Best Acoustic for under $400?

[GuitarDisciple]

Hi All,

My sister wants to purchase an acoustic for her husband as a b-day gift but has limited funds. Her husband played in a band years ago and recently hinted that he wouldn't mind having an acoustic to tinker with again. So it is my role to spend the next month or so finding just the right guitar for under $400; probably an OM or slightly larger model…

There are so many choices in this price range, and I have my own personal opinions but I thought that I would poll you for other suggestions that perhaps I hadn't considered.

Of course, each individual guitar is different, but I am looking for your general opinion.

I will probably buy used so that she will get the most for her $400...maybe even from a forum member…

Thanks in advance for the input!

[vti814ce]

I hear crickets..........

Sammy

[underfoot]

Used Blueridge of RK

Period

[brian a.]

Frank,

As you suggested, buying used will get you a lot more bang for your buck. Look for guitars that had an original MSRP 2 to 3 times your sister's budget. The simpler and/or plainer models with less bling will give a better guitar for the money. Look at only solid top guitars and preferably solid b/s, too. Avoid cutaways and electronics, they cost $$ taking away from the overall quality of the acoustic guitar.

If your brother-in-law only played electric guitar in his band and has no experience with acoustic guitars, then maybe a make or model with electric guitar like specs may be a better fit. Such as small or thinner body, narrow nut width, lower action etc.

[GuitarDisciple]

All good suggestions, Brian - exactly my thinking!

Underfoot, I had forgotten about Blueridge; a used BR-143 would probably be an ideal candidate - thanks for the recommendation!

[GuitarDisciple]

Still looking for more suggestions, so please keep them coming - thanks!

[ataylor]

i think the art & lutherie and norman lines made by godin/seagull are amazing guitars for the money. i have an old all-laminate art & lutherie that was my first guitar that i still love. it has kind of a martin d-15 sort of sound and feel. they now have solid top versions that sound even better.

if i was buying a new acoustic for a family member i'd get them one of those two brands for sure.

might i add that they're made in canada from local woods? for the price you can't beat that in my opinion.

[fchas]

Call Steve...at Gianna Violins and ask if he has any more Potomac guitars made by Eastman I just bought a solid mahaogany/spruce from him model PVD18DLX that Im having trouble getting over how good it sounds..I bought mine at his closeout price at just below that. toll free 1 866 884 6546 frank

[brian a.]

Originally Posted by GuitarDisciple

All good suggestions, Brian - exactly my thinking!
thanks for the recommendation!

I took a quick look at the Philly Craigslist and searched for acoustic guitar up to 6 bills. There were some Martins and Ovations that had promise. Seagull, Takamine and Ibanez models also listed. Take some time, look, play and score a good deal.

[NateDog16]

I bought a brand new Recording King RO-26 - great specs - all solid woods/ short-scale 000 / Engelmann top / hog back and sides. Inlays are well done too.

It was $399 shipped with a lifetime warranty. I had to shave down the saddle a bit, and it has a wonderful tone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g75SxrJamE

[revive]

I bought my Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500M brand new for quite a bit less than your $400 target. I bought it from GC utilizing an online price match (*Hint*). It's an amazing guitar.

[mellowman]

+1 on the Masterbilt AJ-500M. They are very nice!

[L20A]

Recording King, Blueridge and don't forget Yamaha.
All make very nice guitars in that price range.
You may want to go with a smaller size like an OM/OOO size guitar.
They are very comfortable to play and sound nice.
All 3 make an OM size guitar.

[66strummer]

You're looking for an OM body? I'll vote for Blueridge as well.....
The Potomac guitars Fchas suggested are getting excellent reviews lately also...........designed by Eastman and apparently built in the Recording King factory. I'd recommend calling Steve at Gypsyjazz Guitars as suggested. He's been doing some clearances as of late over there in Tn.

[dodge]

I have a seagull 25th anniversary on its way, mahogany/spruce for about your budget, they also make a maple/spruce cutaway with electronics:
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazin...c_Guitars.aspx

Walden guitars are nice, as are the epiphones