Members matt28 Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 Hi I was wondering if you guys had any recomendations on a decent sounding acoustic for under $300. (what I mean by under 300 is around 200 with a max of 300) The only limitations for me are that it must have a cutaway and it must be grand concert size. I wouldn't mind having an acoustic electric either although I don't really need it. I am looking to find a guitar that is good to just practice tons of scales on around the house instead of having to warm up my tube amp everytime I want to play scales. I just want a simpler way to be able to play. I also want and acoustic guitar for the differant sound. The guitar that I'm looking at right now is the Ibanez AEG20E. I found this guitar by going to guitar center and playing their guitars for 1 and 30 mins. I got guidance from one of the guys there but I think that he had a bias towards Ibanez guitars. I like this guitar but I was wondering if you guys knew of any other ones out there that are worth trying out. I am also looking at the Ovation Celebrity but am not too into it. I would need a rave review to convince me to buy it. Thanks for all your help and reading this long post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 17.817 Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 Hi Matt, I don't have any experience with Ibanez acoustics, but if a salesman at GC is pushing one your way my instincts would tell me that this has more to do with their inventory than your best interest. Or I could be completely wrong (I am completely wrong about at least five or six things a day). Either way, if you tried one out and liked it, that is all that matters. In your price range, I have heard a lot of good things about Alvarez and Washburn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 17.817 Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 I just looked at the specs on that Ibanez (I hadn't noticed the "E" at the end of the model number). Unless you are planning to play your acoustic plugged in, you may also want to consider getting something without any electronics. You will get more guitar for your money, and you can add a pickup anytime you want later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members matt28 Posted March 7, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 yea i agree with you about getting just acoustic because of getting more guitar for my money. i kno wat u mean. the only problem is that i need something with a cutaway and most acoustics in that price range don't have a cutaway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members daklander Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 The best thing you can do is play everything that meets your criteria, including price, and choose the one that sounds the best and plays well. You can always have one that sounds like you want it to but has action that's a bit high lowered to fit how you play but you can't change the tone.While doing that, forget about the name on the headstock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guit30 Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 I always reccomend the alvarez Rd20sJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FunkaGuitar Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 id always recommend Art and Lutherie solid cedar top dread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Broadus Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 You may want to consider Walden. If you can find a G570 cutaway without built-in electronics, it may fit the bill. The electronics pushes it over your limit. The cutaway really limits your choices. Do you play a lot above the 12th fret? Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Samilyn Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 Ditto what others have said here. Get the best git you can find within your price range, then save up to add decent aftermarket electronics later. You will have a wider range of choices in both the git and the electronics and your end result will be much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garthman Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 Do what Daklander says. And if you are not handy I would recommend you go for a factory-fitted EQ transducer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members athomas Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 you want a concert size, right? I would try Yamahas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Broadus Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 you want a concert size, right? I would try Yamahas. I like Yammies, but which model(s) do you have in mind? Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 BUY THIS...Don't look back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members charraksus Posted March 7, 2008 Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 Get the Epiphone AJ-200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members matt28 Posted March 7, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 7, 2008 You may want to consider Walden. If you can find a G570 cutaway without built-in electronics, it may fit the bill. The electronics pushes it over your limit.The cutaway really limits your choices. Do you play a lot above the 12th fret?Bill I am still thinking about wether it is neccasary for me to get a cutaway but since the main purpose of the guitar would be for practicing scales it would probably be nice to be able to practice them all the way up the neck... Thanks for all your help everyone! --Matt One more question...Now that I'm realizing how limiting having a cutaway is, how important do you think it is to have a cutaway to practice scales and theory stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Musicscotty Posted March 9, 2008 Members Share Posted March 9, 2008 If it was just for scale practise in the house I would say use your main electric but go for a smaller amp to practise on. Scales on an acoustic - particularly a lower end acoustic wont be that enjoyable I suspect, even with a cutaway. I have 2 electro acoustic cutaways (Ibanez AE45 and Yamaha CPX900), both of which are in the mid price range ($800 ish) and even then I find upper fret stuff a chore. If it's just an acoustic you really want for a different sound, I would go with what's already said and get one without electronics, as you'll get far better value for money - and also don't bother with the cutaway. For a decent acoustic, in your price range, there's plenty of choice but you won't go wrong with a Yamaha. There's a few to choose from but the Yamaha FG720S looks to be good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members matt28 Posted March 9, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 9, 2008 If it was just for scale practise in the house I would say use your main electric but go for a smaller amp to practise on. Scales on an acoustic - particularly a lower end acoustic wont be that enjoyable I suspect, even with a cutaway. I have 2 electro acoustic cutaways (Ibanez AE45 and Yamaha CPX900), both of which are in the mid price range ($800 ish) and even then I find upper fret stuff a chore.If it's just an acoustic you really want for a different sound, I would go with what's already said and get one without electronics, as you'll get far better value for money - and also don't bother with the cutaway.For a decent acoustic, in your price range, there's plenty of choice but you won't go wrong with a Yamaha.There's a few to choose from but the Yamaha FG720S looks to be good one. Thanks for the advice. That was really helpful. The Yamahas sound good, I've heard many good things about them, but do the come in grand concert size? Thank you againMatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members matt28 Posted March 9, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 9, 2008 Here are some more acoustics that I thought would be good... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-Grand-Concert-Cutaway-AcousticElectric?sku=519196 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-GC23S-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=513889 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-PR5E-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=518640 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alvarez-Artist-Series-AF60S-Grand-Concert-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518736 Which one would you reccomend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Broadus Posted March 9, 2008 Members Share Posted March 9, 2008 Here are some more acoustics that I thought would be good...http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-Grand-Concert-Cutaway-AcousticElectric?sku=519196http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-GC23S-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=513889http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-PR5E-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=518640http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alvarez-Artist-Series-AF60S-Grand-Concert-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518736Which one would you reccomend? Of those four, the Alvarez AF60S wins hands down, IMO. BTW, the Epi and the Rogue are all laminates, while the Fender and Alvarez have solid tops. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jeffcoop Posted March 9, 2008 Members Share Posted March 9, 2008 Agreed that the Alvarez would be the choice of that group. I've never played (or seen) that Rogue, but I'd have serious reservations about it. Cutaways are harder to make and therefore generally more expensive, and electronics add expense as well. Given the ultra-low price, it's hard to imagine that the quality could be any good. I know that some Rogues have gotten decent reviews, but this one seems to be trying to pack in too much at that price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted March 11, 2008 Members Share Posted March 11, 2008 Of those four, the Alvarez AF60S wins hands down, IMO. . . . +1 on the Alvarez. At the lower end, another possibility is the Takamine G440C for $230 if you're willing to live without electronics and a solid top. If you like Ibanez and you're willing to spend $350 or so, look at the AC35ECE, which has a solid top and electronics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members goldear Posted March 11, 2008 Members Share Posted March 11, 2008 I you really like electrics try a yamaha APX 5.It has decent acoustic tone and sounds good pluged in it has a small thiner body. Even if you decide against it I recommend you try one anyway. The neck is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Musicscotty Posted March 12, 2008 Members Share Posted March 12, 2008 The problem with thinner body acoustics is that while they sound fine plugged in they don't really cut it for me unplugged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnkline Posted March 12, 2008 Members Share Posted March 12, 2008 Alvarez RF20SC Solid top (Mine's an older model but it looks like Englemann spruce, the newer ones definitely have sitka) Folk size with cutawaypickup/preamp with chromatic tuner (it's ok, tuner is good pickup is average, but playable for sure)1 11/16th, low profile neck It's been a great all around "beater" guitar. I play it all the time and don't have to worry about it. I think I paid around 180.00 for it on ebay with the alvarez hardshell case! I just found this clip, but I've owned mine awhile..[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Beatles27 Posted March 12, 2008 Members Share Posted March 12, 2008 Takamine GS330S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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