Yamaha APX500II

Most of my life, I have had an acoustic guitar around, Fender, epiphone, no name plywood, some ovation style blue thing. I sold them all and the only one I really regret selling was the Fender.
I keep coming back to looking at this Yamaha which seems to me like it would fit what I want. My last acoustic which sounded incredible was an Epiphone Ej200C or something like that. It sounded great but the box digging into my ribs just got too annoying. This Yamaha is said to have a smaller box and lots of traits I think I could like. I know it won't have the booming sound of something with a larger box but in my price range, which today is actually nil, I think it would do for my solitary outdoor playing along with Mother Nature.
Does anyone have one or tried one and if so I would appreciate comments on it. I know I have to play it to know but the nearest store carrying it is a bit far from me for now. DO I keep dreaming about it or trash the idea. Is it worth the trip to try it? Right now, so far, I want it bad.
http://www.long-mcquade.com/products/12478/Guitars/Acoustic/Yamaha/APX500II_-_Acoustic_Electric_-_Black.htm

A friend of mine has one...playability is good...
...it sounds great plugged in...but thin ..unplugged..you might be better off with a Yamaha FG700S for $ 200.... I'd try them first:grin:

That makes sense. I would like the ability to plug in as well though. In the FG 700 line I just looked at the FGX700SC which looks like it would do if not too terribly huge.
Between that and the epiphone PR-5E does anyone have any experience there. Thin sounding would never make me happy so I'll scratch off Yammy APX500II.
PGX700SC:
http://www.long-mcquade.com/products/15509/Guitars/Acoustic/Yamaha/FGX700SC_Acoustic_Electric.htm
The epi:
http://www.long-mcquade.com/products/7729/Guitars/Acoustic/Epiphone/PR-5E_Electric_Acoustic_-_Natural.htm
I was originally wanting the epi. Any thoughts on that? I probably won't be buying until fall and 3-400 bucks would be my limit, if I can even swing that. I'll starve until then and continue to plug in outside for now. I like the cutaway on the Epi as well and the new pickup sounds like it may have merit. I just thought the thin yamaha would be comfortable. I prefer lows to highs and understand I will sacrifice some of that for reduced box size.
I have heard the term dreadnaught a lot but don't really know what that means. Can anyone explain that to me? Smaller is better but good tone for the buck is also important.

I've got a Yamaha NTX 900FM Nylon crossover that I really like. It's a really good "live" guitar where I'm plugging in. Sure the smaller body doesn't move as much air as a larger guitar acoustically, but it's really comfortable to hold, and super playable.

I've got a Yamaha NTX 900FM Nylon crossover that I really like. It's a really good "live" guitar where I'm plugging in. Sure the smaller body doesn't move as much air as a larger guitar acoustically, but it's really comfortable to hold, and super playable.

I DO like that for sure. I hadn't looked into nylon stringed guitars other than the ones with no cutout. I didn't know something like that existed. Keeping that idea in mind for future use. I see Fender makes a pretty cool similar model. For now though I think that Epi perhaps is gonna take my money but until I play and hear it all bets are off. Every manufacturer always says their model is the best eh. It's in the playing in the end and I'll be playing a few before I buy. I am open for more suggestions similar for when that time comes. Keep the ideas coming please. I have sold way too many guitars this year. I want to do it as right as possible for the right price and be done with it if that is even remotely possible. I'll never be rich remember.

A friend of mine has one...playability is good...
...it sounds great plugged in...but thin ..unplugged..you might be better off with a Yamaha FG700S for $ 200.... I'd try them first:grin:

Hmm after some research, I see your point. Readjustiing my focus..cool. Thanks. Way too thin for my liking. Unplugged is really all I need for what I want to do.

Ok. The decision has been made. WHen the store opens Monday I am going to open the sealed envelope which contains money for firewood for the winter and go to the store and order or pickup one of these:
http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0961512021

For this price:
http://allyouneedmusic.com/catalog/Fender-CD-280S-Classic-Design-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar--p-19872.html

It looks close to the old F-35 I had back in the seventies. That thing went everywhere with me in that little cubby hole they had in the back of a volkswagon Beetle. Totally reliable. I never had any issues with it at all and it never failed to please at parties and such. Going for the 280S.