I was never a big acoustic player, only electric for the first 15 years of playing. Last year I started doing some home recording and pick up some decent guitar for doing so, iMac, Logic, Rode mic, etc.... I ended up buying an Epiphone AJ-100CE for around $130 and a 12 String Epiphone for around the same price. Both are fine guitars for just jamming around, but holy **** the suck for recording. The 12 string doesn't hold it's tuning for very long, I had it setup and it helped a little, but some chords just sound flat out disturbing. The 6 string is much better, but sounds dull.
Can I get a solid 6 string acoustic in the $500 range? If so, shoot me some names and models so I can go try these out. I don't want to break the bank on an acoustic but I want something I can rely on. Also, a 12 string as well if there are any under $500.
- Taylor Big Baby -> I freaking love these things.... sound fantastic, and play awesome. Feel great and everything feels "right" about them to me, but thats totally subjective.
Second hand Taylor? wouldn't get a Taka personally my old Supernatural series had terrible action my GS mini is better at 1/3 of the price! Check the lower price Taylor's they play just as well and sound great just don't have the extra trimmings and maybe laminate sides and back to cut costs.
Larrivee makes a quality guitar in that price range. To my ears, the Larrivees in that range sound better than a Martin that costs $1000. Don't get me wrong, Martins are great but anytime I play one under $1000 I'm dissappointed.
I have a 1979 DY50 Kazuo Yairi Alvarez that I got for $250 that I'd take over most $1000 acoustics I've played any day. You can typically score a very nice Yairi from the 70s/80s for less than $500, sometimes much less if you're patient, and I personally think they're by far the best for the $
Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, all Canadian made by Godin, solid wood tone machines. Smokes ANYTHING else in the price range. Remember, $500 for an acoustic is entry level.
Believe it or not, one of the best-sounding acoustics I've heard in a long time is a Greg Bennett Samick using rosewoood for the back and sides -- sorry, I didn't get the model number. When I played it in the store, people turned and looked because the thing sounded great and really projected -- all for $269. I had a serious internal debate about buying it, and I am fiercely loyal to my old acoustic.
Funny you should mention the Greg Bennett Samick. I've got one of those with a solid cedar top, mahogany neck, and rosewood back and sides and I think it sounds awesome. Mine's 6 years old and the action's high on it but it sounds fantastic and was only around $350.
I don't think it really matters what brand you get but the solid words vs laminate makes a big difference. Play-ability is always a potential issue with acoustics as they react to their environments so much more than electrics, so always try before you buy.
I was able to snag a Breedlove AC25/SR plus at GC for about $450.
I think this model has been discontinued but I would say this guitar stands shoulder to shoulder with Taylors or Martins 3 times the price.. It feels great and sounds even better,,
I currently use extra light Exlir nanowebs (11's) which gives it a brighter sound the polywebs...
If you haven't heard of Breedlove you should definitely give check them out... or play one...
My personal Acoustic is a Breedlove Passport D20 F/S
I have never played a guitar better than it as an acoustic, it sounds and plays beautifully, and I've auditioned guitars Twice the price that sounded worse.
I'd go Seagull in that range if buying new, no question. I would likely seriously consider Seagull as my first choice for used as well. they are excellent Canadian made instruments with great necks and nice sound.
Seagull are one of the Godin brands along with Art and Lutherie and Norman, right? I tried some of those while auditioning with me breedlove and I gotta say the breedlove shat on them. I have played a very very nice norman parlour guitar though, so maybe I lucked out.
Played by the best. See Steve Vai's comments in this vid.
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