Cedar top, ebony fingerboard steel string acoustic for $500-$1500?

[Goujon]

Hi all!

Anyone know of a reasonably priced steel string acoustic guitar that has a solid cedar top and an ebony fingerboard? Preferably with solid mahogany back and sides.

I don't want to go custom at this stage, as my budget is $1000 (though I'm willing to explore up to $1500). I was wondering why I can't seem to find this combination in steel string guitars. I've seen a few cedar/mahogany/ebony classical guitars. Would the tone be inferior in a steel string?

I play fingerstyle, but I also strum at times.

I'm leaning towards a Seagull Artist Mosaic because that's the only one I can find that's good value and close to my description. Would you recommend getting a used Taylor 514ce instead?

Ideally, anyone know of a solid cedar top, solid mahogany back/sides and ebony fingerboard acoustic guitar under $1500?

[deltoid]

I vote for a used Taylor 514. Might be difficult to find though. Also, being used and with a cedar top, I would expect there to be some dents and dings. Wouldn't be a concern of mine if it were a good playing, good sounding guitar.
I have a 2002 514 that has held up very well.

[mattwood]

You might try looking at Tanglewood guitars. I played one of their cedar topped models at a guitar store and I was very impressed with it, especially since the price was so cheap. Not sure if it had an ebony fretboard but I do know they have several cedar topped models.

[egldriver]

The Taylor gs5, much to my chagrin as a new owner, can be had for less than that. It's a great guitar not worthy of the massive depreciation hit from new

[Birdo]

I think furch / stonebridge have got ebony boards on some of their models. Worth a look and they get great reviews.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Goujon

…anyone know of a solid cedar top, solid mahogany back/sides and ebony fingerboard acoustic guitar under $1500?

Hi Goujon...

I've seen Taylor 714 go for that price used ($1500), and prefer the Rosewood/Cedar to about every other manufactured Cedar topped guitar tone out there.

[dodge]

Check out Walden guitars.

[Nick84]

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and...FSkOwwodlCEASg

Faith have just brought out a cedar top range this is a link to the dread but they have parlour, jumbo and OM size also. All solid woods and ebony fretboard. I've not played a bad faith yet!

[dkoloff]

Look for some used Baden guitars with that combo....most likely in the A style.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by Goujon

Hi all!

Ideally, anyone know of a solid cedar top, solid mahogany back/sides and ebony fingerboard acoustic guitar under $1500?

Wildwood music has several custom Larrivees in stock right now with cedar tops. All Larrivees have ebony fingerboards, use all solid woods, and as of earlier this year are all made in the USA.

http://www.wildwoodmusic.com/larrive...&wppa-album=56

They have a quilted mahogany/Cedar L body and walnut/Cedar L body each at $1200. (also an OM and LS) The also have a zebrano/cedar which would probably follow me home if I had some guitar spending money.

[strings4him]

+1 for Wildwood Music

[Steve DeRosa]

You should be able to pick up a used first-run Avalon Gold Series around the $1K+/- mark - I own an A-201 (EIR/cedar) and it should cover your style nicely. If you're willing to go to the top of your budget and wait a little bit Halcyon will build one to order in any size you want: $1199 base, $60/ea. upcharge for ebony board and South American mahogany sides/back (don't know what he charges for a cedar top) - you might want to move quickly though, as base prices go up $100 as of January...

[mr beans]

A Bedell MB17G would fit your requirements except it has solid sapele back/sides rather than mahogany. Maybe that's close enough?

FYI, it has a 1.70" nut width but it feels a tad roomier than other guitars I've played with 1 11/16" nut widths. I bought one of the blowout Bedells (@Zzounds) as I was looking for the same things you were. I'm glad I took a chance on it.

It projects surprisingly well for a smaller body guitar and handles fingerpicking very well.

If you can find one, it'll be towards the lower end of your price range. Good luck in your search.

[Jim]

Either a Taylor 500 series or a Larrivee 5 series. Both have the solid mahogany backs and sides, ebony fretboard and many other features. Either is so well made and plays and sounds so good it would be a guitar for life. The difference is the Larrivee is designed to have a more balanced tone across the treble, mid and bass ranges while the Taylor is slightly shaded to the treble side. It is just a matter of personal taste.