$500 budget, more or less

bad porcupine · August 13th, 2006, 01:32 AM

Yes, a recommendation thread. I'd like a versatile acoustic in the $4-500 range; I will be playing rockabilly runs, travis picking, some rhythmic strumming, not so much fingerpicking. My goal is to do some home recording, and I can mike the guitar, so I'm not totally interested in electronics. Just the best guit for the $.

I'm at a loss as to what nut width and body style would be good for me. I'm thinking wide nut, smaller body?

Tdot · August 13th, 2006, 03:02 AM

Since they are in the current posts, take a look at the Epiphone Masterbilt line. They really are nice, and now they have over a dozen options that start around $500.

Alex W · August 13th, 2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdot

Since they are in the current posts, take a look at the Epiphone Masterbilt line. They really are nice, and now they have over a dozen options that start around $500.

ditto. the mahogany body Masterbuilt is about $550. It would be good for rhythmic strumming. You might find a store that would adjust the action to your liking for no charge. www.fqms.com for example would probably do that, as would other places as well.

fungusyoung · August 13th, 2006, 04:47 PM

Check out some used Guilds..... an early 90's D-25 should be within your range (maybe even a D-35 or D-40). They're versatile and sweet toned for recording.

big jimmy · August 14th, 2006, 10:31 PM

martin 000x1 get a used 1 and save some bucs, wide at nut, nice woody tone easy strummin plenty of room to finger pic if you want. mine has great low action as most do. body and neck indestructable.

andy__woods · August 15th, 2006, 10:25 AM

+1 for the Masterbilts. I love the EF models, having an EF-500RA, and it looks like the EF-500M is right in your price range and has a wider nut with the small body style. If you get a chance though, try one out. The Guitar Center near me has a few of the DR and AJ models and they sound great. Plus, they come with a case, which is always nice.

J. Hayes · August 19th, 2006, 12:36 PM

Guitar Center, they'll throw in an action set up to suit your taste for free.....JH in Va.

ye olde fretmonkey · August 19th, 2006, 02:06 PM

Have a look at the Godin family of acoustics:
*Norman
*Simon & Patrick
*Art & Lutherie
*Seagull

All Canadian hardwoods and good build quality for not much $$

Brewboy · August 31st, 2006, 05:15 PM

I have a Blueridge BR160 that is great for the money.

kludge · August 31st, 2006, 06:26 PM

+1 for the Blueridge, if you're going for a traditional sound. They're painstaking copies of prewar Martins internally, and they NAIL that vintage Martin sound. The necks are comfy for electric players, too. But the headstocks are an aquired taste visually.

Seagulls (or other LaSiDo Canadian brands) are excellent for the money, kind of ugly imho but they sound very good.

For rockabilly and strumming, several makers have Gibson jumbo copies with maple backs in the $500-800 range. They have a nice thick sound and record very well.

studio1087 · September 4th, 2006, 09:35 PM

Martin DX-1's sell for $450 - $500 everywhere, a Martin 300 seies case will run about $75 more.

Taylor 110's are nice brighter dreads, $599 with a nice Taylor bag.

Seagull S6+'s are about $450 with a case.

The Epi Masterbuilts are very nice guitars.

All of the above have 1 11/16 nuts except the Seagull's which have 1 3/4 inch nuts.

John

Ben Harmless · September 4th, 2006, 11:01 PM

I picked up a Taylor Big Baby a couple weeks back for $400, and I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend it for all those purposes. I don't recall the nut width off the top of my head, but it's a normal sized/feeling neck, and the body is what Taylor refers to as "15/16 size." You wouldn't know it's any different unless you examined it closely against a standard dread. It's a little different in terms of construction and such, but it's got a seriously clear, snappy tone that really gives it's more expensive siblings a run for their money. All in all, a more expressive guitar than it has any right to be for the price.

sneakyjapan · September 5th, 2006, 12:44 PM

small body, wide neck at the nut and fat neck. All solid wood...flame maple back and sides, spruce top, made in 1961. Designed to be used with either steel or nylon strings. Got this one today for...$86.20.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy062.jpg

back view...

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy064.jpg

This one arrived today too... same specs as first one only the maple is not as flamey. Got it for $8.62...not a typo... I said $8.62...if youse ever come across one, play it `cause they are remarkable.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy055.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy058.jpg

shoulda mentioned ...they`re Yamahas.

Bill · September 6th, 2006, 08:29 PM

I tried several of the OM style Masterbuilts for fingerpicking and was really impressed at the sound. If the dreadnoughts are like that, I bet they're great.

Wally · September 7th, 2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneakyjapan

small body, wide neck at the nut and fat neck. All solid wood...flame maple back and sides, spruce top, made in 1961. Designed to be used with either steel or nylon strings. Got this one today for...$86.20.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy062.jpg

back view...

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy064.jpg

This one arrived today too... same specs as first one only the maple is not as flamey. Got it for $8.62...not a typo... I said $8.62...if youse ever come across one, play it `cause they are remarkable.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy055.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy058.jpg

shoulda mentioned ...they`re Yamahas.

FYI and FWIW, there is no way that a guitar can use either nylon or steel strings and play in tune. The orientation of the saddle must be different for nylon than steel, and the action necessary to bring nylon strings to pitch is roughly twice the action necessary for steel strings. Of course, if intonation is of no concern, one can do whatever. I personally liek things to play in tune.
To the question at hand, I like the Blueridge. The BR-60 is a solid top with laminated back and sides that is a great guitar for the money...$495 list, street price??

Gregg_G · September 7th, 2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kludge

+1 for the Blueridge, if you're going for a traditional sound. They're painstaking copies of prewar Martins internally, and they NAIL that vintage Martin sound. The necks are comfy for electric players, too. But the headstocks are an aquired taste visually.

+2 on the Blueridge

In the dreadnaught family, The BR-60/70 are easily found for under $500. While they have laminated sides & back, they still sounds phenomenal. The solid sides/back versions are the BR-160/170 are are just as good for about an extra $125. I've never played any of the "000" sized bodies but I have no reason to believe they'd sound anything but great as well.

Wally · September 7th, 2006, 05:08 PM

One note....decide what type of playing you are going to do. Dreadnaughts are best suited for platpicking, whereas the concert-size/shape guitars do better for finger picking.

sneakyjapan · September 8th, 2006, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

FYI and FWIW, there is no way that a guitar can use either nylon or steel strings and play in tune. The orientation of the saddle must be different for nylon than steel, and the action necessary to bring nylon strings to pitch is roughly twice the action necessary for steel strings. Of course, if intonation is of no concern, one can do whatever. I personally liek things to play in tune.
To the question at hand, I like the Blueridge. The BR-60 is a solid top with laminated back and sides that is a great guitar for the money...$495 list, street price??

I responded to the question at hand as well, a smaller body guitar right?
The intonation issue is not all that difficult to deal with, TUSQ saddle did the trick for nylon strings and remarkably, extra light acoustic strings sound just fine.
Let me guess judging by your reply, you`ve never played, seen, nor I`d wager, heard of the Dynamics before correct? So, if you played some then you can base you opinion on experience . The ones I bought have all been played...a lot, so somebody liked liked em enough to spend a lot of time playing them. Yamaha is still building great guitars so I guess their designs have stood the test of time and I`d defend your right to doubt or disagree, and I`ll even let the low blow remarks slip by.

August 13th, 2006, 01:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
bad porcupine Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 47 Posts: 304 9 Photos	$500 budget, more or less Yes, a recommendation thread. I'd like a versatile acoustic in the $4-500 range; I will be playing rockabilly runs, travis picking, some rhythmic strumming, not so much fingerpicking. My goal is to do some home recording, and I can mike the guitar, so I'm not totally interested in electronics. Just the best guit for the $. I'm at a loss as to what nut width and body style would be good for me. I'm thinking wide nut, smaller body? __________________ My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music. -- Vladimir Nabokov

August 13th, 2006, 03:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,910 55 Photos	Since they are in the current posts, take a look at the Epiphone Masterbilt line. They really are nice, and now they have over a dozen options that start around $500. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

August 14th, 2006, 10:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
big jimmy Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Melvis, TN. Posts: 313	martin 000x1 get a used 1 and save some bucs, wide at nut, nice woody tone easy strummin plenty of room to finger pic if you want. mine has great low action as most do. body and neck indestructable. __________________ I get my kicks on guitar licks!

August 19th, 2006, 12:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
J. Hayes Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. Posts: 1,045	Ditto on the Masterbilts........also if you buy it at.... Guitar Center, they'll throw in an action set up to suit your taste for free.....JH in Va. __________________ Ralph Mooney rules!!

August 19th, 2006, 02:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
ye olde fretmonkey Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin Posts: 3,447	Have a look at the Godin family of acoustics: Norman Simon & Patrick Art & Lutherie Seagull All Canadian hardwoods and good build quality for not much $$ __________________ Just 'cause that's the way things are, that never did make it right.

August 13th, 2006, 04:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
fungusyoung Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 1,017 22 Photos	Check out some used Guilds..... an early 90's D-25 should be within your range (maybe even a D-35 or D-40). They're versatile and sweet toned for recording.

August 15th, 2006, 10:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
andy__woods Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Michigan Age: 23 Posts: 1,180 60 Photos	+1 for the Masterbilts. I love the EF models, having an EF-500RA, and it looks like the EF-500M is right in your price range and has a wider nut with the small body style. If you get a chance though, try one out. The Guitar Center near me has a few of the DR and AJ models and they sound great. Plus, they come with a case, which is always nice.

August 31st, 2006, 05:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
Brewboy Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lake Wobegon, MN Age: 42 Posts: 583 8 Photos	I have a Blueridge BR160 that is great for the money.

August 31st, 2006, 06:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
kludge Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minneapolis Age: 43 Posts: 1,026	+1 for the Blueridge, if you're going for a traditional sound. They're painstaking copies of prewar Martins internally, and they NAIL that vintage Martin sound. The necks are comfy for electric players, too. But the headstocks are an aquired taste visually. Seagulls (or other LaSiDo Canadian brands) are excellent for the money, kind of ugly imho but they sound very good. For rockabilly and strumming, several makers have Gibson jumbo copies with maple backs in the $500-800 range. They have a nice thick sound and record very well.

September 4th, 2006, 09:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 4,230 36 Photos	Martin DX-1's sell for $450 - $500 everywhere, a Martin 300 seies case will run about $75 more. Taylor 110's are nice brighter dreads, $599 with a nice Taylor bag. Seagull S6+'s are about $450 with a case. The Epi Masterbuilts are very nice guitars. All of the above have 1 11/16 nuts except the Seagull's which have 1 3/4 inch nuts. John __________________ JLG Carry On

September 4th, 2006, 11:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,384 12 Photos	I picked up a Taylor Big Baby a couple weeks back for $400, and I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend it for all those purposes. I don't recall the nut width off the top of my head, but it's a normal sized/feeling neck, and the body is what Taylor refers to as "15/16 size." You wouldn't know it's any different unless you examined it closely against a standard dread. It's a little different in terms of construction and such, but it's got a seriously clear, snappy tone that really gives it's more expensive siblings a run for their money. All in all, a more expressive guitar than it has any right to be for the price. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

September 5th, 2006, 12:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,556 3 Photos	small body, wide neck at the nut and fat neck. All solid wood...flame maple back and sides, spruce top, made in 1961. Designed to be used with either steel or nylon strings. Got this one today for...$86.20. http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy062.jpg back view... http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy064.jpg This one arrived today too... same specs as first one only the maple is not as flamey. Got it for $8.62...not a typo... I said $8.62...if youse ever come across one, play it `cause they are remarkable. http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy055.jpg http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/reddy058.jpg shoulda mentioned ...they`re Yamahas. __________________ quasi mojo Last edited by sneakyjapan; September 6th, 2006 at 11:04 PM.

September 6th, 2006, 08:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bill Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 2,697 59 Photos	I tried several of the OM style Masterbuilts for fingerpicking and was really impressed at the sound. If the dreadnoughts are like that, I bet they're great. __________________ B i l l B a e c k A journal of our year in London

September 7th, 2006, 05:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 4,225	One note....decide what type of playing you are going to do. Dreadnaughts are best suited for platpicking, whereas the concert-size/shape guitars do better for finger picking.