Catch me up on guitars

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JTR357

JTR357

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I'm seriously considering taking up the guitar again after a 20+ year hiatus.
I enjoyed playing very much & got decent enough to be an acceptable rhythm guitarist.Needless to say I've forgotten most of everything I learned except for the basic chords.
I am literally clueless about the guitar scene & advancements in technology regarding such.

I'm looking for a decent acoustic in the $200-$500 range.

-6 string only

-No nylon strings

-preferably made in the USA,but I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks for any help you can provide.
 
Check out the Epiphone Masterbilt line. They sound great and priced just a little over what your willing to go.
 
I don't think you will get a USA made in that price range but I would try a Yamaha and Ibanez or Takamine they are decent for the money
.
 
Chiller2 said:
I don't think you will get a USA made in that price range but I would try a Yamaha and Ibanez or Takamine they are decent for the money
.
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Good advice. Just picked up the bass again after 20+ years. It's a good feeling to be playing again.
 
Martin Guitars has a new(ish) line that is less expensive. The decided to make some less expensive guitars to keep their employees working after the economy took a dump.
There is a family of guitar companies from Canada, Larrivee Guitars. They use CNC machines to cut their fret slots, and that leads to precise tuning. The company owns several other lines, and I just can't remember their names. Some of them have US made parts, but are assembled in Canada.
Taylor uses lots of computers to help make thier guitars. But, the CNC machines used in the making of necks and frets has led to less expensive, but more consistent guitars.
Ernie Ball's Music Man has made several cheaper lines of guitars, one called OLP (Officially Licensed Product). I played a $90 used electric that had dead on tuning up and down the fretboard. I set the intonation and did the set up, but the frets don't lie.
 
Chiller2 said:
I don't think you will get a USA made in that price range but I would try a Yamaha and Ibanez or Takamine they are decent for the money
.
Click to expand...


I used to have an Ibanez acoustic.It was somewhat of a hybrid.It had an acoustic body with an electric guitar neck.It sounded very good surprisingly.I think I paid like $70 for it back in '84.

I'm also open to used,well kept guitars too.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.
 
Id look at seagulls. $350ish, handmade in Canada. Get one without a shiny top and it'll only sound better as you play it.
 
I agree completely. Seagull will have the best sound in your price range. Made by hand, solid top, small Canadian operation. A serious guitar player's brand until you hit the next price level. Ditto on the no shiny top. Seagull will have better balance than a Yamaha, but Yamaha has a nice bright sound for the money. After Seagull, you could also look at Guild.

hellboar said:
Id look at seagulls. $350ish, handmade in Canada. Get one without a shiny top and it'll only sound better as you play it.
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You might try one of the Ovation guitars, although, at this price range they are made in China. The sound and build is every bit as good as the early Ovations.
 
In terms of acoustic guitar tech in the under 500 dollar price range, not much has changed in the last 20 years. Sure there are carbon fiber guitars etc, but thee aren't in your price range.

If you want a really nice acoustic for 500, I'd say you go used. You can find lower end Taylors and Martins in that range. If you go new, I've had great luck with Ibanez acoustics...been playing for 8 years and never felt the need to upgrade my old 300 dollar Ibanez acoustic.
 
hellboar said:
Id look at seagulls. $350ish, handmade in Canada. Get one without a shiny top and it'll only sound better as you play it.
Click to expand...

These look like just what I'm looking for.Can you recommend a specific model?

I glanced at their site & didn't notice what models had shiny tops or not.


Thanks
 
I have a seagull s6+ burst that ive had for like 10+ years. Ill never get rid of her. I have no experience with their cutaway models.
 
I'd say spend time in music stores playing with them until you find one that "speaks to you".

Forget about tech or what's new.
 
That's pretty good advice. If you have a big music store like a Guitar Center around, go in and play everything in your price range. You may be surprised by something.
That's pretty much how I ended up with my Taylor GS Mini.
 
I just saw this thread. I don't know a lot about acoustics but I've always liked the Ovations. I just started to get pretty serious about the guitar again myself. I have a 99' American made Telecaster and I'm contemplating buying two Mexican Strats from my teacher/mentor. These Strats are great guitars. I'm currently playing through a little Line 6 practice amp unless I'm hanging out over at his place where I play through one of several Marshall stacks. I would suggest an acoustic with pick-ups. Have fun. :thumbup: :cool:
 
Ovation has a fine reputation as a bulletproof instrument with good electrics. Acoustic sound? Not so much. Often favored by touring musicians.
Remember, the electronics added to an "acoustic-electric" guitar contribute about 100-150 bucks to the price. So, on lower-end instruments, that doesn't leave a lot for the guitar....
Unless you are planning on public performance, a straight acoustic will give more tonal bang for the buck.
Yamaha makes a variety of well-thought-of acoustics in the lower price range.
 
Thanks for all the help guys.I have a Sam Ash close by.I'm going to go check it out on my next day off.
 
Most new guitars need to be 'set-up' by someone that knows what they're doing before the instrument will have the best sound and action. Make sure the 'set-up' is included in the purchase price of the guitar, or it could add another $50 to $75 to the price. A $300 guitar that is 'set-up' correctly will play better than a $500 or even $1000 guitar that isn't.
 
Hi John -

I might suggest a Martin Backpacker. If you are just going to be picking for your own pleasure, this is a great option that you can get for under $200.

It has a very nice neck/fingerboard, and it plays nicely. It does not have great tone, and does not project, but it is a great little instrument to have and you can take it with you almost anywhere.

Then, later if you decide you are jumping back in with both feet, upgrade and you can still have the backpacker for camping and trips and the like.

best regards -

mqqn
 
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