What good acoustic can I get for $200 or less?

mike2558 · #1 08-03-2006, 05:10 PM

Hi I need some advice. I'm going to buy an acoustic guitar for university and I need to know what is a good guitar to get for around $200 or less. Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

katrina · #2 08-03-2006, 05:25 PM

Do you need a classical guitar or a steel string?

~ Katrina

mike2558 · #3 08-03-2006, 06:02 PM

I dont think I'm looking for a classical. Just your nice looking, typical acoustic.

Gex · #4 08-03-2006, 06:40 PM

I would hit up a pawn shop or two and see if they're something decent in there.

If you want to go the worry-free way, Yamaha's always a quality instrument for cheap.

jem7vwh · #5 08-03-2006, 07:04 PM

I bought a Washburn D10 after reading many positive reviews, and I have to say that I'm very pleased with it. It feels as close to a Taylor as I've found in that price range. I payed $179, I believe.

http://www.*******.com/item--WASD10S

(the *** are the word 'z z o u n d s')

sniperfrommars1 · #6 08-03-2006, 09:46 PM

I have a cheap hohner (the harmonica company!) That plays and sounds awesome. It has a nice well cut compensated saddle, and the belly hasnt bowed at all which is more than i can say for alot of martins ive played. Ive even went so far as to leaving it in my car in plain sunlight for days and its still stood up to the abuse with no damage at ALL. Now i wouldnt do that if i hadnt payed less than 100 bucks for it, but i just kind of wanted to see how she would take it.

snowfall · #7 08-03-2006, 10:14 PM

I got an Ibanez vc70 for about $125 from one of the on line retailers (******** i think). I just got it as a knock-around, but it sounds and plays pretty good. Not as good as my Guild D40C, but with an 00 body, it's a little easier
to handle.

*** = m u s i c 1 2 3 fer chrissakes!

**jim777** · #8 08-03-2006, 11:47 PM

I'd look hard for a used Seagull, and not get anything new.

jim

Rotti · #9 08-04-2006, 07:31 AM

Check out "Art & Lutherie" guitars. http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/cedar.htm

They are about the cheapest "good" guitars out there. Their solid top models are really nice sounding and playing guitars, and might just be in your price range. You cannot do better for the money IMHO.

Rotti · #10 08-04-2006, 07:39 AM

http://www.elderly.com/new_instrumen...s/ALDC-NAT.htm

http://www.elderly.com/brand/20N_art...0lutherie.html

Made by the same people who make Seagull and Norman and Simon and Patrick acoustic guitars in Canada. All really nice guitars.

mike2558 · #11 08-04-2006, 01:34 PM

awesome thanks for all the advice. I'll write these brands down and probably go to my Long & McQuade later next week and hopefully they'll have most of these brands to try out.

ChopTart · #12 08-06-2006, 11:00 PM

There's a canadian brand called "Norman" which is my first acoustic. They make some really nice ones for cheap, partially because they're nowhere near popular (no ones heard of them) and the woods aren't triple A grade. Damn fine for the money though - I would have guessed mine was 100 to 200 more than list (it was 300 I believe). So if you can stretch to 3, thats my advice

Rotti · #13 08-06-2006, 11:35 PM

Normans are excellent. The B20 is the cheapest good model. Or at least used to be. The Norman ST-40 and B50's are really high end guitars for a good price.

satchboogeyman · #14 08-08-2006, 11:49 PM

Washburn makes some good guitars but when buying ther lower line its like shootin craps(bout like any guitar maker). I bought a lower line washburn electric and the frets were stickin out past the neck and most of them were lifting off.

Save a little more and get a lower line Alvarez good bang for the buck IMO. I think they are about 300 and some change.