Best acoustic guitar under $500

[Gomez]

I'm looking to buy one, and that's the max budget... got a recording project coming up soon, so I need help from my fellow gearslutz.

Thanks!

[seriousfun]

Seagull S6.

Epiphone Masterbuilt.

Yamaha FG-xxx

Your new Martins, Gibsons, Taylors, etc., at that price range probably won't be a great value.

[jasonrodriguez]

Epiphone Masterbuilts, Blueridge.

[meymia]

You got taylor big baby

a used takamine en10

and the low end yamaha kick ass too...

Sry for caps, peace...

[John Eppstein]

Go to some music stores and try some guitars. All guitars are different - even ones of the same model. Use your ears and buy one you like. Don't use your eyes, and above all, buy in person, not mail order/online.

[MadGuitrst]

Martin DM

[doncaparker]

1. For most guitars of that price range, I would recommend just going to the music store with the largest acoustic guitar inventory in your area and picking one that you like. Manufacturers and models are not going to matter as much as whether each specific guitar turned out OK off the line. These things are made out of wood, and vary a lot within the make/model just due to that and some workmanship variance.

2. Having said that, Taylor has the best quality control in the business. You can probably order a Big Baby Taylor online and be able to count on it being a good guitar.

3. Order a hardshell case that fits the guitar.

[FireMoon]

Second hand Tokai.... 70s Hummingbird or 70s-80s Cats Eyes...Or if you can find one a mid to late 70s Tama acoustic...


If you find one on flebay etc feel free to PM me and i will give you a top price to bid etc

[sahiaman]

I've found that the most consistent quality at that price on acoustics are "Blueridge" guitars. If you have a chance to play the Blueridge Br-43, check it out, it is a hell of a guitar for $370.

[John Eppstein]

I've found that some of the Ibanez guitars sound quite nice, although some of them look a bit strange. I'm mostly been disappointed with the Epiphone acoustics, although I own several of their electrics. Again USE YOUR EARS!

[gurian1]

If it's for recording only, the Taylor Big Baby can not be beat. It's as if it's pre EQ'd for recording. One of the best for strait ahead strumming there is. If you require finger picking I don't think you will find anything in that price range unless you get very lucky on eBay, maybe borrow something....

[vodka gimli]

Epiphone Masterbilt

[bigdoghat]

Alvarez have some really impressive sounding guitars in the $400 range - definitely do not buy anything until you've tried Alvarez - miles ahead of anything else in that price range in terms of great sound - they are also really well set up and a pleasure to play

[strewnshank]

S6.

[travisbrown]

You can get excellent used acoustics for under $500 if you are willing to sift through he Craigslist riff-raff.

Likely any new acoustic under $500 is going to need at least $100 in setup. Cheap guitars, while they can sound excellent, often need a little coaxing.

[buddy]

I picked up a used Martin DCXME from Guitar Center for $400 used with a hardshell case. It has a pretty dark sound, which is exactly what I was looking for. I just blocked out a few hours out of a Saturday, went in their acoustic guitar room and tried a bunch and settled on that one. I liked it a lot more than some of the much more expensive ones that I played.

Bottom line: go to a store and try several; then decide on one.

[Track 7]

SEAGULL S6 ! they also have a Seagull S6 "slim" if you don't like the 1& 3/4" neck on the standard S6... play it against anything in it's price range and be prepared for your jaw to drop.

[Musiclab]

BLUERIDGE, I sold my Taylor because my Blueridge blew it away

[audiovisceral]

I almost bought a $500 Seagull once. Instead I bought a $1100 Seagull. Great guitars. At least with the one I have, though, it's a slightly smaller body size than a lot of others. This leads to less boom in the lows but it feels fantastic in my hands.

Try as much as you can before you buy.

[Newcleardaze]

Originally Posted by buddy

I picked up a used Martin DCXME from Guitar Center for $400 used with a hardshell case. It has a pretty dark sound, which is exactly what I was looking for. I just blocked out a few hours out of a Saturday, went in their acoustic guitar room and tried a bunch and settled on that one. I liked it a lot more than some of the much more expensive ones that I played.

Bottom line: go to a store and try several; then decide on one.

My wife bought this same guitar last year... they had 6 of them in stock and all of them sounded different. The one she chose was brighter on the high strings than the others. Sounds beautiful. Of course, the point is that at that price point you have to try them out.

[mprewett]

I've never played a Yamaha I thought sounded like crap.

But you *really* need to get in a store and start playing. Don't talk to a sales rep, don't look at price tags, just start playing.

After awhile you can start looking at prices and you'll be surprised how many expensive guitars you hate and how many cheap guitars you love. Of course the opposite will also be true, but the point is:

nobody loves a guitar for it's price tag, you love a
guitar because of how it *sounds*.

And they all sound different. No amount of "quality control" can make two pieces of wood sound the same. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

[Geese]

A 70's Guild from ebay. I bought my '74 D40 on Ebay about 7 years ago for $310. I've had it on sessions along side several 50's J45's, a '54 Martin D28 Brazillian, and a ton of modern boutiques. The guitar has been chosen as best acoustic for the track about 80% of the time. Extremely well balanced with a firm muscular midrange you simply will not find on ANY new acoustic under $2K. You can still get an early/mid 70's Guild D25, D35, or D40 on Ebay in the $500 range or sometimes less. They will make any new acoustic under a grand sound like a toy.

[Pippo]

Yeah, something like a second hand Guild could be great, I agree. If you go with a new one, I'd also recommend the Czezh brand Furch, like a Furch Durango. Very good and affordable guitars. Since you're located in Europe (London), you could probably find one easier than if you were in the States. I have a Durango, Guild, and a Martin, different timbres in all of them, but they all get used for recording and live, though the Furch was a tenth of the price of the other two... Good bang for the buck ratio.

Good hunting!
/Pip

[rack gear]

Epiphone Masterbuilt - surprisingly good.

[rectifier]

Originally Posted by Pippo

Yeah, something like a second hand Guild could be great, I agree. If you go with a new one, I'd also recommend the Czezh brand Furch, like a Furch Durango. Very good and affordable guitars. Since you're located in Europe (London), you could probably find one easier than if you were in the States. I have a Durango, Guild, and a Martin, different timbres in all of them, but they all get used for recording and live, though the Furch was a tenth of the price of the other two... Good bang for the buck ratio.

Good hunting!
/Pip

Seconded - my bro picked up a second hand Guild D25 a few years back for 500ish, amazing guitar, in some ways I prefer it to my HD28. Ok, depends on the day but it can hold its own for sure. I have borrowed it, might be a long borrow *insert darth vader breathing noise*

[warhead]

Originally Posted by MadGuitrst

Martin DM

A good friend has one, excellent guitar...

War

[rectifier]

Originally Posted by warhead

A good friend has one, excellent guitar...

War

Martin D15 is also a nice guitar (get bone saddle replacement, i know i say it all the time but it changes guitar).

[mrgrooves666]

Another vote for Epi's masterbuilts. I own a DR-500R and it is a sweet sounding (and recording) acoustic, plus the neck is smooth. I checked many other options in the price range, incluiding more popular brands like Martin, but for the sound, playability and looks, plus considering its real solid wood (no laminates, very important), this was the best by far. I have made many recordings with joly modded oktava 012, and each time I've come back to the control room to hear, there's a big on my face.
Of course, with Epi, you really have to try it before buying.

[denismcd]

Depends on the tone you want. A used martin d-15 or 000-15 will get a solid wood guitar (mahogany) with a beautiful mellow-y sound and fit that records well.

I had a cheap Takamine (G330S, I believe) with a solid cedar top that had a really cool bright sound. I had to get the action lowered, but I loved that guitar.

Peace.

[brewbaker]

I'm selling a Simon and Patrick (from Godin, they also make Seagull) cutaway model with B-Band electronics and a brand new case. Very nice guitar with a solid cedar top, in excellent condition. It's set up up very well and plays and sounds great. Has a slim neck profile. I just put it on Ebay but if you're interested I'll take it down. $375 + shipping.

Here's photos:

Simon and Patrick Woodland Folk CW