Best acoustic for ~$1250

[GuitarShopper]

I'm new to this forum, but I've been playing acoustic guitar casually for ~20 years. I've got a decent Epiphone PR-350S and I'm looking to upgrade. I'm shopping for a guitar in the $1000 - $1500 range and I'd like advice. I do ~75% strumming / 25% finger picking.

 

My preferences are:

- easy on the fingers (light action). Biggest complaint with my current guitar is the amount of force needed to produce clear tones.

- doesn't need to be very loud (light gauge strings); I mostly play just on my own.

- bright sounding, but with decent bass as well.

- ebony fretboard

- prefer no cutaway or a pickup (to make more affordable)

 

I'm leaning toward the Taylors, such as the GA-3 (314). The Martins and others I've tried lacked the higher freq. response.

 

Any other brands / models that I should consider alongside the Taylors?

[T.B.]

Hi G.S., welcome to HC. Checkout Jean Larrivee Guitars: Here's the listing of the models/price. http://www.larrivee.com/flash/products.html

 

 

Trina

[TimZ]

Hello newbie. I agree with Larrivee and another guitar company from Canada, Norman. They make a short scale, 1.72 nut which would be a nice easy playin instrument. Also look at Blueridge (check out Maury's Music) and perhaps Guild GAD series. Hope this is helpful! Tim Z....

[ESL94]

Hi G.S., welcome to HC. Checkout Jean Larrivee Guitars: Here's the listing of the models/price. http://www.larrivee.com/flash/products.html Trina

 

Welcome...

Ck. out the L03

 

a site to ck.out

 

http://www.notableguitars.com/FORMgallery3.htm

[rjoxyz]

Welcome to the board!

 

I will also suggest Larrivee. The L-03 falls within your parameters. Can be had for $8-900. I believe the L series is one of the most versatile guitars on the market. It has become my favorite in an embarassingly large collection.

[kwakatak]

Yeah, I'd have to say either the Larrivee L-03 or OM-03. My avatar is a closeup of the top of my OM-03R (rosewood/sitka) and normally I would recommend that model, but I suspect that its tone is a little darker than what you're looking for. The rosewood OM seems to have a little more bass response though IMO it's because of the overtones which also take away from the clarity. The sapele OM should still have a decent amount of bass (I've only played the older S. American back/sided model) but its strength is fingerstyle, not strumming. The L-03 should handle both well, but IMO the OM body is more comfortable. As for the neck, the two models share the same neck: 1.75" tusq nut, 17"-21" variable fretboard radius, single piece S. American (Honduran) mahogany neck, satin ebony headstock faceplate, macassar (streaked) ebony fretboard. As for the neck profile, it's a bit shallower than the Taylors I've tried but with wider shoulders - sort of like a modified C profile.

[DonK]

You've listed several factors that are important to you, but only you know their relative importance. A short-scale guitar (24.9" or 24.75" compared to the typical 25.4" or 25.5") will give you reduced string tension. That's one reason I'm a big fan of the Martin 000-28 model (which nonetheless doesn't meet some of your criteria). Gibson makes a few 24.75" models that might meet most of your criteria, but they're out of your price range (a Hummingbird, for example). Absent the ebony fingerboard, a Hummingbird sounds like it would be a great choice.

 

I personally don't hear a tonal similarity between Larrivees and Taylors. Taylor's are relatively bright guitars across the model line, Larrivees much less so IMO (as are most other brands, Taylors are a breed unto their own).

 

Taylor made some limited editions with a short-scale; you might look for one of those used.

[GuitarShopper]

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely check out the Larivee's - they do seem like they may be a good fit, but I've got to hear / play them of course.

 

I don't think I need short-scale guitar. I'm comfortable with the action on most new guitars - I think mine is set up a bit high and the frets and fingerboard are a bit worn down. I just want to stick with the light strings and ebony board.

[sdelsolray]

David Webber (used)

[tim8287]

For that much you could get two of the Guild GAD series guitars.

 

--Tim

[guitar-fish]

Check out the Martin 000C-16RGTE Aura. It has electronics, it's pretty amazing.

[guitarcapo]

No contest. THIS is the best guitar for 1200 bucks

[Freeman Keller]

 

I'm new to this forum, but I've been playing acoustic guitar casually for ~20 years. I've got a decent Epiphone PR-350S and I'm looking to upgrade. I'm shopping for a guitar in the $1000 - $1500 range and I'd like advice. I do ~75% strumming / 25% finger picking. My preferences are: - easy on the fingers (light action). Biggest complaint with my current guitar is the amount of force needed to produce clear tones. - doesn't need to be very loud (light gauge strings); I mostly play just on my own. - bright sounding, but with decent bass as well. - ebony fretboard - prefer no cutaway or a pickup (to make more affordable) I'm leaning toward the Taylors, such as the GA-3 (314). The Martins and others I've tried lacked the higher freq. response. Any other brands / models that I should consider alongside the Taylors?

 

 

 

As the owner of a 314 I think it fits your description to a T. Out of the box Taylors are some of the easiest playing guitars - their necks and factory setups are among the best. The GA body is a perfect compromise (as is the similar OM from Martin and Larrivee). However, don't rule out "small" bodied Martins (and others) - an OM-21 has a much better balance than their traditional dreads and set up right (most Martins in stores are a little on the high side) can be as easy to play as the Taylor.

[Glenn F]

+1 for Taylor. I have a 310, and never regretted buying it.

 

Cheers,

 

Glenn

[maudib]

Great guitar. I got one used a few years back for $1275. I've never had a complaint about it.

[guit30]

http://www.music123.com/Martin-SWDGT-Smartwood-Dreadnought-Acoutic-Guitar-514761-i1148362.Music123

[GuitarShopper]

I've been shopping around for several weeks now.

 

I visited yet another guitar shop and tried out a couple Larrivees yesterday alongside some more Taylors. It's impressive the quality of woods Larrivee offers for the price - I tried a solid spruce / rosewood / ebony fingerboard guitar for $1300 (L03-R); the same woods from other makers gets you over $2k. Sound was better than many models I've tried, but not quite as nice as the Taylors.

 

I still preferred the mahogany or sapele body Taylors (314s) to the Roseweood Larrivees. The sound just explodes out from the Taylors, with such great overtones. Playability edge went to the Taylors as well.

 

Now I just need to find a dealer with a Taylor GA-3 (no pickup or electronics) at a good price.

[Dave W.]

 

I just want to stick with the light strings and ebony board.

 

 

 

Of all your specs, I would not pass up a otherwise good guitar because it does not have an ebony fingerboard. A good piece of rosewood is better than a mediocre piece of ebony, advice I have heard from many luther's.

[bassred]

I say look for a garrison G-50, i love mine, it plays like a dream! Snatch one up before they all say 'Gibson' on them!