Best electro acoustic for $300-$500

[robfosters]

Vague I know, but what would you buy for this money.

[Rickkkk]

I like the one I bought last year ... Art & Lutherie Cedar Dread with Quantum electronics. It's Godin's entry level line - but excellent bang for the buck.

 

Got it for about CAD$400, hard case included.

 

Cheers !

[whit townsend]

Best at what?

Acoustic tone?

Set up/playability?

Build Quality/workmanship?

Electronics/Plugged in tone?

 

At this price point, somethings gonna give. There will be real compromises to be made. Whats most important to you?

 

Myself, for an electric instrument, and a plugged in acoustic electric to me is and electric instrument, the most important factors in this price range would be durability, playability/set-up, and quality electronics.

 

So if it was me, for a stage guitar within that budget, I'd prob go with a well built ply of some sort that felt nice to play and had the best pup I could find. I would sacrifice acoustic tone for that. I'd look at Art&Luth, Washburn, Alavarez, Yamaha, and the like.

 

If its not gonna be a stage guitar, and you will be playing it mostly acoustic, then I recc spending your bucks on the best sounding solid wood guitar you can find for $500, and adding some good electronics later.

[guitarist21]

I would probably buy something in the Ibanez AE series. Or Washburn.

 

Ellen

[jconway]

Check out an Ibanez PF5ECENT

[DeepEnd]

 

I would probably buy something in the Ibanez AE series. . . .

 

While I'm a satisfied Ibanez owner, I'd recommend something from their Artwood series. They have a number of new A/E models in the $350 range. And the AW120ECERDV is an older model that sells for $530 or so, if your budget will go that far. I have the straight acoustic version and I love it.

[steve_man]

http://www.carvin.com/products/cobalt/

 

The Carvin Cobalt line is simply amazing for the money. I have the C850, and for what I paid for it, this thing sounds awesome.

[DeepEnd]

 

. . . The Carvin Cobalt line is simply amazing for the money. I have the C850, and for what I paid for it, this thing sounds awesome.

 

I was initially going to recommend Cobalt but robfosters' budget is $300-500 and Cobalt A/E's start at $559, which might be a bit too expensive. Plus, shipping to London might be prohibitive.

[steve_man]

 

I was initially going to recommend Cobalt but robfosters' budget is $300-500 and Cobalt A/E's start at $559, which might be a bit too expensive. Plus, shipping to London might be prohibitive.

 

 

Yeah, I noticed that, but figured he might could pop an extra $50 for a great guitar. It's worth it.