After 30 years, I'm buying a new acoustic, here's my shortlist

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by gomespt

Guild and Eastman don't have pickup so I would have the extra expense....

I expect there are nice MIC Guilds with pickups. I've got three U.S.-made Guilds, but more recently couldn't resist the great deal and picked up a used all solid mahogany Guild GAD D125-12 for less than $500 that really surprised me. Of course it's poly finish, not nitro, but man is it glossy! And the tone is, like I said, quite remarkable for an inexpensive MIC guitar! (I know -- 12-string -- but I've also heard good things about the GADs and other asian-made Guilds....)

[gomespt]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

If you're OK with a 17" full-jumbo, this one might be right up your alley in terms of price/tone/features (including a built-in pickup):



https://guildguitars.com/g/f-250e-deluxe/

Yes, very pretty and tempting, had it on my list too :-) Love the look of jumbos but for a single guitar a dreadnought should be more versatile I think.

[TBman]

What about the Guild D-120CE? Just throwing this in the hat for ideas.

[rabbuhl]

Here was my list around that price.

Recording King RD-318 (none) 549.00 EUR
Alvarez MD60 (none) 666.21 EUR
Eastman E1 D (Gig bag) 679.00 EUR
Eastman E2 D (Gig bag) 679.00 EUR
Sigma SDM-18 (Gig Bag) 799.00 EUR
Cort Gold D6 (Gig Bag) 799.00 EUR

[Wellington]

I know I will be in the minority but out of your list I'm going to recommend the Fender PD 220.ive only played one and it was honestly exceptional, felt amazing, looks fantastic but sounded excellent, I was shocked to say the least. I don't know if that one was and an odd ball or if that's how good most of them are, but in that price range that's a high recommendation, even though most acoustic nerds will write off the Fender because it's a Fender.
Also, it comes with a nice hardshell case.

[rstaight]

OK here I go again, take a gander at Takamine. I really like my GD93. It doesn't have electronics but sounds really nice.

My GJ72CE is also a great guitar. It has good electronics and the built in tuner is nice.

[KenL]

If you go with an Eastman, spend a bit extra and get a TC. I've played several, and they were all something special.

[Moldstar]

I think you need to add the Yamaha LL16 R and M to your list, an Eastman E1D Special, a used Yamaha FGX3, a used Blueridge BR-140, a Seagull S6, and a Recording King RD-342.

The E1D Special is the E1D with better quality woods, fancier fretboard inlays, nice tuners, the top has been TC'ed, and a nice high gloss Truetone finish they bought from Bourgeois. I just bought one. All the ones I played in stores sounded much better than the regular 'ol E1D (my opinion, it's just an opinion, but it's why I bought one).

[tsmith28]

I have owned two of the guitars on your list (Eastman E1D and Guild D140) and both were excellent guitars for the price. But, IMO, a used Martin Road Series D10E beats them both when it comes to tone and playability.

[YamahaGuy]

I'd go for the Eastman and slap a Seymour Duncan Magmic in it.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Bluenose

Yep, you can't go wrong with Eastman IMO

I'll echo what Wade and Bluenose said. You can't go wrong with Eastman.

I'm a sucker for Epi Masterbilts and own four of them. That would be my number 2.

Happy Shopping,
Scott Memmer

[Cri75!]

I donot like dreadnought, so no experience there.
But for sure I dreamt for quite a long a Martin 00, twelve fret joint and wide nut...(too expensive)... in the meanwhile i bougt an Eastman E10 00..... I no longer dream for that Martin..... I am completely satisfied with my Eastman.
Go for Eastman or Yamaha !

[SalFromChatham]

I owned the Eastman E2D-cd, and the Epi. Those are both great guitars. Slight nod to the Eastman.

[CooloutAC]

I just ordered the Fender 220E with Mahogany top. Labor Day Sale. I'll let you know how it is. shipping from california to NJ LOL ...be here by end of week hopefully.

I agree it looked like a too good to be true deal. but apparently they cut alot corners on the finishing. so they don't sandpaper the sides, and I expect sharp corners and edges everywhere lol. The Spruce Top dreadnaughts have a much nicer gloss and smooth finish and edges. But I hear they have good action and sound good. But when researching you actually only see good reviews and no longterm buyers remorse with their guitars so... i'm crossing my fingers. I mean it actualy has binding, and wood, pearl or abalone inlays all over the guitar. wtf? lmao..

When you look at amazon reviews. Its basically just all fenders, yamahas and martins that get sold. and I was shocked people even bought fenders but the cd60s is more popular than the fg800 for some weird reason.

[mdvaden]

So far, I've gotten a lot of guitar for my money, especially used, buying Teton on Reverb and just scouring through info, prices, etc.. The name isn't famous, so it seems to keep used bodies less expensive. Also, if somebody likes wood binding, almost every Teton with binding has wood binding with one exception which is a walnut back and sides model with ABS.

Lately, a bunch of forum users here recommended a Yamaha LL16 and apparently that's as good as they claim. Driftwood Guitars just did a review on that one lately.

Someone earlier in this thread also recommended this Yamaha.