Ideas on some good acoustics under $200

[Guitar1969]

I know this may not be the best forum to ask this but I trust you guys in all things acoustic . . . .

So I have been playing for awhile, but trying to help my daughter's friend pick out a starter acoustic under $200 (that's her budget, with soft case). I am also teaching her when I can fit in the time.

I haven't dabbled in the low end market for years (I have a Martin GPCPA4 ?). I am looking to buy something online as don't really have the time to spend playing a bunch of low end guitars. I believe some mention Recording King as a great value for the money

Can you guys mention a few models we should consider. Looking for a cutaway, don't need electronics unless I can get it in the budget), and assume it will be laminate, but for a first/starter guitar, that is fine. Just want to make sure it has decent tuners so it stays in tune, and a straight neck.

My first guitar I bought on Ebay for $150 with case - It was a Mar's Music special edition left over when they went out of business (Some music store bought out the entire stock of them) It was a Washburn electric acoustic, and has great tuners. Still have it as a thrasharound guitar. Thinking along these lines.

[roylor4]

Small body: Yamaha FS700s

Dreadnaught: FG700s

The lower budget RK's (dirty 30's) are not in the class of these and the small body is on sale in just one color - usually 199

[guitararmy]

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Cutaway-...es_p_4317.html

I have the cedar/bubinga dread and love it. Straight neck, nice tone, very playable.

http://www.kraftmusic.com/yamaha-fg7...ls-bundle.html

No cutaway, but a nice guitar. I used to have one of these....

[grim83]

Jasmine also makes some nice guitars in this price range. Recording king would have to be used to find one with what you want in that price range. Good luck.

[dorable]

Yamaha for sure.

[Rosewood99]

Ibanez AC300 (solid spruce top) can be had new with free shipping on ebay right now. If you get lucky you can get a used AC240 OPN
(solid mahagony top)for that price. I'm about to get one on CL for a little less than that.

[Guitar1969]

I am liking that FS700s Yamaha. It's not a cutaway but don't see her needing access to upper frets anytime soon - I usually just like the look of cutaways better.
I did see the Jasmine's are popular in that price range, but its sounds like the tuners are not very good from the reviews, and usually get replaced right away.

I did see that RK Dirty Thirties for $199 Sunburst. Is that a far better guitar for the Yamaha for the ext $40 or so. With a bone nut and saddle, that seem like worth it in the long run.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Guitar1969

I am liking that FS700s Yamaha. It's not a cutaway but don't see her needing access to upper frets anytime soon - I usually just like the look of cutaways better.
I did see the Jasmine's are popular in that price range, but its sounds like the tuners are not very good from the reviews, and usually get replaced right away.

I did see that RK Dirty Thirties for $199 Sunburst. Is that a far better guitar for the Yamaha for the ext $40 or so. With a bone nut and saddle, that seem like worth it in the long run.

I wasn't impressed with the Dirty Thirty series. I really wanted to like them since they look so cool and the price is right but they sounded thin and cheap to my ears. Your mileage may vary.

[Wildgift]

At that price, the Yamaha is the best choice unless you can somehow find a used Seagull or even an Eastman (unlikely, but some are mid-300s new).

[Guitar1969]

That Ibanez AC300 looks good to. Bone saddle and Grover tuners for $200. I have always though Ibanez has the best values on low end stuff.

[jumbomumbo]

The Ibanez AC300 is actually a really nice guitar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ibanez-AC300...item35d1440d75

[grim83]

Originally Posted by Guitar1969

I am liking that FS700s Yamaha. It's not a cutaway but don't see her needing access to upper frets anytime soon - I usually just like the look of cutaways better.
I did see the Jasmine's are popular in that price range, but its sounds like the tuners are not very good from the reviews, and usually get replaced right away.

I did see that RK Dirty Thirties for $199 Sunburst. Is that a far better guitar for the Yamaha for the ext $40 or so. With a bone nut and saddle, that seem like worth it in the long run.

I didn't like the dirty 30s line myself if you can get her budget up to the 06 line you have some really nice options. The Yamaha is probably the best in that price range although I really like the jasmines myself and replacing tuners isn't a big deal.

[Kip Carter]

epiphone has a new low cost line coming in specifically geared to being a good starter guitar. It acutally looks pretty interesting. Checked and GC has em for a mere $120.

[kaos]

Originally Posted by roylor4

Small body: Yamaha FS700s

Dreadnaught: FG700s

The lower budget RK's (dirty 30's) are not in the class of these and the small body is on sale in just one color - usually 199

Yes, yes, and yes.

[Guitar1969]

Originally Posted by jumbomumbo

The Ibanez AC300 is actually a really nice guitar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ibanez-AC300...item35d1440d75

I was watching that auction too. That same seller has it on Amazon Marketplace too, which at least would give me a little more protection than ebay.

Think that will probableybe the best deal for the money since they are going for $300 on all the main music sites. Just hope it is playable and doesn't need a setup, as she wouldn't have it budgeted and I would not want to do it, other than throwing new strings on for her and maybe tweaking the Truss rod - Hate sanding and filing for acoustic set-ups, but have no problem with electrics since it only requires allen wrenches and screwdrivers usually, nutwork aside.