Sub $1k guitar for fingerstyle and light strumming

[estayton]

So I adore my Lowden, but I have come to the conclusion that I need a second guitar that I don't feel I need to worry about so much. Something that still inspires me to play, but if it were damaged or stolen I could move on with less heartache. I used to have a Martin D-1 but sold it on after I bought the O32 and I think I'd like something different this time around.

So here I am soliciting guitar suggestions. I'm looking for something smaller than a dread, suited to fingerstyle and some folk chording/picking. I'm really open to a variety of things, looking to develop a list of good options to search down and test. I don't need electronics, and I'm really looking for something made from solid woods. Definitely planning on buying used, unless I find a spectacular deal somewhere. And given the nature of this purchase I'd like to stay under $1000.

So far I have on my list:

Larrivee L-03
Eastman AC322/422/522 etc.
Eastman AC508/608/708
Breedlove American c25
Baden style a

Any suggestions for additions to/subtractions from that list? Thanks!

[fitness1]

Eastman 522 is hands down the best sub 1k guitar I've owned......and there have been MANY

[TRD1]

Martin om-1. I found mine here for a great price.

[Westy]

Of that list of yours I have played the AC508, it was a real cracker of a guitar. I preferred it over the other Eastman om's I tried in the shop that day.

[cotten]

I talked about this issue with a Nashville session player a while back, one who could play most any style and had a wide variety of nice guitars. His travel guitar for many occasions was a "lowly" (compared to most of his others, anyway) Seagull S6. It sounded heavenly in his hands!

Of the ones you mentioned, I'd probably be looking first at that Larrivee. Lots of music power for relatively little money.

cotten

[brencat]

Martin 000-15M -- ~$950 new

Eastman E8-OM -- ~$800 new

While the Eastman's are great guitars, keep in mind they have relatively narrow string spacing at the saddle for fingerstyle (2 5/32), I don't know why but that's how they are. I believe a fingerstyle guitar should be at least 2 1/4. Oh well.

[FlyFast]

I have a LA Guitars Custom Martin 00-15M, I recommend one of those. There is one in the classifieds right now. I have no affiliation or knowledge of the seller.
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=294908

[ewh2]

Originally Posted by billybillly

While the Eastman's are great guitars, keep in mind they have relatively narrow string spacing at the saddle for fingerstyle (2 5/32), I don't know why but that's how they are. I believe a fingerstyle guitar should be at least 2 1/4. Oh well.

I agree.

Eastman Guitars are some of the best sounding guitars in the price range, but I couldn't get to grips with the narrow string spacing for fingerpicking. I imagine some can, but I couldn't.

In that price range, I'd recommend the Blueridge BR142/162.

[fitness1]

I found the saddle spacing problematic too, but the saddle can be modified to increase the spacing in many cases if you like the instrument enough to take the time or pay to have it done.

I'd like to kick myself for selling that 522ce!!

[estayton]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

I'll see how I find the string spacing on the Eastmans. I hadn't considered Blueridge so I will look into those too. I will also look into the Martin OM-1, but it might be too close to my old D-1 for preference.

I had in the hog-top Martins in the back of my mind, because they seem to have a great reputation. And I also saw an Eastman AC508M hog-top in the classified recently for around the right price. But I've never played a mahogany topped guitar, and was under the impression the sound tended toward drier and blusier, whereas I'm probably looking for a more warm, clear tone if that makes sense. I will have to check them out because I hear so many good things, but that's why there were intitally no hog tops on my list.

I have played an L-03e before and felt it was sublime but I couldn't live with the barn door electronics. I'll need to find a standard L-03. And a guy with a cedar-topped (I think it was cedar over hog) Baden style-a kindly let me take a look at his guitar up close at a bar a couple years ago. The rest of these I'm going by reputation alone on.

[Bill Ashton]

You are in Boston? Take a ride up to Union Music in Worcester and try the Guild F-130RCE he has there...they might have one at the Guitar Stop in Cambridge as well...

[tomana]

Used Breedlove C25/CRH

[Tuba Mike]

Strings4him has 3 guitars for sale on this forum that would meet your requirements (IMHO). I have no affiliation with him so this is not a plug, only providing information. I like the Larrivee OO but then, I have a Larrivee OO. The Martin 000-15SH is also really sweet and was what I was going to buy when I found the Larrivee. Can't go wrong with either one.

[bmc]

Walden G3030CE

Solid cedar top
Solid rosewood back and sides
Flame maple binding
ebony bridge, bone saddle and nut

Fishman eclipse blend (under saddle and microphone)

Should be around $1,000.