Acoustic Guitar Recommendations For Around $200?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #1 12-12-2005, 10:24 PM

My sister wants to get her husband an acoustic guitar for Christmas and asked if I could help pick one out. My first thought was Seagull, but they start at about $350 and her budget isn't very flexible....$250 would probably be the max.

Any first-hand suggestions?

**bassman314** · #2 12-12-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

My sister wants to get her husband an acoustic guitar for Christmas and asked if I could help pick one out. My first thought was Seagull, but they start at about $350 and her budget isn't very flexible....$250 would probably be the max.

Any first-hand suggestions?

The Seagull S-series is less than $300. I got an M-6 for $340ish..

also, Godin (Seagull's parent company) has another line (name escpaes me, but check their site) that's similar quality to Seagull, but just a few differences and are significantly lower in price.

georgestrings · #3 12-13-2005, 12:00 AM

I've had good luck with Yamaha and Takamine....

- georgestrings

jkritchey · #4 12-13-2005, 06:44 AM

I did the Yamaha last year for my son. Solid Spruce with a gig bag for $199 at the local music store. The free gig bag was a special sale, not normally inlcuded.

Try and find the least expensive Solid Spruce Top you can. I tend to avoid low priced Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian makes unless I can check it thoroughly first. That's why I ended up with Yamaha, made in Japan.

Another option is Rondo Music, whose reputation for customer service and easy returns takes the risk out of the equation.

Good luck...

SteveC · #5 12-13-2005, 07:25 AM

Get a Yamaha or Takamine package. Nice starter instruments and pretty good quality.

jkritchey · #6 12-13-2005, 07:29 AM

Caution on the Packages: They usually have a 'plywood' built spruce top as opposed to Solid Spruce. At least that's what I found in my reseacrch. YMMV.

5bassman · #7 12-13-2005, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkritchey

I did the Yamaha last year for my son. Solid Spruce with a gig bag for $199 at the local music store. The free gig bag was a special sale, not normally inlcuded.

Try and find the least expensive Solid Spruce Top you can. I tend to avoid low priced Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian makes unless I can check it thoroughly first. That's why I ended up with Yamaha, made in Japan.

Another option is Rondo Music, whose reputation for customer service and easy returns takes the risk out of the equation.

Good luck...

Some of the best sounding and playing acoustics being made right now are being made in China. Try a Blueridge or another that is out now( started by the Famed Greg Rich) is the Johnson Carolina. Well built and great volume. Yamahas aren't coming close to the build and sound that these two are coming out with. Check out this link-
http://p214.ezboard.com/ftheunoffici...icID=462.topic

Philbiker · #8 12-13-2005, 08:10 AM

I've played some acoustics when I was at Rondo's store. Their stuff is OK. Look for solid tops and the "Agile" brand instead of SX.

**Thor** · #9 12-13-2005, 09:03 AM

Spend a few minutes poking around here.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php

Bryan, at that price range they are going to vary. You will
HAVE to play it.

Merry Xmas d00d. Tell the wife ( and baby) I said hi.

Turock · #10 12-13-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman314

The Seagull S-series is less than $300. I got an M-6 for $340ish..

also, Godin (Seagull's parent company) has another line (name escpaes me, but check their site) that's similar quality to Seagull, but just a few differences and are significantly lower in price.

Art & Luthier, Norman, Simon & Patrick are Godin's other brands, with A&L being the least expensive. Good guitars.

**Thor** · #11 12-13-2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elric

Art & Luthier, Norman, Simon & Patrick are Godin's other brands, with A&L being the least expensive. Good guitars.

^ What Elric said ^

Michael Jewels · #12 12-13-2005, 11:22 AM

Bryan, why not check out Musiciansfriend?

They probably have the biggest selection on the web, and their standard shipping (mostly free) takes about 5 working days, so if you/she ordered something in the next day or two, it would almost certainly arrive by Christmas.

Q: What if he doesn't like it?

A: The good old MF 45 day return policy.

Mike

Turock · #13 12-13-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

^ What Elric said ^

Hey man, you're blowing my "incognito" status.

**Thor** · #14 12-13-2005, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Winter

Hey man, you're blowing my "incognito" status.

Just don't take out Stormbringer d00d.

**MAJOR METAL** · #15 12-13-2005, 12:23 PM

Ibanez new or used Acoustic?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #16 12-16-2005, 12:02 AM

Okay guys, I think I've narrowed it down to these (unfortunately, there's no chance to play any of them around here).
Ibanez AW12
Art and Lutherie
Yamaha

I'm leaning towards the Ibanez at the moment...any last bits of advice?

BTW, thanks for the help guys. Thor, Jennifer and Bella Grace are doing well....Bella just turned two and Jennifer's hinting that she wants another baby (hinting with the subtlety of a bull in a china shop

)

Stanley Design · #17 12-16-2005, 12:26 AM

I have one of those exact A&L's in the acoustic electric version, same colour, wild cherry. Great sounding and looking guitar, I wouldn't buy anything else in that price range and I've played my fair share before I bought that one.

Very sturdy construction, the Godin Quantum preamp has a bass, treble, and volume, sounds good live. It's loud. Stays in tune well, has great intonation. I've just recently decided to sell mine to get a taylor 314ce-L7. As far as a laminate guitar goes, this is my pick, period.

Matt Till · #18 12-16-2005, 05:23 AM

Wasn't Esteban's program under 200? teh h00kup

Michael Jewels · #19 12-16-2005, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Okay guys, I think I've narrowed it down to these (unfortunately, there's no chance to play any of them around here).
Ibanez AW12
Art and Lutherie
Yamaha

I'm leaning towards the Ibanez at the moment...any last bits of advice?

BTW, thanks for the help guys. Thor, Jennifer and Bella Grace are doing well....Bella just turned two and Jennifer's hinting that she wants another baby (hinting with the subtlety of a bull in a china shop

)

Bryan, the Ibanez isn't in stock, and won't be until at least 12/27/05!

Only one finish, sunrise is in stock on the A&L !!!

The only one that's in stock with no hitches is the Yamaha.

This is one of MF's bad traits; they sometimes have items listed that aren't in stock at all. I've been thinking of getting a G&L Tribute L-2500 since early October, but the sunburst finsih hasn't been in stock since at least then, and everytime I check, they always change the due date to a couple of days ahead of the present date.

Whenever you see something you like at MF, immediately go to the availability section to see if it's available.

I forgot to mention this, sorry.

Mike

Philbiker · #20 12-16-2005, 07:32 AM

Art and Lutherie is made by Godin/Lasido, same maker as Godin, Seagull, and Norman.

IMO the Art and Lutherie is going to outclass and outperform the others by a very large margin. That's what I would recommend.