Cool guitars under $1000 - vintage and/or relatively new.

[TBman]

My Guild D-120ce I picked up for $425 used

I've played hundreds upon hundreds of guitars under $1000 and the Eastman E10 00 series (and I suppose by association, the E20 as well) are the most remarkable guitars in that price range I've laid hands on (they're actually a tad over 1k). I never like spending more money when I don't have, so I am ever hopeful of finding cheap guitars I can own that I will keep. So far the Eastman E10 has been the only one. I don't actually still own it, but it's still in the family since I gifted it to my son-in-law. My one and only quibble with it is that when I play it I can't thumb-wrap up near the nut as accurately as I like. That neck is a tad too thick on a neck that is already a bit wider than average.

[Goodallboy]

K. Yairi guitars are the finest "guitars for the money" that I've found.

[Brucebubs]

The new PRS SE T40E is a fine looking and impressive sounding guitar for $699.00 with a hard case.



Check out this demo clip; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHYTIk28dlk

[Toby Walker]

Originally Posted by Wasper

I'll add one to the list and think people should really try one out if they come across it in the wild....

It has a cool late 30's vibe and feels great in the hand. I did not try it out plugged in, only acoustically. Had a nice sound to it (my opinion, of course). Very nice looking in person and comes with a case for $850. I wouldn't mind owning one at all!

Washburn RSG100SWEVSK

MODEL: RSG100SWEVSK
SHAPE: Grand Auditorium
TOP: Torrefied Solid Sitka Spruce
BACK: Solid Mahogany
SIDES: Solid Mahogany
BRACING: Torrefied Quarter sawn scalloped bracing
ROSETTE: 2 Ring
NECK
MATERIAL: Mahogany
FRETBOARD: Ebony
INLAYS: 1939 style micro-dots
NUT: Bone
NUT WIDTH: 1-3/4
SCALE: 25.1/2
ELECTRONICS
PREAMP SYSTEM: Fishman GT-2
HARDWARE
BRIDGE: Ebony
TUNERS: GraphTech Ratio-tuned open back
OTHER
STRINGS: D'Addario EXP-16 light set phospher bronze
CASE: GCGA- INCLUDED

http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...100SWEVSK.html

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ntage-sunburst



They also have two more models in the line up. Basically the same guitar but with solid rosewood back & sides. One model has the pick up, the other does not (the mahogany model above only comes with a pickup). Both rosewood models are under $1000 as well

http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...200SWEVSK.html

http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...G200SWVSK.html

Niice guitars.

I hadn't heard of this one. Looks interesting.

[mischultz]

I ended up with a little more budget, but when I was looking this winter, I was pretty intent upon a mid 90s 410. It’s a pretty specific expression of the Taylor vibe (a bit woodier than the norm) and one I adore.

When they pop up (not often) a Lakewood M1 or D1 would also be in view.

I can appreciate Larrivee and Eastman quality in this range but I don’t get on with the necks. I dig the better satin/spruce Martins so long as they have a wood fingerboard.

But if I'm spending, it’s the 410.

[zombywoof]

No argument on the Harmony although I prefer the H-162 spruce top version in particular the older figure 8 body guitars.

I do own three Harmony Sovereign 1260s ranging in date from the late 1950s to the late 1960s including a Silvertone 633 which had an unsalvageable neck. I had another Sovereign neck slapped on and the bracing converted to X brace. When all was said and done this one ran me around $800 which was more than double what I have in the other two.

The Silvertone 633



The other two (with the most recent guitar now sporting a pin bridge)




I also realize I am one lucky S.O.B. when it comes to snagging not only cool guitars bit ones that rarely come up for sale. A few of my favorites:


1935 Gibson-made Capital J2. X braced "two hump" top guitar which is in perfect paying condition and which ran me $800



Early 1930s Oscar Schmidt-made Galiano Jumbo (same guitar as a Schmidt Sovereign). It needs and deserves a full restoration but is perfectly playable as is at $225. This is the same guitar which appears in Neil Harpe's Stella book.



Pre-War Regal jumbo 12 String ($550 spent mostly in repairs).

[ToneHunter]

Originally Posted by Frozen Rat

I've played hundreds upon hundreds of guitars under $1000 and the Eastman E10 00 series (and I suppose by association, the E20 as well) are the most remarkable guitars in that price range I've laid hands on (they're actually a tad over 1k). I never like spending more money when I don't have, so I am ever hopeful of finding cheap guitars I can own that I will keep. So far the Eastman E10 has been the only one. I don't actually still own it, but it's still in the family since I gifted it to my son-in-law. My one and only quibble with it is that when I play it I can't thumb-wrap up near the nut as accurately as I like. That neck is a tad too thick on a neck that is already a bit wider than average.

I have the same problem with using my thumb on my guitar's rather full neck profile and wider fretboard and so I tapped the nut loose and shifted it over towards the bass side a bit which makes it so I can use my thumb to fret the 6th string much easier now. You can leave it unglued until you've found the sweet spot for you. Sounds rather strange I know but it works great with no downside for me.

[backdoc]

Originally Posted by Wasper

I'll add one to the list and think people should really try one out if they come across it in the wild....

It has a cool late 30's vibe and feels great in the hand. I did not try it out plugged in, only acoustically. Had a nice sound to it (my opinion, of course). Very nice looking in person and comes with a case for $850. I wouldn't mind owning one at all!

Washburn RSG100SWEVSK

MODEL: RSG100SWEVSK
SHAPE: Grand Auditorium
TOP: Torrefied Solid Sitka Spruce
BACK: Solid Mahogany
SIDES: Solid Mahogany
BRACING: Torrefied Quarter sawn scalloped bracing
ROSETTE: 2 Ring
NECK
MATERIAL: Mahogany
FRETBOARD: Ebony
INLAYS: 1939 style micro-dots
NUT: Bone
NUT WIDTH: 1-3/4
SCALE: 25.1/2
ELECTRONICS
PREAMP SYSTEM: Fishman GT-2
HARDWARE
BRIDGE: Ebony
TUNERS: GraphTech Ratio-tuned open back
OTHER
STRINGS: D'Addario EXP-16 light set phospher bronze
CASE: GCGA- INCLUDED

http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...100SWEVSK.html

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ntage-sunburst



They also have two more models in the line up. Basically the same guitar but with solid rosewood back & sides. One model has the pick up, the other does not (the mahogany model above only comes with a pickup). Both rosewood models are under $1000 as well

http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...200SWEVSK.html

http://www.washburn.com/products/aco...G200SWVSK.html

Niice guitars.

That is very cool and at a good price point. I wish there were a few more vids out there to check out the tone. I may have to break down and go to Sam Ash (I hate that place). I think they sell Washburns.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by backdoc

That is very cool and at a good price point. I wish there were a few more vids out there to check out the tone. I may have to break down and go to Sam Ash (I hate that place). I think they sell Washburns.

I've been following the Washburn RSG200SWVSK model ever since I saw the impressive specs.

[Mad Rose]

Really like my Guild GAD-30R. Plenty of features you see on guitars w/ a hefty price tag.

Dovetail joint
All solid woods Rwd/&Sitka
Flame Maple binding
Ebony board & bridge
Fancy neck inlays
Bone nut & saddle

All this for $700 new & it sounds great. The only dissppoint was the pkgd & I took care of that...