Which one? A&L Cedar or Yamaha FG700MS?

[Amuse]

I'm a beginner and I love and want to learn fingerstyle.

I'm down to these two guitars:

 

Both full sized dreadnoughts and satin finish that I'm looking at.

 

Art & Lutherie solid Cedar top

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/ALDC-ANT.htm

 

Yamaha FG700MS (M is the matte/satin finish)

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/names/yamaha-fg700s-acoustic-guitar--FG700S.htm

 

The A&L solid cedar top is made with 95% Canadian wood and made by Godin Guitars in Canada (Godin also makes Seagull guitars). The Yamaha is made with a solid sitka spruce top (from an unknown source/area) and is made in China and Yamaha is more well known around the world.

 

Both have the same nut width. More descriptions in the links above.

Both of these guitars are at my local shop, the Yamaha is $12 more than the A&L Cedar.

 

 

Which guitar would you pick? Which one should I buy?

 

I need your advice,

 

Thanks

[moctzal]

Well. I think the best question to ask is which you like better. One has a Cedar top, on has a Spruce top. So there is probably going to be a distinct difference in sound. Try to find some place to play both. I own a Yamaha FG720s (same guitar with some cosmetic upgrades and gloss finish) and I think it has great tone, but it compresses quite a bit when strummed hard (I have it tuned to (dadddd, all flat) so it's nice that it compresses a bit). The A&L is a great guitar. My good buddy has one and I find myself picking his up whenever we jam. I like that cedar is a little bit more responsive to my finger nails. It might break up a little bit when strummed hard. Both are great guitars and you won't have durability issues with either. The Cedar does mark quite easily if you're a flatpicker.

 

All that's said just as my opinion. I think you should play both and decide for yourself. You're the one who's going to be playing it after all.

[Hudman]

I would go with the Yamaha. They have been making excellent inexpensive guitars since the 1970's.

 

Both are great guitars for the money.

 

Here's some reviews on the FG700S:

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Yamaha/FG700S/10/1

[Doctor Morbius]

The Yamaha is made with a solid sitka spruce top (from an unknown source/area) and is made in China and Yamaha is more well known around the world.

I have an FG730s and it's made in Taiwan. I guess it depends on the model number as to where it's made.

[DonK]

I'll go against the grain here and recommend the A&L while seconding what others have said about trusting your own preferences. I think Yamaha consistently delivers very high quality for the money, but, since you're primarily interested in fingerstyle, I think the cedar top will give you a warmer tone for that style (although many, including myself, would suggest an auditorium style guitar for fingerstyle).

[Amuse]

What is an auditorium guitar? Are there any good ones for $250 or less?

[drnihili]

 

What is an auditorium guitar? Are there any good ones for $250 or less?

 

 

Here's a Walden G570 at just under 200 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Walden-G570-Grand-Auditorium-Acoustic-Guitar-Cedar-Top_W0QQitemZ180115626198QQihZ008QQcategoryZ2385QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

The Auditorium (OM, GA, ...) guitars are a little smaller bodied than the dreads, particularly in the lower bout. A little easier to hold if you're not large, and less emphasis on the bass.

[AK47]

I think they are both good guitars for the price. I agree that the cedar is more responsive to fingerpicking. I also like the brightness of spruce. Yamaha guitars while being good guitars have been built in so many places that getting any manufacturer support is unlikely. A&L on the other hand are built in Canada and by reputation gives great manufacturer support. Given two equal products I'd keep my money in this continent and the people here employed. A&L has my vote.

[moctzal]

That Walden looks nice. I wish there wa a dealer in my area. I hear many good things about them.

[AK47]

 

What is an auditorium guitar? Are there any good ones for $250 or less?

 

 

Elderly music has a Yamaha FS720s guitar in 000 size which is pretty much the same as auditorium or OM. This guitar has a solid spruce top for $259 plus shipping. Should be a decent guitar for the price.

 

The auditorium size is smaller than the dred with a little less boominess and is favored by most fingerpickers. There are guitarists that fingerpick well on all body sizes and what is prefered is up to the individual. There is no right or wrong just what you like.

[babablowfish]

I currently have 3 Yamahas and have had several others over the years. I can attest to their durability - 2 I have now are 30 years old and going strong. I have heard it said here that Cedar tops will not last as long and are not as resistant to various sorts of damage as Spruce. All that said, I agree with DonK - if you prefer fingerstyle, then the A&L is going to give you the warm tone that the Yamaha never will. I have played the A&L and it is a really nice sounding and playing guitar. Either way though, you will have a good guitar.

[KevinEdwardRose]

I own a Seagull S+6 with the cedar top and have played the A&L Cedar. I have not played the Yamaha in question.

 

I love the sound of the cedar, which should be warmer and not as bright as the Yamaha with the sitka top. I believe the A&L has a shorter scale length. This means that if both guitars are set up properly, the A&L may be a little easier on the fingers, but the Yamaha would be a little louder.

 

Both companies have great reputations, so the only wrong choice is to not try both and see which one works best for you.