Inexpensive acoustic guitar?

[FFTT]

It's very confusing trying out a bunch of guitars and you hear these big warm
dreads and then you try out the parlors and they sound comparatively small, but
recorded, they cut through the mix better.

The hardest part for me is getting used to the short neck scale, but I solved that
problem mostly by changing my playing position to the left knee.

You may prefer an OM series or 00, but overall, these smaller guitars can produce amazing results with a good signal chain.

[-m-]

Originally Posted by Andreas G

Cort guitars!

almost +1.

Guess + 1/2.

Bought one, some days I love it, others not so much.

But it's the one I don't keep in a case so it's always easy to grab and bang something out of. And it's not bad.

And they cost close to nothing.

[JRush]

just for giggles, how about a sub-200 dollar guitar that would be intended for taking to boston for street playing, I already have an acoustic i love dearly so this would just be a beater

[Old Goat]

Originally Posted by JRush

just for giggles, how about a sub-200 dollar guitar that would be intended for taking to boston for street playing, I already have an acoustic i love dearly so this would just be a beater

Don't know about current prices, but my Yamaha fg301 sounds pretty good and I don't mind taking it camping.

[TRA]

Originally Posted by JRush

just for giggles, how about a sub-200 dollar guitar that would be intended for taking to boston for street playing, I already have an acoustic i love dearly so this would just be a beater

SX Menttor Acoustic NA at RondoMusic.com

These have me curious.

[johnny nowhere]

Tacoma is out of business but their parlor models are especially well
balanced, at least to my 70's rattled ears. I own two and love the way
that they record. Taylors have lower action than most electrics and I
think that they sound digitally thin. I have play a Guild or two that were
MONSTERS but you'll find one in a couple hundred. As I've said so many
times, play twenty guitars of the same model and one of them is going
to sound better than the rest. It gets down to a metaphysical thing, no
joke. One tree has a more musical attitude than another and the luthiers'
attitude is just as important. Doesn't the quality of your work depend
on your disposition? Save and play... and most importantly, let someone
else play while you listen. Later, gator.

[Robobaby]

Nearly all of the guitars in this thread are not exactly cheap. Taylor 110 is 719 euros not including shipping from Thomann. Thats only cheap compared to their own solid wood guitars.

The low end Takemines are pretty decent and I have a G Series Dread that cost me 50 euros, reduced from about 280 euros because of cosmetic damage. It required a setup but its pretty damn easy to play and the neck is narrower at the nut but with more girth than my 712 so for certain things I find it preferable to play.

The only thing that I don't like about the G Series is where they put the electronics (you can't use the side upper bout to slap if you are into percussive technique) and general problems I have with the dreadnought size and shape. Other than that I think its a great sounding, very playable guitar as long as you are ok with the size of it.

I remember playing a Tanglewood in X-Music in Dublin which I thought was very good. In my opinion it was better than half of the high end stuff they had (which is in a separate room). I think it cost less than 300 euros and I'll have to ask about the model again. I thought it stacked up pretty well against the Taylor 214 which was basically my favourite guitar in the high end room. The feel of the thing just wasted everything else there including some custom made jobbies for almost twice the price. Maybe it was a freak one but either way you have to play the guitar you are going to buy before you do.

There are few things more annoying than getting a guitar online and then realising that the year of manufacture was back when they were using 1 and 3/4" necks instead of 1 and 11/16" necks so they guitar is uncomfortable for you to play. Some people prefer different shapes and sizes and setups. You should always play before you buy but check out those G Series Taks - theres some good stuff down there for not much money.

[mgray]

Another vote for Larrivee. My first real guitar(other than my $100 Fiji special) was a LO-3 that i picked up new for $999 in 2001. Solid sitka top and solid mahogany back and sides. The build quality of the bottom end Larrivees are comparible to guitars twice their price or more. I know the -03 series have now gone up in price and they are Sapele now I think.

But you should be able to get a used one for a good price and as has been said already, they sound fantastic!

[fossaree]

I've just bought a Groovin , folk model (black coloured) for 100 bucks .

I'm amazed with its tone ;-)

If you want me to , I may record something and upload here

[TRA]

Alright guys. I picked up a Breedlove Passport D20. It's a 7/8 body, but it sounds a hell of a lot "bigger" that a lot of the guitars I played in the price range.

[Beaumaloe]

Try tracking down either a Recording King or Silver Creek brand guitar. They are way better than they should be for the few hundred dollar price tag. Also, keep your eye out for used late 70's Takamines, I found a beat up one and it looks and sounds pretty much exactly like my sweet-sounding D-28.

[Beaumaloe]

Sorry OP, I guess I was a day late on that one. Enjoy your Breedlove.

[The Generator]

I was very surprised by an old used Takamine Dreadnought.
A friend picked it up for $100 at a garage sale.
We used it on a recording project and it was unbelievable.

It was ugly as hell, with tons of scratches, but it sounded like heaven.
I tried to get him to sell it to me, but no chance.


That being said, if you can snag a used Larrivee'L-03R on ebay or wherever, you will be amazed for the price. I play a custom shop Breedlove Dread that is 4k more than my Larrivee, but the Larrivee sounds/records favorably well in comparison - unbelievable. Mine was 600 off ebay. Truly a great option for you

[WorldOfStrings]

Any well maintained, Japanese-made Yamaha is always a strong contender. As for new guitars, Godin's Seagull and Simon&Patrick lines are great for the money. Any pre-Fender Guild guitar will blow away many guitars worth much more $$$.

[travisinhell]

Originally Posted by Andreas G

Cort guitars!

check out a parkwood pw310m (made by cort for guitar center).......**** i hate guitar center. pretty well balanced, doesn't sound/play cheap. good bang for buck, imo.

Originally Posted by WorldOfStrings

Any well maintained, Japanese-made Yamaha is always a strong contender.

if you can find one, some of those are kickass sounding guitars.

[Cgbravo]

whats important to look for when selecting a guitar when you have no prior experience what so ever?

Budget is 300 Max,just want something i can play at home for experimenting purposes..any recommendations? i want to use it direct also,thanks

[FFTT]

One thing many acoustic buyers overlook is the age and seasoning
of the sound board.

I've had my Larrivee now for just a few years and the sound board
is just beginning to come to life.

I know it's tempting to get that perfect shiny new guitar, but sonically,
a well seasoned older guitar will usually sound better.

Yes it is much harder to search the classifieds
and estate sales to hunt down a nice old beater,
but your money will go much further.

[jubb]

Originally Posted by Beaumaloe

Try tracking down either a Recording King or Silver Creek brand guitar. They are way better than they should be for the few hundred dollar price tag. Also, keep your eye out for used late 70's Takamines, I found a beat up one and it looks and sounds pretty much exactly like my sweet-sounding D-28.

those silver creeks are great. I got a t160 for under 220 shipped. needed a string change and that was about it.

[flatback8]

Originally Posted by Old Goat

Gruhn's, the high point of my trip to Nashville. If I'd had a grand hanging loose, I'd a' come home with a Guild 12 string to go with my D-25. Even had the wife's blessing, just couldn't pull the trigger...

For a nice, cheap guitar, Yamaha does pretty well. I have an FG-340ii that sounds good, especially with new strings. I use it mostly for slide these days.

Brought to mind my recent trip to Nashville (just before the floods). Yes Gruhns was great and very helpful about my Gibson mandolin.

I eventually took a trip to Gibson's (near the Opry) and just strummed a $4000 J45 that was just sitting there - OMG it was THE most amazing heartstopping experience, the most beautiful sound ever from 6 strings .. sadly it now is probably a soggy plle of rotting timber .....

[skylabfilmpop]

To get some age at a bargain look for a 70s Guild d35 or d40 about $700 or less. Or check out an 80s90s Alvarez Yairi dreadnaught (eg Dy38) about $350

[CAGuy]

Originally Posted by TRA

It's possible to get a nice playing/good sounding electric guitar on a tight budget. Are there any acoustic guitars out there that have surprised you?

Ever try Walden's? They are great and Anthem Guitars & Music are blowing out a bunch right now. Home - Anthem Guitars & Music or email them at anthemguitars@hotmail.com. I have played the waldens and they are SWEET! Anthem has a bunch on clearance and they throw in extras too.