Cheap Guitar, but I like it!

iltpff · #1 December 14th, 2005

I went into one of my local small guitar shops today and picked up a Takamine G220 and could not believe the sound that was coming out of it for what they wanted for it. I left the store, and a couple hours later went back and picked it up for 149.00 and case (cort soft case) for 30.00, so for 180.00, I received a solid spruce top takamine, not Jasmine, and love the sound. Now I have a guitar that I can take out somewhere and not feel bad if it gets a ding here or there, and I could let others play it without feeling like I have to watch every move they make.

Anyway, I am a happy camper today,

Thanls for listening,

Anthony

Kirk Lorange · #2 December 14th, 2005

I love stories like that ... good onya, there's nothing quite as engrossing as having a new guitar to break in.

You've made me want to go look for a new guitar now ... I need a new nylon string. My friend Michael Palm is going to start on my steel string soon. He makes wonderful guitars. I already have a resonator made by him that's just gorgeous sounding, but he doesn't make classical guitars.

iltpff · #3 December 15th, 2005

Kirk, you know, I even played a couplle of low end classicals that did not sound too bad. I am not sure why I never regarded the lower priced gear except for reputaion I guess, but I have changed my tune about this stuff now and will always consider other bands, i.e., Alvarez, Honer, A&L, Cort, etc..Technology ischanging these days and we can get a decent guitar without paying gobs of dough...BUT, i do beleive there is nothing like a handmade guitar; I still prefer that.

Thanks a bunch for the feedback Kirk,

Anthony

chammon · #4 December 15th, 2005

Hey Anthony, I'm with you on the great sound for the money from a Takamine. I've had one for about a year. Not sure what the model is but, to me, it has a really good sound. It has a "Parametric Equalizer" on it and I route it through a Roland 60, which thankfully has a feedback suppressor. The guitar seems to want to feedback on it's own soundbox.
Terrific sustain with the Black Diamond strings.
Gene

Sidney Schwartz · #5 December 18th, 2005

It's amazing how inexpensively you can get a decent guitar. Or maybe it's not that amazing...like many consumer goods the cost goes down as the technology for making them gets better. The last time I priced acoustics was a couple of years ago. At that time $200 would get you a very nice Yamaha, Ibanez, etc. Anything that cost less than that wasn't worth playing. Eventually I guess they'll start giving the guitars away and make all their money selling us new strings.

Sid

iltpff · #6 December 19th, 2005

How funny, I just brought a new set of strings for it too...I like the sound odf new strings anyway.

Take care Sid and thanks for the reply.

Anthony

joehere1 · #7 January 25th, 2006

ok the string thing was dam funny

i bought an epiphone (dr100-we) made for wilson and lee music stores here in canada and it plays and sounds great it was on sale for 139 ca that would be about 120 in us funds
then i went looking for an even cheaper one for taking in the truck with me i though mabey a 3/4 size but that didnt work lmao
so i ended up with a jay turser acoustic with a pick up in it so i can plug it in and see if it lights up or not lol and it was 200 ca and it sounds much better and its much easier on the fingers
so i do believe that there are some entry level guitars out there that sound decent and are affordable
but i would love to get my hands on something expensive just not in the budget so i will keep on torturing my fingers over here and hopefully one day il beabale to play
later joe

bluesguy · #8 January 25th, 2006

What a sweet deal. Congrats.

chuckswood2001 · #9 January 25th, 2006

i have a dime store acoustic, J B Player i think it was made for K-Marts or Wal-Marts or something like that, el cheapo was given to me, but it sounds pretty good, at least i think it sounds good, im sort of new so wouldnt know, i put a new set of strings on it last nite and it really sounds good now, should have done it a couple months ago

Bigred1951 · #10 January 25th, 2006

Hi all.

Just bought myself an acoustic/electric by Dean Guitars. It is the Tradition Model, and is a cutaway. It was a package deal through the internet at Musician's Friend. Came with a gig bag (real cheap plactic/vinyl), patch cord, and a 20 watt Acoustic amplifier. Deal was for US $199. Figure in shipping, and conversion to CAD $, it ended up costing about $300 CAD.

All in all, not bad for a guitar and acoustic amp. Guitar is pretty nice and plays well. Came with medium OEM strings from China. I think it will play better with lighter strings and lowering the action a bit. As far as the amp goes, well, so far not good. It sounds okay when you use headphones and bypass the speakers, but playing through the speakers results in lots of hum, feedback, and what I can only describe as looping elctrical interference. I haven't yet contacted them about it. I know they have a 100% guarantee and return policy, but as it is just the amp portion of the purchase it may not be worthwhile to incur the shipping costs and delays in getting it back. Initially, it took approx. 3 weeks to get the package once it was ordered.

I opened the amp up, and checked all the connections which look fine, but haven't run any diagnostics, per se. Any advice as to what I should do???

joehere1 · #11 January 25th, 2006

hey big red i see you just live down the street from me thats kinda cool

as far as your amp and guitar go i would head over to long and mcquade or wilson and lee and ask them if they could plug your guitar into a decent amp and see if it works ok just tell them your intrested there very helpfull at iether store
if it works ok then id suspect your amp or your cord if it doesnt then its probably an issue with the pickup in your guitar
hope that helps joe

allthumbs · #12 January 25th, 2006

You could upgrade the speaker in your amp. Get a decent guitar chord. The cheapies aren't well shielded.

Bigred1951 · #13 January 25th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by joehere1

hey big red i see you just live down the street from me thats kinda cool

as far as your amp and guitar go i would head over to long and mcquade or wilson and lee and ask them if they could plug your guitar into a decent amp and see if it works ok just tell them your intrested there very helpfull at iether store
if it works ok then id suspect your amp or your cord if it doesnt then its probably an issue with the pickup in your guitar
hope that helps joe

Hi Joe ,

yeah, it is cool. I see ya don't live too far from me at all!
Strange too..I am also into 'puters & guitar, and have been interested in RC flying as I had a friend who did it. Wouldn't even know where to begin! In any event, I will try Long & McQuade and maybe Wilson & Lee as well. I'll ask if they could test the amp as well.

Good luck on your guitar playing. What style do you prefer?

Bigred1951 · #14 January 25th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

You could upgrade the speaker in your amp. Get a decent guitar chord. The cheapies aren't well shielded.

Hi Allthumbs,

Thanks. I did try the regular patch cord I have. Same deal. It all works okay with headphones, so I guess I'll have to have the actual speakers tested.

allthumbs · #15 January 25th, 2006

I read some reviews and none mentioned the problems you are having with your axe. I think BigRed called it. Run it through a decent amp and that will pretty much tell the story.