Accoustic Guitar Recommendations? - Page 2

Chris P. · July 23rd, 2006

Does anyone have any recommendations for a new accoustic guitar?

Chris

fly135 · #16 July 24th, 2006

I have an Ovation Celebrity CC026, which fits in your price range. Also the fretboard is a bit narrower than other acoustics. It took me a while to get used to as I didn't try before I bought. You can hear it in a new post in the members recording section titled "1 verse of BMR".

The drawback of the Ovation is the round bowl. It doesn't sit in your lap well and you pretty much always need a strap. Also the bass sound is a bit thiner, but in general it has a very nice crisp clean sound.

Chris P. · #17 July 24th, 2006

Hi,

Thank you for all of your tips. I did a lot of research on-line and decided to try out the Taylor Big Baby and the Martin DX series. But - today my husband traded his old stand up bass for a Yamaha FG 160 plus cash, and gave me the Yamaha. It is a good size, with good action and a nice sound (to me - what do I know?!) so I'll use this one while I'm getting started, then maybe later trade up. I have no idea how old it is - it is a vintage model. Anyone know the FG 160 history?

Chris

Hippy · #18 July 24th, 2006

I spent some big money, to me anyway in 1990 for my Martin D-18 and never even thought I'd have to have a highend guitar setup, but once I did ( about a year after owning it) I couldnt believe the difference. the way the Luthier I use explained to to me is that most companys use a setup that sounds good and will be good for climate changes. So I suggest no matter what anyone buys, take it to a pro and have it setup and dont skimp on the strings. All of my guitars that I play regularly get a setup every 6 months and strings about every 10 hours of play time.
But as usual thats just my .02
~Hippy

Chris P. · #19 July 24th, 2006

Okay, Hippie, I'm such a newbie I don't know what a set-up is. Please explain...

New strings every 10 hours???? Does that mean 'hard' play time? I try to practice at least an hour each day, should I really be changing strings every 10 days? Can I afford it? Yikes!

Chris

dvets · #20 July 24th, 2006

recommendations
Yamaha make some of the best Accoustic Guitars
and they are just so cheep well in the UK

mcollett · #21 July 24th, 2006

Hello Chris P.
Go to Breedlove guitars web site and look at their Atlas series guitars. The AC200 may fill your needs and within your budget. If you want to murky up the water with another brand,
I have the AD200 but wish now I new more and went witht the AC.( I'm 6'3" but the AC model sits better in my lap for fingerstyle, it's all personal)
UGB is highly regarded at this forum and he has access to a lot of differnt brands too.
For the price range you gave I think it will be hard to find a solid body. I think most guitars in your price will have some percentage of laminate and a percentage of it will be made in asia as well.
Good luck.
The more I looked the more I found. I finally gave in to a price I was willing to spend then went and played everything I could until one just called out to me. Ultimately the Breedlove.
All these post to help and it may finally boil down to what is available in your area.
Regards,
Mike

mcollett · #22 July 24th, 2006

I may be mistaken but I believe UGB recommends the Washburn F10S as a good starter.
I will be corrected if I'm incorrect.
Tough choices ahead.
Mike

fly135 · #23 July 24th, 2006

Chris,

I definitely don't change my strings every 10 hours of play. I change them when I notice the sound getting dull. If you don't notice anything then maybe after a couple months. And if you can't even tell the difference then, maybe stretch it out some more.

A setup is when the guitar is adjusted for neck straightness (truss rod), string height (action) above the fretboard, and intonation (on an electric w/adjustable saddle, so that the notes don't go out of pitch up the fretboard). Maybe even filing the nut would be part of a setup if needed. Sort of like the basic tuneup on a car.

sfden1 · #24 July 27th, 2006

Hello Chris. If you haven't deceided yet, you might want to check out the Guild GAD30series. These are OM size guitars, all solid woods, beautifully made, very affordable, though a bit outside of the price range you listed. New, they run about in the $600-$650 range for a mahogony model with a natural finish, a bit more for rosewood and/or sunburst finish. However, there is a barely used one listed in the classified section on the Acoustic Player Magazine forum for $500. The owner is selling because he succumbed to GAS.

I have a redwood version of this guitar. I also have some much more expensive guitars, and I think this is evey bit as good as guitars that cost much more money. Imo, this is a great guitar for beginners (as well as everyone else). Very easy to play, fast, comfortable neck, plenty of room at the nut,and best of all, great tone. I truly don't think you can beat it for the money.

And no, I'm not a salesman for Guild.

Derek Gunning · #25 August 20th, 2006

Hi Guys,

Just starting the guitar, looking at the Washburn D52SW, I was wondering if you chaps would recommend this.

Derek

PS I'm in the UK

allthumbs · #26 August 20th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by iltpff

What is it about Rogue that is not favorable? The ones I played sounded really good and were a steal for the money. The reviews that they have are also favorable form what I have seen, but in either case at least 6 out of 7 isnt bad.

When ever I read reviews on guitars I look for the experience of the person writing the review. I put little faith in a review that states that this is my first guitar. On the other hand I give considerable weight to a player who has been playing for many years and has a creditable list of guitars he has owned or played. I find the harmony central reviews tend to be overly positive almost always in their reviews in the opinion of my friends who have been playing many many years.

si16 · #27 August 20th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Gunning

Hi Guys,

Just starting the guitar, looking at the Washburn D52SW, I was wondering if you chaps would recommend this.

Derek

PS I'm in the UK

Hi Derek, welcome along. I'm not an expert on guitar makes and types but Washburn have a reputation for quality instruments at a good price. The D in the model code would suggest this is a Dreadnought which is a large guitar which is particularly suited for strumming, some people can find them uncomfortable. They can be certainly be played fingerstyle but the strings tend to be a bit further away from the fretboard which can make life more difficult for beginners.

So it's probably a good instrument but there's some other factors you might want to take into consideration.

Derek Gunning · #28 August 21st, 2006

I'm Looking to learn picking and strumming, basically I'm looking to do a range of stuff from, eagles, cat stevens to irish ballads, not looking to be an expert or anything but would like a guitar that has a good clear sound, any recommendations???

Derek

Lcjones · #29 August 21st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Gunning

I'm Looking to learn picking and strumming, basically I'm looking to do a range of stuff from, eagles, cat stevens to irish ballads, not looking to be an expert or anything but would like a guitar that has a good clear sound, any recommendations???

Derek

You're going to want a nice warm, mellow tone. I wouldn't hesitate to look at a Guild GAD 25.

**
Les

Derek Gunning · #30 August 21st, 2006

I appreciate the advice, however I should have stated my price range, £250 to £300 uk sterling max. Sorry for the hassle guys.

Derek