[Falstaff66]

I'm just beginning and I only know one thing, I cannot stretch my fingers enough to play anything on my Yamaha G-55A classical. It has a wide and thick neck that's a poor match for my short fingers, plus a very high action. So I'm looking for an acoustic with a solid top for $250 or less, if possible. I've seen some Taylor Big Baby's around that price, as well as Takamine G330SC, and the Seagull S6. The Epiphone's and Ibanez's don't seem to compare as well at that price point. The Seagull has a slightly wider neck, which worries me. The Taylor comes with decent Elixer strings. I can't seem to find out anything about the strings on the Takamine or Seagull, or anything else for that matter.

I suppose I could go really cheap with a Jasmine S35 for $75, Epi DR-100 for $100 or $125 for an Ibanez V70, but the stickies and other threads are steering me away. I'd be happy to check out anything else that fits. Suggestions??

[Stratrat]

I've got a Jasmine S35 and it's not a half-bad guitar for the price. Definitely not a "big" sound, but the action is pretty decent and it plays well. The tuners are cheesy and I'm sure you'd definitely get a much richer sound out of a Taylor, Tak or Seagull - but IMO the Jasmine isn't down to the level of some of the low-end guitars found in starter packs. I bought it as more or less of a "starter" acoustic, and one that I won't be afraid to take camping, traveling, etc. - if I ding it up it won't worry me as much as if it were a high-end guitar.

Overall though, I'd say that if you have the money to spend, you'd probably like one of your other choices better.....especially if the acoustic is going to be your main guitar.

[allthumbs]

Play them all. See which fits you best. What strings are on them is not a consideration. They are easily changed.

[Bluesyzep]

I asked the same question a year ago on another forum when I first got started. 3 names came up. Seagull, Washburn, and another (can't remember). I looked around for several months. I'm real picky. The Washburn D-10S had a good rep and felt right. It goes for about $230 but looked around and found a deal on one for $130.

Also, Ovations have a slim neck. Probably the slimmest but cost a little more.

[CanuckTodd]

I don't know about the others, but I've played that Seagull and really liked the sound. I think it's well suited for fingerstyle and folk style playing.

[Falstaff66]

About that Seagull. I just checked the place near work that carries them, and they have one for US$299, after tax. That's about $80-90 cheaper than all the online stores. It seems a bargain, but is it better than similarly priced guitars by the major brands?

[jokeboy]

I did a lot of research before I bought my first guitar. I ended up getting the Seagull S6 and it's more than lived up to the conciderable hype. In my humble opinion you won't find a better guitar in it's price range. The sound and feel of this guitar are second to none. The slightly wider neck will get smaller as your hand gets stronger and more flexible over time. Best of luck.

[Falstaff66]

Thanks. I think this seals the deal for me. A local music shop has an S6+ GT at a reasonable price, below what I can find online. It seems to be too good to pass up.

[Falstaff66]

Not so fast it seems...I checked another local shop, and found a Fender that just pushed all my buttons. It's the 2005 model (GD-22S) of the current Fender CD-220S, with the Asian Striped Ebony body. That's beautiful wood and is supposed to be an excellent tonewood.

It was marked way down due to the model change, but the specs are identical. Got it for US$199, well below what other retailers are charging for the current model. It has a solid spruce top and laminated Asian Striped Ebony body (laminated, but all of that same wood). Does anybody have any experiece with these guitars?