First major purchase

[TBman]

It depends on what kind of music you play and other things.... Flatpicker, Strummer, fingerstyle. I don't think you can go wrong with a HD-28 though.

[Rockysdad]

As others have stated, play as many brands and models as you can. Do not let yourself get stuck on certain brands.
There are a lot of very nice guitars out there, just because you keep hearing about certain brands, doesn't mean they are the "only" ones you should consider.
Another thing, certain brands are in my opinion are overpriced, you'll play a bunch and certain ones "will" standout to "you", and that's all that matters.
Enjoy the journey! and best of luck.

[Mdfire]

Originally Posted by James_214ce

I would consider the Epiphone EJ 200 a high quality guitar.

I have one!

[StevenL]

IMO it takes a few years of hard playing before a D28 really reaches the sound it's famous for. Mine sounded pretty tight and focused (good but didn't 'blow me away' ) for the first few years. But this fall, come the cool dry weather, it is now loosening/opening? up and getting 'that sound'. Big, deep, 3-D, chimey. Pretty glorious. Both my mahogany guitars kinda got there a lot earlier in their lives.

Just something to keep in mind while deciding.

[Mdfire]

Originally Posted by StevenL

IMO it takes a few years of hard playing before a D28 really reaches the sound it's famous for. Mine sounded pretty tight and focused (good but didn't 'blow me away' ) for the first few years. But this fall, come the cool dry weather, it is now loosening/opening? up and getting 'that sound'. Big, deep, 3-D, chimey. Pretty glorious. Both my mahogany guitars kinda got there a lot earlier in their lives.

Just something to keep in mind while deciding.

Thanks for that. Going to a store this week to try a Lowden but they also stock D28s so will compare directly.

[51 Relic]

What about a nice J45 Standard a Hummingbird or a Vintage version of either

[Mdfire]

Originally Posted by 51 Relic

What about a nice J45 Standard a Hummingbird or a Vintage version of either

I will try. The store i was supposed to visit tomorrow has a huge range of all brands. Unfortunately storm Orphelia is incoming and there is a red weather alert nationwide with schools closed etc so i wont get out.

Small problem in big scheme of things and hope no one gets hurt. Guitar hunt can wait a few days.

[leew3]

Originally Posted by Mdfire

some great advice here guys...thanks a lot....going to London for a weekend at end of November so may fit in a few shops there too.

Wildwood Music in Coshocton Ohio stocks a reasonable sampling of Avalons. I've bought my Taylors and my lone Martin from them and have been impressed by the Avalons they have in stock. There are indeed Irish guitars that are well made and sound great, but are a bit out of my price range!

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Mdfire

...I think I'm obsessed with guitars!

We don't allow your kind around here.

Have you checked out some of the fine UK builders, like Lowden, for example?

[Yrksman]

Can I suggest you try the used market. You will save around a third off new and can sell the guitar on if you ever want to at around what you paid for it. You will find some surprising bargains that enable you to go that bit higher up the quality ladder. I’ve owned a lot of guitars in my life and only a tiny proportion were new when I got them.

[Jim in TC]

Ditto to all the posts suggesting play many, check out the qualities of different woods...and also don't overlook carbon fiber, which has many fine qualities itself.

A mistake I made in your situation was not understanding all of the implications of materials, shapes, scale length, brand, and more. Play many, talk to knowledgeable sales people, keep reading around this forum, have a great time in the search and good luck!

[Blind Dog]

Originally Posted by Swamp Yankee

In all honesty - if I were in your shoes I'd try out everything I could get my hands on. Take some nice day trips afield with the wife and drop in as many guitar stores as you can. There are a lot of excellent guitars out there for that kind of money.

and by the way - welcome to the forum!

+1 ^

Wait until one calls to you. That's the one.

[hotroad]

I agree with everyone here. Play a lot of guitars. Decide if you like the Gibson tone or the Lowden tone. The two are very different. I play both and love em.

[Greg Ballantyne]

Originally Posted by Mdfire

Great quote...the McElroys seem out of my reach ...but Lowden and Avalon are so im going to check em out....

If you are coming here be sure to avoid the tourist traps...much nicer "real" places to see

I've been to the Emerald Isle before, and traveled a self drive two week tour - staying in different locations nearly every night. Next time we are going to pick about three spots, stay a week at the same place in each those spots, and do things a little differently.

Guitar shops will be part of the plan, so one of the spots looks to be Dublin or a little north of Dublin - I've got a couple of likely shops picked out around Drogheda. We may not actually make it to Downpatrick since the last spot is currently going to be in the south west of Ireland, but the shops around Drogheda appear to carry the right sort of guitars.

I'm likely to make the trip in 2019 by the looks of things, so I would be quite interested in any recommendations you may develop regarding guitar shops in the meantime.....

[Kitkatjoe]

Triple Neck Gibson Console Grande