Noob question: Inexpensive electric-acoustic

[30sauce]

I know this is a general question, but does anyone have any suggestions?

I've been on electric for many years and am just starting to get back into acoustic. I want something that sounds good (especially in the studio) and plays easily -- all without breaking the bank, of course.

Here are a couple I've been looking at:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--TAKJASES31CBK

http://www.zzounds.com/item--IBAAEF18

Does anyone own either of these, have an opinion on which is better or have any other suggsetions? I'm looking to spend $300 max and the less expensive the better, obviously.

Let me know your suggestions. Thanks much!

J
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[SteveS]

Do you need a cutaway? Both the guitars you listed are cutaways. I would recomend that you first get a guitar, then add the pickups. The pickups in these inexpensive guitars are not that great. You can do better adding something latter like a B-Band AST/UST. Look for a solid topped guitar. I like Washburns, but there are many other nice guitars.

[30sauce]

Wow, thanks for the fast response! I'd prefer a cutaway, just being used to an electric. And I'd really rather not get into the expense or skills needed for installing a pickup. Just looking for simple and affordable, but still decent quality and sound...

Any other thoughts or suggestions? Other brands to consider or stay away from? Applause/Ovation? Jasmine/Takamine? Ibanez? Etc.?

J

[aggie182]

Go for the Ibanez.

[30sauce]

Thanks for the input, Aggie. I'm leaning that way -- there's something about an electric-acoustic for under $175 that seems to good to be true...

Have you played the Ibanez? I've had a few of their electrics over the years and have always been happy with them...

Anyone else wanna weigh in?

[PickNGrin]

I use theOvation Balladeer about $650. I like it, but I do find myself compensating with EQ to avoid Ovation's "Tinnyness".
They make a less costly model called "Celeberty". Its not very nice, I played a couple and they just don't ring/resonate very well.
I love the cutaway -if your're an electric player you may be inconvienienced by no cutaway.

[Guyute]

The too good to be true part is that neither of these guitars are solid tops.

If it were me and I was looking for a first acoustic, I'd find a solid top and forget the electronics. You can get a decent pickup for it later (either a soundhole or have one installed). Pickups aren't made for recording anyway, so don't worry about not having one unless you need to be playing through a P.A. with a backing band.

You'll be happier with the way the solid top sounds. Either way you go, make sure to spend 20-30 bucks for a setup once it arrives. You'll be much happier with the way it plays down the road.

[jh11]

You could check out some Alvarez models

[Guy from Idaho]

agree with much that's been said, first get a guitar that sounds good (solid top), several candidates in a modest price range (much discussed here, try a search on 'Seagull' and another on 'Atlas', you'll find much on those as well as other contenders). Agree with the advice to not pay extra for an a/e guitar, it probably won't sound as good unplugged and that's how you'll be playing it in the studio. Easy to add a soundhole pickup, fishman etc. later if you want to amplify it onstage. Finally, agree to think twice about the need for a cutaway, it'll generally add cost and subtract sound, and do you really like the wheedly-deedly sound of an acoustic guitar played way up high? I'm first and foremost an electric player, but with my acoustic I want the full and resonant low-midrange tones and rarely play up the neck, thus don't have a use for a cutaway, ymmv. -Guy