Mitchell O120CEWPM Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Metallic Black) EXPIRED

Hi.
I have one of these. Mitchell is a MusiciansFriend/GuitarCenter in-house brand, and it's traditionally been ... hit or miss with the quality control.
On the other hand, they've made significant strides in recent years to clean things up and ship a legitimately good product.
I own this particular guitar, though in a different color.
It has a very unique sound, almost entirely unlike many other guitars, and there's no doubt that it'd be louder with a solid spruce top. On the other hand, I've played much more expensive guitars that don't sound so good. It's a very melodious sound that matches well against a wide variety of vocal types.
I haven't really played with the electronics very much, since I tend to play unplugged, but they work and sound better than I'd expected for a guitar at this price.
This would be an excellent beginner guitar, but more than that, it'd be a great axe to add to most guitarists' collection.
I wish I'd had precognition to know this deal was coming.
I paid almost this much for a used one at Guitar Center, and while I don't mind buying used, it would've been nice to put my own scratches on rather than inheriting someone else's at this price.
A note about the quality control issue:
As I said, Mitchell has made great strides in cleaning up their QC over the past few years and has produced some genuinely fine instruments at affordable prices.
On the other hand, you can't go wrong with buying from MusiciansFriend. If you find a defect, you can send back the instrument swiftly and get a replacement at, usually, no charge, even for shipping.
They have great customer service, which comes in handy, since you still might end up with a Mitchell guitar that slipped through the Quality Control cracks.
If we weren't encouraging everyone to stay at home, I'd encourage you to go down to a local Guitar Center, because they price match, and check out Mitchells until you find one that is right for you.
As it is, you can buy with confidence from Musicians Friend, knowing that you've bought a guitar that I thought was a good deal at its original price.

Quote from dsrickard : Hi. I have one of these. Mitchell is a MusiciansFriend/GuitarCenter in-house brand, and it's traditionally been ... hit or miss with the quality control. On the other hand, they've made significant strides in recent years to clean things up and ship a legitimately good product. I own this particular guitar, though in a different color. It has a very unique sound, almost entirely unlike many other guitars, and there's no doubt that it'd be louder with a solid spruce top. On the other hand, I've played much more expensive guitars that don't sound so good. It's a very melodious sound that matches well against a wide variety of vocal types. I haven't really played with the electronics very much, since I tend to play unplugged, but they work and sound better than I'd expected for a guitar at this price. This would be an excellent beginner guitar, but more than that, it'd be a great axe to add to most guitarists' collection. I wish I'd had precognition to know this deal was coming. I paid almost this much for a used one at Guitar Center, and while I don't mind buying used, it would've been nice to put my own scratches on rather than inheriting someone else's at this price. A note about the quality control issue: As I said, Mitchell has made great strides in cleaning up their QC over the past few years and has produced some genuinely fine instruments at affordable prices. On the other hand, you can't go wrong with buying from MusiciansFriend. If you find a defect, you can send back the instrument swiftly and get a replacement at, usually, no charge, even for shipping. They have great customer service, which comes in handy, since you still might end up with a Mitchell guitar that slipped through the Quality Control cracks. If we weren't encouraging everyone to stay at home, I'd encourage you to go down to a local Guitar Center, because they price match, and check out Mitchells until you find one that is right for you. As it is, you can buy with confidence from Musicians Friend, knowing that you've bought a guitar that I thought was a good deal at its original price.

Thank you for sharing your experience!

This one looks like a nice guitar!

Quote from dsrickard : Hi. I have one of these. Mitchell is a MusiciansFriend/GuitarCenter in-house brand, and it's traditionally been ... hit or miss with the quality control. On the other hand, they've made significant strides in recent years to clean things up and ship a legitimately good product. I own this particular guitar, though in a different color. It has a very unique sound, almost entirely unlike many other guitars, and there's no doubt that it'd be louder with a solid spruce top. On the other hand, I've played much more expensive guitars that don't sound so good. It's a very melodious sound that matches well against a wide variety of vocal types. I haven't really played with the electronics very much, since I tend to play unplugged, but they work and sound better than I'd expected for a guitar at this price. This would be an excellent beginner guitar, but more than that, it'd be a great axe to add to most guitarists' collection. I wish I'd had precognition to know this deal was coming. I paid almost this much for a used one at Guitar Center, and while I don't mind buying used, it would've been nice to put my own scratches on rather than inheriting someone else's at this price. A note about the quality control issue: As I said, Mitchell has made great strides in cleaning up their QC over the past few years and has produced some genuinely fine instruments at affordable prices. On the other hand, you can't go wrong with buying from MusiciansFriend. If you find a defect, you can send back the instrument swiftly and get a replacement at, usually, no charge, even for shipping. They have great customer service, which comes in handy, since you still might end up with a Mitchell guitar that slipped through the Quality Control cracks. If we weren't encouraging everyone to stay at home, I'd encourage you to go down to a local Guitar Center, because they price match, and check out Mitchells until you find one that is right for you. As it is, you can buy with confidence from Musicians Friend, knowing that you've bought a guitar that I thought was a good deal at its original price.

I've been looking for a good beginner guitar to get started with playing. Thanks for the recommendation!

This looks pretty good. I'll hold off, as I'm still waiting on my Yamaha f335 from last week's deals to arrive.

I would recommend an Epi DR-100 over the Mitchell in the op at the near same price point. But to be honest if at all possible sacrifice a few family nights out and get a good solid guitar That has a clean warm tone and stays in tune especially as a beginner. You will be frustrated not being able to finish simple chords without going out of tune. I am always surprised by what parents bring in with their children to take lessons with. Then wonder why the kid loses interest and stops practicing altogether.

Quote from srvy : I would recommend an Epi DR-100 over the Mitchell in the op at the near same price point. But to be honest if at all possible sacrifice a few family nights out and get a good solid guitar That has a clean warm tone and stays in tune especially as a beginner. You will be frustrated not being able to finish simple chords without going out of tune. I am always surprised by what parents bring in with their children to take lessons with. Then wonder why the kid loses interest and stops practicing altogether.

I can't fault the DR100, but the mitchell, to my mind, has a more pleasing tone. And as for buying a expensive guitar for a beginner, I understand the point of view of buying a more expensive, solid guitar, which can be resold if the beginner loses interest, it seems a wasteful and losing proposition to me.
Furthermore, with many positive reviews, I'm starting to think, as I wrote before, that Mitchell is becoming one of those brands that started from humble beginnings and is swiftly making good.
Unless you're willing to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars, you aren't going to get something made in America, and if you're looking at manufactured instruments from China, Taiwan, or Indonesia, you have to recognize that luthiers there are becoming quite proficient and experienced.
I'm not sure, as one reviewer I read puts it, that the Mitchell is superior to their Martin, but it is at least possible, especially lately, and I'd easily compare modern Mitchells with Yamahas.
Also, I founder when faced with the idea that this guitar MUST be a beginner's instrument.
There are far cheaper, yet still playable, guitars on offer.
Sometimes, it's nice to have a chllection of differing tones without breaking the bank, especially in these uncertain times.

Not sure about the quality but when selected "Order Now! Expected to Ship 05-16-2020" so don't plan on getting it any time soon to play while in lockdown.

These guitars are the namesake of Guitar Center founder Wayne Mitchell. They are made in Chinese factories owned by South Korean musical instrument manufacturer Samick. As has been said, the quality of these instruments has really improved over the last 3 years. A very good beginner instrument.

I have a Mitchell (dreadnaught style) from about 7-8 years ago. Made in Indonesia and the quality is easily as good as the Alvarez I had a few years before that for 3x the price.

Very impressed with the brand, either as a beginner guitar or one where you just don't want to worry about damage/theft as much. Just bought my kids the new 3/4-scale version and it's definitely a notch down on quality, but still as good as the Yamaha I was comparing it to.

Very tempted to get this...

I already have 2 acoustic/electrics (Fender paramount and an older Yamaha).

I got stop getting guitar alerts. 😬

dang SDs. Don't play the guitar but now I want to buy one!

Quote from srvy : I would recommend an Epi DR-100 over the Mitchell in the op at the near same price point. But to be honest if at all possible sacrifice a few family nights out and get a good solid guitar That has a clean warm tone and stays in tune especially as a beginner. You will be frustrated not being able to finish simple chords without going out of tune. I am always surprised by what parents bring in with their children to take lessons with. Then wonder why the kid loses interest and stops practicing altogether.

what do you recommend as a good electric guitar?

So let me ask those in the know.
I am a total beginner.
I have access to an older Ventura V-13. It seems to be in good shape.

I have considered the Yamaha FG800.. I have only briefly considered the Yamaha FG335.
And I have considered getting an acoustic-electric, which this is.

And I should mention that I have considered just getting an electric.

My reasoning is that with a straight electric, I can plug in something so that I can hear myself practice...but nobody can hear...the early years....lol

Now I recognize that an acoustic-electric will not have this ability...but only that it will have the option of connecting an amp. Not sure I have any solid reasons for considering it past it seems like a nice option.

And the last part...I held a Seagul S6 dreadnought. It seemed very large and uncomfortable....but it may be that I did not know how to hold it.

If I seem like I am rambling, I fear that I am the point that I have heard enough different advice that I have reached the ramble point. So I am throwing all the confusion out to see what is real and should be considered...and what is just pondering differences that do not matter.

So my question is this... should I just use the Ventrura thatt I already have?
Is there any advantage to going with a yamaha now? And I should qualify price vs significant advantage. Am I worrying about some small difference that a beginner would not even notice? I do not want to start throwing out cash...but not at the expense of making it harder to learn and possibly discouraging myself.

And is there any real learning curve advantage, in addition to being able to be silent to others in trying to learn on electric vs acoustic?

I have thrown a lot of seeming jumbled thoughts out...which is where I am at the moment..and why I am asking for advice.

Thanks in advance.