Posted: 9/7/2007 8:58:13 AM EDT
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Hey acoustical guitar gurus. I am getting back into playing guitar after a 30 year break. I want to play hippy music, kid songs, and the like. I have shopped at a few shops to listen to guitars. I want to keep it below $300. I have played and like the Ibanez AW40 at $300 but I don’t have what one might call a discerning ear. Do you think I’m on the right track or do you have any suggestions? Thanks |
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Find a versatile player who knows guitars in & out, and take them with you to try them out. They might spot something you wouldn't notice. The beer's on you. A good-playing salesman can make a so-so or crap guitar sound impressive to you. If the salesperson doesn't point out the limitations as well as the features, move on. |
Ovation |
| +1 on taking someone with a clue with you. Hopefully they can talk you out of an Ovation. Plastic has no place in an acoustic guitar body. Unless you plan on getting an amp and all that crap. My advice would be to save up the extra hundred dollars and look in the $350-400 range. Find something with a solid wood top (not laminated, pressed wood) that sounds good when you pick it up. Finding older guitars can have more vibe to them. Guitars sound better as they get older, as long as they're quality made first. I would highly recommend the lower end Taylors, Larrivee and Gibsons. After that, the Yamahas have always been the best "cheap" guitars. Be careful. As soon as you get back into it, you'll want to get a nice one. Funny how that seems to happen around here... |
+1 Even with the amp and all that crap, it still doesn't sound like an acoustic is supposed to sound. It sounds"half wood and half plastic". No warmth to it. I say if you can pick up a decent Yamaha, do it. Fender is even better, but not sure if you can do it on your budget. |
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Lots of good advice from you guys. I did take a friend with me to Guitar Center. I have shopped at three local shops and went back today at lunch. Lots of great sounding stuff out there. Sounds weird but money was not much of a factor. However, I did not want a $600 guitar sitting in my living room if I decide I don't want to play in 6 months. So, I got the Ibanez AW40. Got a deal at $250. It has a solid top and mahog sides. The guy was great and worked a deal with me on this $300 guitar. Also got a case for $50. So, I got a guitar, case, tuner, book, and picks. Back to school for me. If I like it I'll go back and shop again for another...I'm told I won't want just one. I'll report back in a few months. |
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<<<<<<< Always a day late and a dollar short. If you want a guitar to kick around that sounds great get a Jasmine S35. They are the lower level takamine. Do yourself a favor though, when you get it put some Elixer coated guitar strings on it. They sound great and are easier on your fingers. If you want to buy something else you can find reviews on a lot of guitars here. Link Good luck! If you do buy the jasmine you can get if from musicians friend here. Guitar |
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One thing I have learned about acoustic guitars in that price range is that they all have their own souls so you really need to play any guitar in the shop within your price range. Two identical models may sound completely different. I have a friend who paid $280 for a Yamaha that sounds identical to his $900 Taylor. Find one that has consistent string height and good tone. I've got an Alvarez and a Washburn. Both were under $300 and they both sound awesome. |
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Let me recommend this to you, I got to play one a few months ago and I'm not big on acoustic guitars but it created really clean and strong sound. Outstanding build quality as well, and right in your price range. www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/buy_dean_performer_e_acousticelectric_guitar?full_sku=519820%2e030 
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| For the money, Yamaha is about as good as anything sub-$300 out there. I've owned several and they were great. Seagull is also great. If you ever step up, look at the Larivee and Breedlove acoustics. Awesome guitars for the money. I own a couple of high-end Yairi and Takamine acoustics, but would still like a Breedlove or Larivee kicking around. Also have a curly-maple-bodied Ibanez that's pretty good for a cheapo. |
Well, you can find good deals if you search around. But yeah, you can spend as much money as you want to on a Martin. The sky is the limit. |
Not a bad choice. I have a couple of Ibanez guitars and they have always made quality stuff. |
Seagull will fit the bill...on the other hand I bought an Epiphone Pr-60 at a pawn shop for $75. I play it almost everyday, love the guitar after a string change. I have 3 Taylors and a handmade Tim McKnight. I play the Epi everyday..great beater and sounds great.
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Those Ibanez artwoods arn't too bad, but just be glad you didn't get an Ovation. There's a reason that most guitars are made of wood. Plus, the bond between plastic and wood is not good. I work at a music store and I would guess that about 90% of Ovations in my area have at least one crack, and most have serious warping of the top. But MN may have something to do with that. +1 on Canadian guitars. If you're not spending $1200+, it doesn't matter what name it says, they're all from China or Korea. Norman, Simon & Patric, Seagull and Art & Lutherie are all from the same factory in Canada and they're all excellent guitars on a budget. |
+2 I really tried to like the Ovations I had and demo'd. Hated every one. Wood vs. plastic = tubes vs. solid state. One is clearly better. Some people's ears are just too undeveloped to know it... 
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Go ahead and laugh if you want, but my favorite is this Rogue RA100D from Musician's Friend for $79.99. I played every guitar I could find for $300 and under. I bought this as a starter guitar for my daughter after reading the reviews and talking to a rep at MF. I figured for that price, and with their guarantee I couldn't go wrong. The first one I got had a ding in the finish and a little fret buzz, but I returned it hassle-free and they sent me a replacement. That thing played and sounded great right out of the box. I liked it so much that I ordered another one for myself. That one came and was just as good. It sounds as good as any $300 guitar I played and better than most. I got the black ones which I think look really nice. The sticker around the soundhole and the pickguard look a little cheap up close, but other than that they're fine. I love'em. www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-RA100D-Dreadnought-Guitar?sku=511192 |
I test drove both of these in the shop. The Breedlove had a great sound to me and the Seagull's solid cedar top was beautiful. I'll have fun shopping in the future when I learn to play again. |