money" bs. There are a lot of very expensive sh!t guitars out there. Of course, there are *beep* 50$ guitars too, but I'd rather blow 50$ on a guitar I don't really like than 800$ and get the same feeling.

It's all taste. If it's a first guiatr just get something that's easy and fun to play.

DrOctagon · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

Crockpot2001 · Joined: 01 Jul 2007

If she used to play a lot she is not going to be happy with a clunker. That does not mean it has to be pricey but it will likely be over W300,000. It should also be noted that since she does have experience she may not ONLY find the pricey guitars feel best; it becomes very personal as you gain more experience. The solution is to take her to lunch one day near a reputable shop, walk by the shop as you hand her the gift certificate for XXX Won. Let her pick it out.

At the shop near my home in St. Louis I played a Taylor and I can still remember how great it felt to me. However, my friend owned the shop and was a big Martin dealer and got me a nice one at cost. That particular Martin was waaay more expensive than the Tayler. I was under the Foo of a more expensive, but less well fitting guitar. Dumb. That said, I love my Martin still. I also had a 12 string Martin which was the BEST sounding guitar I ever owned. That one payed for a new racing mountain bike. Very Happy

I also had an Ovation and found them to sound dead if they are the plactic round back. Mine was mid-level. maybe the upper level models have a bigger sound.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

You can't really buy a guitar for someone else. It's very much a personal taste decision (unless it's replacing the same model they already like).

Take her on a trip to the Nakwon arcade one day and stroll around for a couple of hours, strumming guitars.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I would agree with Eamo and much of the advice above. Take her over to Nakwon arcade. I would recommend Bug's Gear. I own two of them and absolutely adore them! They are pretty good bang for your buck. They're made over near Bupyeon and in Seoul are not so dearly priced. Try and get an all solid one and try and talk them down.

Best of luck to you!

DrOctagon · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago

Way to give advice two months after the fact!

fruitcake · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Location: shinchon

you should get an acoustic

nene · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do

I'd like recommendations for shops in Seoul too. We're coming in for the long weekend and looking to pick up two acoustics, in the 100 - 200k won range. I figure we'd probably get much better instruments used, but not sure how we'd do that besides trying to find a foreigner. Any ideas?

DrOctagon · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago

Your best bet is to go to guitar shops and play different ones until you find the one you like. Take down the brand and model number. Then search online where you will find it for much cheaper. Try Gmarket.com or Auction.co.kr. You will need someone who reads and understands Korean to help you.

640x480 · Joined: 02 Apr 2008

Please don't go to Nawk-won alone to go guitar shopping if you don't know about guitars or have not done research...you will get jacked.

I wish I could tell you to buy a blueridge, but I have no idea how to get one in in Korea. (IMHO they are bang for buck).

I got a Dexter acoustic here, but I mostly got it for the nice preamp and EQ on it. Still, they sound not bad, I really like the sound of the Dexter Custom. http://www.schoolmusic.co.kr/Shop/index.php3?var=Good&Good_no=9028 I would have gotten it if not for the electronics I needed.