Acoustic Guitars

[Freeman_Keller]

The Yamies have a lot of love around here, but if you decide to go used guitar shopping I can give you links to things to look for.     My very first guitar was a Yamaha - still have it (just did a reset on the neck and posted a thread).

If you like the Martin sound, a good alternative are the Blueridge line - the have a clone for almost every Martin model at a fraction of the cost.   I also like Seagulls (I often recommend their 12 string) but they didn't seem to meet your earlier criteria.  When I first saw your specs I thought of the Carvin C980 - solid top, lam back and sides, cut (plus electronics), some abalone bling.    A friend has one - I always thought it sounded nice plugged in but pretty lack luster unplugged so I won't recommend it.   

If you prefer the Taylor sound rather than Martin, I would give the 214 a test.   It will be in your budget without the cut and electronics, solid top, lam b/s.     By relaxing your specs a little you have a lot of great guitars to try out.

I would also suggest going to every guitar store and playing things a bit out of your price range - this is a buyers market and many stores have a little wiggle room.    Often a store will match (or come close) to a posted internet price - doesn't hurt to ask.

One last thing - if a guitar sounds a little dead in the store it might have old strings.   Good stores are constantly restringing, and many will have coated strings which last much longer, but again, if you are serious about a particular guitar they should  restring it for you (and set it up to your playing style)

Good luck

[knockwood]

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Divider_of_zero wrote:

I see what you're saying man, Its a washburn d61 if i haven't said so yet (im forgetful) and some pics of it are in a reply i just posted a few minutes ago. I've learned to agree that the cutaway u=isnt necessary for me and I feel kind of stupid now for thinking I needed it. Thanks so much though! I'll take a loot at that LL6 when i can, the only thing is it has laminated back and sides.

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I won't try to hard-sell you a Yamaha LL6. Not perfect for everyone. It does indeed have laminate b/s. Funny, there are two very polarized schools of thought in this - and probably every other - acoustic guitar forum: One is that the back species contributes significantly to tone, and the other is that it does not, and that tone is entirely attributable to the top species and overall construction (bracing, etc.). Although I am very firmly in the camp that believes back species matters a lot (which in general would mean I should strongly prefer solid backs), I was really knocked on my ass by the LL6. Not a plug for the specific model - just a thought that anything can sound great if the build quality is there.

Ultimately, there are many guitars available in your price range - certainly many that are all solid, if that is important to you - as it is to many players. You will get some good advice here. And do NOT feel stupid. None of us is born knowing any of this stuff. I knew nothing when I came to this forum (I wanted a cutaway too - haha!), but these people are smarter than they look (especially FK) and over the years I've received some fantastic guidance from these folks and have learned a lot. You will too, if you decide to stick around. Hope you will. 

You may want to take a look at some of the offerings from Guild - their GAD line, and also the DV4 and DV6, which are all solid, I think, and made in the USA. It's great to try before you buy, if you can, but you can learn a lot about what's available by just window-shopping on the web. Crafter is another maker that gets a lot of love on this forum. Also Eastman - an Asian maker that is turning out some beautiful guitars (I believe they were in the classical instrument business for a long time before getting into the folk instrument biz some years ago). Blueridge is another Asian maker of very good instruments in the less expensive ranges, though their prices have been edging upwards quite a lot the last few years.

Good sites for browsing:

http://www.elderly.com/

http://www.thepodium.com/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

[Divider_of_zero]

Thank you so much! You have no idea how much you have helped me on this!

[Divider_of_zero]

Thanks dude! this helped me a lot!! Jeez man theres so many different guitars i have to find one thats good, right? haha well any way, thank you so much for your help!

[acousticdepot]

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DeepEnd wrote:

Taylor 114ce with hardshell case for $665 (all solid)

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That is not my understanding.  I believe just the top is solid.  The "all" solid taylors start at the 300 series.  I think older 200 series were all solid, but they are now just solid tops as well.

[DeepEnd]

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acousticdepot wrote:

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DeepEnd wrote:

Taylor 114ce with hardshell case for $665 (all solid)

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That is not my understanding.  I believe just the top is solid.  The "all" solid taylors start at the 300 series.  I think older 200 series were all solid, but they are now just solid tops as well.

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You are indeed correct. I was thinking of the higher-end Taylors. My bad.