Members Verence Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 I need a guitar to travel with, practice on, and not worry about. I'd like it to be fairly sturdy and well-made, and around $100. I know it probably won't sound all that good, but I've made peace with that. Any opinions on these? Takamine S34C NEX - $99http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S34C-NEX-Cutaway-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516458 Rogue Honduran Mahogany Dreadnought - $99http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-Honduran-Mahogany-Dreadnought?sku=519268 Epiphone AJ-1 - $79http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-AJ1-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518681 Yamaha F335 - $129http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-F335-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=512940 Or any other suggestions?
Members jjang1993 Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 i recommend the yamaha. my friend has one and it sounds pretty nice for a laminate guitar. i heard yamaha has better quality control than other companies.
Members garthman Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 I would go with the Yamaha too.
Members Burningleaves Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 You may just want to head on down to your local GC and play a bunch in your price range.
Members happy-man Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 I don't know about sturdy, but the F335 sounds good to me and has the best intonation of any $150 guitar I've ever tried. I used one for a week once when I was out of town. I just went to GC and it was the best sounding/playing cheap guitar they had IMO. I've picked up quite a few, and the fit and finish are not very good, but the playability I think is very good. F325/F335 are the same I think, except for the color of the tuners. Scott O
Members bsman Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 Personally, I think that for beater guitars you can't do better than the local pawn shop, "starving musician" - type store, or Craigslist. I haven't in years (like 25), but back in the day I used to incorporate destroying an acoustic guitar (and a country-type performer) into my "act" I did this three or four times, and as I recall, I probably spent a total of $100 on guitars for this stunt... PS - I have it on good authority that you can hit someone repeatedly with a cheap acoustic without ill effect (to the person - not the guitar!)
Members guitarist21 Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 I need a guitar to travel with, practice on, and not worry about. I'd like it to be fairly sturdy and well-made, and around $100. I know it probably won't sound all that good, but I've made peace with that. The sturdiest around-$100 guitar I've ever played is a Washburn D10s. Ellen
Members EvilTwin Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 The Yamaha you listed is $130. If you go about $20 higher you can get an Art & Lutherie lam-top guitar: http://cgi.ebay.com/Art-and-Lutherie-acoustic-guitar_W0QQitemZ130144215746QQihZ003QQcategoryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://halifax.craigslist.org/msg/388142016.html(Just to illustrate what they can be had for. If it's true that the bridge is raising on that one, it isn't worth it.) I've seen them sold in shops for $150 to $179. IMO, they are the best value you can get for an all-lam guitar that still sounds good; you really don't have to compromise all hope for good tone with an all-lam acoustic.(I tried an A&L Folk that I liked so much that I almost bought it...and I already own the Seagull solid-top version. The Art & Lutherie all-laminate was that good.) Checking out the used rack is worth your while, too.
Members Fred Fartboski Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 Ibanez acoustic with hard case and goodies $149http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-IJP5S-Acoustic-Guitar-Pack?sku=519604
Members Muddslide Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 Why are all the cheapest guitars dreadnaughts?
Members Fred Fartboski Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 The SDOTD Aria pack happy-man ordered is still available for $69. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Aria-AW20-Acoustic-Guitar-Pack?sku=514285Maybe you should wait for his report.
Members Fred Fartboski Posted August 24, 2007 Members Posted August 24, 2007 Why are all the cheapest guitars dreadnaughts? Probably the most popular size. Cheaper to churn 'em out in bigger quantities?
Members dhoenisch Posted August 25, 2007 Members Posted August 25, 2007 Actually, I really like the Lyon guitars that Target sells for $100. It comes with a gig bag, tuner, picks, strap and an extra set of strings. I bought one for my brother and I like it a lot. It just sounds so much better than you would think, plus, it feels good, at least for me. I posted a review on this site a couple of weeks ago, along with three others, but for some reason, they never got posted, and yes, they were detailed and to the point. I guess someone on this site doesn't like me. Oh well. Dan
Members Muddslide Posted August 25, 2007 Members Posted August 25, 2007 Probably the most popular size. Cheaper to churn 'em out in bigger quantities? I guess my question, then, would be more accurately phrased as: "Why are dreads the most popular size?" I don't dislike them out of hand, I just prefer smaller acoustics. In my experience, and with my not-too-acute hearing, I actually believe smaller acoustics tend to project better. Larger bodies seem to --I don't know how to say it exactly-- keep the sound in the box longer, bouncing around. I also prefer the feel and comfort of folks and 00s and such, even though I'm a big guy. I think alot of dreads are beautiful (if usually pretty generic looking) and I love the looks of jumbos, but they don't do what I like sonically as much. BTW-- I strum, Carter-pick and fingerpick. Smaller bods seem more well-rounded and able to multitask IMO.
Members blu3jenius Posted August 25, 2007 Members Posted August 25, 2007 Dreads all began with C.F. Martin. When it was introduced, performers loved it because it was the perfect choice for accompanying vocal. Has enough volume and bass that it won't get overwhelmed by voices. dreads tend to offer the most balanced range of sounds in my opinion. They are very versatile in terms of music that can be played.
Members leftync Posted August 25, 2007 Members Posted August 25, 2007 I owned a washburn d-12s and while I didn't like it all that much it was built like a tank. but you could probably find a used Seagull S6 for the same money, and that's an excellent guitar.
Members johnkline Posted August 25, 2007 Members Posted August 25, 2007 pickup a yamaha sj-180, it's a 000 size body style. I found one on ebay for 80.00+shipping, very nice guitar, especially for a beater, and nobody even knows about them. They're all going for the red label models...
Members denvertrakker Posted August 25, 2007 Members Posted August 25, 2007 I guess my question, then, would be more accurately phrased as: "Why are dreads the most popular size?"I don't dislike them out of hand, I just prefer smaller acoustics. In my experience, and with my not-too-acute hearing, I actually believe smaller acoustics tend to project better. Larger bodies seem to --I don't know how to say it exactly-- keep the sound in the box longer, bouncing around.I also prefer the feel and comfort of folks and 00s and such, even though I'm a big guy. My feelings exactly. My little Cort GC is just the right size, and of course almost all classicals are that size too. It is possible to get inexpensive smaller guitars, you just have to look a little harder. There's a few almost like mine on Ebay right now.
Members rjoxyz Posted August 26, 2007 Members Posted August 26, 2007 I went to a local GC today to pick up some strings, a strap and redeem a coupon I got as a "preferred customer" after purchasing a Taylor GS a couple weeks ago. Noodling around in the acoustic room, I picked up a Yamaha F-335, just to see if the reputation was justified. It is. Very nice and full sounding and not at all like most all-laminates I have played. Fit and finish was very nice too. Marked at $149. As I was checking out, I asked the pierced and tattooed salesman what the Yammie would usually go for (despite the tag). Of course he told me he would give me a "smoking deal" and punched the keyboard a few times. Then he told me $104 out the door (they had a stack of boxed models). What the hell, I think to myself--that is kinda "smoking". I am about to put a new set of strings on my new "beater".
Members Fred Fartboski Posted August 26, 2007 Members Posted August 26, 2007 I went to a local GC today to pick up some strings, a strap and redeem a coupon I got as a "preferred customer" after purchasing a Taylor GS a couple weeks ago. Noodling around in the acoustic room, I picked up a Yamaha F-335, just to see if the reputation was justified. It is. Very nice and full sounding and not at all like most all-laminates I have played. Fit and finish was very nice too. Marked at $149. As I was checking out, I asked the pierced and tattooed salesman what the Yammie would usually go for (despite the tag). Of course he told me he would give me a "smoking deal" and punched the keyboard a few times. Then he told me $104 out the door (they had a stack of boxed models). What the hell, I think to myself--that is kinda "smoking". I am about to put a new set of strings on my new "beater". Sometimes, I've gotten some of my best guitar deals ever at GC just by popping in on a non-Sale Of The Century! day.
Members babablowfish Posted August 26, 2007 Members Posted August 26, 2007 I went to a local GC today to pick up some strings, a strap and redeem a coupon I got as a "preferred customer" after purchasing a Taylor GS a couple weeks ago.Noodling around in the acoustic room, I picked up a Yamaha F-335, just to see if the reputation was justified. It is. Very nice and full sounding and not at all like most all-laminates I have played. Fit and finish was very nice too. Marked at $149.As I was checking out, I asked the pierced and tattooed salesman what the Yammie would usually go for (despite the tag). Of course he told me he would give me a "smoking deal" and punched the keyboard a few times. Then he told me $104 out the door (they had a stack of boxed models). What the hell, I think to myself--that is kinda "smoking". I am about to put a new set of strings on my new "beater". Congratulations! Cheap Yamahas make great beaters. Try putting some brass bridge pins in to punch up the tone and sustain. That laminate Yamaha will stand up to being taken to the beach, camping, whatever. I not only take mine to the beach, but I also keep it on a stand right next to my desk where it is in a high traffic area and use it to write songs. It is nice to have a guitar that is playable and sounds decent that you don't have to worry about.
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