Acoustic guitar recommendations?

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

A friend of mine is looking for a decent, reasonably-priced, acoustic guitar. He's now playing a dreadnought (Yamaha, I believe), but wants something smaller, in the line of folk-size guitar. His teacher is fond of Alvarez guitars, but he was wondering if there were any other decent playing mid-sized guitars in the $250 price range. Admittedly, I know very little about the plethora of popular inexpensive brands out there now.

Would any of you have come across something you might recommend?

Thanks!

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I think the lower-end of the solid-top Alvarez line is hard to beat in that price range. But I also like the Seagull line, although a new one is probably more than $250. They're made by Godin guitars, who also make the Art and Lutherie brand, a bit less expensive, and they also make some solid-top models. Epiphone and Washburn also have some solid-top models in that general price range, in various sizes. No doubt there are other brands, but I'm familiar with these. I personally like the Taylor "Big Baby", but I'm quite sure it's more than $250 for a new one.

Whatever he does, I recommend that he see what's available in solid-top models for reasonable money, try a bunch of guitars out, and go for one which sounds and plays good. I often buy used guitars. In fact, I generally prefer used acoustics, since they've had some time to break in - top cracks and other things often happen during the first few years, caused by the newly cut wood changing due to climatic conditions, etc.

Joy Wofford · From: Battle Creek, Michigan, USA

Hi Donny,
My husband has a Seagull, and he loves it. Really nice tone, bassy-bass, nice sustain. Two other folks that we jam with also have Seagulls, and as far as I know, no one has had any problems with them. The ones for sale on Ebay are going for nearly as much as one at a music store, so your friend may want to find a supplier near you and try one out firsthand.

Joy

Steve Hitsman · From: Waterloo, IL

Check out Breedlove guitars made by Godin. I bought one for my son (under $300) and I still can't believe how good it sounds.

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

I like Dean guitars. They have a folk size "Studio S", the "S" standing for solid top, which comes in natural, or vintage sunburst finish. It has Grover tuners, sounds and plays real nice for in the $300 price range. Larry Jamieson

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

I have bought a couple of Samick guitars for friends of mine in the last few months, and the quality for the price is surprising. I look for the later Greg Bennet models. They look good and play good after a little tweaking, and are reasonably priced. On Ebay, they go for around $150 to $350 depending on the model.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Drop by your Peavey dealer and try out a Peavey Briarwood CL-1. The Briarwood line of acoustic and electric/acoustic guitars play really good and are well made instruments. If you have questions about these, don't hesitate to call me here at Peavey or check out this link from our website; http://www.peavey.com/products/browse.cfm/action/list/cat/258/begin/1/BriarwoodSeries.cfm

I can be reached toll free at1-877-732-8391, ext. 1180.

Thanks,
Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

I have a Seagull out on loan right now. I've had it for years, it drove over a million miles over the road in a truck with me, has fallen out of the truck on numerous occasions, and it still sounds and plays great. Looks? errr...welll, that's another story, although it was a fine looking guitar at one time too.

No it's not my 410 Taylor, but it is one fine sounding guitar. Aside from that, I concur with the comments about the Alvarez and Samicks. Both great bangs for the buck. I would say the Samicks are probably tougher than the Alvarez, but I prefer the action on most Alvarez.

But, why not shop around for a higher end used guitar? There are some great deals around at guitar shops.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I have a couple of Blueridge guitars and they are excellent, inexpensive guitars. Do a search on e-bay, there's usually some for sale on there.
Erv

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

Beaver Creek makes a good, inexpensive acoustic parlour guitar (like a Gibson LG) that looks pretty nice too.

David Doggett · Posted 26 Aug 2005 1:52 pm

I occassionally try out all the guitars in the Guitar Center acoustic room. Takamines almost always come out on top in terms of sound, playability and finish for the dollar. Anytime I find something better, it costs more. Dollar for dollar they can't be beat.

Chip Fossa · From: Monson, MA, USA (deceased)

Martin DMX, drednought, around $600.

Martin clarity. body is a rosewood laminate.
but the top is real spruce. may be able to get this in a smaller "folk" version.
what is that? Peter Paul and Mary played drednoughts.

Anyway, go with Martin. They are the best. I'm sure you can find a "smallish" inexpensive Martin.

Martin has been making guitars, now, since 1833.
Believe it or not, they are actually getting better at what they do.

You can not go wrong with Martin.

If you're strapped for dough, get a Martin Backpacker.

I love to stick my nose into the soundhole
every now and then, and catch that essence.

Chipper

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

Try a Blueridge, they are like a "working man's Martin". Best bang for tone for your bux.

Bob Smith · From: Allentown, New Jersey, USA

I second the motion on those Takamines, they are the best for the $$. The cheap ones sound great. Bob

Charles French · From: Ms.

I'll second or third the Blueridge suggestion. I recently bought the BG60 model.

I spent about 2 or 3 hours playing every box in the store. I would say the Blueridge sounded as good if not better than the big name brands in the $1500-2000 range. I keep going back and playing this one particular guitar. It had a real full, warm woody tone and plays like a dream.

I would say the people that own one are more than satisfied. The ones that aren't very impressed are the purist who don't buy foreign or think Martin hung the moon.

Thumbs up, best bang for the buck!

Check them out here http://www.sagamusic.com/

Here's a forum for some reviews and opinions. http://p214.ezboard.com/btheunofficialblueridgeguitarforum18213

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

This all just goes to show that everyone has different tastes. I agree with the responses petaining to Takamines, Seagulls, Alvarez for example, but our local music store got a line of Blueridge in because he already has the Saga dealership. I didn't care for any of them. Some of them sounded pretty good for the buck, but I didn't care for the necks and/or action. The store owner wasn't too hot on them either.

But that's not to say that he didn't get a bad batch or that it was merely our personal tastes involved.

I love my Taylor and Martin, but, I also think that my Seagull is a great littel guitar. One my favorite electrics that I've ever owned is one of my current squeezes, an old Joe Pass Epiphone jazz box, a relatively inexepensive model. So, it's not about money or prestige to me. I'd take that guitar over an L7 any day. But that's just me.

A guitar's a lot like a good woman. When you find the right one for you, you can overlook a multitude of imperfections because you have great chemistry together.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I've seen some nice Blueridges recently - I was really impressed. But the good ones were nothing like $250 - ones I liked were more like $450. For example, the Suggested Retail on the BG-60 is almost $600, I believe. I'm sure street price is less, but I'll bet it's a lot more than $250.

If you're talking >$400, there are a lot of nice acoustics out there.

[This message was edited by Dave Mudgett on 27 August 2005 at 12:56 PM.]

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

Another vote for the Seagulls here, I have the S6 "folk" sized model and love it. Nice, almost 'harpsichord' like sound...

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Chip Fossa · From: Monson, MA, USA (deceased)

Yup. I also have a Seagull 12-string. What a great axe. Not sure what the sides and back are made of, but I believe the top is CEDAR.

It's very light for a drednought-12. Vibrates like crazy. Just love this one.

Donny....simply, you have to go in to any given music store[s] and start pulling down guitars in your desired monetary range and play away.....and don't be shy....bang the H... out of them. Sometimes the style you are into can determine the guitar. After all these years, it finally dawned on moi, that a big-bodied drednaught [strung with medium strings] is the only way to go for bluegrass flatpicking.

Finger style, ala Merle Travis and Paul Simon, you may want to consider a smallish figure 8 guit strung with light-gauge strings.

And if you aspire towards classical, well, that's exactly why those cats use small guitars strung with cat-gut/nylon strings, because some of their stretches and moves are almost impossible to pull off, with finesse, without the traditional classic guitar setup.

Chipper

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

The Martin DX 1 is one GREAT soundin acoustic. It ain't purty, but the tone is awsome! I think they run about $500 new at Guitar center. Probly could find a good used one on Ebay.

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

two words come to mind..Carvin Cobalt. I have one of these handcrafted guitars. I like mine better then a taylor. And! they are on sale right now! http://www.carvin.com/products/cobalt.php

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I suggest you don't overlook used guitars. There are some real gems out there. I also suggest that some guitars that look very beat up with lots of scratches and dings can nevertheless have a great tone.

Every guitar is different, and even within the same make and model there are inconsistancies between individual instruments.

I say you should play as many different ones as possible, and when you find one that you really like, you buy that specific one, not one "just like it" that will in fact be quite different.

Jon Zimmerman · From: California, USA

I would add this..everyone has different hands/finger lengths..so consider matching neck config.'s with anatomy--specially mens or womens--just like belly-buttons, we're all different. Aside from the sound the box makes, the fretboard end is an important match to be made--just like the "chemistry" mentioned by Webb.
--Although, Chip, I try to keep my nose away from the 'soundholes' on most --Oh,
Nevermind!

JZ

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

When I worked for Little Roy Wiggins' music store, in Nashville, it was also the "factory outlet" for Grammer Guitars. Most of what we had were seconds and they were all different. Little Roy would make people play them for at least 30 to 45 minutes to make sure that was what they wanted and that they were satisfied with the way it played.

When I bought my Nashville Tele, I played everyone that the local Sam Ash store had in stock until I found the one that had "the feel" for me.