The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 04-20-2011, 09:03 PM
Gostwriter Gostwriter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 741
Default Best Guitar for the Money

Who do you think builds the best all around acoustic electric guitars for the entry level market, when it comes to tone woods, nut and saddle materials, tuning keys, neck, fit & finish etc? I would think the list would include

Seagull
Simon & Patrick
Boulder Creek
Breedlove
Yamaha
Takamine
maybe Guild or Ovation?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-20-2011, 11:23 PM
lone eskimo lone eskimo is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,289
Default

Taylor 110's are pretty amazing. I sold mine to a student because I picked up a nice used 314ce with a custom ordered Mahogany top. Try as I might- I couldn't find one flaw on that guitar. I loved playing it unplugged- but struggled a tad with the ES-T pick-up. It was good for smaller gigs but I couldn't dial it in for our larger gigs...

I played a Martin 000X1CE that I liked a lot too. Some of the newer lower end Breedloves with the square headstocks are pretty nice for the price.

Mike
__________________
www.reverbnation.com/mikealicke

Martin D28
Martin DC-16RGTE Aura
Guild F-30rce (New Hartford)
Guild D-40c
Guild D-35s (both Guild Dreads are late 70's Westerley models)
Larrivee 0M-03
Taylor 314ce (Mahogany top)
Frog Level FL-18 (Custom-Martin D-18 style)
Tacoma Chief C1C (sunburst)
Fender F95 (mid 70's beauty-really!)
Sigma GC1 (Martin 00-18 style)
Takamine EG128sc (nylon)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-21-2011, 02:19 AM
Rick Jones Rick Jones is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,008
Default

I can't say for fear of sounding like a Shill, bloomin' internet!

I will say all levels of Yamaha are very well thought through, from design to build quality, and you're pretty hard to beat them for the money.
__________________
Rick

Yamaha MIJ CJX32
Avalon L32
Avalon A32 Legacy
Lowden 022
Gibson J-185
Takamine TNV360sc
Cole Clark Fat Lady 3
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-21-2011, 05:22 AM
RP's Avatar
RP RP is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 21,238
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Jones View Post

I will say all levels of Yamaha are very well thought through, from design to build quality, and you're pretty hard to beat them for the money.
I agree and would call Takamine a very close second...
__________________
Emerald X20
Emerald X20-12
Martin D18
Martin 000-15sm
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-21-2011, 05:25 AM
GibbyPrague GibbyPrague is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Prague CZ / Adelaide AUS
Posts: 9,207
Default

Yeah, I played a 114 yesterday that was fantastic, and I dont even like Taylors ...lol !

Yamaha, Seagull and Cort all work well for me.


Quote:
Originally Posted by lone eskimo View Post
Taylor 110's are pretty amazing. I sold mine to a student because I picked up a nice used 314ce with a custom ordered Mahogany top. Try as I might- I couldn't find one flaw on that guitar. I loved playing it unplugged- but struggled a tad with the ES-T pick-up. It was good for smaller gigs but I couldn't dial it in for our larger gigs...

I played a Martin 000X1CE that I liked a lot too. Some of the newer lower end Breedloves with the square headstocks are pretty nice for the price.

Mike
__________________
The Big Fat Lady 02' Gibson J-150
The Squares 11' Hummingbird TV, 08' Dove
The Slopeys 11' Gibson SJ (Aaron Lewis)
The Pickers 43' Gibson LG-2, 09' Furch OM 32SM (custom) , 02' Martin J-40
The Beater 99' Cort Earth 100
What we do on weekends:
http://www.reverbnation.com/doubleshotprague
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-21-2011, 05:28 AM
Kerbie Kerbie is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,635
Default

I'd probably go with the Seagull. The Taylor 110 series has never done anything for me... maybe I just can't find the right one. The Japanese entry-level guitars are a pretty good value. I can even tolerate the Martin laminates as long as the top piece is sitka spruce.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-21-2011, 05:34 AM
nrand nrand is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: VICTORIA Australia
Posts: 702
Default

My Taylor is tops, but for pretty small coin you can get an excellent used Takamine, very versatile and great plugged in. I actually use my Tak more than my Taylor when gigging, the Taylor is used more for special items. My Takamine is solid Rosewood/Spruce with a very durable finish and I paid XXX. The same specs on a Taylor will be much much more . . XXXX.
__________________
Takamine EF360S-TT - TLD-2 Line Driver
2003 Takamine EAN40C12 12 String - CT4BII
1990s Daion D Body
1950s/60s Baritone Ukelele K&K
2020 Fender Limited Edition Jazzmaster Pure Vintage
'65 Pickups, & Series/Parallel 4-Way
Fender Supersonic 22" combo

JBL EON ONE Pro
Yamaha DXR speakers
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-21-2011, 06:59 AM
jmjohnson jmjohnson is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,077
Default

I think my Martin OM-1 was a good buy.

Can you define "entry level market"?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-21-2011, 07:17 AM
ljguitar's Avatar
ljguitar ljguitar is online now
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: wyoming
Posts: 42,556
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gostwriter View Post
Who do you think builds the best all around acoustic electric guitars for the entry level market, when it comes to tone woods, nut and saddle materials, tuning keys, neck, fit & finish etc?
Hi Gw…
Harvey Leach.

I think either of the entry level Voyage-Air models (all laminate or solid top) would qualify as the best beginner guitars. Great construction, good action, solid ''light'' build, with the ability to grow with the player and be retained in the ''herd''.

__________________

Baby #1.1
Baby #1.2
Baby #02
Baby #03
Baby #04
Baby #05

Larry's songs...

…Just because you've argued someone into silence doesn't mean you have convinced them…
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-21-2011, 07:24 AM
stratokatsu's Avatar
stratokatsu stratokatsu is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 8,526
Default

I'd go with Yamaha at the lower end of the entry price spectrum, though I've seen some pretty nice Epiphones lately.

Up one step in price, I'd go along with people who like the 100 series Taylors. (Nothing wrong with the 200 series either) I recently bought a 110 to be sort of my couch guitar, but the tone seems to be something that just strikes me the right way. Between that and my Martin dread, I feel like I have enough of the tonal spectrum covered and it's becoming apparent that I'm not playing other acoustics I have all that much anymore.

IMHO - The 110e, at a slightly higher price, (versus using a soundhole pickup), is one of the best A/E guitars out there right now, better than a lot of higher end models from other brands. Obviously, YMMV...
__________________

Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-21-2011, 07:45 AM
Badfrog Badfrog is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 404
Default

In terms of a good "entry level" acoustic for your money I really think Yamaha does a great job. I don't know that their sound will floor you (but I'm talking about $400 or less guitars here) but I find them to be consistently good sounding guitars that are made nicely. I've played several and own one. I always find them well put together (they aren't sloppy).

I've tried several Seagulls (laminate and solid back/side models) and didn't find the sound all that appealing (could be the strings though). However, they are generally well made.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-21-2011, 09:07 AM
lmacmil lmacmil is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,763
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jrporter View Post
I agree and would call Takamine a very close second...
I was recently playing low end guitars at GC. I preferred the EG-series Taks to the Yamahas. The selection was limited so it could have been they just didn't have the right Yamaha. I ended up with a Takamine EG363SC and am very happy with it. It's no Taylor (I absolutely loved the 314CE) but then it cost less than 1/3 the Taylor.

Everyone's ears are different so it's really just not possible to assume you will like what someone else likes. The only way to decide is to play as many as you can and pick the one you like.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-21-2011, 09:08 AM
Taylorplayer Taylorplayer is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: A Truly Great Lakes State
Posts: 11,642
Default

No one such guitar for me to recommend. There are so many good values now. For anyone just starting, I say: Choose one that is easy to play, and then play it!
__________________
Will
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-21-2011, 09:39 AM
Gypsyblue Gypsyblue is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,606
Default

Blueridge BR-163. I have some $2000 guitars but my Blueridge cost me about $XXX with hardshell case and sounds like a $2000 guitar. Did need some set up work (saddle and nut work) to make it play like a $2000 guitar but it sounded like a $2000 guitar right from the get go.

Last edited by Fliss; 04-21-2011 at 11:39 AM. Reason: price
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-21-2011, 09:45 AM
jonathanvaljean jonathanvaljean is offline
Tone Chaser
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 1,159
Default

Gostwriter,

I have long thought that the Yamaha LL6 really provides a lot of bang for the buck, used models even moreso. In fact, it is the guitar that I recommend to my beginning guitar students.

Cheers!

Jonathan
__________________
David Taylor (DT Guitars)
Brescia - Amazon RW/Carpathian Spruce (2007)
De la Rosa - African Blackwood/Swiss Moon Spruce (2011)
De la Rosa - Brazilian RW/Swiss Moon Spruce (Coming April 2012)

Maingard
Grand Concert - Brazilian RW/German Spruce (2005)

Tippin
OMT - EIR/European Spruce (2000) (Voicing updated 2006)
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=