ATTN Guitarists: I need recommendations on QUALITY guitars! Please help out.

[WayneTeK]

I don't know to much about guitars, but I"m supposed to buy one as a gift for my friend.

Can you guys recommend me a pretty decent ACOUSTIC guitar in the price range of $200~$350?

I was thinking of:
1. Washburn Link for Washburn
2. Fender Link for Fender
3. EpiphoneLink for Epiphone

Btw, what are the qualities to look for when purchasing a guitar?

 

[mpitts]

I have an Epiphone acoustic and it is not too bad. Washburn's are nice as well.

Don't buy a Fender acoustic.

 

[misle]

The Washburn is the best guitar listed. The Washburn D-10 routinely gets magazine awards for best sub-$400 acoustics.

Fender acoustics are very dead sounding and Epiphone acoustics are only okay.

Get the D-10. It's a good, full sounding acoustic. Highly recommended!

BTW, I've been playing acoustics and electrics (and playing in bands) for 9 or 10 years.

 

[mryellow2]

I've always like the sound of takamine guitars.

edit

Of course that's not one of your choices so I'll go with the crowd and say washburn.

 

[WayneTeK]

Originally posted by: mryellow2
I've always like the sound of takamine guitars.

edit

Of course that's not one of your choices so I'll go with the crowd and say washburn.

actually all recommendations would be great! I dont' know anything about guitars so any recommendations would be great as long as it is around
$200~$350

Thank you guys.

 

[WayneTeK]

Originally posted by: misle
The Washburn is the best guitar listed. The Washburn D-10 routinely gets magazine awards for best sub-$400 acoustics.

Fender acoustics are very dead sounding and Epiphone acoustics are only okay.

Get the D-10. It's a good, full sounding acoustic. Highly recommended!

BTW, I've been playing acoustics and electrics (and playing in bands) for 9 or 10 years.

btw, which D10 are you referring to? there are tons of them out there.

btw, i never kenw that fender didn't soudn too great for acoustic? i thought they were the best? did you know that epiphone is owned by Fender?

 

[misle]

All D10's are basically the same except for options.

D10S - Standard D10
D10CEQ Quilted - Cutaway, Electronics, and a quilted top
D10SCE - Cutaway, and Electronics
D10Q - Slightly different wood than D10S
D10S-12 - 12 string version of D10S

Cutaway give more access to higher frets.
Electronics allow the guitar to be plugged in and played thru amps / PA's.
Quilted top - pretty top!
D10S-12 - 12 strings... not for beginners.

You're girl will probably be happy with the D10S or D10Q. If she plans on playing amplified, the Electronics will be very helpful.

Takamines are good guitars. The lower end Takamines (cheaper) tend to be kind of "tinny" or thin sounding.

 

[Triumph]

Fender was never known for their outstanding acoustics. Actually, I don't think Fender does anything outstanding anymore... just rehashing old ideas.

Try some Ovations, they have a very unique sound, and can be had for your price range. You might like them.

 

[WayneTeK]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Fender was never known for their outstanding acoustics. Actually, I don't think Fender does anything outstanding anymore... just rehashing old ideas.

Try some Ovations, they have a very unique sound, and can be had for your price range. You might like them.

hmm.. thanks... but i think i might try Washburns. They seem to be the best bang for the buck.

I never kenw it, but www.guitarcenter.com has some great prices! or am i wrong?

 

[misle]

Originally posted by: WayneTeK

btw, i never kenw that fender didn't soudn too great for acoustic? i thought they were the best? did you know that epiphone is owned by Fender?

Fenders have always been a budget maker. They make really good guitars (I have 2), but compared to other builders (i.e.: Gibson, Hamer, Guild) Fenders have always been cheaper.

Fender acoustics leave a lot to be desired. Gibson, Guild, Martin, Larrivee -> all much better than Fenders, but they are more expensive guitars ($500 - $3000)

BTW, Epiphone is owned by Gibson.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Fender was never known for their outstanding acoustics. Actually, I don't think Fender does anything outstanding anymore... just rehashing old ideas.

Try some Ovations, they have a very unique sound, and can be had for your price range. You might like them.

Those do sound nice... my epiphone sucks balls though... i want this Martin when i have $$$ to burn.

 

[misle]

Originally posted by: WayneTeK

hmm.. thanks... but i think i might try Washburns. They seem to be the best bang for the buck.

I never kenw it, but www.guitarcenter.com has some great prices! or am i wrong?

Musicians Friend is owned by Guitar Center...

Good luck! Hey, if your girl doesn't like the guitar... I'll take it!

 

[mryellow2]

Seagull Guitars

Some info there. A friend recommended these but I've never heard one live before.

 

[misle]

Seagull S6 acoustics are pretty nice. You can get them at Brook Mays Music for around $300.

Good guitars, I personally like the Washburn better.

 

[yellowperil]

My recommendations are (in order)

1. Taylor Big Baby (~$310) - I have one and it's my favorite guitar. It's 15/16th the size of a regular acoustic but sounds and plays great.
2. Ibanez Artwood 100 (~$300). I played one at Guitar Center this weekend and while I prefer the Taylor's open sound more, the Ibanez felt a bit stronger and still projected nicely.
3. used Takamine GS300S or Alvarez RD20S (~$200 used). You can prob. find a factory 2nd on eBay that plays just as good as a new one but has some minor, usually unnoticeable cosmetic flaw.

In general look for an acoustic with a solid top. I've played a couple nice all-laminate guitars (an Epiphone jumbo that cost $400) but usually solid wood projects better and holds up better over time.

 

[misle]

Ah! I forgot about the Taylor (I haven't had the chance to play one) and Alvarez (I really like some Alvarez acoustics, mostly the expensive ones).

Good Choices!

 

[xyion]

I have a Washburn and my roomie has an Alverez. I love playing both of these guitars. Action is low, sounds is good and sustained. Mine was $280 his was ~$300. Can't go wrong with either of them IMHO. But as always, I'm going to tell you to go an actually play the guitar you are going to buy. Try it out for real, even if you buy it online.

 

[fonzinator]

Originally posted by: misle
Seagull S6 acoustics are pretty nice. You can get them at Brook Mays Music for around $300.

Good guitars, I personally like the Washburn better.

I have a Seagull S6+ Cedar. Look for the S6 (without electronics) and it would be in your price range. An awesome guitar for the money and a GREAT starter guitar. Definitely give Seagull a look or you'll be missin out.

 

[MegaloManiaK]

Originally posted by: WayneTeK

Originally posted by: misle

btw, i never kenw that fender didn't soudn too great for acoustic? i thought they were the best? did you know that epiphone is owned by Fender?

Epiphone is owned by gibson.

Unless there have been some major buyouts where gibson is owned by fender this is still the case.


Anyways, the washburn is probably a good bet, i almost bought one when i started. If you ever see one look for Seagull, i LOVE my S6+CW.

I wouldn't buy a big name brand, i have a gibson electric that is worth 1800$ and its not crafted half as good as my 700$ seagull.

 

[MegaloManiaK]

Originally posted by: mryellow2
Seagull Guitars

Some info there. A friend recommended these but I've never heard one live before.

Seagull are the shiznit.

 

[fooshkee]

your best bet is a taylor big baby or 110 (probably out of your price range though)...

other good options would be any alveraz or seagull... epiphone is decent too

 

[luv2chill]

Yep, Seagull S6+ CW in Tobacco Burst (Cedar top). It was my first guitar and I will keep it for life... love its sound. Be sure to check out the Taylor Big Baby too... it's the cheapest Taylor but it's still a Taylor.

I don't think I could let someone else pick a guitar for me. It's just one of those things. Guitars have a wide range of feel and sound (even among two guitars of the exact same brand and model) and it's all a very subjective thing. If at all possible, let the recipient pick from a range of guitars in your price range.

l2c

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: yellowperil
In general look for an acoustic with a solid top. I've played a couple nice all-laminate guitars (an Epiphone jumbo that cost $400) but usually solid wood projects better and holds up better over time.

Good luck finding a solid top for $300. If there are any that have a solid top for that price, they probably cut corners elsewhere to make up the difference.

 

[yellowperil]

One thing to keep in mind about the Seagulls, they have wide necks so they may be uncomfortable to play if you have small hands. They sound great though (used to own an M6 myself).

Originally posted by: Triumph

Originally posted by: yellowperil
In general look for an acoustic with a solid top. I've played a couple nice all-laminate guitars (an Epiphone jumbo that cost $400) but usually solid wood projects better and holds up better over time.

Good luck finding a solid top for $300. If there are any that have a solid top for that price, they probably cut corners elsewhere to make up the difference.

Actually many $300 acoustics nowadays have a solid top. The ones I mentioned have them, as well as the Seagulls. The Taylor Big Baby cuts a couple corners with the bolt-on neck and less sturdy construction, but it sounds great and plays well. Most Epiphone (Korean) acoustics for $300 don't cut any corners (ornate inlays and binding) but personally I feel all that heavy lacquered finish deadens the sound.

 

[RagingBITCH]

The Takamine GS330 is a pretty good accoustic for about $300. And you might consider buying him one with a cutaway