need an Acoustic guitar?

[Tajue17]

I'm here from the Ernie Ball Bass forums as I'm really a bassist but for recording reasons I picked up a cheap electric guitar and a couple amps in a package deal off CL.. But I want to try an acoustic guitar to learn some chords without the noise and hassle of chords and more amps in my small apt at least until I learn to play it.. I need an Acoustic Guitar so whats the best deal out there for acoustics and an adult beginner?

thank you to everyone,, Ted from Boston

 

[wolfbone07]

I'd recommend the Ovation Elite 1778T. They sound good plugged and un-plugged, come with a built in tuner, and have little in the way of flash (i.e. all of your money goes into a good playing and sounding guitar, not fancy wood or gold parts, etc.). You can usually get them on the 'bay for a good price.

 

[fogman]

I have an Art & Lutherie Cedar model guitar. It's made by Godin, very reasonable priced and has a terrific sound.

 

[Tajue17]

thanks for that Ovation tip I'm going to check some prices right after I leave here.

Fogman--> Godin you say? I checked out a guitar that said "Seagull" and inside it said Godin on the label?

It played perfect and felt good and sounded good too! Guitar Ctr around 375.00 but curious if this guitar is related to the one you mentioned and if so is yours cheaper or more money?

 

[Astrofreq]

I have an Art & Lutherie Cedar model guitar. It's made by Godin, very reasonable priced and has a terrific sound.

+1. the A & L AMI is a great guitar. One of my students has one and I love it.

STAY AWAY from the Baby Taylors. I like Taylors, but those seem really shoddy. Horrible to play. Plus no side dots and two ugly screws in the fretboard.

 

[fogman]

\
Fogman--> Godin you say? I checked out a guitar that said "Seagull" and inside it said Godin on the label?

It played perfect and felt good and sounded good too! Guitar Ctr around 375.00 but curious if this guitar is related to the one you mentioned and if so is yours cheaper or more money?

Those are great too. Godin has 3 lines of acoustics. They're all great for the price.

 

[mbgreene]

Seagulls are nice guitars made in Canada and are good values at all of their pricepoints. I have an S6 which is their entry level model.

If you would consider used send me a PM.

 

[threeminutesboy]

really depends on your budget

but Art & Lutherie, Seagull and Ovation (the cheapest from the dearest) are brands you can't go wrong with.

If you have enough money go for a Taylor

 

[fogman]

If you have enough money go for a Taylor

Now I know they're one of the big acoustic brands, but I've tried a few of these ranging from $3500-8000 and I don't get it???
I mean I know the build quality is there but I just didn't like them.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I reckon this is the kind on instrument that need time to reveal it's real soul. Very nice neck and sound but to be honest, my preference is not for acoustic instrument that use peg in the bridge.

 

[edensdad]

Whatever you get - try to get one with a solid top - not plywood/laminate.

I only buy solid wood acoustics - my Martin D-15 is solid Mahogany, top, sides, back, neck, with a rosewood fretboard and bridge. For around $700. And it sounds better and better as it ages.

I have an Ovation Balladeer, and it doesn't even come close to a real wood acoustic in sound - but mine has a shallow bowl. I just keep it around for playing acoustic plugged in.

Another good cheap acoustic classical is LaPatrie from Canada - solid tops, good workmanship and sound - cheap.

>^..^<

 

[silverburst]

Whatever you get - try to get one with a solid top - not plywood/laminate.

I only buy solid wood acoustics - my Martin D-15 is solid Mahogany, top, sides, back, neck, with a rosewood fretboard and bridge. For around $700. And it sounds better and better as it ages.


>^..^<

They also have the D-15 with rosewood sides and back and a sitka or spruce top. A pretty good value too. I've only seen them at Musician's Friend.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I had an Ovation Celebrity for my first acoustic. Great guitar. Has a tendency to sound a little thin when it's not plugged in, but good for just fiddling around.

My only advice with the Ovations. Make sure it has a shallow bowl. My celebrity had a deep bowl, and it was near impossible to play without a strap.

 

[edensdad]

My ovation plays like a dream, but it sounds thin too - that's what I meant by it doesn't compare. With a Martin - when you start playing - heads turn - it's a very clear, crisp, sound that cuts through everything.

They offered the D-15 with the rosewood after I got mine or I would've tried it out, but I've discovered that mahogany guitars sound better with my fingerstyle playing and spruce tops sound better with picks. Since I don't use a pick, but play in the PIMA fingerstyle instead - the mahogany is the best. I lucked out - a cheaper guitar is the perfect one for me.

 

[Pktaske]

Whatever you do, buy used. There are plenty of reputable people on Ebay and elswhere selling killer solid tops for ~$200-300. Martins DCME or DCE-1 models are nice. Fender and Yamahas are hard to beat for pure value/sound.

WARNING: Ovations will not sound good unplugged when compared to a full bodied guitar- anyone who says they will has probably been playing the banjo too long. But for an apartment, it might be just what you're looking for.

 

[kompressaur]

Takamine AN10 and AN15/16 are beautiful sounding acoustics for not a lot of cash.i tried both a 10 and a 15.wanted to take the 10 away that day but didnt have the readies

as for ovation,I have a 20 year old Custom Legend that sounds amazing unplugged.nothing to do with banjos,it just sounds brilliant.

Komp

 

[edensdad]

WARNING: Ovations will not sound good unplugged when compared to a full bodied guitar- anyone who says they will has probably been playing the banjo too long. But for an apartment, it might be just what you're looking for.

That's funny . I saw a banjo at a yardsale recently and have been thinking about picking one up or a mandolin - just to expand my stringed vocabulary.

Maybe I can just pull a few strings off my Ovation and tune it like a banjo.



I have to admit that I bought my Ovation back when I played in a big hair metal band in the late 1980's, and I needed something I could plug into the board to do the acoustic intros and stuff. I didn't know squat about acoustics and bought it only because everyone else had one. And they do sound great with a little chorus and maybe a preamp/eq pedal straight into the board.

When I got more into acoustic (I play acoustic about 60% of the time), I started trying "real" acoustic guitars and was blown away, since the only acoustic I'd ever played was my cheapo Yamaha Classical and the Ovation Balladeer 6 & 12 string models.


Definately try lots of them.


>^..^<

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Tanglewood make some great low end acoustics. I have played a few and been really surprised how good a £200 acoustic can sound!

 

[Mick]

Get a Taylor!!! Best around. For beginners take the 100 series.
Seriously!

Good buy

 

[Pktaske]

Get a Taylor!!! Best around. For beginners take the 100 series.
Seriously!

Good buy

I havent seen a Taylor (or a Martin for that matter) that can compete with other low end stuff. If you're not locked into the Name Game, go with something cheaper.