Help Me Spend My Money: I Need a Used Steel-String with Cutaway

[Charmed Life Picks]

One thing I've learned from being an AGF member since 2014 is that we love to spend other people's money. Well, here's your chance.

I'm working on a very difficult song -- Lindsey Buckingham's "Never Going Back Again" -- and it's going well (there are some great YT instructional vids on this tune). However, with where I need to capo this thing, I'm running out of room up the neck. I've gotta pick up a cheapie cutaway steel-string guitar.

I'm not terribly partial to body shape or size, but probably prefer 000 or an OM. But a dread would probably be okay too.

I'd prefer something spec'd for light strings -- this song is a real challenge.

I'm open to trading or bartering

For example, I've got a very sweet Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500M that might be available. I've also got a really nice Eastman MD-315 that I might be willing to put on the block.

Here are the particulars:

*Used, Not New: $300-400
* Cutaway steel string
* Electronics: Prefer None, but no biggie either way
* Designed for light gauge strings
* Lower String Tension: 12-Fret?
* Nut size: No preference
* Wood type: Not partial. Even laminate is okay
* Brands. Nothing is a deal breaker, but I'm partial to Yamaha, Eastman, Blueridge, Epiphone, Alvarez, you name it.

Thanks. Feel free to PM me if you have something that will fit the bill.

See Ya,
Scott Memmer

[Bob from Brooklyn]

The song is Drop D, capo'd at the 4th fret. You might want to consider a shorter scale guitar though. I used my Eastman E2OM for that one.

[Vapour]

Alvarez has a nice cut-away around there (just over $500 new MAP):

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ar-shadowburst

Maybe an Eastman PCH:

https://www.elderly.com/products/eas...coustic-guitar

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Bob from Brooklyn

The song is Drop D, capo'd at the 4th fret. You might want to consider a shorter scale guitar though. I used my Eastman E2OM for that one.

Bob, I'm having trouble holding down all the strings, and the stretches are tough too. I've got it tuned down a whole step, so the low E string is tuned to C, and this also lowers the string tension. Then I'm capoing up a whole step to play it where it is on the record. Since I founded CLP back in 2014, I rarely have time to play, so my left hand isn't nearly as strong as it used to be.

I'm trying to play it on my Eastman E-10SS, with medium-light strings. I'd like to get a cutaway and string it with light gauge.

Thanks Again, Bob,

Scott

[12barBill]

https://www.eastmanguitars.com/pch1_gace

[cliff_the_stiff]

Originally Posted by 12barBill

https://www.eastmanguitars.com/pch1_gace

I’m not even looking for a guitar in this range and clicked the Eastman link above and almost started looking for one it’s so impressive.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by cliff_the_stiff

I’m not even looking for a guitar in this range and clicked the Eastman link above and almost started looking for one it’s so impressive.

It's an amazing company. I own two, and it looks like I might own a third. Check 'em out.

scott

[12barBill]

Originally Posted by 12barBill

https://www.eastmanguitars.com/pch1_gace

Originally Posted by cliff_the_stiff

I’m not even looking for a guitar in this range and clicked the Eastman link above and almost started looking for one it’s so impressive.

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

It's an amazing company. I own two, and it looks like I might own a third. Check 'em out.

scott

I hope I helped out. That seems like a good option.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Of course there is the cheater's way to play it. Still pretty much nails the tune and much easier on the left hand.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Bob, thanks for the vid. I'm pretty stubborn and usually like to nail it exactly, but I'll take a look. Thanks for thinking of me.

sm

[PTL]

Why not the sibling to your AJ-500M that you raved about? The AJ-500RCE. Cutaway, all solid woods in rosewood version.

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

One thing I've learned from being an AGF member since 2014 is that we love to spend other people's money. Well, here's your chance.

I'm working on a very difficult song -- Lindsey Buckingham's "Never Going Back Again" -- and it's going well (there are some great YT instructional vids on this tune). However, with where I need to capo this thing, I'm running out of room up the neck. I've gotta pick up a cheapie cutaway steel-string guitar.

I'm not terribly partial to body shape or size, but probably prefer 000 or an OM. But a dread would probably be okay too.

I'd prefer something spec'd for light strings -- this song is a real challenge.

I'm open to trading or bartering

For example, I've got a very sweet Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500M that might be available. I've also got a really nice Eastman MD-315 that I might be willing to put on the block.

Here are the particulars:

*Used, Not New: $300-400
* Cutaway steel string
* Electronics: Prefer None, but no biggie either way
* Designed for light gauge strings
* Lower String Tension: 12-Fret?
* Nut size: No preference
* Wood type: Not partial. Even laminate is okay
* Brands. Nothing is a deal breaker, but I'm partial to Yamaha, Eastman, Blueridge, Epiphone, Alvarez, you name it.

Thanks. Feel free to PM me if you have something that will fit the bill.

See Ya,
Scott Memmer

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by PTL

Why not the sibling to your AJ-500M that you raved about? The AJ-500RCE. Cutaway, all solid woods in rosewood version.

PTL, hi, buddy. I actually owned one of those about three years ago, but sold it off. I'm not a fan of factory-installed pickups. I'm really "picky" about electric rigs (excuse the pun). Even the ones on expensive name-brands don't cut it for me. Plus, in this case, I won't be playing out with it. It's just for playing around the house, so I'd prefer no electronics at all, or at least not to pay extra for it.

Good idea. Been there, done that. I own three other EPI Masterbilts, all without factory rigs. One of my AJ-500Ms is spectacular, the loudest cannon in the barn.

Thanks for your post, PTL. Nice to meet you.

All the Best,
Scott

[Vapour]

One last suggestion:

https://www.davesguitar.com/products/mfa66ceshb-recent

All solid (probably sipo), used, under $400. It's really hard to find an all-solid Eastman cutaway for under $400.