Dreadnought decisions

Mattyfatz · #1 03-04-2018, 09:11 AM

Hi Y'all
I'm new to this forum and seeking advice. I'd like a high quality solid wood DN and my price point is just under $1000. I see used Taylor 410's pop up online often in that range. The other guitar I'm looking into is the Martin Custom D, which is that price brand new (but only available online from GC and MF).
Does anyone have experience with either or both of these guitars?

- PS..Another thing I'm weary of is making the purchase online without being able to play the guitar.

Thanks in advance

ManyMartinMan · #2 03-04-2018, 09:38 AM

The Custom-D is generally recognized as a no-nonsense music maker. The ones i’ve Run into have been excellent instruments.

rokdog49 · #3 03-04-2018, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyfatz

Hi Y'all
I'm new to this forum and seeking advice. I'd like a high quality solid wood DN and my price point is just under $1000. I see used Taylor 410's pop up online often in that range. The other guitar I'm looking into is the Martin Custom D, which is that price brand new (but only available online from GC and MF).
Does anyone have experience with either or both of these guitars?

- PS..Another thing I'm weary of is making the purchase online without being able to play the guitar.

Thanks in advance

Are those the only two brands you are considering?

Athens · #4 03-04-2018, 10:32 AM

You'll pay more for the Martin just because....... Taylor too but if you can find a NOS or slightly used DN 3 or 4 those will fit the bill

A good used Guild D25/30/35 would also easily be in that price range.

Dut4907 · #5 03-04-2018, 10:49 AM

I suggest a Eastman E20D. Im pretty sure Ted over at LA Guitars could hook you up.

HodgdonExtreme · #6 03-04-2018, 10:49 AM

Yamaha LL16 is worth a look, also Eastman.

CowboyTim · #7 03-04-2018, 11:31 AM

I'm in the same boat, I've been considering ordering a Norman ST68 or trying to track down an old Harmony Opus(V or X) this summer. Want something cool that not many people around here have. Right now I've got an old SR S1221(ALMOST a Harmony H1260) and a Seagull M6 Cedar.

Wade Hampton · #8 03-04-2018, 12:18 PM

Another brand and model you might want to consider is the Larrivée D-03, which is Larrivée's take on the dreadnought. You might be able to find a used one well within your budget.

They're excellent guitars.

For the past ten or twelve years they've come from the factory with tortoiseshell pickguards, while the older one have clear pickguards:

Larrivée D-03

Hope this helps.

Wade Hampton Miller

DukeX · #9 03-04-2018, 12:25 PM

Here's a new Larrivee D02
http://www.daveswoodstockmusic.com/larrivee-d-02.html

You can find a lot of used Larrivee D03s in that price range.

Steadfastly · #10 03-04-2018, 12:29 PM

Alvarez
Blueridge
Eastman
Guild
Takamine
Yamaha

These are the ones I would suggest you look at and going used is a very good idea. You can often get something very close to new at close to 1/2 the price of new.

GC has a good used section and you can have it shipped to your local store. If you don't like it, you can return it on the spot. Good hunting..............and playing.

Casey86 · #11 03-05-2018, 06:31 PM

Big fan of the dreadnought here. I tried many dreads, including Martin, Santa Cruz and Taylor. Tried a Larrivee D40r but it was too much money new. Found a used one year old Larrivee D40re Legacy with rosewood and electronics for half the new cost and in your price range. It was on reverb.

Larrivee's are rather consistent in sound. Find a model you like new in a store and then buy a used one online for less $.

I have a LV-03, D40re and my wife has a D-04w. The D40re, for my ears, sound better than the Santa Cruz and Martins for twice the money. I did not audition a better sounding guitar. The Legacy D40 is made a bit different than the D-03 series, it's punchier sounding.

Here's my new dreadnought:
https://postimg.org/image/5e9ceauah/

https://www.larrivee.com/products/d-40r-legacy-series

$ongWriter · #12 03-05-2018, 06:44 PM

I love love Martins....have way too many of them...old and new...but...at $1000...I'd get a used Taylor....in my opinion...Taylor's lower end models are more consistent that Martin's...(and...a used Taylor at $1000 really isn't lower end....a 410 is a good guitar) and I'm a Martin guy...but at that price...it's about getting all the guitar you can. Good luck in your search!

Floridapicker · #13 03-05-2018, 07:14 PM

I ordered my Martin sight unseen from Sweetwater. (I ordered and they didn't have one then I got an e-mail saying my guitar had shipped) Totally against my better judgement. I took a risk and boy, did I luck out. I'm completely blown away buy this guitar. It should be noted that this is my first truly high end guitar which may make me inadvertently biased. I chose the luck of the draw and its visually stunning and sounds amazing. That being said at $1,000 price point check out Alvarez. Great guitars for the price.

AcousticDreams · #14 03-05-2018, 07:36 PM

Would like to add to all the positivity of Larrivee dread. Great sounding Dreads...own a few, and very consistent in sound quality. Plus...A totally American made instrument!

Guitarplayer_PR · #15 03-05-2018, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyfatz

Hi Y'all
I'm new to this forum and seeking advice. I'd like a high quality solid wood DN and my price point is just under $1000. I see used Taylor 410's pop up online often in that range. The other guitar I'm looking into is the Martin Custom D, which is that price brand new (but only available online from GC and MF).
Does anyone have experience with either or both of these guitars?

- PS..Another thing I'm weary of is making the purchase online without being able to play the guitar.

Thanks in advance

GET. TAYLOR. DN3