• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Acoustic guitar recommendations?

Jailtime

Jailtime

Standin' on a corner
Well, I don't play, but my brother is looking for a new acoustic (or acoustic-electric guitar). He's pretty good, so a quality instrument is required. But the budget isn't so good, let's say $300-500 range. Pretty sure that a dreadnought style guitar is what he's looking for. He plays folk/rock, a bit of bluegrass, lots of finger/flatpicking. Yeah, I don't know much about guitar. :D

The Martin DX1AE looks pretty good, anyone have experience with that guitar?
 
Register to hide this ad
The only way to choose is by playing the specific guitar (not the model, but the actual guitar itself). What I mean by that is you can't go to a store, pull down a model off the wall, play it, decide you like it, and then ask for a new one from the stock room (or order one, or get it someplace else, or get it on-line, etc.). It won't be the same.

If you think you like a particular model, the way to choose one is to have the place bring out about three or four "identical" guitars of that model for comparison. Then choose the one that feels and sounds best.

If the guitar has electronics in it, that needs to be auditioned, too; with the same amp it will be played through if possible, or similar PA, etc.

Guitars are kind of organic and connect with players in different ways. A particular guitar that one player really likes, another may not like it. It depends so much on the individual's style of play. For example, some players like their instrument to be very easy to play with strings close to the frets easy to press down and light string tension. But these guitars may sound "twangy" if played very firmly. So for other players this does not work well because they need higher tighter strings to work against when they play. But then these guitars may sound "wimpy and thin" if played lightly by the other player...

The most critical thing is that the player really likes the guitar... so it gets played.
 
Jailtime said:
Well, I don't play, but my brother is looking for a new acoustic (or acoustic-electric guitar). He's pretty good, so a quality instrument is required. But the budget isn't so good, let's say $300-500 range. Pretty sure that a dreadnought style guitar is what he's looking for. He plays folk/rock, a bit of bluegrass, lots of finger/flatpicking. Yeah, I don't know much about guitar. :D

The Martin DX1AE looks pretty good, anyone have experience with that guitar?
Click to expand...

For me there is one name in acoustic guitars, and that is Taylor 7 or 800 series....
Maybe a little over the top, but Ive been playing a long time and like expensive guitars..........

I think Martins these days rely on the name more than good workmanship......from what I have seen and played and heard.........Unless you go for their top of the range, and also the same could be said for Taylor.

You could look at Tacoma, they make some very nice affordable guitars.......My girlfriend has one.......incredible value for money
 
You have very good bang for the buck with Larrivee!Another alternative is the Sigma line that Martin developed in the 70's......several on "that site" worth looking over for educational purposes at least!Zep always has good taste and concur with his suggestions as well!
 
kevzep said:
For me there is one name in acoustic guitars, and that is Taylor
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more on the Taylor. In the price range you're talking, the Big Baby would be ideal...a 15/16th dread with a 25 1/2" scale:thmbsp:

http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Baby-Taylor/BBT/

I have one myself from 2004, the last year they were USA made (Mexican production now). I got it from a friend who gave it to himself as a 40th b-day present with the hopes of learning to play. That idea lasted about 2 weeks so he traded it to me for a Fisher SA-100 power amp that I picked up at a garage sale for $2. Both of us are still very happy with the swap!

J.R.
 
Last edited:
SOTA said:
I couldn't agree more on the Taylor. In the price range you're talking, the Big Baby would be ideal...a 15/16th dread with a 25 1/2" scale:thmbsp:

http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Baby-Taylor/BBT/

I have one myself from 2004, the last year they were USA made (Mexican production now). I got it from a friend who gave it to himself as a 40th b-day present with the hopes of learning to play. That idea lasted about 2 weeks so he traded it to me for a Fisher SA-100 power amp that I picked up at a garage sale for $2. Both of us are still very happy with the swap!

J.R.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Taylor. For the quality you get for the money it's a steal. If you do get a Big Baby, listen to more than just one as each sound slightly different.
 
In the $300-500 price range, I can think of two options - something from the Godin family (Seagull/Simon & Patrick/Art & Lutherie) or the Epiphone Masterbilts...

1) the Godin guitars are made in Canada...they have been hitting the $300-500 price point for YEARS - with sweet guitars that have either spruce or cedar tops, and excellent, no-frills workmanship. Great resale value as well.

2) the Epi Masterbilts are made in China, but don't let that dissuade you from checking them out...as with everything else they build, the quality there is simply getting better and better. I own the DR400M - spruce top, with all mahogany body...excellent Grover tuners...great case included (most manufacturers make you buy that seperately). Just a wonderful instrument.

I would agree that buying somebody a guitar is tough - because it is SUCH a personal thing...the best thing may be to find a local guitar shop that carries a great selection of stuff in the price range that you are suggesting and give him a gift certificate to pick it out himself...
 
This is my experience as well!I just got the Eppiphone Masterbuilt for a friend just taking up guitar.Its a real nice guitar that the owner will have no trouble playing everyday.The sound and playability are awesome at a sweet price.Yes,the Chinese build is solid and radiates quality.
 
I'm not a real player, but I enjoy picking up a guitar from time to time. Several years ago I bought a Seagull sight unseen because so many people raved about them value-wise for a solid top guitar. I wish I'd had someone force me into Pauln's advise. The Seagull I have is not a bad guitar, actually sound pretty good, but the top developed a split and sound-wise I enjoy some of my other guitars just as much or more. (by the way the split had nothing to do with my care of it and everything to do with the poor selection of wood for the top.) So if I'd had time with that particular Seagull I probably would have chosen something different. Might have been another Seagull, might have been a vintage Yamaha, who knows. It's like stated earlier, you really can't project what feels and sounds right to another person.
 
Celt said:
The Blue Ridge acoustics are really nice. Although out of the box, most will require a proper set-up.
Click to expand...

Quoted for truth on both points. I've yet to play a Blueridge that didn't need at least a little tweak, and most needed some pretty serious set-up help. Once they're set-up right, they sound and play great.
 
Thanks for the tips so far! I'll let him know what you guys think, we're just looking for guitars that others had good experiences with. I think the local Guitar Center has a good selection of instruments to try. I'm not sure if they carry Blue Ridge or Taylor though.
 
Wow, you mean Taylor is farmed out to Mexico? Didn't know this. I really like their guitars. Got their info in the mail. Watched their video about how they make them and such. Just didn't know that they are now made in Mexico.
 
I'll jump onto the Blue Ridge bandwagon. Played in a band with a guy who got one and I really liked the tone and feel.

I've heard only a few opinions on the Martin you mentioned and, unfortunately, they were not good. Apparently some issues with the build quality.

I've been very happy with the Takamines I've owned (two at the moment). Even in the lower price ranges, I think they're pretty darn good. That being said, my guitar of choice at the moment is an Ovation 1778T Elite. Great feel and sound, acoustic or electrified, but I think they've climbed far out of the price range.

If this is a gift, and he's a fairly handy guy, Martin makes a kit to build your own acoustic. I don't think they're prohibitively expensive compared to the pre-built. Just a thought that might make it a more personal belonging for him.

Let us know which way you decide to go.
 
I think those recommending the Big Baby have forgotten the original request was for an electrified acoustic. If Guitar Center is your only hope in your area, you might try the Fender acoustic electrics that fall in your price range. You might also ask for recommendations for locally owned guitar shops and check them out there, too, as the set-up will usually be better (if you even get one at GC) and the price isn't usually any higher.

My daughter loves her Fender CD360SCE.
 
Check out this thread I started about my new guitar:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=327802

Tell him to do himself a favor and check one of these Washburns out. Find a place that sells them and match this one up against all of the higher priced Gibsons and Taylors and such for 2x or 3x the price and see what he thinks. I can almost guarantee he will prefer the sound of this one. Especially since he can walk out of the store with this one or less than $600.00. Trust me on this... I've had this guitar for around two months now and I am still amazed by what a nice guitar it is.... And the SOUND!!! Oh man does it sound and play great! I've had quite a few friends who are guitar players come over and play it and say the same thing about it. Everyone that has picked it up has been blown away by it.

Oh yeah and just in case you're wondering, I'm not a beginning guitar player. I've had A LOT of nice guitars over the past 25+ years I've been playing.:yes:
 
Interesting thread. I've been wanting a good acoustic, maybe in the $500 to as high as $1000 range, for quite a while. I've seen the cheaper Martins around for many years.

Here's perhaps the best Atlanta dealer for acoustics - I've not actually been there yet, but I know a couple people who've bought from there:
http://www.maplestreetguitars.com
They've got the entry-level Martins, also made in Mexico (!), in the $500 range, but from there the prices go WAY up... I just want something that sounds good and plays well, I don't need all the extra weight of thousands of dollars of fancy pearl inlay that comes on an "Elvis Presley Limited Edition." I also don't care if it has an internal pickup, but it looks like the Martins come with it standard.

I notice they have a few Blueridge guitars, all within my price range, and they even say this that I don't see on their other guitars:
The action of this guitar has been adjusted by our staff to insure optimum playability. This guitar includes our one-year "Action Warranty".
Click to expand...

Atlanta's over an hour drive for me, so I'd like to just go there when they've got a lot of models in stock in my price range, so I can pick one and bring it home. Also, they're not the only Atlanta dealer (unless all the others went out of business in recent years), perhaps I should look around.
 
Guild, Still made in the U.S., I hope. To hit your price point though, buy used.
Love my D4, Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom