7 March 2017

What’s next?

” 1. Book lessons. Check.
2. Get an instrument and learning book. Ahhh…?”

Before you purchase an instrument or book, let us guide you.

Books

Please create a layout first. watch this video to learn customize layouts

Beginner Guitarists use either Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 or Hal Leonard Guitar for Kids Book 1.

We use “London College of Music” Acoustic Grade books for the guitar which can be found online by various sellers.

Ukulele

Our most recommended ukuleles:

Beginner/Basic
Artist UKB1 Soprano Ukulele Student Grade Natural
Artist UKB1 Ukulele (Soprano)
$65 free postage
+ 13 Inch scale
+ solid quality
+ carry bag
+ great for beginners
+ timeless natural wood/white combo
+ nylon binding will keep it from chipping like popular painted standard (Mahalo) ukes
Premium






Artist UKT200CEQ Ukulele (Tenor) $219 free postage + 17 Inch scale
+Electrics for amplification
+ Solid wood top for superior sound/tone
+ includes hard case
+ Build is stunning


Instruments

Firstly, Department Stores = not a great idea (i.e. Aldi, Kmart, Target, Big W, JB HiFi)
Department stores don’t typically offer their apparent value, we’ve found that poor quality is not worth the apparent saving, often the price is the same for a far superior instrument.

We recommend Australian-owned Artist Store for almost all instruments, we love our own Artist products and have recommended them for years. They have hit a proven sweet spot in terms of quality of construction, value, cost & customer experience. While they only have one showroom (in St Peters), this allows them to use their warehouse to give you better value for money.

Acoustic Guitar – Nylon String

Great for young beginners

Nylon string guitars are is the ideal young beginners’ as they are softer on your fingers and hands than steel strings.

Guitar Age-Size Guide
Kindergarten: UKB1 Ukulele
Year 2 (or late Year 1): CL12 Nylon String Guitar
Year 4 (or late Year 3): CL34 Nylon String Guitar
Year 5/6: Small body Steel String guitar (not a Dreadnought)
Unless focusing on Classical style guitar, then upgrade to premium Classical guitar.

We recommend the quality Artist CL range (better than industry standard Valencia, plus extras). Often a case, strap, plectrums & a tuner can add up to another $100+. Artist’s CL guitars include all of these items to save your time and money. The included guitar bags are the best we have seen included are here, are padded and more durable than most cases on the market.

Older beginner or classical guitar enthusiast

If you are an older beginner than a steel-string guitar might be more suited. If you’re taking you’d like to take your classical playing more seriously we’d recommend upgrading to one of Artist’s more premium Classical guitars.

<strong>6-8yrsΒ  (<125cm tall)</strong>

RECOMMENDED
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CL12
$115
1/2 Size Classical guitar pack
+ as CL44

Valencia & department store guitars are not recommended.

Hohner, Yamaha or Ibanez are okay but you typically won’t get the same value.

<strong>8-13yrs (125-165cm tall)</strong>

RECOMMENDED
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CL34
$115
3/4 Size Classical guitar pack
+ as CL44Β Β 

Valencia & department store guitars are not recommended. Hohner, Yamaha or Ibanez are okay but you typically won’t get the same value.

RECOMMENDED
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CL44S
$125
Full-Size classical guitar pack
+ as CL44
+ Slimmer neck for easier playing
& smaller hands.Β Β 

Acoustic Guitar – Nylon String

<strong>12yrs+ (165cm+)</strong>

<strong>13+Β  (165cm+)</strong>

RECOMMENDED
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CL44
$125
Full-Size Classical guitar pack
+ built-in tuner you won’t lose
+ Back-pack style bag
+ strap pins
+ spare set of strings
+ 2 picks
+ Great build quality
& value for money
+ Low action for easy playability
+ great after-sales support
+ free postage
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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CS180CEQ+B
$368

Classical Guitar
SolidΒ Top with Cutaway
+ Solid Spruce wood top for clearer,
brighter tone
+ Superior wood quality and build
+ Pick-up EQ/tuner
+ High-grade bag
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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HG39303CEQ+B

$388
Classical Guitar
Solid Cedar Top Cutaway
+Ultimate mellow Spanish tone.
+ Superior wood quality &
traditional Spanish heel build
+ Pick-up EQ/tuner
+ Bag
Β + Solid cedar top
+EQ&tuner for amplification
+ High-grade bag

<strong>Accessories</strong>

Gift ideas /useful add-ons

CLASSICAL Guitar Accessory Pack
$45
+ Precision Tuner
+ Guitar Stand
+ CLASSICAL Guitar Capo
+ Strings


 
MUS004
 – $39
Strong, supported & seamless 

MUS006 – $21
Light & portable

Acoustic Guitar – Steel String

Steel-strings are harder on hands and not recommended for young players starting out. These guitars are recommended for upper Primary, High School and Adult students, but younger students can still move to steel-string after starting on nylon-strings.

It’s worth considering the longevity of a premium model, particularly for older or more advanced players who will be performing.

Note: We almost always recommend against buying larger to grow into. You can play a smaller guitar with bigger hands but small hands can only reach so far.

Beginner and Premium Steel String Guitars
15+/Adults (165cm+)
ACE RECOMMENDED
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LSPCEQ Natural/Blue/Black
$179

Full-Size “Dreadnought” Acoustic-Electric
with Cutaway guitar pack

+ Pick-up EQ/tuner
+ Padded bag
+ Strap & picks
+ 1 set of spare strings

Also in:
LSPCEQ Utimate Pack Black $200
LSPCEQ Utimate Pack Blue $200
+ Capo
+ Guitar Stand
+ 5 sets of strings
ACE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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which guitar should I buy?

DS120CEQ
$349 ($319 no bag)
Solid top full-size Dreadnought
Acoustic guitar. Spruce top and big
body give it a bright yet deep tone.

+ High-grade bag
+ High-level pick-up EQ/tuner
+ Quality build & sound 
 
ACE BEST OF THE BEST
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β˜†(5+/5)

OMS7SEQ

$868 ($799 no case)
Worth around $1500+ in our opinion.
Solid wood top & back
+ Hard-case
+ High-end Pick-up EQ/tuner
+ Top quality, tone and sound
 
 
12-15+/Adults (120-165cm)
ACE RECOMMENDED
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LSPSCEQ pack (also in Natural Colour)
$169 Black
$179 
Natural
Small body Acoustic Electric with Cutaway pack
Good quality, great sound.
+ Pick-up EQ/tuner
+ Padded bag
+ Strap & picks
+ 1 set of spare strings
ACE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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which guitar should I buy?

OMC200CEQ
(Link broken, copy the code, then search here.
$349
Solid top, OM smaller body size.
Beautiful depth of tone and clarity.
Not as loud or chunky as a Dreadnought.
+ High-level pick-up EQ/tuner
+ Quality build & sound
 
5-12+ (100-120cm)
ACE RECOMMENDED
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LSP34EQ Ultimate Pack
$205 (no pack: $169)
Standard pack not available.

Great quality and small 3/4 body
and scale for small hands
or travelling. Great deal with the bonuses:
+ Pick-up EQ/tuner
+ Padded bag
+ Capo
+ Guitar Stand
+ Strap & picks
+ 5 sets of strings
Also available with no pack: LSP34EQ $169
ACE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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Little Artist

$277 (RRP: $449)
no bag: $249
Perfect traveller. Solid spruce top for strength
and next level tone/sound.
Great deal for this level of quality.
+ Quality build & sound
+ High-level pick-up EQ/tuner
+ Tuner
+ High-grade bag
 
 
Gift ideas/Add-ons

ACOUSTIC Guitar Accessory Pack
$39
+ Precision Tuner
+ Guitar Stand
+ Steel String Capo
+ Strings  
  

MUS006 – $21
Light & portable
 
MUS004 – $39
Strong, supported & seamless 

As with all guitar, regular practice will make the pain go away in a matter of weeks.

ELECTRIC GUITARS[ps2id id=’electric’ target=”h4 { color: yellow }”/]

Artist LP60PK Electric Guitar Range Plus Amp


An excellent variety of electric guitar packs are another thing you can find at the Artist Store.
From $180 +$60 for an amp


BASS GUITARS[ps2id id=’bass’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]

Artist JB2PK Electric Bass Guitar + Amp and Accessories


The Artist Store also sell an especially good mix of bass guitars, we own one and love it.
From $170 +$50 for an amp

VIOLINS[ps2id id=’violin’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]

Artist SVN116 Solid Wood Student Violin Package 1/16 Size


If you need a good beginner Violin, the Artist Store has you covered.
From $120

DRUM KITS[ps2id id=’drums’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]

Artist ADR522 5-Piece Drum Kit + Cymbals and Stool
NuX DM3 - 8 Piece Electronic Drum Kit


Love loud drums? Or maybe a silent electric drum kit? Artist Store has unbeatable value drum kits.
Junior from $240
Full size from $380
Electric from $500


MICROPHONES[ps2id id=’mics’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]

Takstar TA55DPK - Vintage Dynamic Vocal Microphone + Stand and Cable


Find great microphones at the Artist Store.

PIANOS[ps2id id=’piano’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]

Which piano? While they start at about $130 for a very basic 61 key “keyboard”. You can opt for a more piano-like “electric piano” keyboard which starts around $300 for 61 keys, this will aid the development of expression and technique much more quickly and more effectively.

Furthermore, $550 will get you a long-lasting, good quality full weighted 88 keys that really does everything you will ever need. You can move to $1000s for a high-end electric piano or traditional upright or grand piano which lifts the whole experience significantly. Unfortunately, Artist doesn’t offer much in the way of pianos so we’ve put together the list below.

UNDER $150

Casio LK-120 Key Lighting Keyboard


Casio LK-120 61 Key Keyboard – $128 (
from JB HiFi)

Electric keyboards are maybe the most affordable way to start learning. But we recommend upgrading to a weighted piano keyboard as soon as possible. Probably the only exception to the department store golden rule.

UNDER $300


Yamaha NP12 61 Key Weighted Piano Keyboard – $299 (from Better Music)
Possibly the best for a budget with its reliable quality and a more natural feel for playing but still limited in size, and extra $100 will get you to the 76 keys, which is probably an even better deal.

UNDER $600

Casio CDP 130


Casio CDP-130 full 88-Key Digital Piano – $549 
 (from JB HiFI)
While you can get started for less than $550, the high quality, excellent key response and the beautiful sound make this segment a real sweet spot for learning the piano. It will go the distance too with its full 88 keys.

OVER $600

Yamaha G2 Grand Piano
Irmler P132E Professional (Assembled in Germany)

Upright and Grand Pianos

Finally, if you’re looking for an excellent range of premium pianos, Sydney Piano Centre is worth an online or in-store visit in Parramatta NSW.

If you would like to see something else included or have any questions please contact us at hello@acemusic.com.au.

All prices were accurate at the time of publishing and may change without notice.

Are looking for lessons? Get in touch with us at hello@acemusic.com.au and register here.

We hope you found our guide helpful.
Ace Music Academy Team

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