Good guitars for fingerpickers?

[Godot]

I've had a Yamaha FG-400 for 15 years now, and it's a nice guitar, but I'm starting to feel its limitations now that I'm doing more fingerpicking than anything else.

 

Any suggestions for a good fingerpicking guitar, for not a lot of money? I've tried a friend's Martin OOO-15S, and that was a joy to play, but something in the sub-$500 range would be easier to swing.

 

(Or maybe I'll just put some gear up on Ebay and get the Martin anyway.)

[eyeball987]

I am a huge fan of Taylors X14 line for fingerpicking. You will not find one in that price range though. If you end up looking at the Martin, at least give a 414 or 514 Taylor a pick or two.

[da mayor]

I'd try to find something decent that's used for that price. The Guild GAD 30 line is an excellent guitar for fingerstyle. 1 3/4 at the nut and a bit wider than average spacing at the saddle give some good real estate, plus all solid wood and a beautiful tone. It's only been out for about a year, but I sometimes see them used for about $500. Larrivees parlor and OM-O3 are also excellent for fingerstyle. Not sure what these would cost used, but Larrivee makes a terrific and relatively inexpensive guitar. You might check out the for sale thread on the Larrivee forum as a starting point.

[kwakatak]

 

Originally posted by da mayor I'd try to find something decent that's used for that price.... ... Larrivees parlor and OM-O3 are also excellent for fingerstyle. Not sure what these would cost used, but Larrivee makes a terrific and relatively inexpensive guitar. You might check out the for sale thread on the Larrivee forum as a starting point.

 

 

+1

 

Re, Larriv

[Red House]

I just got a Takamine AN10 for $400 used. Its a dream to fingerpick (i started with classical, so fingerpicking is my preferred style). Solid cedar top, good balanced tone, very responsive (scalloped bracing). Also has a split saddle, which is a nice touch.

[Freeman Keller]

Originally posted by eyeball987 I am a huge fan of Taylors X14 line for fingerpicking. You will not find one in that price range though. If you end up looking at the Martin, at least give a 414 or 514 Taylor a pick or two.

 

+1 on that one. If you look real hard you might find a used 314 for 700 or so - I think that is a great fingerpicker (I own one)

 

Most finger style players prefer smaller bodies (GA, OM, etc) for the balance across the strings. Most also prefer slightly wider string spacing - 1-3/4 nut and 2-1/4 bridge lets you get your fingers between the strings a little easier.

 

If you like your Yamie you might also look for one of their smaller gits - my old FG-150 is a heck of a finger picker (1-11/16 nut tho) and can be picked up pretty reasonably.

 

[kwakatak]

FK, have you ever picked up a 214? It's a GA but shares the same bolt-on neck as teh 210 dread (which has a 1.68" wide nut). Personally, I didn't care the fit/tone/material selection for the price ($800 new) but I have heard of them going on the used market for under $500.

 

I also forgot to mention the Epiphone Masterbilts. The EF-500M and EF-500R are a great fingerpicking bang for the buck and sport open-backed tuners and a V-shaped neck. I have no idea about the bracing but they are also plenty loud!

[EvilTwin]

Great suggestions so far, none of which I can argue with. If you can find a used Larrivee, go for it. Or a cheaper 000-15.

 

However, for new guitars, I will suggest Seagull's S6+Folk. It is not in the same class as a Larrivee, but it's an amazing instrument, none the less. And they run $300 to $350 new.

[Freeman Keller]

 

Originally posted by kwakatak FK, have you ever picked up a 214? It's a GA but shares the same bolt-on neck as teh 210 dread (which has a 1.68" wide nut). Personally, I didn't care the fit/tone/material selection for the price ($800 new) but I have heard of them going on the used market for under $500.

 

 

Neil, I haven't (so many guitars, so little time LOL). I have heard mixed things about the 2xx series but I have no personal experience. I have the same problem with Larrys - I have only played a few and I hear such wonderful things about them. I had never played a 300 series Taylor before my wife gave me mine, but I had played a bunch of 5,6, and 700 so I knew the T sound and feel.

 

Best advice for Godot is to simply get out there and play everything. Unlike getting married, chosing a new guitar is not something you should rush into just because you don't like the size or sound of the one you have.

[rjoxyz]

Try to find a way to to get the 000-15s if you can. Bought one a few weeks ago and am amazed at the full sweet sound that comes out of the thing evertime I pick it up. The 1 3/4" neck is ideal for fingerpicking.

 

I have noticed that the top of the 000-15s is much more responsive to fingerpicking as opposed to my HD-28. Takes very little effort to get a full and resonant tone. It is quickly becoming my favorite guitar for everything but pretty agressive rhythm play.

[Shinbone]

I really like my Seagull SM6 for fingerpicking. It's got a nice wide neck (1.8" nut according to the specs) and it has a nice even mellow tone.

 

And the price ain't bad either.

[tkris]

those new johnson carolina models -- jo16 and jo17 -- look pretty cool -- prewar specs and bone nut and saddle -- and they're a good deal -- abt 300 for solid top, laminate s/b. they come in sunburst, too.

[Godot]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Freeman Keller]

We have a new member on this forum with, what looks like a very attractive line of guitars. Here is a link to her,

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1334939

 

And the guitars

 

http://www.timberlineguitars.com/

 

Those Auditorium and Concerts look pretty sweet to me