Hows everyone feel about SX acoustics?

[keithtoxic]

I know the electrics are pretty solid, but I haven't heard anything about the acoustics. I'm shopping for a new acoustic thats comfortable to play. My fender gemini's action is just too damn high(which I know can be fixed, but even when adjusted it's still uncomfrotable) and just the guitar itself doesn't feel right. I'm looking for something with a cutaway, and possibly electric.

 

I stumbled upon this SX that I rather like:

http://www.rondomusic.com/jgcctvbus.html

 

I don't have a huge budget, this is pretty much in the range of what I wanted to spend. I'm bascially just looking for something to write on and maybe play a coffee shop or small show.

[masterbuilt]

Guitar Center is running a sale on a Yamaha F335 if I recall this weekend for $99 and it is ten times the guitar that the SX is... Sale ends Sunday, but the guitar is $129 lately. That would be my choice on that budget.

[RKO]

 

Guitar Center is running a sale on a Yamaha F335 if I recall this weekend for $99 and it is ten times the guitar that the SX is... Sale ends Sunday, but the guitar is $129 lately. That would be my choice on that budget.

 

 

Agreed. I have an SX tele copy, and there is very little on it that even approaches the cheapest Squier made. I got into the SX/Agile thing for a while, and they're ok, but they are $100 guitars.

[keithtoxic]

 

Guitar Center is running a sale on a Yamaha F335 if I recall this weekend for $99 and it is ten times the guitar that the SX is... Sale ends Sunday, but the guitar is $129 lately. That would be my choice on that budget.

 

 

But it's not cutaway or electric :/

 

I find myself more comfortably playing cutaways, and I need something to jam over the PA with(micing isn't an option because when I'm not singing I move around)

[RKO]

You'll end up paying more for a lesser product if you need the pickup as part of the new guitar. Unless you are willing to spend a lot more money, the electronics you'll get won't dazzle you.

I just bought a Guild GAD 25 and immediately had a K&K pure western mini installed. The pickup, installation, plus a professional set up cost under $150. The GAD 25 with electronics was $250 higher than without.

[masterbuilt]

Then look at the "Rogue" guitars at Musician's Friend.

[Terry Allan Hall]

The plugged-in sound will probably acceptable, but not particularily inspiring...the unplugged sound will likely be very thin and nasal, unless you luck into one that sounds good in spite of itself!

 

Can you play quite a few and then pick out the best?

 

If not, take that $100 and keep on saving...or look for a better (used) guitar, like a Yamaha or the equivalent. You'll be happier in the long run...

 

Maybe work on your Fender's action...might give ya time to save for a better instrument.

[Oldskool Texas]

I'm no snob (I even own an SX fretless bass that I really like), but I think you'd do FAR better finding a used Yamaha, Seagull, Ibanez, etc. Really - when they brag about the "photo flame" finish and the "gold die-cast tuners," it's because there isn't much else to advertise. I'd pass.

[keithtoxic]

The plugged-in sound will probably acceptable, but not particularily inspiring...the unplugged sound will likely be very thin and nasal, unless you luck into one that sounds good in spite of itself! Can you play quite a few and then pick out the best? If not, take that $100 and keep on saving...or look for a better (used) guitar, like a Yamaha or the equivalent. You'll be happier in the long run... Maybe work on your Fender's action...might give ya time to save for a better instrument.

 

The plugged in sound is what I'm concerned about, just something thats usable for playing coffee shops and jamming with a buddy, I have my fender for unplugged playing and she sounds amazing.

 

That's my main concern about saving up for something higher notch, I already have a solid unplugged acoustic.

[www777]

SX acoustic guitars are ok, but would only recommend it to a begginer. It also good for a guitar you dont worry about taking on a camping trip etc.. If you can hang on for a little longer, rather save up more and buy a better guitar. Will save you money in the long run.

[kujozilla]

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/msg/1802184332.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/msg/1801165081.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/msg/1800075777.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/msg/1799345520.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/msg/1792989804.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/msg/1789319889.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/msg/1785588016.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/msg/1780266587.html

 

 

The bottom line is just buy one and add electronics yourself. As far as cutaways go I wouldn't sweat it too hard. The saying about acoustic is there is no money past the 5th fret anyway lol. If you would save up some more there are martins living near you that are really cheap for what they are. (A descent martin wouldn't need an amplifier in a coffee shoppe.)

[guitarcapo]

http://www.rondomusic.com/fg50ce.html

 

 

These used to sell for $150 and I always scratched my head how they could do it all for that price. Solid spruce top, mahogany neck, active onboard pickup, wood binding and rosette, laminate rosewood body, CUTAWAY. Then for a while they were gone. Now I see he's got them back in with a slightly better pickup system and $50 more. I still think they are an awesome deal over a Yamaha or whatever because the top is solid spruce and you get a nice pickup system

already installed. I never played one that didn't sound nice (sort of like a Taylor) or one that had any issues in the way of high action, neck set or even truss rod issues. I'd recommend THIS one highly:

 

 

[WashburnGuy]

Check out the new Washburn lineup. There's a new WD10 model that you can grab for around $120 and there's also a solid top WD10SLT model for less than $200.

 

Agreed with the Yamaha over SX as well!

[boxorox]

If you've gat the $$$ for a new guitar, but you have a good solid acoustic... Get a good PUP system, have it installed, and have the guitar set up to play nice and sleazy. If you upgrade your guitar you can switch out the electronics.

[Chordchunker]

http://www.rondomusic.com/fg50ce.html These used to sell for $150 and I always scratched my head how they could do it all for that price. Solid spruce top, mahogany neck, active onboard pickup, wood binding and rosette, laminate rosewood body, CUTAWAY. Then for a while they were gone. Now I see he's got them back in with a slightly better pickup system and $50 more. I still think they are an awesome deal over a Yamaha or whatever because the top is solid spruce and you get a nice pickup system already installed. I never played one that didn't sound nice (sort of like a Taylor) or one that had any issues in the way of high action, neck set or even truss rod issues. I'd recommend THIS one highly:

 

Looks like a deal to me! I wonder if Rondo`s Gypsy Jazz guitars are worth a darn.

[guitarcapo]

 

Looks like a deal to me! I wonder if Rondo`s Gypsy Jazz guitars are worth a darn.

 

 

 

Oh yea I had one of those too. I think I paid $200 and it came with a fantastic hardshell case. The top was solid cedar. Back and sides laminate rosewood. The neck looked like cypress. Sounded great but it was a very specialized instrument for a style of music I wasn't really needing to play that much. It was ladder braced like the old Selmers and had a sound that was all about cutting, projection and volume and not about the sound being pretty or bell-like. I would think it would be a great guitar for someone who plays mostly lead guitar...single note stuff fast and shredding in an acoustic-only situation. Great deal for the money and mine had no issues other than I think it needed a little bit of a lowering of the bridge for better action.

I ended up selling it to a friend for $150 and I kept the case for another guitar

so I broke even (because the case was really nice and definitely worth $50)

Mainly because It just wasn't the right tool for the music I played.

It might be o.k. for a fingerpicker but it kind of clanks like a Dobro for strumming. I can see why Django used a guitar like that for what he did playing acoustic shredding jazz....but I'm not that kind of player.

[Pine Apple Slim]

Get your Fender set up professionally by a good luthier.

Not some jackleg at Guitar Center.

Have him re-cut the nut, do a fret job if needed, and install a bone or micarta saddle the correct height.

All this should cost you not much more than a new $100 guitar, probably less.

Then spend 150-200 on a good pickup system.

I think Im gonna get a Baggs M1 active soundhole myself around $170. You can install it yourself, except get a pro to drill out the end pin for permanent installation.

You will have a brand new guitar that will play nice and meet your needs for less than you would spend otherwise.

[Wendbot]

I bought a Valencia Classical from Rondo just because it was a Solid mahogany top (of some variety). The neck felt great the workmanship was great.It had Koa laminate back and sides.that guitar was about 109.00 delivered. those days are about over. some of the special addition nylons are over 300.00. The nut work on that praticular guitar seemed kind of lame ,and the saddle was not compensated.That guitar has no truss rod.I think the SX/ valencia company can build as good as acoustic as they want to. I may buy another nicer Valencia Classical. The 160.00 solid spruce cutaway with Bband t35 is tempting. I do wonder about the quality of the pickup instalation on cheap guitars. Also, I wonder what lager companies use Team as a supplier.

[guildfire]

http://www.rondomusic.com/fg50ce.html These used to sell for $150 and I always scratched my head how they could do it all for that price. Solid spruce top, mahogany neck, active onboard pickup, wood binding and rosette, laminate rosewood body, CUTAWAY. Then for a while they were gone. Now I see he's got them back in with a slightly better pickup system and $50 more. I still think they are an awesome deal over a Yamaha or whatever because the top is solid spruce and you get a nice pickup system already installed. I never played one that didn't sound nice (sort of like a Taylor) or one that had any issues in the way of high action, neck set or even truss rod issues. I'd recommend THIS one highly:

 

That looks like a heck of a deal for $199.