Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

[Ralph E.]

Ok, acoustic has never been my thing, but I suddenly find myself thrust into an opportunity to do an acoustic coffee-house kinda gig with a talented female singer.

Soooo...

I need to get myself a gitter and I need some [img]/images/graemlins/help.gif[/img].

Budget is no more than $1200.

I want something comfortable when i'm sittin' on that stool, no dreadnoughts.

I want an electric/acoustic.

I will be playing stuff like Allison Krauss, Julie Roberts, etc. Kinda country/blues/folk type stuff.

Suggest away!

[img]/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]

[LesPaulCustom]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

<font color="yellow">Ralph...check out the Takamine Ltd Series guitars. I had the 1987 "Gecko" model and it was awesome. Cutaway body, active onboard electronics, terrific playability, and sounded great either plugged in or sitting on your couch playing.

They are probably around that price range used w OHSC.

I've heard a lot about the Taylor's too, but they are probably more $$.

</font>

[No Use]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

a bud of mine has a lower end Alvarez, but those guitars are all awesome, i hear. For a lower end guitar, his alvarez is really freaking good!

[necrotechno]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

Carvin AC275 or AC375. The 275 is really a neck-through with hollowed out tone chambers, sorta like a Gibson Chet Atkins. The 375 a true acoustic, albeit a thin one, with a very tight-heeled set neck. The 375 you can also get as a 12-string. Many of the same options offered as the regular electrics — three different fret sizes, MOP or Abalone block inlays, strap locks, etc. — and a ton of finishes.

[gtrbuyer]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

Might want to consider a used Godin acousticaster - although that is more of an electric (that sounds acoustic) when amp'd. They sound great and play like an electric.

More traditional I suggest a Taylor 610....or one of their lower end models.

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

If you can tolerate the roundback I really like the Ovation Elite series &amp; they're maybe half (or less) of your buget used on the 'bay.

I've heard great things about Rainsongs as well but have yet to have a chance to spend any significant time with one.

[necrotechno]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

[ QUOTE ]
The 375 you can also get as a 12-string.

[/ QUOTE ]
Gah. No, I'm wrong. It's the AC275 you can get as a 12-string.

[hippietim]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

Ralph, for a new guitar I'd go with a Takamine.

Used I'd go with a 300 or 400 series Taylor - a 314ce or 414ce would be stellar. There are a bunch on Ebay right now that'd be great.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

For $1200, you can probably even get a Taylor 314ce brand new, depending on where you live. But definitely you will nail one for that price used. The only real difference between the "low-end" Taylors and the more expensive ones is the cosmetic appointments. Tone comes in second. Taylors are probably the most consistent acoustic guitars throughout their product line that it's almost ridiculous considering they have something like 80 different guitar models or more, and the ones with similar body shapes sound almost alike!

No dreadnoughts? Then no Taylor x10 shapes, go for something with the x12 Grand Concert shape or the x14 Grand Auditorium shape. The x12 is built as a smaller-bodied fingerstyle powerhouse that sits very close to you while the x14 has the same dimensions as their x10 Dreadnought except it has a narrower waist, giving it a sleeker and smaller appearance but the full tone of a dreadnought with more treble zing.

But my first real great acoustic guitar was my Takamine. Bang for the buck. I would have bought a Carvin Cobalt series acoustic had I not discovered Taylor a few years back.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

I bought a 'cherry picked' Taylor when I taught at a dealer - was a 410CE. Great guitar. However, I really like my mid 90s Guild D4, which sell fairly cheaply. I also have a Simon and Patrick 12 string that I love - seagull is basically the same thing. I think any of those three crap all over the Taks and give the Taylors a good run for their money.

My biggest bit of advice is try for a satin soundboard finish over a gloss top. They sound better, at least the Taylors did... and I played tons of em over the course of 2 years. They sound warmer with the satin finish.

Pete

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

In my opinion, you need to pocket the majority of that money and pickup a mid-priced Takamine or Alvarez. Personally, I'd try to find a used Takamine EF341SC. It sounds great whether you play through an amp or directly through the PA system. Musician's Friend has them new for $899, so you should be able to score a really nice one for quite a bit less.

No need spending premium coinage for a guitar if you're really not hooked on that style. Besides, you may play two gigs and realize that's just not your cup of tea.

[The Eristic]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

I can get you a deal on a nice Larrivee, if you're interested. I'd recommend the LV-03E. The body is between a classical and a dread, the build and playability is phenomenal, and the sound is beatifully balanced and versatile. All solid woods, made in Canada. They typically sell within a few days of coming in.

http://www.larrivee.com/data/product...03E/LV-03e.htm

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

Takamine EAN40C, or a Taylor 412.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

If you get a Takamine, buy it in person and compare it. You can play 10 different ones and each is wildly different. I still think the Seagulls and Simon/Patrick guitars kick Takamine ass though.

Pete

[necrotechno]

Re: Acoustic Guitar Suggestions/Help

[ QUOTE ]
No need spending premium coinage for a guitar if you're really not hooked on that style.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's why I suggested the Carvin AC's. They play and feel like electrics.