Affordable modern guitar

[rollypolly]

I have plenty of guitars with what I’d consider fundamental tone, plenty of hog and other simple tonewoods. And I recently sold my more expensive guitars to stick with an under $1k rule. So now I get to pick out an affordable but modern axe for the stable.
I want something that will get me close to a boutique sound but costs Walmart money. My first inclination has been a Yamaha LL in rosewood.

Any other ideas? In the 500-800 range.

[fazool]

I have had *AMAZING* luck with the Ibanez Artwood series...I've purchased three of them and *LOVED* every one of them. In fact one is now my exclusive gigging acoustic - I used it last night at rehearsal in fact and was marveling at how much I love playing it.

Yamaha's are very well-respected (and rightly so).

But these Artwoods are my favorite "budget" guitars.

[Sarhog]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

I have plenty of guitars with what I’d consider fundamental tone, plenty of hog and other simple tonewoods. And I recently sold my more expensive guitars to stick with an under $1k rule. So now I get to pick out an affordable but modern axe for the stable.
I want something that will get me close to a boutique sound but costs Walmart money. My first inclination has been a Yamaha LL in rosewood.

Any other ideas? In the 500-800 range.

I bought a Taylor Urban Ash GT in that price range on facebook marketplace. I’m following a couple more, also in that range.

[Farlsborough]

I would go with a Furch, used if necessary. They are the company that jump out to me as premium build quality/tone at budget prices.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

....I recently sold my more expensive guitars to stick with an under $1k rule.....

That's weird. I went the opposite way -- sold the several under $1K guitars I'd accumulated in order to fund a couple more expensive guitars. And happy with that decision!

[rollypolly]

Thanks Sarhog, I may have to go try one of those GT urban ash out. I'm a little hesitant because of the shorter scale. If it were 24.75 I'd be even more interested.

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

Thanks Sarhog, I may have to go try one of those GT urban ash out. I'm a little hesitant because of the shorter scale. If it were 24.75 I'd be even more interested.

My two main gigging guitars right now are a AD12e and a GTe Blacktop. Of the two my favorite to play is the GTe. The size and scale length make it really easy to play and is so nice on the fingers after a long week of gigging.

[Sarhog]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

Thanks Sarhog, I may have to go try one of those GT urban ash out. I'm a little hesitant because of the shorter scale. If it were 24.75 I'd be even more interested.

I got it, in part, because of the shorter scale. I see no downside, other than cramped frets way up the neck.

[Mandobart]

I've got to plug the Eastman E2OM-CD (again). For me (and a few other AGF members) it's hard to believe a guitar that plays and sounds this good with such high quality fit/finish can be had for so little.

If you're up for buying used (as I am) you can pick up some great Gibson's or Martin's for right around $1 k.

[L20A]

I have a Yamaha LL 16D and love it. The other big winner in under $1000.00 is Eastman. I give Alvarez 3rd place.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Try a Seagull. Everthing you need, nothing you don't need.

[rollypolly]

Originally Posted by L20A

I have a Yamaha LL 16D and love it. The other big winner in under $1000.00 is Eastman. I give Alvarez 3rd place.

Thanks. I like the looks of the LS16 but it being a small guitar it might be a bit smaller sounding. Seems like the LL is a sure bet for best tone. Eastmans look great too but I'm thinking of going for something a little different looking, not a Martin copy.

[Nymuso]

Originally Posted by fazool

I have had *AMAZING* luck with the Ibanez Artwood series...I've purchased three of them and *LOVED* every one of them. In fact one is now my exclusive gigging acoustic - I used it last night at rehearsal in fact and was marveling at how much I love playing it.

Which model is your gigging instrument, Faz?

[JackC1]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

Thanks Sarhog, I may have to go try one of those GT urban ash out. I'm a little hesitant because of the shorter scale. If it were 24.75 I'd be even more interested.

WRT the ergos of the short scale, it plays very nicely. But, I don't think it matches your "boutique sound but costs Walmart money" requirement. A "boutique sound" (which I'm not too big a fan of), to me, is having a piano-like brightness with sustain and clarity and with less overtones than the 28 series Martin. However, maybe I understand boutique sound wrong.

Also, I bought mine when they were discounted to $1k at my local Guitar Center a few months back. They are currently at $1.5k; so they are above your price range as well.

I'd recommend looking into the Alvarez Masterworks series guitars; I think they fit your requirement better than the GT.

[67goat]

Eastman makes good guitars, but from your description of looking for a more modern boutique sound, I don't think they will fit the bill. They definitely have a more traditional tone. It's not a dig, I love my Eastmans. But they are what they are.

Furch makes nice guitars, but not many options in the sub $1K segment (even used). Taylors have a more modern voice, but not the more shimmering tones I associate with boutique. I used to really like Breedlove, but the ones I have played recently have sounded very dull and boring to me.

There are a lot of guitars that I have not played, nor owned. But of those that I have, Yamahas come the closest to a boutique voice without boutique pricing.

The Alvarez Masterworks also intrigue me, but I have only heard them in video clips.

Something else to consider, not a modern boutique sound, but if looking for a different sound to your standard acoustics might be to dip your toes in the archtop waters. Plenty of options under $1K used.