What's the Best Guitar for the Money You Have Ever Owned?

[billyboy1962]

Earlier this year I bought a 1996 Martin HD28 with a luthier-installed LR Baggs Anthem for £1600. She is in great condition with the most perfect set up - fantastic action, neck angle, fret condition etc. Needed a little bit of TLC and a change of strings. Don’t think I’ll ever sell her

[6L6]

My 1960 Harmony Meteor w/Bigsby.

[dantuts]

2004 Olson SJ cedar/irw

[grandstick]

I have a Composite Acoustics GX that I picked up a few years ago for $180.00US. That guitar travels with me wherever I go; either in the trunk of my car, or on the roof in a clamshell carrier. This one has me wondering if I should go all-composite for all of my guitars.

Also a like-new Eastman AC322 with HSC that I brought home this weekend for less than half the original street price. It’s my first experience playing an Eastman - a remarkable guitar for the money.

[donlyn]

Originally Posted by mmasters

For me it's my 2016 Taylor 818e - I spent $2500 on it, bought it used. Best guitar I've ever come across for the money. I'm super happy with it. The only guitars that tempt me a little these days are guitars that cost 10 times as much or more and it's just doesn't make sense to pay that kind of money for a guitar. I love my Taylor.

Since this is a thread that has some Lazarus in it, I have no problem with going right back to the beginning of it. For me it is also a Taylor 818e sitka/rosewood Grand Orchestra, except mine is of the 2014 variety and I got it new. While it cost me about the same money at a Taylor Roadshow, it's not really about the money. Getting this guitar proved to be a catalyst for renewed effort and satisfaction in my guitar journey. And it didn't hurt that this guitar is about the nicest sounding instrument I've played. And I have played other Grand Orchestras, but they just didn't sound the same.

The wood combination is my favorite, and I even went so far as to add a 12 string version.

Don

.

[mmasters]

Having started this thread and revisiting it I would also like to nominate my Martin D-16 Adirondack with an Ebony fretboard. It's right up there with my Taylor for best value guitar. I paid $1500 for it and love the thing. It's at least 90% as good as a special D-18 Authentic. I play my Taylor 818 about 50% of the time and my D16 Adirondack about 50% of the time. Love them both!

I recently had Al Petteway check out a song I wrote on my D16 Adi and he said he liked it!

Here it is:

[micahwc]

I've owned three acoustic guitars as an adult, and while I have liked all three of them, my favorite is my Martin Dreadnought Jr.

The others were a Luna Muse (great inexpensive guitar for a beginner) and a Recording King RP-06 (I love the spacing on it).

[RussL30]

I’d have to say my LG2 American Eagle. It’s hard to believe that a guitar I only have $1200 in can sound and be this good. I absolutely love this thing. I got it in May and believe enough time has passed to be out of the honeymoon phase. It’s probably gotten 90% of my playing time since I’ve had it and I’m a die hard dreadnought guy that has no comfort issues with large guitars.

Between this model and the J15 and maybe J35, Gibson has hands down the best value in a US made guitar.

[Brucebubs]

I put up my Guild F-412 when this thread started but I've bought 2 guitars since then.
Both maple jumbo's but miles apart from each other playwise and pricewise.
What they do have in common is, despite their differences, they are both fantastic to play.
Epiphone EJ-200 and Huss & Dalton MJ Custom.

[tippy5]

My best guitar for the most money that I have ever spent is my Goodall Standard. So much dynamic range that it always has something to teach. The Macassar and Englemann top are now fully opened up at 7 years old.

My best deal was either my 99 J-45 rosewood (that I call my Martin Gibson) or a 1959 CW. Love the 12" radius and 1.725" nut width. The sound is out of this world deep and it weighs close to 5lbs.

My Country Western buy was compulsive but a fine score. I turned on eBay one afternoon and did a customary search filter. Acoustics, USED, Auctions, $1000 to $4,000. There, with a only a couple of minutes left, was a gorgeous 1959 Gibson Country Western at $1,900. No cracks and that Brazilian fretboard and hand carved medium thick neck. I was the 25th bidder and won it for $2,150. The guitar is responsive as can be with tons of tone and that old Americana sound. Also very light.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

$500 for a Larrivee L-05?!? WOW! I've have jumped on that had I seen THAT listing. That's even a good price for a used L-03.

Yup. I wasn't even looking to buy anything at the time but it was a deal I couldn't resist. I was a bit suspicious initially, but found out that the person selling actually worked for a local shop and had bought several guitars at cost and then was selling as a result of a divorce situation. I just wish I had gotten there a half hour sooner.

[TJChapin]

Most recently, my 00018ge. 14
00 bux with a questionable neck angle and a chipped fwi nut but what a wonderful guitar. Martin please bring back the golden era models!

[Mark E]

I've had some nice Taylors, Gibsons, and Martins, but for the money I would have to say either my Eastman E10 or E40D.

[gimme789]

The Firefly 335 may be the best bang for the buck for me ever .. all the reviews are true .... I have the Red one and it is beautiful and plays nice .. For the price of a pedal !

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[sdelsolray]

For my uses (solo fingerstyle, flesh and nail) the best guitars I've owned for the money were made by David Webber.