Advice on buying an electro acoustic guitar

lionhound · #1 January 19th, 2008

Hi Everyone,
I've been playing for about 4 months only (late starter at 45). Currently learning on a Suzuki acoustic, but keen to buy an electro acuostic. Looking for something that sounds good and is set up to be easily played. Have only got up to £300 to spend at moment.
Would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks. Look forward to hearing your advice.

Ben_Sir_Amos · #2 January 19th, 2008

Is that £300 including an amp?

Tako Kichi · #3 January 19th, 2008

I just recently bought an Oscar Schmidt OG2CE electro acoustic in translucent red. It's taken me a week of sanding the bridge, recutting the nut and tweaking the truss rod to get it into a near perfect and very 'playable' action but it was well worth the effort (a store should be able to do the same for you if you ask them to set it up correctly for you). It sounds very nice both acoustically and when amped without being excessively bright nor too 'woolly'.

Fit and finish is acceptable for the price although I did find the ends of the frets to be just a little bit sharp so I used a 'diamond' nail file to smooth those out.

The pre-amp comes with a built in tuner which is nice and also has both low and high 'Z' (Z = impedence) outputs so you can run either to an amp using a regular high 'Z' guitar cord or to a mixer using a low 'Z' mic cable. Using a low 'Z' mic cable does disable the onboard EQ settings though as the mixer is supposed to take care of that.

Overall I am pleased with it and it was especially worth the money as it was on sale at my local guitar store.

lionhound · #4 January 20th, 2008

£300 is for guitar. Already sorted for amp.
Would prefer to pay less if possible but can stretch to the £300.

Ben_Sir_Amos · #5 January 20th, 2008

At that price, I personally like Tanglewoods. Aim for a 250 quid model to leave some money over for a good set-up.

krissovo · #6 January 21st, 2008

I have a Takamime G series, great guitar its quite a small body so its easy to play, its similar to this one:
TAKAMINE EG341SC - U.K. International Cyberstore

Its a lot of guitar for the money

fatsmcoy · #7 January 21st, 2008

check this site out moondog guitars they do a spirit guitar handmade for £ 295

lionhound · #8 January 21st, 2008

Thanks for all your help so far. I have also spoken to some friends who play only to be further confused by talk of different types of shape.
Can anyone throw some light on the differences between dreadnoughts, jumbos, folk, western etc.
Thanks again.

starsailor · #9 January 21st, 2008

Hi Lionhound here's a brief explanation of the different types of Acoustic/Electro Acoustic guitars, I'm kind of into buying from a store as you can try some electro-acoustics out and see which one you're comfortable with, if you have a Music shop nearby it would be worth paying them a visit

Acoustic Guitar Guide

I like these ones but the ones recommended to you above are all good. There are quite a few quality electro-acoustics in that price range

Buy Washburn EA18 Electro Acoustic Guitar - Tobacco Sunburst for £209.00 online From Musicstreet.co.uk

Buy Yamaha APX700 Thinline Acoustic Electric Cutaway - Black for £289.00 online From Musicstreet.co.uk

MCH · #10 January 21st, 2008

If you're buying an electro/acoustic, I'd get a cutaway body style so you can access the frets above 12 more readily. Since it's amped you won't miss the tiny bit of volume you may lose compared to a full bodied acoustic unplugged.
I have a Simon Patrick that is very nice for about $550 CAD.
It's best to play and find the one that appeals to you. Have it properly setup also (usually included in purchase price).

Stratrat · #11 January 21st, 2008

The Taylor 110e acoustic/electric is about US$649, I think that weighs in somewhere close to your budget. Excellent guitar, sounds beautiful unplugged or plugged in.