Got 1700.00 for a Dread...Please Help!!!
 

I've got about 1700.00 to spend on a nice dread. I prefer 1 11/16th nut and mahogany back. I'm mostly a strummer with some moderate finger style. BTW, I really don't care for the Taylor tone. Just looking for some suggestions for the most guitar in that price range. Thanks!

Got 1700.00 for a Dread...Please Help!!!
 

How about a lightly pre-owned "new" Martin D18 (2012 or newer)? A very nice dread that meets your specs (although not completely sure of the nut width) and you could probably get a near mint one for around $1700. Check out the AGF classifieds as I think there might be a couple for sale right now. Others to consider within your range are a Larrivee D03 or D40, as well as an Eastman E6D or E10D

Order a Halcyon. You can get exactly what you want for less than your budget. Only downside is you will have to wait awhile.

You could get a pretty good Guild D-55 for that, but it's rosewood back and sides. I think the Guild D-40 is mahogany. Sells for even less, used.

Do you have a brand in mind? If not than Larrivee, Eastman, Taylor, Guild and a few others all have solid wood Mahogany Spruce dreadnoughts available in your price range,

If you just want to get a suggestion, find a D18 with your preferred nut width and call it a day.

I'd go shopping/listening/playing, personally.

I have owned old style D18s, and new post 2012s. I prefer the sound of the redesign strongly, but the neck of the old style.

You can nearly get there by finding a used D18V.

$1700 bucks, save a hundred more and get a new d18 shipped to your door.

How about a D-17M? It would leave you with 150$ or more (if you haggle)

Post '12 D-18. Wonderful instrument. Worth twice the price in tone alone.

I guess a Gibson J35 isn't considered a dread, but with the shorter scale it's really easy to play and sounds great strummed or fingerpicked. You can get a new one for 1699.00. I got mine used in like new condition for 1000.00. I'd definitely look used if it was me. Lots of great bargains out there. You should be able to get a very nice mahogany dread for that money. You can probably pick up a pre 2012 D18 with 1-11/16 nut for less than 1500.00.

Here is a beauty in your budget. Got plenty of room left to pick up some premium electronics if you want to play plugged in as well. I love the Martin tone coming though a mahogany body. I love my 15. If you say you care for the 'Taylor Sound' this is a marked difference.

Martin D-15M

http://www.sweetwater.com/images/gui...body-large.jpg

Got 1700.00 for a Dread...Please Help!!!
 

Gibson J-35
Used Gibson J-45
Gibson Hummingbird Pro used.

hmmm yeah he would be in the range of a used D-18 or Hummingbird used. I'm bad about looking toward new all the time, there is a lot of leverage to be had shopping for used and being smart about it.

J35 or even maybe a J15. I played a J15 last week that really impressed me.