Inexpensive Acoustic Guitars

[Dan1099]

I'm looking to purchase an inexpensive (300-500 dollar, and preferably towards the lower end of that) acoustic guitar. Basically, something to learn guitar on, and kick around the house and play by the pool with. Any ideas on what brands I should be looking at, and what particular things I should be looking for as tells of quality? Electronics are not important, and I would almost rather not have them. Thanks.

[stedtale]

I have a Peal SC-Deluxe, I have been very pleased with it, solid top, etc...

http://guitarimports.com/sc-deluxe-guitar.htm

they also make acoustic only.

http://guitarimports.com/peal-guitar...coustic-Only__

[Dave]

Check out Seagull for that price range.

[evan_phi]

P-Hill Auctions is a eBay store, and he sells (mostly) b-stock guitars. he sells alot of new ones too. you can get a decent acoustic from him.

http://stores.ebay.ca/P-Hill-Auction...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

i bought my new bass from him.

[BassGod]

Originally Posted by Dave

Check out Seagull for that price range.

Seconded. Quality made in Canada guitars for not too much scratch.

Graeme

[gkbass13]

takamine makes good stuff.

there is even a 350 dollar model by taylor that sounds great.

[kayakbass]

Seagull, Simon and Patrick. Made in Canada. GREAT value!

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Dan1099

I'm looking to purchase an inexpensive (300-500 dollar, and preferably towards the lower end of that) acoustic guitar. Basically, something to learn guitar on, and kick around the house and play by the pool with. Any ideas on what brands I should be looking at, and what particular things I should be looking for as tells of quality? Electronics are not important, and I would almost rather not have them. Thanks.

In that price range, I'd recommend a Seagull S6, Carvin Cobalt or Washburn D10.

You're right to avoid electronics and fancy cosmetics in this price range. What you want is a nice solid top, good fretwork and relatively low (or at least lowerable), comfortable action. If you are going to be playing fingerstyle, you may want to avoid the conventional dreadnoughts and go for an instrument with a grand concert style body. By contrast, if you're going to be strumming and flatpicking, a dreadnought may work better. Just rules of thumb.

As far as checking the guitar out: pay attention to the binding, rosette and inlays - see if they're cut and installed evenly. Look for cracks or gaps around the neck joint. See if the nut has been cut properly. Look inside the guitar to check for glue overflow or dribbles. Hold the guitar up so that the top is at eye level. Is there any humping behind the bridge? That's a bad sign. Then turn it 90 degrees and sight down the neck from the endpin. Any excess curvature or warpage in the neck? Bad sign.

If you're picky, you might want to avoid a guitar that has "runout" in the top. IMO, it doesn't affect tone in the slightest, but some people think it's a cosmetic flaw.

This site is number 1 in terms of explaining acoustic guitar luthiery, setup and general tips:

http://frets.com/FRETSPages/pagelist.html

[JPJ]

Anything made by the La-Si-Do company (Canada) is an exceptional value. Many feature the same woods (Sitka spruce top, mahagony neck, cherry back and sides, rosewood 'board, etc.). I've had a Simon & Patrick for years and love it. Is it a Collings, Santa Cruz, Goodall, etc.? No. But, it is an exceptionally fine acoustic for the price. I would recommend any of the La-Si-Do name plates (S&P, Seagull, etc.) based on what you're looking for.

[Deacon_Blues]

You mean a steel string I suppose? You can find cheap but decent quality Yamaha guitars that are easy to play, but they all sound plastic and terrible IMO. Takamine's sound great but I haven't tried one myself and don't really know what they cost. Taylor guitars are among the best but most of them are really expensive.

Don't know if you've heard about the brand Landola from Finland? They make some really nice and natural sounding guitars. I have one made by a sub-brand of Landola (like Squire is for Fender), and I love that guitar. I costed about 300 euros when I bought it.

If you want to go for a nylon string instead, you can find some really cheap ones that are of decent quality. I bought a Toledo classical guitar a month back and it's really good compared to its price, 79 euros only.


EDIT: Look for a guitar with a good intonation. The intonation is generally difficult to adjust on an acoustic so this is important. A friend of mine once bought a used Gibson acoustic for about 800 euros (if I remember correctly) that he felt needed some intonation. He took it to a luthier for intonation and he had to move the saddle about 5 millimeters to make it good!!! He said he have never seen such a misplaced saddle before... Don't be fooled by thinking guitars of good brands can't have any faults.

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by Dan1099

I'm looking to purchase an inexpensive (300-500 dollar, and preferably towards the lower end of that) acoustic guitar. Basically, something to learn guitar on, and kick around the house and play by the pool with. Any ideas on what brands I should be looking at, and what particular things I should be looking for as tells of quality? Electronics are not important, and I would almost rather not have them. Thanks.

SEAGULL or any other Lasido brand. Simon & Patrick, Norman, Arts & Luthiery, Godin, etc. You can not go wrong with any of Godin's many brands. Seagull are the easiest to find. Master guitarist friends of mine who spend multiple thousands of dollars on acoustic guitars respect and enjoy my Seagull S6C. My brother had to spend four times the price he paid to better it (I'm so glad he did because I got to buy it from him!).

[Nfp01]

Seagull all the way. I play a Seagull S6+ in cedar that I got used for $200. I've played $1000 Martins and such that can't compare with the fingerstyle tone of this thing - especially when capoed. I use some sort of Fender strings because they're cheap and easy to come by in my local mall, but they seem to mesh very well with this particular guitar. Seems like they're some sort of bronze strings or something - I'll get back to you on it if you want to know.

Right now she lives in DADGBE with a capo on the second fret. I'm working on "Angelina" by Tommy Emmanuel right now, which uses that tuning. Truly a beautiful song, and I advise everyone to check it out (or any of his stuff, for that matter). My Seagull seems to handle dropped tunings fairly well, because I've dropped the low E down to A for "The Second Law" by Michael Hedges and it still didn't buzz too horribly much.

She's been seeing a lot of playing time lately - 2 hours a day minimum, and probably 15 over the past 3 or 4 days. I really couldn't live without this thing. I'll try to put up pictures later if I remember.

Hope this helps,
Nate

[Turock]

Two thumbs up for both Seagull and Simon & Patrick. They appear to be the same guitar with different headstocks. I'd bet that they are produced side by side. Really good sounding and playing guitars for not a lot of money.

[ALiP BoB]

Yamaha FG series.

I started an (unsuccessful ) megathread on acoustic guitars a long while back. Search it up.

BTW, I hear A LOT of recommendations for Seagulls by TB.
Any models in particular?

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by ALiP BoB

BTW, I hear A LOT of recommendations for Seagulls by TB.
Any models in particular?

The Original S6 is the definintive Seagull. Kind of like a standard Fender P-bass. All others are variations on the concept including nicer finishes, better wood, etc. The S6 is the guitar that made Seagull famous among acoustic guitar afficianados.

I put a K+K pickup in my S6 and it sounds incredible plugged in. You have to hear it to believe it. My S6 was a NAMM guitar, it's a cutaway, I don't think they ever went into production with the basic S6 in a cutaway.

[TheButler]

I have this thing called an Alliance. It is more or less unknown but having read the thoughts of the very few people that own one they have been very happy. It is made in Korea but doesn't put me off it, i think it must be one of the best i have played (can't say i can 'play' the acoustic very well if at all though)

[Wesley R]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Less expensive price range? Yamaha.

Yamaha, then perhaps Alverez.


Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

[Jumbotron]

I agree with all the recommendations of Seagull or Yamaha. And I suggest getting something with plain cosmetics--that way what you're paying for is the sound, not some splashy inlay or something.

[Nfp01]

Originally Posted by Jumbotron

I agree with all the recommendations of Seagull or Yamaha. And I suggest getting something with plain cosmetics--that way what you're paying for is the sound, not some splashy inlay or something.

Honestly, I think this is the best way to go with acoustic guitars, period. If you want to look all fancy, fine, but acoustics to me are fairly minimalist in nature - hence the ability to "pick up and play." I see no real need for a flashy acoustic guitar that may see more wear and tear from weather playing outside or traveling than would an electric. You'd not want your beater bass to look like a Jerzy Drozd or something, now would you?

Not to mention, I'd think a musician would want a thousand dollar sound rather than a thousand dollar look - though I'm sure the two can be found in one guitar for some.

Just some thoughts,
Nate

[Thor]

I'll second the Godin brands, Seagull, etc. A former TB'er
I know works there, and they produce a lot of good stuff.
For a time the also had a Fender aftermarket neck contract
with Warmoth.

The acoustic guitar forum

Do not go there, they have GAS as bad as we do.