Options for a "Semi-Jumbo" / "ooo" Acoustic

Quality 000 on the cheap I would look at AMI, recording king, or Blue Ridge. I think it'll set you back more than you are wanting to spend.

 

Well, this is what I have, a Blueridge BR-163 ( since Nov.2018 to compliment my Martin Dread)
I'm a Blueridge fan as a few of my friends ( and folks I have met at bluegrass jams) own various models, and I like them all.
Mine is 000 size but still longer 25.5" scale and narrow 1 11/16" nut width.
This model is all solid Sitka/Pau Ferro body ( Pau Ferro fingerboard and bridge)
Comfy and good player, moderate action, and LOUD! Very clear and maybe mid-rangey on the lows. It cuts.
There is a solid Mahogany version BR-143.
The BR-63 and BR-43 models are same body woods as above models, but laminated. Still solid Sitka tops and sound great.

 

In the Martin lineup, a 000 is a 24.75" scale, an OM is the 25.5 we're accustomed to as Fender players. It makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Longer scale length has more oomph. As popthree said, I doubt you'll find anything nice in the price range you have.

 

Who says that a good sounding guitar must be as large as a 000/OM ? Me thinks you are listening with your eyes .

 

If you’re considering a mid price point I recently bought a tanglewood OM model and couldn’t be happier the thing sounded better than martins 4 times the price
I was kind of reluctant at first because I’d never heard of them but apparently they are popular in England I’m pretty sure they are probably made in the same place as the blue ridges
It’s got a beautiful v neck on it also
700 dollars with hard shell case
Also comes with a pickguard I just never put it on

 

If you find a $250.00 acoustic that blows your mind , I'll go out on a limb that your mind is already there or the guitar is stolen . You get what you pay for .

 

I have 2 sub 250 acoustics that blow most people's minds, but they arent easy to find on demand

 

I owned seven various Martins all at one time (don't ask) and the best of the bunch, the one that has travelled ALL over the world with me is my 00-18.

It sounds open, dry, like a fine wine. Such a joy to play sitting on my over-water deck at a bungalow in Bora-Bora at the Four Seasons resort.

 

I havr played 2 AMI guitars, a 00 and a 000 both were spruce/hog and very surprising in a good...and sub $500.

 

I have a Blueridge 183 I bought in 2011.
I really like the guitar, I have many, but this one was it the top of my rotation list for several years.
I don’t care for Saga, I bought direct from them, back then they didn’t have a well developed dealer network.
I’d recommend it for a 000 size.

 

And what are they ?

 

Check out Bob Taylors "Grand Auditorium" size. My Furch acoustic uses much the same dimensions. Larger than a OOO, smaller than a Dreadnaught or Jumbo.

 

I started to write a long detail response describing different sizes of guitars that I own and their differences but really the best thing for you is to go out and play everything you can, form your own opinions and buy the guitar that speaks to you. Here are three of mine - single, double and triple ought. Each is wonderful, each is different



Here is an OM on the left and 12 fret 000 on the right, they are different but wonderful



My guitars are made out of different woods - that makes then different. I do own a couple of old Martin dreads, they are wonderful too but I seldom play them. I don't own a jumbo, a small jumbo or a "semi jumbo" (whatever that is)

 

Recording king ros 16 that I bought 'new' with a lifting bridge for 200 out the door. Did a reset on it and it is now wonderful.

60s? 70s? Lyle Hummingbird copy that I only bought for the old dearmond soundhole pickup that was in it. Paid 140. Discovered the guitar was awesome...the pickup alone was worth more than the price paid. The guitar is a terrific gibby clone.