Looking for an acoustic, know basically nothing.

I haven't owned an acoustic guitar in probably 30-35 years, but the band I'm playing bass with now is also doing some acoustic gigs, and I'd like to have an acoustic to join in (don't really like or want to play acoustic bass).

I know basically squat about acoustics anymore, so I'd like to get some advice. My "wants" are that it be acoustic/electric, and have a medium to thin neck (smallish hands). I'd like to have the potential for good low action, which implies decent fretwork from the factory. I'm very strongly leaning towards buying used, and have a budget of about $300 max including gig bag if not hard case. I've seen things like Ovation Celebrities, some Takamines, Ibanez, Yamahas, etc. On my local Craigslist in this range easily. Back several decades ago, I worked at a music store selling guitars, and have formed opinions that these could be decent brands. I really haven't tried anything just yet though. I did see a Dean Performer Koa that was pretty for this price too, but have no clue if its decent.

So folks, please enlighten me. I'm willing to listen, and thanks for your time.

This Breedlove Passport C250/cm is the best one by far in the Raleigh Craigslist for acoustic/electric guitars near your price range.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/2968207062.html

However, $400 is not such a great deal, though, considering that you can get these new for $500. Around $300, $350 tops for flawless is a good price, and the ad does state that the seller is open to offers. Go for it.

This MF ad has the specs and a photo.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/breedlove-passport-c250-cm-acoustic-electric-guitar/583493000010000?src=3WWRWXGB&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CKH-_4mO8q8CFQ0q7AodiTB1XQ

Of the guitars you listed, I like Ovation. I've owned several of them, and they've been good guitars. I've currently got a Celebrity 12 string and a Balladeer. Also take a look at the Breedlove and Seagull guitars, they're generally nice instruments for the money.

Something else to consider would be to forget about the a/e, and just find an acoustic that you like. Under-saddle or soundhole pickups are easy to install, and not expensive. You can often score nice old Epiphones and Yamahas well under $200, and that gives you lots of room for electronics.

+1 on the Breedlove Passport. There are several in this Korean made series that go for $500 new, so you should be able to find one used in your price range. I've played several Passports in different stores and cities, and they are consistently good for the money. If you're lucky, you might even score one in the Atlas series of a/e's (also made in Korea).

I have a 4 year old AD25/SM (Atlas series, Dreadnaught size/shape, 2=deep body, 5=soft cutaway, solid Sitka spruce top, solid Mahogany back), and the gig bag that came with it is quite nice. This is my workhorse, my go-to gigging a/e. Great strumming guitar, great tone, great projection. This model was discontinued four years ago, and later re-introduced with some changes (laminate back, L. R. Baggs instead of Fishman electronics).

used martin dx1. great guitar

I haven't owned an acoustic guitar in probably 30-35 years, but the band I'm playing bass with now is also doing some acoustic gigs, and I'd like to have an acoustic to join in (don't really like or want to play acoustic bass).

I know basically squat about acoustics anymore, so I'd like to get some advice. My "wants" are that it be acoustic/electric, and have a medium to thin neck (smallish hands). I'd like to have the potential for good low action, which implies decent fretwork from the factory. I'm very strongly leaning towards buying used, and have a budget of about $300 max including gig bag if not hard case. I've seen things like Ovation Celebrities, some Takamines, Ibanez, Yamahas, etc. On my local Craigslist in this range easily. Back several decades ago, I worked at a music store selling guitars, and have formed opinions that these could be decent brands. I really haven't tried anything just yet though. I did see a Dean Performer Koa that was pretty for this price too, but have no clue if its decent.

So folks, please enlighten me. I'm willing to listen, and thanks for your time.

Solid wood tops with laminate back and sides slightly cheaper to produce but sound good.

Solid wood tops with solid wood back and sidse more expensive but generally sound better

Most tops are spruce of various different types i.e.. Adirondack, Sitka, Engelmann etc all have subtle differences. Some guitars have Cedar tops which is mellower in tone.

http://frets.com/FretsPages/Musician/Guitar/ToneWoods/tonewoods1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonewood

Back and side are generally made of Rosewood or Mahogany . Each has it's own voice. You'll have to find a guitar that comes in both options and then try them to see which you prefer.

Sizes vary from big booming dreadnoughts to tiny parlour guitars. Might be an idea to start at a medium size like a 000 size and decide if you want bigger or smaller. Size effects sound just as much as woods. Bigger has more bass which may not always be a good thing. If you're a strummer then a dreadnought might be fine but if you prefer finger picking then a smaller more refined sound might be better.

In your budget, I'd try and find a Recording King or Blueridge 000 size as a starting point or just spend time in your local shops trying out different guitars. You'll soon develop a better idea of what you're after.
:cool:

You want a solid wood top.

AT $300 you won't get a 100% solid wood guitar but you will find many solid tops and 85% of the tone comes from the top.

I gig wooden Martin or wooden Larrivees. I play acoustic a lot....probably more than I play electric. I like Yamaha. I believe that Yamaha owns the "under $400" market.

Please try a Yamaha FG700S.

$199 everywhere.

-Solid spruce top (really beautiful tone for the price)
-laminated nato/mahogany back & sides
-Tuners are grover knock offs and they work very well
-Nice rosewood fret board
-Tortus Pickguard - Looks very nice

You should be able to play fingerstyle with ease right out of the box. They play well and they are always set up pretty well.

FG700 Info Link with many photos - Linky (http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/FG700S.htm)

http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/20N/FG700S_front_sm_.jpg

I used to have an FG700S for camping (loved it). I boought one for my son at Christmas and he loved it. Three old students of mine ordered FG700's sight unseen from Elderly or MF and I have never see or played a stinker. I keep a 100% plywood Yamaha at my mother's home for when we visit. It's all good. I have an older Sycamore back & Sides Yamaha that I bought used at GC. I'll never sell it.

At $199 you have budget for a case and a humidifier depending on where you live.

I have an FG72012 (12 sring) that I bought while I owned a Martin DX1-12 (the 12 string X guitar - $600) and I sold the Martin X guitar. The Yamaha feels better/plays better/sounds better than the solid top & formica back & sides Martin. (This opinion is coming from a guy who cherished his 3 Martins).

This is my 12 string.....it's the big brother to the FG700S.....(this is a $319 guitar!) Heck I paid less because I used a coupon. Can't go wrong.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/TopAnglesmall-1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/FullFrontsmall-1.jpg

It's a really comfy, nice sounding guitar.

You won't beat a Yamaha acoustic in the $200-$400 range.

Happy shopping.

Thanks very much for the help so far everyone! Keep it coming please!

Yep I remembered enough to know I should try to get a solid top. Looks like I've got some playing/trying-out to do to figure out what suits me! :) I'm planning on a trip to my GC and Sam Ash (across the street from each other) to try a few things out... possibly tonite.

Again, thanks... I'm learning!

I just bought another Martin (sold my Larrivee to do it.)

That said I was pleasantly surpised, shocked even by the Yamaha 730S (next model up from the FG700s studio1087 recommended). Not even sure why I picked it up but I found one local while Martin shopping. That is alot of acoustic for the $.

I bought my wife a Freshman last year. Unplugged the tone is nothing to shout about, but plugged in it's great. It's also cheap, and the action is terrific, didn't need a nut file.

I just bought another Martin (sold my Larrivee to do it.)

That said I was pleasantly surpised, shocked even by the Yamaha 730S (next model up from the FG700s studio1087 recommended). Not even sure why I picked it up but I found one local while Martin shopping. That is alot of acoustic for the $.

+1. very difficult to find a better guitar for the money. i have a neo-2 humbucker soundhole pickup in mine, which effects the acoustic sound very little or none.

sounds great and plays great plugged in or unplugged.

If you can take a friend along (acoustic shopping) it's nice.

Play the guitar.

Have the friend play the guitar at or to you.

It's nice to sit behind the acoustic guitar and play. It's also nice to sit out in front and hear the guitar from the front. It's not like playing a Tele where you can pont the amp right at your face. Just another perspective.

I think everyone should have a decent acoustic. You can come up with a lot of song ideas daydreaming/sitting on the couch late at night playing an acoustic guitar. It's relaxing.

Seagulls can be nice. Made in Canada. Short scale - so they play soft in your hand. electronics are OK, necks aren't real skinny.
A friend has a very low end Ovation and the neck is so skinny I find it difficult to play. YMMV...

Yamaha is a great choice in that price range. Still love mine even with more expensive options around she gets lots of love. Great for higher tension alternate tunings too.

This Breedlove Passport C250/cm is the best one by far in the Raleigh Craigslist.....
Wow, I just noticed you went shopping for me! LOL Awesome, thank you very much!

So I went shopping last night. I found a couple things at GC. One was an Ovation CK047 Koa top cutaway just within my price range that I really liked a lot. I've heard a lot of people say Ovations aren't so good unplugged, but are great plugged in. This one sounded really nice from my position acoustically, and felt good too.

I also played a couple Breedloves. One Passport which I liked quite well, though I don't remember the model, and I picked up an Atlas too which was well out of my price range, but holy cow! The notes just leapt out of that thing with so much clarity. It was uncanny. Which makes me wonder how much a good set of strings will make. Some guitars just sounded dull while others sparkled, and it didn't seem to relate directly to price or brand. Assuming many used guitars on the wall at GC or Sam Ash will have old-ish strings on them, how much will a good set of strings really add to a guitar that sounds otherwise kind of "meh"? My experience on electric guitar and bass is that new strings and the right strings can make a big difference.

For example, I played (unplugged) a washburn cutaway that had little fundamentals on the bass end, and sounded very trebley, but at the same time kind of dull. I'd chalk that dullness up to old strings, but the lack of inherent fundamentals to the guitar itself. I don't think I'd like that guitar. Others sounded dull-ish or maybe had cruddy sustain or "ring" to the notes but had good balance. I kind of expected that a good set of strings might really open that guitar up. Would anyone agree with these assumptions?

Not to sidetrack my own thread, but any thoughts on strings? I've got to say that for bass, I'm absolutely nuts over the clarity and balance of DR Fat Beams, so I'm really interested in trying DR Hi-Beams or Sunbeams on an acoustic. Any opinions?

Once again, thanks to all.


Edited to add: Oh yeah, I meant to say that after playing a 35" scale 5 string bass for quite a while, then trying to play acoustics last night, I've got to say that my concerns over a guitar having a thin-ish neck for me are gone. Everything felt tiny in my hands... neck width, string size, scale length... LOL. I guess its all what you're used to. :mrgreen:

Seagulls can be nice. Made in Canada. Short scale - so they play soft in your hand. electronics are OK, necks aren't real skinny.
A friend has a very low end Ovation and the neck is so skinny I find it difficult to play. YMMV...

Indeed. Absolutely the best acoustic for the money. They don't make a laminate top guitar, solid wood only. You should be able to find one right around $300 with the specs you have listed. In fact . . .

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/3000225685.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/3003702583.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/3003261974.html

These are great guitars, and those in the know are very loyal. I haven't had another brand of acoustic since '98.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/3003702583.html
Just an interesting tidbit. This one looks to be a prototype, possibly for the seagull artist line. The serial number on the soundhole label says "DEMO". Told the guy I was pretty darn sure it was outside my budget of 300 max, and doubted that was what he'd accept (And secretly hoped he would...LOL)

I recommend an Alvarez, They are a very well built guitar that are made in China and set up in the US in St Louis. I have played for about 30 years and am happy with my RD20S which I have had for 5 years and sounds terrific. They do not make this model anymore. It cost me $300 including a real nice Durafoam Case.

I would recommend the RD-210 which comes with a hs case. It is all Laminate ,but you don't have to worry about humidity mess ups which are common. They come set up with light gauge Dadarrio EXP strings.
Here is a link to their latest new Starter instrument. It is called the RD-12

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/names/alvarez-rd12-dreadnought-guitar-and-case--RD12.htm

Seagull makes some great guitars