Members Noise... Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 Ok - I noticed that there wasn't a thread on cheap acoustics yet, and I think it would be invaluable to people looking for an acoustic but don't want to spend a lot. So, post cheaper, but GOOD QUALITY acoustics that you've had experience with. I'd say keeping them ~$400 or less should be good. In my experience, the Wasburn D10S is a great, cheap acoustic. Solid spuce top, mahogany back and sides, and nice quality. They go for $200 or so, and I haven't found much that tops them in the $1-$400 range, let alone in for the same $200. They're great guitars for the money. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Washburn-D10S-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=515152
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 Alvarez has a few contenders, as well... http://www.accentmusic.com/details/Alvarez_Artist_Series_AD60S_Dreadnought_Acoustic_Guitar_Black_Finish.html http://www.accentmusic.com/details/Alvarez_Artist_Series_AD60S_Dreadnought_Acoustic_Guitar.html http://www.accentmusic.com/details/Alvarez_Artist_Series_AF60S_Grand_Concert_Acoustic_Guitar.html http://www.accentmusic.com/details/Alvarez_Artist_Series_AF60S_Grand_Concert_Acoustic_Guitar.html http://www.accentmusic.com/details/Alvarez_RD8_Natural_Finish_ACoustic_Guitar.html http://www.accentmusic.com/details/Alvarez_RD8_Natural_Finish_ACoustic_Guitar.html
Members T.B. Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 Here are my picks. http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/RF20SM.htm http://elderly.com/new_instruments/names/BLUERIDGE-BR-43-%22000%22--BR43.htm http://elderly.com/new_instruments/names/BLUERIDGE-BG-40-SLOPE-SHOULDER-DREADNOUGHT--BG40.htm http://www.maurysmusic.com/inc/sdetail/35953 http://www.maurysmusic.com/inc/sdetail/35954 http://elderly.com/new_instruments/names/DURANGO-B-46-SLOPE-SHOULDER-DREADNOUGHT--DB46.htm Walden Guitars. Trina
Members Cripes Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 I have no experience in this price range. Maybe I'm missing out! I did buy a Seagull but it exceeds the $400.00 and less range. Next time I go to GC or Sam Ash I'll try to fill in the "gaps". I usually grab the Larrivees, Gibsons, Martins, Breedloves and Taylors. I have checked out some Parkwoods but they exceeded the $400.00 range. I have been wanting to try the Masterbuilts but I think they also run higher in price. It's a 30 year sojourn of brainwashing about "moving up" in quality, I think. It is a good idea to get some discussion going on good lower priced guitars but, then again, seems a day doesn't go by when someone isn't posting a thread on the subject. From what I have been reading here and elsewhere on this subject, the manufacturers these days are churning out some nice stuff in the $400.00 range. In a couple of years the high-end producers just may be squeezed pretty hard by the affordability of good quality guitars. Plenty of people here are already scratching their heads about the quality bruhaha of so-called high-end makes when it's becoming obvious such quality doesn't need to be mortgaged.
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 I have no experience in this price range. Maybe I'm missing out! I did buy a Seagull but it exceeds the $400.00 and less range. Next time I go to GC or Sam Ash I'll try to fill in the "gaps". I usually grab the Larrivees, Gibsons, Martins, Breedloves and Taylors. I have checked out some Parkwoods but they exceeded the $400.00 range. I have been wanting to try the Masterbuilts but I think they also run higher in price. It's a 30 year sojourn of brainwashing about "moving up" in quality, I think.It is a good idea to get some discussion going on good lower priced guitars but, then again, seems a day doesn't go by when someone isn't posting a thread on the subject.From what I have been reading here and elsewhere on this subject, the manufacturers these days are churning out some nice stuff in the $400.00 range. In a couple of years the high-end producers just may be squeezed pretty hard by the affordability of good quality guitars. Plenty of people here are already scratching their heads about the quality bruhaha of so-called high-end makes when it's becoming obvious such quality doesn't need to be mortgaged. Absolutely! When I got into being obsessed w/ the guitar, a couple hundred bucks bought crap new...used w/ the way to go if you had a tight budget! The quality $200-400 guitars of today went for $1000 (in '70's dollars) and up!
Members Noise... Posted February 25, 2007 Author Members Posted February 25, 2007 I have no experience in this price range. Maybe I'm missing out! I did buy a Seagull but it exceeds the $400.00 and less range. Next time I go to GC or Sam Ash I'll try to fill in the "gaps". I usually grab the Larrivees, Gibsons, Martins, Breedloves and Taylors. I have checked out some Parkwoods but they exceeded the $400.00 range. I have been wanting to try the Masterbuilts but I think they also run higher in price. It's a 30 year sojourn of brainwashing about "moving up" in quality, I think. It is a good idea to get some discussion going on good lower priced guitars but, then again, seems a day doesn't go by when someone isn't posting a thread on the subject. From what I have been reading here and elsewhere on this subject, the manufacturers these days are churning out some nice stuff in the $400.00 range. In a couple of years the high-end producers just may be squeezed pretty hard by the affordability of good quality guitars. Plenty of people here are already scratching their heads about the quality bruhaha of so-called high-end makes when it's becoming obvious such quality doesn't need to be mortgaged. My goal with this topic is to help people looking for a guitar in the lower price ranges. I know when I was looking for my acoustic I would have loved a topic like this. Instead I basically had to just keep asking everyone "well...what do you recommend?" I'm hoping that this topic will answer that question for people looking for a nice acoustic for under $400. As for cheap guitars being good, they can really be amazing. Of course, there are some that are amazing quality, and some that are horrible. It just depends. And, that's what this topic is for. To point out the really good ones and leave out the bad ones. Keep the recommendations coming and maybe we can get this stickied!
Members JasmineTea Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 Canadian brands. S&P, Seagull and all that...Art & Luthier. They always got a good word around here. Pawn shop.
Members T.B. Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 I have no experience in this price range. Maybe I'm missing out! I did buy a Seagull but it exceeds the $400.00 and less ran From what I have been reading here and elsewhere on this subject, the manufacturers these days are churning out some nice stuff in the $400.00 range. In a couple of years the high-end producers just may be squeezed pretty hard by the affordability of good quality guitars. Plenty of people here are already scratching their heads about the quality bruhaha of so-called high-end makes when it's becoming obvious such quality doesn't need to be mortgaged. Wood for thought .... these in-creditable bang for your buck guitars allows many to own different makes/models guitars too. I can't afford to plop down eighteen hundred or two grand for every guitar I play/own. So, those "affordable quality guitars" allows me to stay within a happy medium. I've bought some "high" end guitars, but I've bought some "cheap" one's too. It's afforded me the ability to purchase guitars with different tonal qualities, model sizes, and tonewood combinations. It's all good. Trina
Members kwakatak Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 In this price range I usually like to consider finding a used instrument. I've never played one but many people here rave about their Japanese-made 1970s-era Yamahas which still pop up on ebay and Craig's lists for $400 or so. Personally, I love the discontinued F-series Takamines that were made from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s. They were heavily modeled after Martin and Guild guitars (depending on the model) to the point of being counterfeit copies. They had laminated back and sides with the option of either a laminated or solid top (which is usually indicated by an "S" at the end of the model number). I have a F-360 (or F-360S) which is their copy of the Martin D-21/28. It has laminated rosewood back & sides and the choice of a laminated or solid spruce top. F-360: http://www.takamine.com/?fa=detail&mid=1040&sid=351F-360S: http://www.takamine.com/?fa=detail&mid=1066&sid=351 They come up on ebay from time to time and usually sell for less than $500, though personally I wouldn't pay more than $400 tops for a lam-top. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1977-Lawsuit-Takamine-F-360S-Martin-D-28_W0QQitemZ270093662691QQihZ017QQcategoryZ33030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem There is also the F-340 (or F-340S) which is their copy of the D-18. This guitar has laminated mahogany back & sides with the choice of a laminated or a solid spruce top. F-340: http://www.takamine.com/?fa=detail&mid=1038&sid=351F-340S: http://www.takamine.com/?fa=detail&mid=1134&sid=351 Here's an auction on ebay that I believe is a tad high:http://cgi.ebay.com/Takamine-Acoustic-F-340_W0QQitemZ230095295575QQihZ013QQcategoryZ33030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem A word of warning though: the closed-back nickel-plated tuners that came on my early model (1973) were crap. The newer ones I've seen either appear to have sealed tuners or the owners did what I ended up doing: putting in after market replacements. In my case, I did some chop-shop surgery to my F-360 - which involved a drill instead of the suggested reamer to ream out the holes in the headstock. I did this to put on a set of sealed chrome Gotohs that I bought from Elderly music. The quality of the job is shaky but I don't care since I will probably pass it on to either of my sons. I'm just happy because they work well and they're actually nicer than the Pings that came on my new Larrivee.
Members guitarcapo Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 in the vintage category I vote for the Harmony Sovereign 1260 models built in the 50's and 60's that can usually be had on Ebay for 250.00
Members Cripes Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 Up 'til last year I had a Harmony Soverign 1972 banjo - NIB - but gave it away to a kid trying to learn. I sure didn't know how to play it. I got a couple books but the 5th string threw me off-kilter too much. Besides, that sound...
Members Cripes Posted February 25, 2007 Members Posted February 25, 2007 Absolutely! When I got into being obsessed w/ the guitar, a couple hundred bucks bought crap new...used w/ the way to go if you had a tight budget!The quality $200-400 guitars of today went for $1000 (in '70's dollars) and up! 1972 - Ovation Glen Campell w/HSC out the door - $369.001973 - Martin D-35 '' '' '' '' $750.00.1974 - Guild F-412 '' '' '' '' $800.00.
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted February 26, 2007 Members Posted February 26, 2007 1972 - Ovation Glen Campell w/HSC out the door - $369.00 1973 - Martin D-35 '' '' '' '' $750.00. 1974 - Guild F-412 '' '' '' '' $800.00. Indeed! I recall a Martin D-45 went for about $1650 in '71, because one of my teachers in 9th grade bought one and brought to school to show us! BTW, I had a pair of Glen Campbells (a 6 and a 12-string) a few years later ('78)...gave $500 for the pair!
Members babablowfish Posted February 26, 2007 Members Posted February 26, 2007 #1 would be a used Yamaha FG-340, FG-365s, FG-150, FG-140, FG-04LTD or FG375S all of which can be had for $400.00 or less (should be less) on eBay - but be careful and get full disclosure. #2 would an Art & Lutherie Cedar-topped dread which goes for about $300.00 new (or did the last time I checked.) I am sure that there are lots more, but these are what I know are good.
Members Queequeg Posted February 26, 2007 Members Posted February 26, 2007 good idea for a thread.we ought to STICKY this. I am already pointing folks to it.
Members AugTPD Posted February 26, 2007 Members Posted February 26, 2007 This thread caused me to cruise the net and I found this interesting little guitar.... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Washburn-WD32SW-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=515939 Washburn dread. Solid sapele back/side and Solid spruce top. Ebony fretboard and quality 18:1 grover tuners. I couldn't believe there was an ALL SOLID guitar for under $400 out there. Crazy talk I say! I just wonder how it actually sounds....
Members DeepEnd Posted February 26, 2007 Members Posted February 26, 2007 I like the Ibanez ArtWood series at that price point:AW20 $260 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-AW20-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=519611AW40 $300 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-AW40-Acoustic-Guitar-with-Solid-Sitka-Spruce-Top?sku=512465AW120 $350 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-AW120-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=519466
Members totamus Posted February 27, 2007 Members Posted February 27, 2007 Never owned one, But I have always been impressed with the sound of the Taylor Big Baby. definitely worth a look
Members Hudman Posted February 27, 2007 Members Posted February 27, 2007 You can get great deals on Ebay on used solid top guitars with laminate sides and backs. Washburn, Alvarez, Yamaha, Seagull and Ibanez are a few used brands to check out on Ebay.
Members Rickkk Posted February 28, 2007 Members Posted February 28, 2007 Hoo boy ... Haven't logged into this forum for months ... lots of new faces/names ... I think this thread is an excellent idea. I will second the comments of a couple of other members (JT, Baba) and recommend: - Yamaha .. been real happy with my FG-365S for almost 30 years- Art & Lutherie (Godin's "budget" line) .. Excellent bang for the buck - very happy with my Cedar dread purchased less than a year ago. Cheers !
Members Rickkkk Posted February 28, 2007 Members Posted February 28, 2007 Not sure how I did this, but It's obviously been WAY TOO LONG between visits here for me ... I managed to log in using an old bogus account for the previous post ... here it is again under "the real me" ... My apologies for the brain freeze ... --------------------------------------------- Hoo boy ... Haven't logged into this forum for months ... lots of new faces/names ... I think this thread is an excellent idea. I will second the comments of a couple of other members (JT, Baba) and recommend: - Yamaha .. been real happy with my FG-365S for almost 30 years - Art & Lutherie (Godin's "budget" line) .. Excellent bang for the buck - very happy with my Cedar dread purchased less than a year ago. Cheers !
Members ParryPerson Posted March 3, 2007 Members Posted March 3, 2007 I know the acoutstic starter packages are complete meh, but my hippie friend just wants a junker he can learn on, as far as the starter packs that say like GuitarCenter would sell, what would you say? his budget is like 150-200 (he's like to stay a cheap ass). I saw a Yamaha one for around 150, and just told him to go with that, as thats the only acoustic model I've played in those cheap starter packs that was ok. He's also looking at an Ibanez one, and remember, he's not looking for an amazing tone machine, just something that will feel ok.
Members Hudman Posted March 3, 2007 Members Posted March 3, 2007 My lightly used Washburn Cumberland is proving to be a great, inexpensive guitar. I can't call it "cheap", because they sell new for $599.
Members FallingRock71 Posted March 3, 2007 Members Posted March 3, 2007 On the lower end, I can't help but recommend this:http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=518972 I am extremely pleased with mine. Solid top, hog back, sides and neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, abalone rosette. Comes with D'Addario EXP's. It sure is purdy and has a great voice. All for $149 bucks! Not at all shabby for a beginner/beater git. My only regret is that I didn't buy it much sooner. For my first guitar it was between this and the Yamaha Deluxe Pack for $179. Didn't like the accessories the Yammie came with. And this may sound really gay, but Mitchell just so happens to be my last name! Nice to have your name on the headstock. Although as I progress musically I may have to change my name to Martin, Taylor, or Breedlove or something!
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