Good Deal? Harmony or Epi?

[datru]

Hi,

 

I've been playing electric for about 2 years now and I want to get an acoustic. I can't spend too much.

 

Two questions:

 

Was this a good buy? (I did not bid, but might bid on similar). It went for 110 dollars plus 45 shipping.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260034249913

 

Would I be smarter to buy a new guitar like the Epiphone PR-150? It's 99 bucks at GC. Playability is probably more important than the sound - as long as it sounds good, that is.

 

My spending limit would be below 200 dollars. The guitar is just for home use, I don't gig or anything.

 

Thanks to all.

[guitarist21]

Please, please, please, if there's any way, play the guitar before you buy it.

 

That particular Harmony and the Epi are going to have two WAY different sounds. It comes down to which sound you like better, and you will only know that if you play both. The Epi will probably be easier to play. Plus, the Epi will have a warranty, which can be nice.

 

If I could throw out a suggestion, a Washburn is a great first acoustic.

 

Ellen

[DonK]

Harmony and Epi would be close to the bottom of my list, even in that price range. A Washburn, though likely to be overbuilt, is a better bet, as is a Yamaha. Yamaha F335 is $150, better yet is the F700 at $200. If at possible, spend the few extra bucks. Playablity is really THE factor in this price range. You aren't going to get Martin or Taylor tone from a $100 guitar or a $200 guitar, and it wont matter what it sounds like if you can't get it to play well.

[datru]

New guitars I will definitely play before buying, but Harmony guitars off of Ebay don't give me that option. Thanks for the advice, I check out the Washburns. Any other suggestions or recommendations still welcome.

 

Interesting replies, since lately I've seen a lot of pro-Harmony comments.

 

Thanks again.

[knockwood]

 

Originally posted by datru New guitars I will definitely play before buying, but Harmony guitars off of Ebay don't give me that option. Thanks for the advice, I check out the Washburns. Any other suggestions or recommendations still welcome. Interesting replies, since lately I've seen a lot of pro-Harmony comments. Thanks again.

 

 

A lot of the 60's Harmony guitars on eBay are great deals, IMHO, all things considered. But please do consider all things. For instance, because of their age and the natural result of constant string tension on a guitar, most of the old Harmony guitars you'll see on eBay in that price range are due for a neck reset - which will cost more than you pay for the guitar. I bought an old Harmony on eBay a while back for around $100 and I'm thrilled with it for the price, but the action is sky-high and I'm using the guitar to learn to play slide...

 

I would take guitarist21's advice and look into a Washburn. Make sure you get something with a solid top.

[Hudman]

Don't buy a $200, 40 year old guitar as your first acoustic guitar.

 

Chances are it will need a ton of work. You could end up paying another $200 + fixing it.

 

For $200 or less I recommend a Washburn D9S from Music123. They sell them for $179 with a free deluxe Washburn gig bag and free shipping. Music123 also has a 30 day return policy.

 

The D9S is the same as the D10S sold everywhere else. Musicians Friend sells the D10S for $199 with a hard shell case and free shipping.

 

The D9S and D10S come with a solid spruce top that will age over time. They come with solid tuners that stay in tune well. Washburn also come with the Buzz Feiten intontaion system installed.

 

It's one of the best aoustics for less than $200. If it was my choice, I would buy the D9S.

 

Good luck.