Best acoustic for $500

[freescot]

What would you say the best acoustic for 500 or under is??

[knockwood]

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EMF1NSNH

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EMM5NSNH/

[rjoxyz]

...or this one:

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EMJMVSNH/

 

I have this model and it is a great guitar at any price, and an absolute steal at $450.

[T.B.]

Welcome to HC Freescot. We could probably help you out a little bit if you told use what you like play blues, bluegrass, jazz grunge etc, etc - If your interested in finger-style, flat-picking, or strumming or a bit of all three. Here's my standard recommendations.

 

Yamaha F325, F700S, 730S,750S, dreadnoughts.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/x-wire-acoustic-guitars?N=100001+304276+200996

 

Walden Natura Line: I tend to like the cedar mahogany, cedar rosewood combos of the Walden line. Walden G570/G570TB Grand Auditorium of the 500 series

http://www.waldenguitars.com/steel/index.html

 

New to my list: Breedlove Passport OM

http://www.breedloveguitars.com/instruments/guitars/passport/om_fs/index.php

http://www.thepodium.com/pc-15385-69-breedlove-passport-om-full-scale.aspx

 

Trina

[guitarist21]

Rjoxyz and Knock took the words right out of my mouth.

 

Ellen

[drnihili]

Epiphone Masterbilt, Guild GAD, Walden (though at that price range I'd look at the higher end models - numbered 2000 and above). Or you might try for a used Larrivee or Blueridge.

 

As T.B. said, the more you tell us about what you want to play, the better suggestions you'll get.

[freescot]

Ok, I think you lot need to relax with the ' What do you use it for '.

It was just a simple question! Nevertheless, if you need to know, I play a little of everything, but mainly folk/finger pick. However, thanks for any help.

[geek_usa]

I'd say anything Yamaha. I'm spoiled. Everything I've played by them has absolutely BLOWN me away for price vs. quality ratio.

 

If you want a $500 guitar spend it on a Yamaha and you'll get a $1000-$1500 quality.

 

 

 

this one's amazing for the price - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-FG750S-Folk-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518278

 

and if you want to, you can search eBay, or you can buy my Yamaha FG345II from me for $300 shipped, I'll be getting a new geetar tomorrow

 

.02

[moctzal]

 

Ok, I think you lot need to relax with the ' What do you use it for '. It was just a simple question! Nevertheless, if you need to know, I play a little of everything, but mainly folk/finger pick. However, thanks for any help.

 

 

Guitar tone is something that's so subjective though.

The best guitar to me under $500 isn't someone else's best guitar in that same price range.

You really have to decide that for yourself.

So many different guitar cover so many styles, it's hard to pin down the "best" one. In my mind, the "best" one doesn't exist.

So it's not a simple question.

 

If I had that much to spend on a guitar (and I was a fingerpicker), I'd be looking at Epiphone EF Masterbilts if I wanted new, and used I'd look hard for a Larrivee OM.

[drnihili]

 

Ok, I think you lot need to relax with the ' What do you use it for '. It was just a simple question! Nevertheless, if you need to know, I play a little of everything, but mainly folk/finger pick. However, thanks for any help.

 

 

Actually it can make a fair bit of difference to the recommendation. Consider, for example, the difference between a Masterbilt dread or a GAD 30R. Both are fine instruments and in your price range. But someone who strums rocks songs and plays around the campfire is likely to prefer the masterbilt. It's louder and has lots of bass. On the other hand someone who wants to learn fingerpicking but is only going to play for themselves in their living room may find the GAD more to their liking. The sound is better balanced for fingerpicking and the quieter volume may actually be a benefit in some settings.

 

Of course some strummers may prefer the GAD and some fingerstylists may prefer the Masterbilt, individual preferences vary. But you asked for the "best" acoustic for $500, not just some guitar that was good at that price. Which guitar is best does in fact depend on what it's used for, just as it does for anything else.

[freescot]

Well, I'm a picker in the living room kind of a guy. I want something that is going to stay in tune and would prefer a mellow sounding guitar. At a push I'd go to $700. Nevertheless, i really want to spend round the $500 mark. Have just bought an Ibanez AF95 and an Epi Dot(Don't ask why, i don't know) but really would like an ok acoustic to complete the look.

[moctzal]

If you can squeeze out another $50 you could get a new Larrivee OM-03 from www.notableguitars.com. Free shipping and no sales tax. Go find one and try it out. Amazing guitars.

[drnihili]

 

Well, I'm a picker in the living room kind of a guy. I want something that is going to stay in tune and would prefer a mellow sounding guitar. At a push I'd go to $700. Nevertheless, i really want to spend round the $500 mark. Have just bought an Ibanez AF95 and an Epi Dot(Don't ask why, i don't know) but really would like an ok acoustic to complete the look.

 

 

Ok, Larrivee would be a great way to go. There's lots of love for them around here. Getting one new will stretch your budget, but you should be able to get a nice used one without bre3aking the bank. I'll let the Larrivvee afficionados debate which model.

 

In new guitars I would check out Guild GAD line and the higher end Waldens. Both are a bit quieter but very well made. I'd look at an OM or Grand Auditorium body with a 1 3/4 nut. I love my Walden G2070. It's cedar over mahogany, a nice mix. I really debated over a couple of Walden models and a Guild GAD (I think it was the 30R) but the G2070 sounded best to me. Of course now we're into the realm of preference and differences between individual guitars. In any case both the Guild GAD series and the upper end Waldens are worth checking out.

[T.B.]

Ok, Larrivee would be a great way to go. There's lots of love for them around here. Getting one new will stretch your budget, but you should be able to get a nice used one without bre3aking the bank. I'll let the Larrivvee afficionados debate which model. In new guitars I would check out Guild GAD line and the higher end Waldens. Both are a bit quieter but very well made. I'd look at an OM or Grand Auditorium body with a 1 3/4 nut. I love my Walden G2070. It's cedar over mahogany, a nice mix. I really debated over a couple of Walden models and a Guild GAD (I think it was the 30R) but the G2070 sounded best to me. Of course now we're into the realm of preference and differences between individual guitars. In any case both the Guild GAD series and the upper end Waldens are worth checking out.

 

+1

[jgb8]

If you can squeeze out another $50 you could get a new Larrivee OM-03 from www.notableguitars.com . Free shipping and no sales tax. Go find one and try it out. Amazing guitars.

 

How'd you finagle that price? I see $779 on their pricelist for the larrivee.

[flip333]

If you can squeeze out another $50 you could get a new Larrivee OM-03 from www.notableguitars.com . Free shipping and no sales tax. Go find one and try it out. Amazing guitars.

 

I second that. There are lots of other good choices, but a $750 Larrivee buys a LOT of guitar! I have the Larrivee L-03 which I am very proud to own.... I think I'll get it out right now....see ya....

 

PS, my daily player is a Sigma DR-41, but the Larrivee is one of my "treat" guitars.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

The Taylor 114 at $599. Mine is an amazing guitar

The pics don't do it justice.

 

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/114.htm

[pathofspirit]

...or this one: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EMJMVSNH/ I have this model and it is a great guitar at any price, and an absolute steal at $450.

:thu: Two thumbs up - I have it, too - in natural finish. It's a great guitar. As a matter of fact I went to a guitar store today to try different guitars and played one of these just for kicks . . . . . and I already own one!

[Veee number 2]

I think Seagull is the best under $500 guitar out there.

[freescot]

I'm going to go for either Epi AJ 500m or The seagull s6

[guitarist21]

 

I'm going to go for either Epi AJ 500m or The seagull s6

 

 

Both are great guitars. I personally would prefer the Epi, but you won't go wrong either way.

 

Ellen

[b_rad]

I have spent many hours at the Guitar Center the last week and have to agree that the Yamaha in the $300 to $500 range blow away a lot of brands that I always thought and considered better. I did not intend to buy a guitar but was just helping a friend to choose one and ended up with a Yamaha FG730S. What impressed me the most was how easy it is to play and I like having a spare to share or take to a party without the what if something happens to it worry. It

[axegrinder77]

I just bought a Yamaha FG750s and it's really nice for 400 bucks. The action is nice and low, it has a solid top and looks beautiful. Sure, the larrivees i tried were better sounding, but they were over $1000.

 

This is nice because i can take it to the beach and not worry about it, but still get a nice sound.

[likkafella]

Blueridge, blows my yamaha dread out of the water. Honestly.

[axegrinder77]

a decent blueridge is around 700... get a larrivee then.