Great fingerstlye acoustic for under $1100

[willsing]

Hi,
I am looking for suggestions on a nice fingerstyle acoustic that sounds like a dream and plays like one too for under $1100 (if not like a dream, then very pleasing to play and records well) I know this can be difficult. I like a wider nut width for ease of fingerpicking. I also like a tone that projects well and sounds good when playing bass, chords and melodies at the same time. I also like to feel the low end vibrating through the guitar. Any suggestions?

Thanks,


Will

[ljguitar]

Hi,
I am looking for suggestions on a nice fingerstyle acoustic that sounds like a dream and plays like one too for under $1100 (if not like a dream, then very pleasing to play and records well) I know this can be difficult. I like a wider nut width for ease of fingerpicking. I also like a tone that projects well and sounds good when playing bass, chords and melodies at the same time. I also like to feel the low end vibrating through the guitar. Any suggestions?
Hi Will...
I don't think it's that big a challenge. You know your budget, and probably your parameters indicate that most Taylors, or Seagulls and some Larrivees would fit both nut width and solid top. The Taylor and Larrivee would be all solid.

If it were my assignment to find one with your conditions, I'd make sure I had my money in my pocket (or loaded on my debit card) and I'd be heading out to play guitars. I'd not put a time limit on it, and when I found the one that turned my crank, it would go home with me.

[willsing]

Hi Will...
I don't think it's that big a challenge. You know your budget, and probably your parameters indicate that most Taylors, or Seagulls and some Larrivees would fit both nut width and solid top. The Taylor and Larrivee would be all solid.

If it were my assignment to find one with your conditions, I'd make sure I had my money in my pocket (or loaded on my debit card) and I'd be heading out to play guitars. I'd not put a time limit on it, and when I found the one that turned my crank, it would go home with me.

Definitly the plan! We have the Guitar Solo that sells Larrivees in San Francisco. I have played nice Taylors, not too many Maritns, but really liked a Larrivee 0M-03 that I played once. I like my Seagul a lot; it sounds good finger picking chords, but not as good when throwing a classical type of melody over the picking. The melody line does not sit as sweetly in the mix.

[TBman]

Definitly the plan! We have the Guitar Solo that sells Larrivees in San Francisco. I have played nice Taylors, not too many Maritns, but really liked a Larrivee 0M-03 that I played once. I like my Seagul a lot; it sounds good finger picking chords, but not as good when throwing a classical type of melody over the picking. The melody line does not sit as sweetly in the mix.

Before I even read your post, the Larrivee OM-03 was the first guitar that came to mind. I picked up a used OM-05 right in your budget, btw.

[Wade Thurman]

The Larrivee OM-03 or oddly enough, the D-03. It is bright enough and incredibly well balanced.

[imwjl]

The Larrivee OM-03 or oddly enough, the D-03. It is bright enough and incredibly well balanced.

I couldn't agree more. I have OMV and had D-03. The D-03 was really sweet and balanced if Martin and Taylor dreads are the competition. The OMV is also surprisingly strong for it's size. I only sold the D because owning the OMV and an HD-28 to cover a wide spectrum.

New Larrivee 03 series are shy of $1000 and used ones the same price as China stuff. If you look at the videos of the Larrivee factory and see the employee in space suit you have to wonder if the Chinese worker has equal protection and what happens to the waste there. I love my Larrivees no matter what, but also like the fact that they are from a family run US/Canadian business where I've only heard good about them.

[3rd_harmonic]

consider Martin 000-15 or 15S.

[banpreso]

consider Martin 000-15 or 15S.

or 00-15

how about an old taylor 2 series all sold wood? you can probably grab a used 3 series with that budget

larrivee parlor?

lotta room to play around in that budget

[willsing]

I couldn't agree more. I have OMV and had D-03. The D-03 was really sweet and balanced if Martin and Taylor dreads are the competition. The OMV is also surprisingly strong for it's size. I only sold the D because owning the OMV and an HD-28 to cover a wide spectrum.

New Larrivee 03 series are shy of $1000 and used ones the same price as China stuff. If you look at the videos of the Larrivee factory and see the employee in space suit you have to wonder if the Chinese worker has equal protection and what happens to the waste there. I love my Larrivees no matter what, but also like the fact that they are from a family run US/Canadian business where I've only heard good about them.

So the Larrivee 03's are now made in China? Hmmm.....possible bummer or are they still pretty good?

[HHP]

Look for a used Martin 000-16sgt. Can be had in your range and the ones I have tried are universally excellent.

[sayheyjeff]

that Larrivee offers guitars made in China is new information or misinterpretation of something someone read elsewhere. have not heard anything about it or seen any mention on the Larrivee Forum. Would be interested in reading about it.

jeff

[banpreso]

larrivees are not made in china

[HHP]

So the Larrivee 03's are now made in China? Hmmm.....possible bummer or are they still pretty good?

I think the post was contrasting Larrivees from the Chinese guitars. They are still made domesticly.

[gerardo1000]

Taylor GA3. Great fingerstyle guitar. Spruce top, sapele back and sides. beautifully made and very easy to play. Very balanced. Great tone and separation. Brand new, it costs less than 1k.

[dthumb]

guild gad 30r....very sweet, clear, resonant and a delight to play..and under 8 clams.;)

[TBman]

larrivees are not made in china

That needed to be said twice.

[kwakatak]

Hehe - no, Larrivees are NOT made in China. The 03 series are made in the old factory in Vancouver, British Columbia. All the rest (05 series and above) are made in Oxnard, CA - which I believe is right down the road from Taylor's factory.

Also, a new 03 series can be had for a bit less than $1000.

As for the models to consider, I cannot recommend the rosewood/spruce OM-03R enough. The rosewood is an upgrade that boosts the price about $100 or so, but it still comes in at much less than $1000. I've had mine for about a year now and it's opened up nicely in that time. I like to use it primarily for fingerstyle but it can hold up to moderate strumming well too - though the bass is a bit "tight."

Another option would be the L-03 or L-03R. The lower bout is bigger and the body is deeper so it has more bass but still maintains good balance so that it truly is an "all in one" guitar for fingerpicking and strumming.

[Sammy_L_D]

Stonebridge, hands down.

Failing that, go for the Larrivee.

[willsing]

larrivees are not made in china


Whew!!! Glad that that was set straight.

[willsing]

How about the Epiphone Masterbuilt series. Any good?

[TBman]

How about the Epiphone Masterbuilt series. Any good?

Not as good as a Larrivee 03 series, but a good guitar. I have one.

[WigginsPlayer]

I also have a Masterbilt Epi EF-500R. Would not take a pretty for it. One of my favorite guitars! And can be had for way less than 1K

[lofapco]

My Taylor 612CE is my favorite for fingerstyle. The Maple back and sides keep all of the tones even with no booming bass or too much trebel. It has the nicest sound and perfect body size for fingerstyle. A good used one can be had in your price range.

[willsing]

Thanks all for your helpful information. So far looks like Larrivee, Guild and Masterbuilt. The Larrivee 0M-03R looks mighty nice. Does the LR Baggs pickup in the 03RE effect the unplugged sound at all? Is the LR Baggs any good?

[phil_harmonic]

Here are some on the Classifieds to consider.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106963

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106396

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106800

[TBman]

I have a LR Baggs M1 active and it is very good. At least for what I do with it, which is just use it occasionally at home. I prefer the mic sound for recording.

[imwjl]

So the Larrivee 03's are now made in China? Hmmm.....possible bummer or are they still pretty good?

No, and I didn't say they are. I have seen, bought and sold them for same price as guitars from China.

My point was that the Larrivee factory shows the protected employee in the video and same for videos I've seen of Fender and Martin factories.

[imwjl]

Thanks all for your helpful information. So far looks like Larrivee, Guild and Masterbuilt. The Larrivee 0M-03R looks mighty nice. Does the LR Baggs pickup in the 03RE effect the unplugged sound at all? Is the LR Baggs any good?

My Larrivee has B-Band and sounds more percussive or like it has more separation between low and high tones than same model new that I tried so I think the pickup has no negative effect and my few year old and played model must be opened up.

[imwjl]

I think the post was contrasting Larrivees from the Chinese guitars. They are still made domesticly.

Yes, that's what I meant to say, and every Larrivee I've seen personally has been made in B.C. or CA so "domestically" would change depending upon your citizenship.

I can't complain about the one I have and the one I had, and I can't say may awesome Martin is a few times the guitar of the Larrivees, but the price is.

I don't know how you top great guitars made by a family run business and sold at a good price.

[jonlee]

you can get a fantastic new larrivee LV03RE (or any -03 series for that matter) for a smidge (or a lot) under your budget.. you just have to look around.

yes, you can get something else... but larrivee is really tough to beat for the price. i have a OM-03 and all i did to it was replace the bridge pins with ebony ones and a larrivee bone saddle... and my "cheap" larrivee sounds superior to some super expensive guitars.

the LR baggs system in the -03 series, at least in my opinion, is pretty good... but i really prefer the iBeam, as opposed to the element system that comes with the guitar. but then again, lots of people prefer different pickup systems.. look at the whole fishman vs. ES argument with taylor folk. K&K sounds pretty good too.

ultimately, what i'm trying to get at is, GO FOR THE LARRIVEE!!! =) seriously, no matter what pickup system is put in whether it's the standard baggs element system or another system retrofit, it's gonna sound pretty good regardless. and there's a TON of previously obsessed over (used) larrivees on this forum so you could jump on those fantastic deals.

hope this helps.

cheers,
Jon