Guitar Gurus - Help me choose an accoustic... is Fullerton any good?

[Analog]

I've been using an old right handed guitar flipped upside down with the strings flipped. I would like to get a proper leftie guitar. Here are three choices:

Fullerton starter kit: $59.99 (tuner / guitar / case): Text

Fullerton Steelman $79.99: Text

Fullerton Batsto $99.99: Text

Now I'm not trying to be overly cheap, so set me straight if these are junk. The Batsto says it lists for $599 - whether that's bullsh!t or not, I don't know.

Opinions?

 

[dmcgough]

Without even looking, they're junk. The best bang for the buck you can get are Yamahas. Look for something at least in the $300-$500 range.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: dmcgough
Without even looking, they're junk. The best bang for the buck you can get are Yamahas. Look for something at least in the $300-$500 range.

Interesting point. So you think that their list price of $599 is bull then, right?

 

[dmcgough]

Originally posted by: Analog

Originally posted by: dmcgough
Without even looking, they're junk. The best bang for the buck you can get are Yamahas. Look for something at least in the $300-$500 range.

Interesting point. So you think that their list price of $599 is bull then, right?

..when a manufacturer lists a price at 10x their selling price, something is seriously wrong.

 

[rbV5]

Actually, I've read very favorable reviews for Fullerton Winslow Resonator and Batsto acoustic guitars in guitar forums. The biggest negative I've read is the politics of buying a cheap guitar from China, rather than a performance issue with the instrument.

Sounds like a decent buy for that kind of money.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: rbV5
Actually, I've read very favorable reviews for Fullerton Winslow Resonator and Batsto acoustic guitars in guitar forums. The biggest negative I've read is the politics of buying a cheap guitar from China, rather than a performance issue with the instrument.

Sounds like a decent buy for that kind of money.

Yeah, I figured these were probably made in China?

 

[rbV5]

Yeah, I figured these were probably made in China?

Well, my Ovation was made in the USA, but my Fernandes Bass- Japan and my Schecter Electric - South Korea.

I bought my Bass and Electric because they were cheap and had decent reviews. It would be hypocritical for me to say you shouldn't consider an instrument from China, but it certainly is something to consider for various reasons.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Analog

Originally posted by: rbV5
Actually, I've read very favorable reviews for Fullerton Winslow Resonator and Batsto acoustic guitars in guitar forums. The biggest negative I've read is the politics of buying a cheap guitar from China, rather than a performance issue with the instrument.

Sounds like a decent buy for that kind of money.

Yeah, I figured these were probably made in China?

They're dept. store quality cheepies. I looked at the reviews, and the people saying they're good are the ones that just got one for their first guitar.

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Analog

Originally posted by: rbV5
Actually, I've read very favorable reviews for Fullerton Winslow Resonator and Batsto acoustic guitars in guitar forums. The biggest negative I've read is the politics of buying a cheap guitar from China, rather than a performance issue with the instrument.

Sounds like a decent buy for that kind of money.

Yeah, I figured these were probably made in China?

They're dept. store quality cheepies. I looked at the reviews, and the people saying they're good are the ones that just got one for their first guitar.

I figure resonators are likely "rarely" a first guitar. .

My goal in buying this guitar was to see if it is possible to buy a serviceable resonator for the price of a night on the town, and to get something worth playing. A resonator is the obvious choice, for several reasons. They don?t have to have great action since you?re supposed to play slide on ?em; they don?t need a solid top, since the sound board is an aluminum cone instead of old growth wood; and they?re supposed to sound growly and beloved patriot. All of which should be relatively easy to do compared to building a decent entry level acoustic.

Link

Fullerton Batsto Acoustic

Clean and seemingly well constructed. I kept looking for flaws and could not come up with anything significant

Link
Bill Pittman posted a couple songs he recorded with his Batsto.Link
Coyote Moon
You Know What You Know

Doesn't sound "horrible" to me, and there are positive comments from posters that appear to have a least a little experience. I'll admit, I've not spent any real time researching and have not played one myself, but I wouldn't mind one of those resonators for some accoustic slide action since I've never owned a resonator. Seems like a very reasonable beginner guitar, or maybe something to take camping?

 

[Kirby]

If it was me, I would spend a couple more bucks and buy a Yamaha. I have one for sell, PM me if you're interested.

Edit: nm, you're a lefty :|

 

[TheNinja]

It's tough to say. With electric guitars you can always use pedals, amps, change pickups, etc to change the sound. I find that with an accoustic guitar, you get what you pay for. My buddy just bought a cheap guitar from ebay and in my opinion it is very hard to play and it will not stay in tune very well. I understand if you are on a budget but I've found that if you can pay even $200-$300 you will be much happier in the long run.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
If it was me, I would spend a couple more bucks and buy a Yamaha. I have one for sell, PM me if you're interested.

Yeah, I probably would too.

Cheap guitars can be playable... but that doesn't mean they'll sound good.