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Acoustic guitar recommendations?

You can also occasionally find the old Gibson B25 small-bodied acoustics for around that price. They were a great sounding little instrument with a fantastic neck, if you like Les Pauls. Always one of my faves. I have one that is completely stripped down that I need to get a bridge for and put a good lacquer finish on.

Wow. Two dangling participles in one sentence. That should be some kind of a record.

Anyway, those get my vote, if you can find one.

rooster.
 
Yamaha FG730 is around $300 and it is well regarded as a really good guitar for the money. I have one.
Doug
 
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You will get far more bang for the buck with an Epiphone Masterbuilt than any Taylor. They are simply wonderful guitars. I have played several and they all sound and play like much more expensive instruments. The build quality is up there, too. They were designed like the pre-war instruments that are now highly coveted. Blueridge are supposed to be good, too. Actually, if you don't mind buying off E-Bay, you can get a super deal on a used Alvarez Yairi acoustic right now. People are selling them dirt cheap. I have a DY-51, a gorgeous guitar, with cedar top and burled mahogany back and sides, all solid wood and sound to die for. Someone is selling one for around $500. Search for Yairi Guitar, you'll find it. There is also a DY-53, a couple years newer, with a spruce top, same back and sides. Also similar price.
A wonderful online store (they have a storefront, too) is Elderly Instruments, in MI. They have a money back guarantee on everything they sell. I bought my DY-51 from them.
 
I've purchased guitars off of e-bay with minimal problems.
My go-to acoustic guitar, was an e-bay purchase:

Washburn D10SDL
Solid Spruce top with Rosewood sides & back
Grover tuners
Purchased as a NEW B-stock guitar (minor finish blem) for $71.
Easy-as-pie to fret and really projects well.

Steve
 
bebopdeluxe said:
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...
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IMHO, a gift certificate to a well respected local shop that does the setups onsite is the way to go. And as someone else noted, guitars are organic, wood. I went into a Daddys store, played about 40 used guitars of all makes and models, strummed an older Epiphone, said this is the one, and I was one happy camper. Still have it in my collection today..it was my first.
 
IMO, Buying a new sub-$500 acoustic in the current market you'd be hard pressed to find a higher level of quality and workmanship than an Epiphone Masterbuilt. Definitely worth checking out. :thmbsp:
 
rooster18 said:
You can also occasionally find the old Gibson B25 small-bodied acoustics for around that price. They were a great sounding little instrument with a fantastic neck, if you like Les Pauls. Always one of my faves. I have one that is completely stripped down that I need to get a bridge for and put a good lacquer finish on.
...
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I have a B25 as well and totally agree. :yes:
 
Satcom123 said:
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.
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They do have a second shop in TJ,but the main shop is still in El Cajon,which is east of San Diego. I know Bob personally.
 
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