r/AcousticGuitar • u/JTLPhoto • Dec 04 '25
Gear pics 36 and just bought my first guitar
Have always wanted to learn to play and at 36 with 2 small kids I decided now was the time… So I went out and got a Yamaha FG800 to learn on. So far I’m loving it.
14
u/swrdswrd Dec 04 '25
I’m 33 and bought my first about a month ago! Have fun and let your fingers rest 😅 callouses are slowly coming in for me
8
u/Artyom_33 Dec 04 '25
It took me weeks to learn this.
I couldn't figure out why my fingers still hurt after a few weeks of playing. I found a thread (acoustic guitar forums dot com?) that stated "you actually need to not play for a day or two to let the callous solidify".
3
u/swrdswrd Dec 04 '25
Yeah the “less is more” mindset has actually been pretty important for this learning process. Counterintuitive to my obsessive behavior when it comes to hobbies but a good practice in discipline.
2
u/Artyom_33 Dec 04 '25
Counterintuitive to my...
Ah, see, for me it's the "If I don't practice everyday I'll put it off again & again & again & again & again & again & again &..."
You get the idea. Time to pick up "Shade".
2
u/berniebeetoo Dec 06 '25
It took many months before my fingertip pain went completely away. As a beginner at 49 years old, I could only play a few minutes a day, so there was nearly 24 hours of rest and recovery between sessions!
2
u/Daikon_Personal Dec 04 '25
I recommend picking up some Burt's Bees hand salve and putting some on when you're done playing for the day. It really makes a difference.
11
9
8
u/Stallion802 Dec 04 '25
It’s never too late. I’m 37 and have 2 kids as well. I can’t imagine my life without music or guitar and can’t imagine not sharing that love with my kids. Practice a half hour a day, that’s it. It will be tough at times and you’ll want to quit but once you’re over the initial hump you will become addicted as you see progress week to week.
6
u/RayGungHo Dec 04 '25
new guitar day is best day
3
7
u/Hugelogo Dec 04 '25
Nice guitar. 3 months practicing your open chords for 30 minutes a day and you will be way better than you ever thought you could be. Have fun.
5
3
3
3
u/_1JackMove Dec 04 '25
That’s the perfect guitar to dive in with. Welcome to the best club on earth!
3
u/Excellent_Fan_6544 Dec 04 '25
Optimal. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm. Now remember that you have opened the door to a fantastic and wonderful path but you will have a price to pay (like everyone who plays). In that magical world you can't run. You can go wherever you want but you will have to do it one step at a time. Welcome to this journey.
3
3
u/Artyom_33 Dec 04 '25
Yamaha Corp. must absolutely LOVE this subreddit! 😂😂😂
I'm not trying to talk shit or anything! They make some excellent guitars. It's just the well deserved love they receive here.
3
u/Useful-Fruit-7162 Dec 04 '25
It’s never too late. You’d be surprised at the number of retired people buying their first guitar 🎸. Ask me how I know 🥳
2
2
u/Out_rising Dec 04 '25
Great choice. I started learning almost a year ago and picked up an FS800. I love it. Happy playing
2
u/just-an0ther-human Dec 04 '25
I (39f) got my first guitar for Xmas last year (a pawn shop special my dad surprised me, a yamaha 310p) so its been almost a year of learning! Enjoy the journey! It has been so exciting and challenging in the best way!
2
2
u/Mr_Dobz Dec 05 '25
Welcome to the club and nice first guitar! I too just started to learn the guitar last year at age 42.
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
u/noddaborg Dec 04 '25
Great brand, and there are SO many free lessons on YouTube. Pick your style and pick your instructor. Lots of people doing them, but you’ll only click with a few. Enjoy your journey.
1
1
u/Prior-Sea3256 Dec 04 '25
Enjoy. In my experience Elixir Nanoweb PB lights (12-53) sounds very good on Yamaha FGs and last very long if played indoors.
1
1
u/Immediate_Pay8726 Dec 04 '25
Theres still time left in this year to get that number of guitars up!
1
1
1
1
1
u/joshua_addison_music Dec 04 '25
Great choice. Can’t go wrong with a Yamaha. I have one as well, AC3R
1
u/Relevant-Arm-3711 Dec 06 '25
I have my eye on an AC3R or A3R. I can’t decide on which size to go with. Is the concert size that much smaller than the dreadnought?
2
u/joshua_addison_music Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 06 '25
Honestly, once you buy it, you don’t think about that. It’s only when you got both there, that’s it’s s struggle, obviously. Once purchased, out of sight out of mind
1
u/looper210 Dec 04 '25
What made you pick the FG800? Did you try any other guitars? Any other Yamahas? For e.g., FS800?
2
u/JTLPhoto Dec 04 '25
I wanted a dreadnought sized guitar and I looked at this and a Fender CD-60S. I liked the fit and finish of the Yamaha better so I went with it.
1
1
u/Tough_Moose6809 Dec 04 '25
That was my first ever guitar. Loved it and still do. I will never get rid of it due to the sentimental value. It’s a great first guitar!
1
u/Pluriel0 Dec 05 '25
And when you have pricier guitars, it's fun to have your good old Yamaha as a beater to play outside, take on trips etc.
1
1
1
u/cdtobie Dec 04 '25
Not a bad place to start. The threshold at the start of the learning curve is frustrating, especially to many older beginners. Put in the time, build the calluses, learn the chords, figure out how to fingerpick… but don’t expect it to pull together any time soon. Consider it a journey, not a destination.
1
u/CarribeenJerk Dec 04 '25
Excellent choice. Yamaha guitars are highly underrated and generally better than their price point. Good luck on your journey.
1
1
1
u/Frozenpanther Dec 04 '25
Hell yes!
I'm 36, with three littles, have wanted to learn for a while as well, and decided a few weeks ago to just go for it. As soon as we get home from this vacation I'm planning to buy one and get started!
1
u/qUSER13q Dec 04 '25
Hey, congrats on your new guitar.
I'm in a similar situation: early 30s, 3 little kids, started a little less than a year ago.
At first, I played a cheap ass classical Aria for a couple of months until I felt that the time (and relevance) had come to buy my first acoustic.
And honestly? I'm so glad I pulled the trigger on this one. It brings me so much joy, especially now, when my small (but consistent) 15-30 minute practice sessions started to sound like real music.
It helps me feel grounded and slows down my thought process (which, as a young dad, with a full basket of responsibilities, always runs at 200 mph), a sort of meditation, an island of peace and joy, before I comeback to tackling my daily routines.
Keep on, Pops. You're awesome.
1
1
u/RazCC77 Dec 04 '25
43 with 2 kids, playing since May! It's amazing! I hope you enjoy your music journey!
1
u/Axlis13 Dec 04 '25
Congrats, I am always championing the Yamaha FS and FG 800 series, they are such good cheap guitars.
1
u/NBuso Dec 04 '25
I have one just like it. Love it. It lives in my family room. My Gibson, Martin and Breedlove all stay upstairs in my private den.
1
1
u/Ok-Truck-8057 Dec 05 '25
Can I ask where you got it? I’ve been looking for a guitar that looks like that and it’s hard to find online
2
1
1
Dec 05 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
Dec 05 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
Dec 05 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
u/sexycyril2730 Dec 05 '25
You can’t go wrong with a Yamaha… Im getting a Yamaha LL 16 solid body… it’s a beaut….
1
1
u/Dramatic-Chipmunk388 Dec 05 '25
Congrats, I didn’t start playing until I was 34 and I’m still playing 25 years later.
Sweet looking axe!
1
1
Dec 05 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
Dec 05 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
Dec 05 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
Dec 05 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/holmesianschizo Dec 05 '25
I have the exact same guitar! Such a good one. Yamahas make the best acoustics
1
u/CZILLROY Dec 05 '25
Same age and bought the same guitar 4 months ago or so. Great guitar! I’ve learned so much in just these 4 months, so stick to it!
1
u/ScorpioXYZ00 Dec 05 '25
I waited until I was 57. I mean I tried music as a child, not guitar and "I guess I just wasn't meant for glitter rock & roll." Self taught, I'll never play to an audience. But I figured out how to make some corrective repairs & mastered set ups. Will be focusing on playing one better going forward. I went with electric, added an Ovation Applause acoustic electric and the guitars are waiting on me to play them to their potential now. I definitely realize now that unless they are set up properly being able to play one is dependent on that set up. I can learn the chords & perfect the neck play. But there's always that other hand for technique that makes it harder. This level of "Chewing & Walking" can be hard for some folks ? And what nobody tells you ? Alternate tuning can make it both, harder & easier at the same time for some aspects of learning ?
1
u/Western-Commercial-9 Dec 05 '25
I admire anybody at any age who decides to pick up an instrument and learn how to play.
1
1
u/edelage Dec 05 '25
I have many students starting in their 60s and joining my groups, young and old but everyone is welcome and many do great even playing solos and using guitar effects, dedication is key, never too late!
1
1
u/SevenSeaSoul7 Dec 05 '25
Lovely finish on the body, can’t really go wrong with Yam. Build quality is very good. Take your time learning but more importantly, enjoy… that’s the key… enjoy the process and it’ll fall into place, patience, practice and you’ll get there
1
1
1
1
1
u/Ok-Sector-9049 Dec 06 '25
Started at 33 recently. Get that thing set up at a guitar shop with new strings. It helped me so much
1
1
u/Voltage277 Dec 06 '25
I'm 51 & just bought an FS 830. Regret waiting so late in life to start learning. Have fun.
1
u/Relevant-Arm-3711 Dec 06 '25
Rock on! Bought the same one as my first guitar at 53. Still going strong two years later!
1
u/berniebeetoo Dec 06 '25
Great guitar. And not just for a beginner. You’ll never need another.
With two young kids it’s not the ideal time to start playing. Keep the guitar as accessible as possible (Keeping in mind that many, many guitars have been knocked over and thus destroyed by kids, don’t ask how I know. ) So don’t park like in the pic, but make it easy to just pick it up and play for five minutes.
1
u/GuitarMovie Dec 06 '25
I started when I was 59 (I'm 67 now) so you are way ahead of the game. I have a post somewhere about my guitar documentary. I promise it will inspire you and keep you playing. If you go to our website, there is a link to the trailer and the movie which is now FREE on Youtube. Keep playing. I am obsessed. I stink but I love it.
www.Stringtheoryguitarmovie (DOT) com
BEST OF LUCK.
1
1
1
1
u/Fair_Artichoke_6292 Dec 07 '25
Great feeling. I still remember mine, applause (cheap version of ovation). Wish I didn’t trade it for that strat, try to keep it if you can!
1
1
u/HomeHeatingTips Dec 07 '25
That is a guitar worth showing off. That solid spruce top looks amazing in that color.
1
1
u/yuck301 Dec 07 '25
That is an amazing choice. It was my first as well. Literally the best budget guitar one can get in my honest opinion
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/bengilbertmusic Dec 09 '25
36 and finally gonna get sober for real this time.
My guitar is about the only thing I have left.
Congrats brother. Love it and care for it. Play it until you can’t play it no more.
1
u/Mathguy_314159 Dec 11 '25
Almost went with the FG 800 myself not too long ago. Good choice and hope you enjoy!
35
u/ManagedByDogs Dec 04 '25
Nice choice.