$500 to $800 range?

JohnnyCrash · May 24th, 2006, 09:29 PM

I need a good sounding acoustic... and I'm on a budget :)

1. I do NOT need any pickups on it... I've already got undersaddle'ed guitars for live work.

2. It does NOT need to look fancy

3. This is ONLY for recording... so solid tops, with solid sides/back, if possible - it needs to sound good acoustically and it'll be behind with a good condenser mic in a studio - never used live.

Any good recommendations based on your experiences?

jwsamuel · May 24th, 2006, 10:47 PM

Check the Larrivee 03 series. You can get them in your budget range from a couple of dealers. Two I have used with great service are:

www.notableguitars.com

and

www.trinityguitars.com

Jim

getbent · May 25th, 2006, 01:04 AM

I am a huge Larrivee fan.. but, I think in that price range, I'd go see if you like those Blueridge guitars.... they are very aggressively priced and I have several friends who think highly of them.. they might be just the ticket...

here is an off the wall second choice.... an old Harmony Sovereign--60's... if you can find a good one (in LA you should be able to) they usually need neck resets and then they sound great...

even with the setup, you'd be in your price range and have a keeper.

BB · May 25th, 2006, 01:12 AM

Another big plug for Larrivees. Great guitars. The forementioned Blueridges also rock.

Also, check out the Epiphone Masterbilt series. Major tone for little bucks.

Another guitar I'm very impressed with is the Seagull S6. Great tone and feel for low dollars.

Of course, buying used gets you much more geetar for the dough.

Not sure if the new Parkwoods fall in your price range, but I played a few that were very tasty. Nice tone and playability. Don't know much about the company though.

Chris S. · May 25th, 2006, 01:41 AM

Question(s): Will you be using it mostly for strumming? Bluegrass-style flatpicking? Quiet fingerpicking? Acoustic blues/slide? All of the above? It's something to think about: just as certain types of amps excel for certain styles, certain types of acoustics really "shine" in different applications.

But while you're thinking, a good "all-around" choice might be something like a used Taylor 314 (the non-cutaway, non-electric model).

The grand auditorium size can cover both the flatpick and fingerpicking styles pretty well, the used 314s are right in your price range, and they tend to record VERY well. Heck, you might even find a used 414 for around $800 if you scout around long enough.

Anyway, just a thought. Best of luck in your hunt. :-) CS

Durango Twango · May 25th, 2006, 02:35 AM

Take a serious look at the Martin 15 series - all solid mahogany tops/sides/backs and they sound great. Mahogany generally records very well so these might just do you. I bought two of the 000 versions for my kids and they are great guitars and I heard a D15 the other day that really sounded wonderful and stood up to a Collings D1A jsut fine (a little darker than the Collings but certainly no slouch). The 000's should more acurately be called an OM since they have a long scale. You can find one used for around $600.

JohnnyCrash · May 25th, 2006, 03:38 AM

For blues/slide I've got a resonator already.

I guess I'm looking for some sort of "studio workhorse".

It's mainly big loud heavy rock, but even for this kind of music a bit of "shine" on the top frequency of attack is needed, as are a lot of other acoustic sounds.

I do a lot of different styles for a lot of different projects, so something probably in the dreadnought category will fit the bill.

getbent · May 25th, 2006, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

probably in the dreadnought category will fit the bill.

that is kind of what I was thinking you'd be looking for... the BlueRidge or the Harmony would provide that D-18 thing for less cost... all the other recommendations are awesome... I did find a Taylor 314c on the SF Craigslist for 800... so, the world.... yeah, it is your oyster!

JohnnyCrash · May 25th, 2006, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

probably in the dreadnought category will fit the bill.

that is kind of what I was thinking you'd be looking for... the BlueRidge or the Harmony would provide that D-18 thing for less cost... all the other recommendations are awesome... I did find a Taylor 314c on the SF Craigslist for 800... so, the world.... yeah, it is your oyster!

I'll have to swallow the budget and avoid skimping... afterall what's more important, an extra paycheck or a good recording?

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

popthree · May 25th, 2006, 10:34 AM

how about a old Yamaha CJ-818. I used to have one, and that thing sounded like a grand piano. Big ole jumbo, solid spruce top, mahogany back/sides. i lost my mind and sold it 6 or 7 years ago. you can usually pick them up used...fleabay for 2-4 bills.

saunders.jesse · May 25th, 2006, 05:09 PM

The Taylor 210 is a great choice. They usually go for around $800 new and include a harshell case. All solid wood (spruce/sapele) with an all satin finish. Not the best hardshell case in the world, but it'll get the job done, espeically if you're only going to be recording with it.

Durango Twango · May 25th, 2006, 05:09 PM

Well, if you're going to blow off the budget - I have a J45 ('98) that's a particuarly good guitar and I bet you could find a good one too. They vary a lot, but there are some good pieces floating around out there. If you reall want to blow the budget (including rent, cr payments etc) get your hands on a Collings D1A - they can be just amazing and built extremely well. The adirondack gives you a fast attack and a lot of chime. The Gibsons compress and record very well for strumming and the Collings is a single note monster - kind of an Uber-D18.

Can't say enough about mahogany for recording.

Now quit thinking about this stuff and put the powerbridge on so I can hear about it. Jeeeeeeez.

JohnnyCrash · May 25th, 2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durango Twango

Now quit thinking about this stuff and put the powerbridge on so I can hear about it. Jeeeeeeez.

HAHA

I know, I know... I've been slacking.

I've been thinking out loud here on so many things - a 15" AlNiCo, an Acoustic, my next amp build...

I need to just get to it and drop in the Powerbridge on my ES-135.

fungusyoung · May 26th, 2006, 03:04 AM

I'd suggest checking out a used Guild dread... something like a D-25, D-35 or D-40 could be had for within your range.

Pre-Fender Guild's made in Westerly, RI are great guitars- I've heard mixed things about the newer ones. Guild made guitars in Westerly from about '70 - '95 or so before Fender took over, and they can still be found fairly reasonably especially compared to Martins, etc. from the same era.

I have to second the Martin 15 series too. The D-15 now comes in either all solid mahogany, spruce top/mahog sides or spruce top/rosewood sides. I have an all mahogany 000-15, and it is a fine guitar.

Rob DiStefano · May 26th, 2006, 07:01 AM

Seagull. There's no panacea need for solid sides and backs, only tops that move well - that's where all the tone's at anyway. I'll match a cedar topped Seagull against any big buck brand/model - it'll hold its own, IMO, particularly if ya do a blindfold sonic taste test. Besides, ya can't see a guitar on a recording. 8) YMMV.

cooktimj1 · May 26th, 2006, 01:05 PM

I own 2 Larrivee's now and won't play anything else. I bought a 2005 D-05 on eBay for $950 plus shipping. The resale-ability on these is much better than a seagull, or a Blueridge too. You may not be planning on selling your guitar, but neither did the guy I bought that D-05 from! Seriously, Larrivee D-03 series goes all day long on eBay from $500-$700 sometimes less. I would play that side by side with the Seagull and the Martin 15 and the Blueridge...(I don't mention the Epiphone Masterbuilt because the one's I've played aren't worth mentioning!) For the money you absolutely are NOT going to beat a Larrivee. Take it from a peewee that dropped 2 grand on his rig...

BB · May 26th, 2006, 01:20 PM

While I certianly love my Larrivee, ( I have a 78 L-09 and it records beautifully as have other Larrivees I've used ) it would behoove you to do the blind test.

The Masterbilts I've tried have been excellent. I love the OM sized one. Great neck and wonderful voice.

The two Seagulls I recently set up ( an older S-6 and a newer S-6 Folk ) are very nice. The smaller bodied Folk is an exceptional little guitar and the dread sized S6 was a real eye opener.

I played a used Simon and Patrick not too long ago
( don't know anything about them ) that was an amazing guitar for $250.

For me, resale never enters the picture. If the guitar speaks to me, I don't care if it's a Collings or a Mateo!

Everyone has their own preference and our opinions are shaped by experience. Hopefully, you can find one that fits what you need in a guitar.....be that Larrivee, Taylor, Martin, Seagull, Tacoma, Takamine, etc. Good luck!

wordfan · May 26th, 2006, 06:25 PM

the newer chinese-made Guilds are worth looking at in that price range. My vote goes with the Masterbilt epiphone, though. I'd avoid any of the Martins in that price range. I haven't been impressed with them....the expensive ones are another story...

aunchaki · May 28th, 2006, 11:32 PM

I'd look hard at the Epiphone Masterbilts, as many people have suggested.

dieselten · May 29th, 2006, 04:59 AM

I think the Larrivees are fabulous guitars (I have a D-10 and wouldn't mind adding an OM-10 to the collection) but for your price range may I be a bit partisan and suggest a serious look at the Australian-Made Maton BG808 series guitars?

The Australian tonewoods are very harmonic-rich and the BG808 series is a very well-balanced Auditiorium-sized guitar that records exceptionally well. You can get them with AA-grade Solid spruce tops, with or without electronics, cutaways etc. They have a rich, warm tone and are durable as well as easy to listen to. Tommy Emmanuel gives his factory-stock Matons a thrashing on tour and they just keep on ringing. I found a sweet BG808 earlier this year in Melbourne and regret not buying it (I was looking at a Martin HD-28V in the same shop and I couldn't hear nearly three thousand dollars worth of difference between the Maton and the Martin to be perfectly honest).

It may be well worth checking out the Matons, they're made beautifully and they sound great. At your rate-of-exchange one might well fit right into your requirements. (The Maton Custom Shop will do you a very nice tricked-up BG808 if you wish, too).

I admit to being partisan and pro-Australian, but these are seriously good guitars at very reasonable prices. I have a Maton Lyrebird I hope to pick up from the shop in the not too-distant future. There were 50 Lyrebirds built, from Satin Boxwood and Victorian Blackwood, both of which grow together in nature. The top is solid AAA-grade Sitka spruce. These Aussie tonewoods are exceptionally bright and I just couldn't resist it. No electronics, no pickguard, just magnificent sound right from brand-new. What's it gonna sound like after thirty years?

They have a website, www.maton.com.au (The Lyrebird isn't on it yet but the BG808 series is, as are some of the Custom Shop creations.)

An email would get you details of distributors in your area. A look at the reviews in Harmony Central under the Maton brand might prove of assistance as well.

franchelB · May 31st, 2006, 12:47 AM

Are there still people who don't know about Martin's D15?
I mean for @ 7 Bens, I'm wondering why guitarists who need an acoustic guitar, STILL haven't bought one of these Martins??

JohnnyCrash · May 31st, 2006, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franchelB

Are there still people who don't know about Martin's D15?
I mean for @ 7 Bens, I'm wondering why guitarists who need an acoustic guitar, STILL haven't bought one of these Martins??

Yeah, I've been eye'ing them for a while...

Seagulls are nice and cheap for solid tops, but I'll probably drop a few more bills and go for the Martin...

Norm66 · May 31st, 2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franchelB

Are there still people who don't know about Martin's D15?
I mean for @ 7 Bens, I'm wondering why guitarists who need an acoustic guitar, STILL haven't bought one of these Martins??

Yes! I hate to say it, but my all mahogany D-15 has supplanted my Tele as my favorite guitar. Mostly due to the ease of pulling it off the wall and playing though. For the money it is IMHO an absolutely great intrument. It sounds great plucked or strummed and the action is wonderful. I can't believe how pleased I've been with this guitar over the past three months or so I've had it. In fact, it's only been in its case twice since it came home.

andy__woods · May 31st, 2006, 12:10 PM

I will throw in another recommendation for the Epiphone Masterbilts. Great quality, all solid back, sides and top and great acoustic tone. At least worth checking out.

tbp0701 · June 1st, 2006, 04:00 PM

When you're trying some out, see if you can find a Tacoma DM-9, particularly used. Those are pretty nice, all solid wood, US-made guitars and--at least a few months ago--were really cheap on the used market.

Besides that, I'd also try out the Martin 15-series (and maybe a used 16), Larrivee 03-series, the LaSiDos (Seagull, Simon & Patrick, etc.), Taylor 2xxs (if you like the typical Taylor sound) and whatever else you happen to spot.

simplygoodmusic · June 1st, 2006, 04:35 PM

Check out the thread I just created called " my new one". It out played every other guitar the price range the I tried. It really has character.

May 24th, 2006, 09:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	$500 to $800 range? I need a good sounding acoustic... and I'm on a budget :) 1. I do NOT need any pickups on it... I've already got undersaddle'ed guitars for live work. 2. It does NOT need to look fancy 3. This is ONLY for recording... so solid tops, with solid sides/back, if possible - it needs to sound good acoustically and it'll be behind with a good condenser mic in a studio - never used live. Any good recommendations based on your experiences?

May 25th, 2006, 01:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,610 37 Photos	I am a huge Larrivee fan.. but, I think in that price range, I'd go see if you like those Blueridge guitars.... they are very aggressively priced and I have several friends who think highly of them.. they might be just the ticket... here is an off the wall second choice.... an old Harmony Sovereign--60's... if you can find a good one (in LA you should be able to) they usually need neck resets and then they sound great... even with the setup, you'd be in your price range and have a keeper. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

May 25th, 2006, 01:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
Chris S. Moderator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Near TELE-Town (Wash. DC) Posts: 2,976 7 Photos	Question(s): Will you be using it mostly for strumming? Bluegrass-style flatpicking? Quiet fingerpicking? Acoustic blues/slide? All of the above? It's something to think about: just as certain types of amps excel for certain styles, certain types of acoustics really "shine" in different applications. But while you're thinking, a good "all-around" choice might be something like a used Taylor 314 (the non-cutaway, non-electric model). The grand auditorium size can cover both the flatpick and fingerpicking styles pretty well, the used 314s are right in your price range, and they tend to record VERY well. Heck, you might even find a used 414 for around $800 if you scout around long enough. Anyway, just a thought. Best of luck in your hunt. :-) CS __________________ "I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad. It's depressing." – Tara, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" "It was born at the junction of form and function." – Bill Kirchen, from "Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods"

May 25th, 2006, 02:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
Durango Twango Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 191	Martin 15 series Take a serious look at the Martin 15 series - all solid mahogany tops/sides/backs and they sound great. Mahogany generally records very well so these might just do you. I bought two of the 000 versions for my kids and they are great guitars and I heard a D15 the other day that really sounded wonderful and stood up to a Collings D1A jsut fine (a little darker than the Collings but certainly no slouch). The 000's should more acurately be called an OM since they have a long scale. You can find one used for around $600. __________________ "People don't know what they want, so they want what they know."

May 25th, 2006, 10:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,961 49 Photos	how about a old Yamaha CJ-818. I used to have one, and that thing sounded like a grand piano. Big ole jumbo, solid spruce top, mahogany back/sides. i lost my mind and sold it 6 or 7 years ago. you can usually pick them up used...fleabay for 2-4 bills. __________________ "chips are falling....." -Dr. Johnny Fever

May 24th, 2006, 10:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
jwsamuel Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Upper Holland, PA Age: 51 Posts: 2,129	Check the Larrivee 03 series. You can get them in your budget range from a couple of dealers. Two I have used with great service are: www.notableguitars.com and www.trinityguitars.com Jim

May 25th, 2006, 01:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
BB Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pacific NW Age: 53 Posts: 3,190	Another big plug for Larrivees. Great guitars. The forementioned Blueridges also rock. Also, check out the Epiphone Masterbilt series. Major tone for little bucks. Another guitar I'm very impressed with is the Seagull S6. Great tone and feel for low dollars. Of course, buying used gets you much more geetar for the dough. Not sure if the new Parkwoods fall in your price range, but I played a few that were very tasty. Nice tone and playability. Don't know much about the company though.

May 25th, 2006, 03:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	For blues/slide I've got a resonator already. I guess I'm looking for some sort of "studio workhorse". It's mainly big loud heavy rock, but even for this kind of music a bit of "shine" on the top frequency of attack is needed, as are a lot of other acoustic sounds. I do a lot of different styles for a lot of different projects, so something probably in the dreadnought category will fit the bill.

May 25th, 2006, 05:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
saunders.jesse Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 101 4 Photos	The Taylor 210 is a great choice. They usually go for around $800 new and include a harshell case. All solid wood (spruce/sapele) with an all satin finish. Not the best hardshell case in the world, but it'll get the job done, espeically if you're only going to be recording with it. __________________ '72 Tele Custom RI & a Taylor 110 and I'm a happy guy!

May 25th, 2006, 05:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
Durango Twango Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 191	Well, if you're going to blow off the budget - I have a J45 ('98) that's a particuarly good guitar and I bet you could find a good one too. They vary a lot, but there are some good pieces floating around out there. If you reall want to blow the budget (including rent, cr payments etc) get your hands on a Collings D1A - they can be just amazing and built extremely well. The adirondack gives you a fast attack and a lot of chime. The Gibsons compress and record very well for strumming and the Collings is a single note monster - kind of an Uber-D18. Can't say enough about mahogany for recording. Now quit thinking about this stuff and put the powerbridge on so I can hear about it. Jeeeeeeez. __________________ "People don't know what they want, so they want what they know."

May 26th, 2006, 03:04 AM	#14 (permalink)
fungusyoung Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 1,017 22 Photos	Re: $500 to $800 range? I'd suggest checking out a used Guild dread... something like a D-25, D-35 or D-40 could be had for within your range. Pre-Fender Guild's made in Westerly, RI are great guitars- I've heard mixed things about the newer ones. Guild made guitars in Westerly from about '70 - '95 or so before Fender took over, and they can still be found fairly reasonably especially compared to Martins, etc. from the same era. I have to second the Martin 15 series too. The D-15 now comes in either all solid mahogany, spruce top/mahog sides or spruce top/rosewood sides. I have an all mahogany 000-15, and it is a fine guitar.

May 26th, 2006, 07:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,919	Seagull. There's no panacea need for solid sides and backs, only tops that move well - that's where all the tone's at anyway. I'll match a cedar topped Seagull against any big buck brand/model - it'll hold its own, IMO, particularly if ya do a blindfold sonic taste test. Besides, ya can't see a guitar on a recording. 8) YMMV.

May 26th, 2006, 01:05 PM	#16 (permalink)
cooktimj1 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 24	LARRIVEE ALL THE WAY I own 2 Larrivee's now and won't play anything else. I bought a 2005 D-05 on eBay for $950 plus shipping. The resale-ability on these is much better than a seagull, or a Blueridge too. You may not be planning on selling your guitar, but neither did the guy I bought that D-05 from! Seriously, Larrivee D-03 series goes all day long on eBay from $500-$700 sometimes less. I would play that side by side with the Seagull and the Martin 15 and the Blueridge...(I don't mention the Epiphone Masterbuilt because the one's I've played aren't worth mentioning!) For the money you absolutely are NOT going to beat a Larrivee. Take it from a peewee that dropped 2 grand on his rig...

May 26th, 2006, 01:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
BB Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pacific NW Age: 53 Posts: 3,190	While I certianly love my Larrivee, ( I have a 78 L-09 and it records beautifully as have other Larrivees I've used ) it would behoove you to do the blind test. The Masterbilts I've tried have been excellent. I love the OM sized one. Great neck and wonderful voice. The two Seagulls I recently set up ( an older S-6 and a newer S-6 Folk ) are very nice. The smaller bodied Folk is an exceptional little guitar and the dread sized S6 was a real eye opener. I played a used Simon and Patrick not too long ago ( don't know anything about them ) that was an amazing guitar for $250. For me, resale never enters the picture. If the guitar speaks to me, I don't care if it's a Collings or a Mateo! Everyone has their own preference and our opinions are shaped by experience. Hopefully, you can find one that fits what you need in a guitar.....be that Larrivee, Taylor, Martin, Seagull, Tacoma, Takamine, etc. Good luck!

May 26th, 2006, 06:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
wordfan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Raleigh NC Age: 30 Posts: 106	the newer chinese-made Guilds are worth looking at in that price range. My vote goes with the Masterbilt epiphone, though. I'd avoid any of the Martins in that price range. I haven't been impressed with them....the expensive ones are another story... __________________ "The only thing we knew for sure about Henry Porter was that his name wasn't Henry Porter"

May 28th, 2006, 11:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
aunchaki Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 1,308 24 Photos	Masterbilt I'd look hard at the Epiphone Masterbilts, as many people have suggested.

May 29th, 2006, 04:59 AM	#20 (permalink)
dieselten TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wollongong. Australia Posts: 37	I think the Larrivees are fabulous guitars (I have a D-10 and wouldn't mind adding an OM-10 to the collection) but for your price range may I be a bit partisan and suggest a serious look at the Australian-Made Maton BG808 series guitars? The Australian tonewoods are very harmonic-rich and the BG808 series is a very well-balanced Auditiorium-sized guitar that records exceptionally well. You can get them with AA-grade Solid spruce tops, with or without electronics, cutaways etc. They have a rich, warm tone and are durable as well as easy to listen to. Tommy Emmanuel gives his factory-stock Matons a thrashing on tour and they just keep on ringing. I found a sweet BG808 earlier this year in Melbourne and regret not buying it (I was looking at a Martin HD-28V in the same shop and I couldn't hear nearly three thousand dollars worth of difference between the Maton and the Martin to be perfectly honest). It may be well worth checking out the Matons, they're made beautifully and they sound great. At your rate-of-exchange one might well fit right into your requirements. (The Maton Custom Shop will do you a very nice tricked-up BG808 if you wish, too). I admit to being partisan and pro-Australian, but these are seriously good guitars at very reasonable prices. I have a Maton Lyrebird I hope to pick up from the shop in the not too-distant future. There were 50 Lyrebirds built, from Satin Boxwood and Victorian Blackwood, both of which grow together in nature. The top is solid AAA-grade Sitka spruce. These Aussie tonewoods are exceptionally bright and I just couldn't resist it. No electronics, no pickguard, just magnificent sound right from brand-new. What's it gonna sound like after thirty years? They have a website, www.maton.com.au (The Lyrebird isn't on it yet but the BG808 series is, as are some of the Custom Shop creations.) An email would get you details of distributors in your area. A look at the reviews in Harmony Central under the Maton brand might prove of assistance as well. __________________ Cheaper, lighter, faster - pick any two!

May 31st, 2006, 12:47 AM	#21 (permalink)
franchelB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 43 Posts: 1,897	Are there still people who don't know about Martin's D15? I mean for @ 7 Bens, I'm wondering why guitarists who need an acoustic guitar, STILL haven't bought one of these Martins??

May 31st, 2006, 12:10 PM	#24 (permalink)
andy__woods Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Michigan Age: 23 Posts: 1,180 60 Photos	I will throw in another recommendation for the Epiphone Masterbilts. Great quality, all solid back, sides and top and great acoustic tone. At least worth checking out. __________________ -- Andy "Woods" Crowder --

June 1st, 2006, 04:00 PM	#25 (permalink)
tbp0701 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 494	When you're trying some out, see if you can find a Tacoma DM-9, particularly used. Those are pretty nice, all solid wood, US-made guitars and--at least a few months ago--were really cheap on the used market. Besides that, I'd also try out the Martin 15-series (and maybe a used 16), Larrivee 03-series, the LaSiDos (Seagull, Simon & Patrick, etc.), Taylor 2xxs (if you like the typical Taylor sound) and whatever else you happen to spot.

June 1st, 2006, 04:35 PM	#26 (permalink)
simplygoodmusic TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rome Posts: 86	Check out the thread I just created called " my new one". It out played every other guitar the price range the I tried. It really has character.