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-   -   Need help on a new guitar (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608558)

LeDave 02-28-2021 09:04 PM

Need help on a new guitar
 
I am planning to move up from my Fender. I am looking for a acoustic/electric guitar that is under 1400 after tax. My style is Dreadnaught or Dreadnaught Cutaway.

Right now what I have on mind is a Martin D-13E , https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...lectric-guitar

The Growler 02-28-2021 09:08 PM

Try a Taylor 210e or ce. Really good.

YamahaGuy 03-01-2021 04:35 AM

LeDave, if you want the best plugged in tone, stay far away from a Martin. You will be disappointed. I find it suspicious that there are few if any demo's of the Martin 13e being strummed plugged in. Try a used Cole Clark FL1 or FL2. Also, the Yamaha FGX5, though a short scale, is MIJ all solid wood dreadnaught and sounds really great plugged in.

lowrider 03-01-2021 05:08 AM

Dave, the D-13e, or the D-12e are really sweet guitars. Before Covid, I was out looking for a D-18. As many times as not, I liked the D-12 better. It's a little brighter and livelier. I was confused and decided to wait a while, then Covid hit and I never got back out. When I do get out, I want to try the GC, Martin 16 style dread but that's a little out of your price range.

I think the D-12e is the best copy of the D-18 out there. It has nicer appointments than the d-13e and the sapelle back and sides give it some snap!

There are two easy ways to deal with the pick-up. One is to replace the braided UST with a generic Aura (solid not braided)UST. It requires soldering the wires. or you can remove the whole pick-up and install a JJB. Either will give you a nice improvement in both acoustic and plugged-in tone.

With either guitar, you'll be in for a treat. Good luck!

aeisen93 03-01-2021 10:18 AM

I have a 2008 Taylor 110 which sounds like a guitar several times its price (I think it was $550 in 2008?). See if you can find one to try. I'm not sure how the current 110s sound, but my 2008 model is amazing. Taylor makes a 110e with electronics. At only $800 it is well below your max price, and you may really enjoy it.

https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/110e

cliff_the_stiff 03-01-2021 10:45 AM

Gibson J-29
 
Used one can be had for close to 1400.
Most impressive guitar in that price range I have come across in a long time.
All solid wood. Huge sound.

warfrat73 03-01-2021 11:04 AM

Eastman E10D (possibly used) + K&K Pure Mini

You're really better off buying a guitar that you like the acoustic tone and feel of, and then adding a pickup to it.

Buying the guitar with a built in pickup is often a compromise on both the acoustic and plugged in tone.

UncleJesse 03-01-2021 11:19 AM

The Alvarez MD60BG is like $600 new and such an incredible-sounding guitar. Very close to a D18 in terms of tone.

Lillis 03-01-2021 11:36 AM

I’m pretty sure you can get a Larrivee dread or L size for that much. Less than a month ago I bought an SD40 new for $1340.00 all in.

Update: sorry mine does not have electronics. I’m sure you can get in the neighborhood though. Good luck. Whatever you get i’m Sure it will be a nice guitar.

Ed66 03-01-2021 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJesse (Post 6650386)
The Alvarez MD60BG is like $600 new and such an incredible-sounding guitar. Very close to a D18 in terms of tone.

I'll second this; the MD60BG is a stellar guitar - and will hold its own against many more highly priced guitars. You can have it for far under your price point and have the flexibility to put in whatever pickup you want.

Mandobart 03-01-2021 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warfrat73 (Post 6650365)
Eastman E10D (possibly used) + K&K Pure Mini

You're really better off buying a guitar that you like the acoustic tone and feel of, and then adding a pickup to it.

Buying the guitar with a built in pickup is often a compromise on both the acoustic and plugged in tone.

Very good advice. I've never bought an AE instrument, but I have added SBT's to a host of acoustic instruments (fiddles, mandolins, banjos, guitars, resonators, upright bass).

A pssive pickup with external preamp/DI gives you a better acoustic sound, and a better (and more reliable, expandable, maintainable) plugged in sound.

ship of fools 03-01-2021 12:27 PM

Lets Do This Right
 
I am never going to recommend any guitar for you. Instead what I will recommend is for you to go out and experience guitars by playing them in a shop and if you want something plugged in. Well make sure that when you try a new one you like you also have that the same amp because like every guitar amps are slightly different also.
Only your own ears can really tell you what you like in the sound that it makes both unplugged and plugged in and while I understand folks wanting to help with their own experiences. What they lack is your ears and have no way of knowing what it is you like. And believe me and many folks who have been doing this for over 50 years is that we all have out love of guitars and what they produce for music.
So get out there and enjoy the hunt. It is part of the enjoyment of making music and finding out what you enjoy.
Its the journey that I loved and still do of finding that gem and you maybe pleasently surprised bu what you end up with.
Oh and do try the used market also, there are some fantastic used instruments out there.

PeterM 03-01-2021 12:45 PM

I second Lillis.

A used Larrivee D03E is likely less than your budget.

New, likely just a tad more.

SC 13 also a GREAT choice

DocHolliday 03-01-2021 01:50 PM

I would take Ship of Fools advice and try out as many guitars as you can. Going with a used guitar is going to really open up some choices in your price range as well.

Jim in TC 03-01-2021 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocHolliday (Post 6650523)
I would take Ship of Fools advice and try out as many guitars as you can. Going with a used guitar is going to really open up some choices in your price range as well.

Me too! The search for the right guitar can be fun and rewarding. Of course, my last such journey was before Covid and it may be more difficult these days. Yet, our local store seems to be offering plenty of options for in person play, and I expect this is often true.


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