All-Hog Candidates under $1K

[personatech]

After upgrading my dread, getting an acoustic amp, and procuring a 12-string, my last (for the time being) herd upgrade is to find an all-hog/sapele OM/000/GA for under $800 (I know the title says $1K - I had a moment of financial whatever). Yes, I might luck out and find a used Martin 000-15M, but I tried one recently and its slightly narrow nut was a bit off-putting (its 000-15SM brother was far superior, but alas far too expensive!)

So far, I'm looking at these models with 1.75" nuts:

• Guild OM-120
• Martin 000-10e
• Eastman E2OM older all-sapele model
• Alvarez MFA66SHB
• Alvarez MG66CE (new, all-solid hog GA)

I appreciate any comments/recommendations!

Thanks!

[reeve21]

If you are not stuck on solid back and sides check out the Ibanez AC 240 (used) and (current) AC 340 models. Buy 3 or 4 for the price of one Martin

Fazool has had both, and if I am remembering correctly he thought the Ibanez came pretty close....

Full disclosure, I have an AC 240 and played it almost exclusively for a few years. So I'm a fan.

[Wellington]

I always hearing really good things about the Guild OM-120, I'm often looking them up and thinking what I could sell to buy one.

[llew]

Of the ones you have listed I'd go with either the Guild or one of the Alvarez models. I haven't played that particular Masterworks model but all the ones I have played were very nice guitars. I'd play as many as I could find in your budget and decide. Best of luck!

[whatitis]

I had the Guild. AWESOME guitar, but I like narrower necks. The build quality was excellent and it sounded amazing.

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by llew

Of the ones you have listed I'd go with either the Guild or one of the Alvarez models. I haven't played that particular Masterworks model but all the ones I have played were very nice guitars. I'd play as many as I could find in your budget and decide. Best of luck!

+1 on Alvarez or Guild.
Best,
Jayne

[personatech]

Originally Posted by whatitis

I had the Guild. AWESOME guitar, but I like narrower necks. The build quality was excellent and it sounded amazing.

Thanks, WhatItIs. To be honest, I've been most intrigued by the Guild.

[personatech]

Originally Posted by reeve21

If you are not stuck on solid back and sides check out the Ibanez AC 240 (used) and (current) AC 340 models. Buy 3 or 4 for the price of one Martin

Fazool has had both, and if I am remembering correctly he thought the Ibanez came pretty close....

Full disclosure, I have an AC 240 and played it almost exclusively for a few years. So I'm a fan.

I tried an AC 240 some years ago and remember being impressed. Thanks!

[reeve21]

Originally Posted by personatech

I tried an AC 240 some years ago and remember being impressed. Thanks!

One thing to keep in mind--it pretty lightly built, I remember thinking it may not last forever. But it has been about 5 years with no issues. I don't case it, so it has withstood humidity levels down to the high 20's. Set up was fine for my purposes right out of the box from the big box. I currently have some monel strings on it. I'm usually not a fan of those but they sound good to me on this guitar.

[Lillis]

I’ve become a big Guild fan just recently. That gets my vote. I just got a MIC D1212 and am very impressed with it.

[davenumber2]

I would recommend the Recording King ROS-606 or 616 if you can find one. They have long been discontinued but one pops up occasionally. I believe they are 1 13/16'' nut, 12 fret 000 body, short scale.

If you want to go cheap (~$300), I had an Alvarez AP66 (lam b/s) that was a nice little guitar.

[Realbluesman]

I own the Alvarez MFA66SHB and like it a lot. I have owned other all "hog" guitars and found them a bit dull, almost muffled. The Alvarez is a great all-around (finger/strummer/flat picker) OM with lots of volume and tone to burn. Some are critical of the bling but it is very subdued and works well with the beautiful burst.

Also comes with a really nice heavy duty bag/case.

[rollypolly]

I got my Martin OM-15 for $750. It had a couple big dings but no cracks and it sounds great and has the best neck profile of any of my guitars. There are good deals out there!

But if you want something now , I'd probably get the Eastman E2OM all mahogany (or maybe it's sapele). That looks like a sweet guitar.

[JackC1]

I have the 000-10e you listed and like it a lot.

When I play it just right, I can get an incredible range of sounds out of it. I love its sound so much that this is the guitar I pick up every time I want to play. The tune is very balanced and sweet; I can play this guitar all day and not notice how much time has gone by. Those Youtube demos and sound samples were spot-on for this guitar.

My guitar also arrived with very low action no buzz anywhere on the fretboard. The shop gave it a free setup (but I didn't provide any setup instructions so I don't know if they really did anything).

I got a few surpises because I bought it online.

1. It feels heavy. At first, I suspected richlite so I looked up its density (turns out richlite isn't more dense). Everytime I pick it up, it feels heavy. But, it balances well.

2. I didn't like richlite (and have been avoiding the lower-end Martins because of it); but now I'm fine with it. Richlite plays great. I now have no problems buying richlite guitars.

3. The tuners are exceptional (smooth with zero play). Perhaps I just got lucky because my 000jr has the same-looking tuners and they don't wokr nearly as nice as these.

4. The MX-T tuner isn't as accurate and slower, when compared to Taylor's ES-B. The soundhole location is great though; very easy to engage and hard to forget to turn off.

5. The MX-T preamp sounded pretty good to me. I was a bit worried from some of the forum review; but it compared great to the Taylor ES2.

If my 000-10e dies right now, I'll buy another to replace it because I like it. I think it's a great value as any price for its playability and sound.

Oh, this guitar isn't new. I've owned it for a few months now (and have bought a few more guitars since). So hopefully, my statements aren't influenced by the new-guitar-review-syndrome.


Edit to add: 1. I've never played on richlite until this guitar. So when I wrote "I didn't llike richlite", I meant that I didn't like it just because it's not wood. Also, had I gone into a guitar store, I would have rejected this Martin as soon as I pick it up because of its wright. When I say it is heavy, I mean it. This thing feels way heavier than my Taylor 214ce, which is bigger and laminate (which is generally heavier than solid wood). I have no idea why or how this thing can be so heavy; but it plays and sounds great.

[Dave_PA]

I have that Guild and *love* it. I can't speak to any of the others.