So I want to buy an acoustic guitar.

[MrToilet]

So I decided to buy myself an acoustic guitar. I'm a musician (piano for 22 years, trumpet, trombone, etc); but I don't own a decent acoustic guitar.

I played around this past summer and taught myself chords, some picking, etc, but I need my own guitar to keep practicing.

So, I put it to the ATOT to help me out, if ya want. I have kind of short fingers, so barring chords is a little tougher than I'd like (at least on the guitars I've tried)

I've played on a number of different guitars, such as Epiphone, Yamaha, Ibanez, Martin (really liked the sound), I'm not sure what else. I just don't really know what to look for in a guitar, honestly. My friends have told me about Takamide, they say it's a good brand...any other ideas?

Here's my requirements/requests, in order of appearance:

1. Good sound
2. Easy barring, finger work (see note above )
3. Price under $400-500, more if it's worth the extra money. Mind you, I'm basically a guitar newbie, so no pro-level guitars, just something solid to get started on and play around with, and not be laughed at by guitarristas.

Thanks!

 

[ed21x]

For that price, get either the Martin DCX1E or Breedlove AD200SM.

edit: also look into the Tikamine E/G series.

 

[WildHorse]

Here is that Breedlove ed21x suggested to you.

And here is a resource for you. Check it out!

 

[daveshel]

Seagull

 

[Thebum]

Originally posted by: daveshel
Seagull

http://www.musiciansfriend.com...stic-Guitar?sku=512120

Seagull hands down

Edit: Find it local and you'll get a better deal and better service. Link provided as a ref point.

/thread

 

[Vegitto]

Well, just go to a guitar store and see which you like best. Buy that. Others can't really tell you what guitar would fit you, you have to find out for yourself.

That being said, if you have short fingers, I'd look at a guitar with a thin neck.

 

[Liberator21]

The best guitar I've ever bought in that price range was a Takamine. It was a dreadnought, so a little big for my taste, but played beautifully and stayed in tune for ever.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: scott
Here is that Breedlove ed21x suggested to you.

And here is a resource for you. Check it out!

I have one, and it's a pretty nice guitar.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: ed21x
For that price, get either the Martin DCX1E or Breedlove AD200SM.

edit: also look into the Tikamine E/G series.

Please do not get a Martin with an X in the name. These guitars are made from HPL. Get some moisture on a HPL guitar once and you won't be happy.

Guitar Player magazine has a feature "Best Acoustics for $300" this month. Check it out.

 

[DaShen]

www.guitargal.com for custom guitars that are freaking sweet.
Breedlove Customs are good too. These two options are hella expensive.

Zager Guitars.
I have heard awesome things about these guitars and they are relatively cheap and very, very easy to play (or so I've heard). You usually can't get a custom set guitar for less than $1000, but since this company works with a manufacturer (currently Martin) and then does the custom settings after, the finished product is very nice. I plan on getting one myself. The only drawback is that the pickup system on the guitars are not all that great for my tastes, but from everybody I have talked to about this new make, it is a very good buy.
http://www.zagerguitar.com/ind...lic.store.guitars.list

 

[DaShen]

For a guitar with an excellent pickup system.

The Takamine Cool Tube is the new hot item to have. I went to a guitar shop and listened to the Martin Aura and the Cool Tube side by side. The Cool Tube wins out even against the Aura IMO. But of course you are then talking about $1500-4000 for a decent Martin or Takamine, and by that point, you might as well get a custom luthier from guitar gallery.

I would go with the Zager, and then add an aftermarket pickup system to the Zager later on (just get a pickup and a preamp and install it on a regular if anything else).

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: scott
Here is that Breedlove ed21x suggested to you.

And here is a resource for you. Check it out!

If you go for a Breedlove, go for a custom or master series. Everything else is not worth it IMO. Because if you go for a budget guitar Breedlove is not meant for budget guitars. Niether are Martins.

Takamine's has some okay budget guitars. Seagulls primarily makes budget guitars which are decent, but again, I would probably point you toward.

http://www.zagerguitar.com/ind...lic.store.guitars.list

I have a Yamaha Dread (cheapie 300-350). I also have a mid-range Martin 000 series (which I have had for years and sounds almost as good as any high end dread and sounds much better than the Yamaha now). I also own a Les Paul copy Custom, which is my new toy, and a cheapie Mando (which I am trying to sell with my Yamaha). That being said, my next buy will probably be the Cedar Zager 0 series.

**EDIT**

Last but not least, I would suggest getting a $50-99 Rogue and playing with that. To be honest, if you are a beginner and have a tight budget, the Rogue's are great learners, and once you get proficient enough you can move up to something else and keep the Rogue as a Banger guitar you can mistreat and bring anywhere. If your heart is set on a better playing guitar though, Zager would be my choice.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Martin's are really nice...but very expensive.

Breedloves are great ( i play one and love it )

If I were you i'd keep an eye on craigslist and pick up something nice for a lot less than you'd pay in a store (even over the net)

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Martin's are really nice...but very expensive.

Breedloves are great ( i play one and love it )

If I were you i'd keep an eye on craigslist and pick up something nice for a lot less than you'd pay in a store (even over the net)

Yeah, I picked up my Breedlove for $275 on CL. It's $500 brand new every place I saw it.
A lot of good older Yamaha acoustics tend to show up on CL for really low prices.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Thebum

Originally posted by: daveshel
Seagull

http://www.musiciansfriend.com...stic-Guitar?sku=512120

Seagull hands down

Edit: Find it local and you'll get a better deal and better service. Link provided as a ref point.

/thread

double /thread

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Martin's are really nice...but very expensive.

Breedloves are great ( i play one and love it )

If I were you i'd keep an eye on craigslist and pick up something nice for a lot less than you'd pay in a store (even over the net)

Yeah, I picked up my Breedlove for $275 on CL. It's $500 brand new every place I saw it.
A lot of good older Yamaha acoustics tend to show up on CL for really low prices.

I am trying to sell mine right now.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: Thebum

Originally posted by: daveshel
Seagull

http://www.musiciansfriend.com...stic-Guitar?sku=512120

Seagull hands down

Edit: Find it local and you'll get a better deal and better service. Link provided as a ref point.

/thread

double /thread

Honestly for a starting guitar Seagulls are pretty good. Breedloves are really awesome, but I would suggest only there top of the line series stuff.

The tone on Seagulls tends to be mellow, so I guess it depends on who you talk to. But the fact that Seagull if you try to go up in value you go to Taks, would make me want to just get a Takamine with a CoolTube system.

 

[Kirby]

Go to Guitar Center and play some.

/thread

Also, if I hadn't gotten my Martin D-16 at such a low price I would of rather gotten one that's single cut. But at $800 it's worth it.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Martin's are really nice...but very expensive.

Breedloves are great ( i play one and love it )

If I were you i'd keep an eye on craigslist and pick up something nice for a lot less than you'd pay in a store (even over the net)

Yeah, I picked up my Breedlove for $275 on CL. It's $500 brand new every place I saw it.
A lot of good older Yamaha acoustics tend to show up on CL for really low prices.

I am trying to sell mine right now.

Damn this knee-jerk response of mine... I was going to ask for details, but I don't have room for the guitars I have now

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: scott
Here is that Breedlove ed21x suggested to you.

And here is a resource for you. Check it out!

If you go for a Breedlove, go for a custom or master series. Everything else is not worth it IMO. Because if you go for a budget guitar Breedlove is not meant for budget guitars. Niether are Martins.

Yeah, I agree with you on the Martins. However, I'm currently using a Breedlove AD25SM Atlas Series, which is a beautiful guitar with some really high quality worksmanship. They have a fairly strict quality control on their atlas series even though they are made in South Korea. I suggested the AD200SM because that is more within the OP's budget, but I'm pretty sure that that guitar is extremely well made as well.:thumbsup:

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: ed21x

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: scott
Here is that Breedlove ed21x suggested to you.

And here is a resource for you. Check it out!

If you go for a Breedlove, go for a custom or master series. Everything else is not worth it IMO. Because if you go for a budget guitar Breedlove is not meant for budget guitars. Niether are Martins.

Yeah, I agree with you on the Martins. However, I'm currently using a Breedlove AD25SM Atlas Series, which is a beautiful guitar with some really high quality worksmanship. They have a fairly strict quality control on their atlas series even though they are made in South Korea. I suggested the AD200SM because that is more within the OP's budget, but I'm pretty sure that that guitar is extremely well made as well.:thumbsup:

Mine is

 

[Nik]

Ebay and Craigslist for 30+ year old Takamine.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I strongly value sound quality and workmanship in guitars over asthetics, and I usually recommend finding a good used instruments in the <$500 price range.

If you have a Guitar Center or similar type store in your area you should go play several new guitars in the <$500 category from Takamine, Washburn, Alvarez, ect.... You will find some very nice looking and decent sounding guitars both acoustic and acoustic electric. Then play some of the >$1000 guitars(even from the same makers) and notice the difference in sound quality. Sound quality is normally pretty directly relational to price when looking at new instruments.

Then before you make a decision hit some local music stores and pawn shops for used instruments and check out the guitars available on eBay listed in your area. You will quickly realize that you can get more sound quality for less money in the used market. And if you get lucky you can find that $1800 guitar with the immaculate sound you played at GC for $750 or less with a few years wear and tear and some minor bumps and bruises.

Another reason to buy used is just like with cars you avoid that bling bling markup that comes with new models, and they hold their resale value much better. As a matter of fact I would much rather pay $900-$1200 for a Martin D-28 thats a few years old and has a few dings and some fret wear, than buy a new axe in that price range from guitar center.

Buying used wizely is more work and research invovled but well worth the effort in my opinion, the the Guitarista's will definantely be more impressed

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
I strongly value sound quality and workmanship in guitars over asthetics, and I usually recommend finding a good used instruments in the <$500 price range.

If you have a Guitar Center or similar type store in your area you should go play several new guitars in the <$500 category from Takamine, Washburn, Alvarez, ect.... You will find some very nice looking and decent sounding guitars both acoustic and acoustic electric. Then play some of the >$1000 guitars(even from the same makers) and notice the difference in sound quality. Sound quality is normally pretty directly relational to price when looking at new instruments.

Then before you make a decision hit some local music stores and pawn shops for used instruments and check out the guitars available on eBay listed in your area. You will quickly realize that you can get more sound quality for less money in the used market. And if you get lucky you can find that $1800 guitar with the immaculate sound you played at GC for $750 or less with a few years wear and tear and some minor bumps and bruises.

Another reason to buy used is just like with cars you avoid that bling bling markup that comes with new models, and they hold their resale value much better. As a matter of fact I would much rather pay $900-$1200 for a Martin D-28 thats a few years old and has a few dings and some fret wear, than buy a new axe in that price range from guitar center.

Buying used wizely is more work and research invovled but well worth the effort in my opinion, the the Guitarista's will definantely be more impressed

If you can get a D-28 for that price, it's probably going to be more than a few years old and have more than a few scratches on it

 

[MrToilet]

Thanks for all the replies, peeps! I have tomorrow afternoon off entirely from school, so I may do some searching around KC and see what I can find.

So what I'm reading is either to get a decent, used "nice" guitar for ~400-500, or get a Zager (which sounds like exactly what I need) for around $400-500....

either way I think I should just spend the money now and get exactly what I want, and not buy a cheap one just because it's cheap.

Thanks again! And keep the advice coming! No getting laughed at for this guy!

*UPDATE* I found a Takamine EC132SC, used for $200; is this worth it?

Also, a Martin D15 for $400.

Would this be better than getting a Zager? Those look pretty appealing.