Noob needs Acoustic advice

[Gahboo]

Hi. I need advice, please. I've just recently discovered how cool acoustics are since I've been unable to play with others for about a year. I was exclusively an electric player for years. As a result, I'm not educated about acoustics. I need another acoustic guitar for my office but I have no idea what to buy. I want a 12 fret smallbody. My budget is $1000, and I buy used. And due to where I live, it's impossible to try before I buy. I already own an K Yairi Dread and a Larrivee LV03. I LOVE those guitars and that's the caliber of quality I'm looking for.


The reason I'm asking for advice is because the obvious choice for my guitar would be a Martin. But I'm worried because I owned a MIM Martin GPCRSG, and though beautiful, it wasn't even in the same league as the Yairi or Larravee sonically. But the reviews of that Martin are great. So I'm really confused here. As a result, I'm reticent to get another Martin (that I can afford), though I know that's not logical. I don't know enough about Martin's products to know if a Martin instrument that is comparable to my other guitars is available in my budget. I might stretch to be able to afford a used Martin 000-17. But unless the 000-17 is a significantly"better" guitar than the GPCRSG, I won't be happy with it. I realize tone will be totally different, but the GPCRSG was harmonically dead and wasn't very dynamically responsive by comparison. Will the 000-17 be like that too? It's price point is only slightly higher.

I got both the Yairi and the Larrivee for significantly less than $1000, so what I'm asking for has to be out there??? I haven't played enough other $1000 used guitars to know what I really want.

Can you guys suggest a few instruments that might fit my needs? $1000 used small body 12 fret guitars that have really good build quality and sound? On par with my Larrivee or Yairi? (I know - another Yairi or Larrivee, but I'd rather not)

[Lillis]

Check out the USA made Breedlove concertinas. I lucked into a Premier model used for $900. Amazing guitar.

[Tico]

FWIW I bought a used Martin 000-15M (all mahogany including the soundboard) with no pickup for $800 that's fantastic!

You can get a new one (with full factory warranty) for $990 from many authorized dealers.

Martins have 3 prices, MSRP, MAP and street.
For the 000-15M ...

$1650 MSRP Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
$1299 MAP Minimum Advertised Price (around 20% below MSRP)
$990 (40% below MSRP) Street price if buyer knows to ask for it.

Not all dealers will do 40 below MSRP, so keep calling around.
Also, with reduced factory output lately, and increased demand by more people stuck in their homes, there may be a wait list, and the change of the supply and demand balance means some dealers may now refuse to go the full 40 below MSRP.

I'd call LA Guitars first.

[Lillis]

Originally Posted by Tico

FWIW I bought a used Martin 000-15M (all mahogany including the soundboard) with no pickup for $800 that's fantastic!

You can get a new one (with full factory warranty) for $990 from many authorized dealers.

Martins have 3 prices, MSRP, MAP and street.

$1650 MSRP Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
$1299 MAP Minimum Advertised Price (around 20% below MSRP)
$990 (40% below MSRP) Street price to informed buyers who know about it and ask for it.

He would need the 00015SM. He wants a 12 fret. Still could get one close to 1k and they are great guitars.

[Tico]

Originally Posted by Lillis

He would need the00015Sm. He wants a 12 fret.

Thank you for the correction.

Unfortunately that model's MSRP is $300 dollars higher, so a new one would bust the budget.
MSRP 1949
MAP 1599
Street 1170

[KevinH]

I'll second the recommendation on the Breedlove Concertinas. They are all 12-fret. Wonderful instruments.

You might also keep a watch for a used Taylor 312 or 322. It's a small body, some 12-fret, some-14. I've seen them in my local Craigslist listings as low as $1100 or so.

Originally Posted by Gahboo

....I want a 12 fret smallbody...

[tadol]

Why not another Larrivee? If you’re planning on buying used, keep your eyes open, and try what comes along. When you find one that works for you, buy it -

[Oldguy64]

Are you sure that you want a small bodied guitar?
You’ve been playing big 14 fret guitars.
They have a big, open sound.
Moving the bridge 2-frets toward the endpin makes a difference.
But a small guitar is still going to sound “boxy” for the most part.

My favorite small guitar is actually a travel guitar. And, to me, it sounds better than it should. I have a Journey Instruments OF660 in carbon fiber.

I did have a Takamine New Yorker. It was a gorgeous guitar.
But it sounded boxy to me, as a guy who normally plays dreads and jumbos.

[Toucan]

Originally Posted by KevinH

I'll second the recommendation on the Breedlove Concertinas. They are all 12-fret. Wonderful instruments.

You might also keep a watch for a used Taylor 312 or 322. It's a small body, some 12-fret, some-14. I've seen them in my local Craigslist listings as low as $1100 or so.

I'll third that about Breedlove, though I went with a Preformer Concertina made in China. Still all wood construction and torrified top. Looks and sounds amazing for a $600.00 guitar.

[mawmow]

I own these (not for sale) that fall within you criteria :
A parlor (small) Alvarez AP66 (or AP70)
Seagull Performer CW QIT
Eastman AC122ce
Electronics of the Alvarez and Eastman is crappy,
but the QIT of Seagull is good.

[Dru Edwards]

Gahboo, Welcome to the AGF!

The Larrivee 40 Legacy Series has a 12 fret 0, 00, and 000 models. It's more than $1000 though but if you love Larivees and you want a 12 fret small body that's where I'd start.

[Silurian]

Eastman have several 12 fret models that would be in your budget used.

E10 and E20 P

E10 00 and E20 00

[Lillis]

Originally Posted by Silurian

Eastman have several 12 fret models that would be in your budget used.

E10 and E20 P

E10 00 and E20 00

This is a really good suggestion. The one guitar i regret selling was an E20 00.
They have really beefy necks so you need to be aware of that.