Lowest price for an acoustic.

[opranks612]

Well, I'm kind of budgeting right now, and I plan on buying a new electric, a new acoustic, and I am going to need money for an Italy exchange trip over the summer. I want to get a good acoustic before I go.

 

Here's what I want in an acoustic.

Bright and clear tone, but not tinny and harsh. I hate muddy acoustics, with the individual notes being indistinct. I want something with clarity, but I need good bottom end and mids to back it up..

I want it to be all solid wood so it sounds better with age (I don't sell gear often)

Steel string

Preferably dreadnaught (that'll get me the bass and mids I need, and also avoid that too-glassy sound you get from a lot of jumbos)

Gloss top preferred (I tend to beat the {censored} out of my acoustic).

 

So how much am I gonna need to spend to get what I want? And can you recommend any models in particular?

[UGB]

http://sagamusic.com/catalog/details.asp?ProductID=BR-160

[guit30]

That guitar is one of the best I ever played, had the pleasure today of trying one out.WOW!!!
Blueridge BR-160

[Buck62]

Admittedly, I've never played a Blueridge guitar. But around this website I constantly see everyone jumping on the same bandwagon and gushing over Blueridge acoustics and Agile electric guitars. It's like, if you don't buy, praise, or lust after these two brands, you're some sort of "outsider."

That being said, I've played and owned a lot of guitars in my 30+ years as a musician (twice as long as many here have been alive!) and the right guitar is what feels right for you... not what everyone on the "bandwagon" suggests.

That being said, I've been shopping for a nice acoustic myself lately, and the type of acoustic guitar you described was also the type of guitar I was looking for. After 3 months of playing just about every brand and model you can name, I finally found the nicest, sweetest acoustic I've ever played that costs under $3,000.

It's this one right here....

http://www.breedloveguitars.com/products/guitars/atlas/ac25_sr_plus/

This guitar is simply a masterpiece to behold, it plays like a dream, and is a sonic marvel to your ears. It's loaded with top-quality features and is unbeatable for the money. I can't say enough without urging you to find a dealer who sells Breedlove guitars and try one for yourself. If you do find one and like it, you can get one for under $700 (they list for $1,100) at these two places... (the cheapest I've found them)

http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--BREAC25SRPL

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BREAC25SRPL


But, like I said, don't take my word for it... just play one.

[GN-Nick]

+1 for Breedlove.

Clarity, separation, even tone, great bass response.

If you are in the market for used, look for some '94 Washburn solid wood models.

Yes, I know it seems odd to me too. How often do you see Washburn and Breedlove mentioned in the same post?

[UGB]

I won't suggest a guitar I've not personally played. I've played an Agile and don't get the hype.

[opranks612]

I'll def check out that atlas, the local luthier carries some sometimes, he had a 20 last time, maybe he'll get the 25's in sometime. Very nice, but are the sides all solid wood?

[tamolina]

Buck62 is right, there is a bandwagon mentality on here sometimes. Truth is, there are a helluva lot of fine guitars out there today. A dozen brand names are producing really good stuff. I just bought one with solid rosewood back and sides, spruce top, bone nut and saddle, gold Grover tuners, Buzz Freiten tuning system, nice abalone purfling, and it sounds as good as my friend's high-end Martin. Mine is a Washburn, and I got it for 500 bucks.

[Buck62]

Originally posted by opranks612 I'll def check out that atlas, the local luthier carries some sometimes, he had a 20 last time, maybe he'll get the 25's in sometime. Very nice, but are the sides all solid wood?

 

 

The top and back of the Atlas series are solid wood, but the sides are laminated. That's the only thing that seperates them from their American-made counterparts, besides the obvious fact that they're made overseas in Korea. But I don't think it matters one bit. I have a '77 Yamaha FG-335 that blows away most old Martins in tone, and it's got a laminated top, sides, and back! 80% of the tone of an acoustic comes from the top, anyway. And contrary to popular belief (and your assumption), a laminated guitar (or laminated sections of a solid-top guitar) are actually more durable and less effected by changes in temerature and humidity than solid wood. Like I said before, play a bunch of guitars before you decide and make an educated decision. You might even fall in love with a Taylor Big Baby for all you know... which is another fine-sounding guitar at a decent price.