Good Acoustics?

[ChopTart]

Lets talk acoustic gear I've been into acoustic playing recently, and have been considering getting a new one to upgrade from my current, which is a great guitar by all means but I'd like to try other tonewoods.

I tried some Martins at a local shop and they were very nice, as were the Taylors, but the prices can get a little steep. Guild seems to make some nice stuff, though not a memorable and standoutish as the others. Could you guys make some reccomendations for some steel-strings you've tried/owned? Also, how is Martin's quality control nowadays? What tonewoods do you guys prefer (Brazillian rosewood is way beyond my budget )? Lets start a good acoustic discussion!

[elcid]

I have a Guild that's ok, I think it's a D-4, I bought my wife a Martin 15 series (less expensive, all Mahagony) and I love it,they list for under a grand and it's all real wood, came with a nice hardshell case. It's a great playing, sounding and even smelling guitar. Personally I will be picking up another Martin (for me, one with a cutaway) and probably selling my Guild when my financial situation gets better. I really like that they now have a Blender system with a Piezzo pickup and a microphone in the soundhole, and a build in tuner.

[mike2558]

my friend told me Taylors are the best sounding acoustic guitars but I cant afford one. I'm probably going to buy something on tuesday.

[Drew]

Keep your eyes open for secondhand gear - I grabbed a Martin MC16GTE at a local music shop for a great price about two years ago. Probably the best guitar purchase I've ever made.

For a quality acoustic on a budget, Alvarez has never failed to impress me. My brother grabbed one for I want to say $300 that, while no match for my Martin, sounds like it cost about double that and plays phenominally.

[ChopTart]

Thanks for the responses...I'll definetally keep a lookout for used gear (though I always have a tough time finding exactly what I'm looking for and would have to make concessions).

The mahogany Martins are very nice, especially when set up well. My friend has one that sounds like the 15 you were talking about. What is the deal with the "laminate" woods that they offer on the lower models?

[elcid]

Someone else can probably explain laminates better than me, but I'm pretty sure solid tops are the opposite, so a laminate would be something likedifferent pieces of wood put together to make the top? I know some of the really low Martins look like they are made of kitchen counter tops, so I'd stay away from those. I played a couple and they were OK but I dont think they were even, wood. I would buy a Seagull before one of those, or almost anything in the low to mid price range.

[Drew]

Basically... A Laminate top is a couple thin peices of wood glued together - it al;lows them to use cheaper wood while still offering an attractive guitar. As they don't resonate as well, tonally you really want to go solid top if at all possible.

My Martin's a mahogany bodied guitar with a solid spruce top - as I understand the MC series is basically a D-series guitar without some of the cosmetic appointments. As I think some of 'em are a bit tacky, and I can't really justify a $2k+ acoustic right now as I still play the thing much like an electric, that's just fine with me. Set the thing up with a set of Elixir phosphor bronze strings, and it sounds gorgeous - last time I was jamming with a few buddies over a couple beers, my friend Chris kept stopping mid-sentence and saying, "Drew, that's an incredible sounding guitar" so obviously something must be working...

Easily the best $800 I've ever spent.