Members Elemenope Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'm looking into getting an acoustic. I think that $500 would be my max. What should I be looking at? Those cheaper Martin line of acoustics are on sale at GC this weekend for like $429. Are those any good? I've never really owned an acoustic so idk much about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MadKeithV Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Acoustics are even more sensitive to slight differences in the build than electrics. Go to a shop that has a lot of acoustics, try ALL of the ones out that are within your budget, and pick the one you like best (sound/playability).When I got mine, I thought I'd end up with a Martin, and the shop owner thought I'd end up with a Seagull. I walked out with the ugliest Taylor dreadnought in the shop, but it sounded way, way better for me than any of the other guitars I tried that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 ^ YesPlus, if it was me I'd forget totally about plugging it in. Get the highest quality acoustic tone you can for your budget, worry about plugging in later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sleewell Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 i play my cheapo martin daily, love it. been great for the last 10 years. the fishman pickup sounds really good through a PA. but i did play my dad's d 28 last weekend. it just {censored}s all over mine, its crazy how much better it sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members peavey_impact Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I bought a high-strung (nashville tuned) Wechter from Loop a few months ago and have been very impressed with it....Wechter pleks all their guitars. Also came with sweet Fishman electronics. Definitely give them a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LithiumZero Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I have a Seagull that I would put up against anything under $1000 and they are right in your price range. The cedar top sounds amazing. It's big, warm and loud as hell. Sounds great plugged in too. Of all the guitars I've owned both acoustic and electric this is the one that has never left my collection. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/seagull-s6-original-q1-acoustic-electric-guitar http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/seagull-coastline-series-s6-slim-cutaway-dreadnought-qi-acoustic-electric-guitar I have the cutaway version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members diddlybo Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 What are you going to do with it? If you're playing live thru an amp or a PA, you should most definitely plug in and listen to it. If you play at home, the electronics aren't so important at all. I only play acoustic guitar on a stage and never at home, so for me the plugged in sound is what matters most. I tried out loads of acoustics and decided on a Breedlove. It was reasonably priced and sounded best plugged in to my ears. I wasn't a fan of the budget Martins. Seagulls are nice guitars but they pretty much all have a huge neck. I initially bought a Seagull but the 1.75" nut width was too much for me. As for lower priced models, Taylor's budget guitars sound the best acoustically to me. If I never plugged in, I would have chosen a Taylor, hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ~Abstract~ Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Play as many as possible. Don't play ANY above your price range. Don't look at the name on the headstock. Find one which speaks to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elemenope Posted November 21, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 What are you going to do with it? Mostly just for home use and recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cibyl Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Play as many as possible.Don't play ANY above your price range.Don't look at the name on the headstock. Find one which speaks to you. This^^^ Although I'm partial to Guild's,... More than any other piece of gear in the guitar realm, it's important to actually play the acoustic you end up with prior to purchase. If your max price is set in stone avoid playing higher price models because if you do,...you'll more than likely end up with the more expensive guitar. If this is your first acoustic purchase I think the most important factor is playing comfort. Make sure it feels right and comfy in your hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarbilly74 Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I got a really cheap acoustic guitar yesterday (gift from gf) and I spent the whole night playing it. It sounds great. Don't worry too much about brand, just play a few guitsr and find one that sounds good to you acoustically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Johnny'sGotTheBlues Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I have a Seagull that I would put up against anything under $1000 and they are right in your price range. The cedar top sounds amazing. It's big, warm and loud as hell. Sounds great plugged in too. Of all the guitars I've owned both acoustic and electric this is the one that has never left my collection.http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/seagull-s6-original-q1-acoustic-electric-guitarhttp://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/seagull-coastline-series-s6-slim-cutaway-dreadnought-qi-acoustic-electric-guitarI have the cutaway version I came in here to say "Seagull". AFAIK they have the most inexpensive solid topped guitars out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LaXu Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Acoustics are even more sensitive to slight differences in the build than electrics. Go to a shop that has a lot of acoustics, try ALL of the ones out that are within your budget, and pick the one you like best (sound/playability). This. When I did this I ended up with an all-solid wood MIC Ibanez and I preferred it over the more well known and expensive brands I tried. It's been a fantastic acoustic for many years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fretless Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I think I paid around that for my Seagull , Godin is also the mother company of Art & Lutherie acoustics which are darn good and very affordable . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LithiumZero Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I came in here to say "Seagull". AFAIK they have the most inexpensive solid topped guitars out there. They do have a chunky neck but it's easy to get used to and the sound and build quality are excellent. Mine plays great to with little to no maintenance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Trust me on this: Go to rondomusic.comClick on acoustic guitarsBuy the SXFG-50ceBest $250 you'll ever spend. If you don't like it send it back for a refund.But that won't happen You might get lucky finding a used one on Ebay but they don't show up often Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Flyingskull Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I think I paid around that for my Seagull , Godin is also the mother company of Art & Lutherie acoustics which are darn good and very affordable . Yup, I have a Norman B20 which is also made by the same people in Quebec, had it over 10 years, sweet guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elemenope Posted November 21, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Trust me on this:Go to rondomusic.comClick on acoustic guitarsBuy the SXFG-50ceBest $250 you'll ever spend.If you don't like it send it back for a refund.But that won't happenYou might get lucky finding a used one on Ebay but they don't show up often Will look into this..Does Sam Ass or GC sell them? I'd like to play something before I bought it...But $250 sounds like a good deal if you like it as much as you act. Will also be looking into Seagull also...Never actually heard of that brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kardula Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I prefer blueridge to seagull, but seagull is more accessible. Make sure whichever one you choose has a good neck so it can be set up to play correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ~Abstract~ Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I prefer blueridge to seagull, but seagull is more accessible. Make sure whichever one you choose has a good neck so it can be set up to play correctly. I really prefer most Deans to the Blueridge and Seagull's I've tried. But again...it's less about brand and more about the individual guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kardula Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I really prefer most Deans to the Blueridge and Seagull's I've tried.But again...it's less about brand and more about the individual guitar. I agree to an extent, definitely want to find the one that talks to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chirpy_72 Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Those Epiphone Masterbilts seem to really nice ... and blow away many guitar in the $500 price range Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 You could do a lot worse than this right herehttp://elderly.com/new_instruments/names/recording-king-rd-310-dreadnought--RD310.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members plawren53202 Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I threw this exact same question to the acoustic guitar forum when I was looking for one a couple of years ago. Same budget as the OP ($500 or less). The top four answers I received from them were: 1. Seagull2. Seagull3. Some Yamaha models that I can't remember right now4. Seagull Needless to say, I went with Seagull. You'll have to get over the ugly headstock, but MAN do they sound great for the price range. That solid cedar top (while soft) just gives it a great, great tone. As I don't play an acoustic nearly as much as my other instruments, I could not possibly be happier with it. Having said all that, look on the acoustic forum. There are a couple of Yamaha models they really rave about as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Miter Gauge Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'd suggest you start with guitars that have a solid top and go from there. There are some sweet sounding guitars coming out of China these days, don't let the country of origin scare you off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.