Guitar recommendation

teapot · #1 09-23-2020, 04:05 PM

Hi all, first post but long time browser.

I've never had much throwaway money to spend on guitars but I'm now in a position where I'm looking to upgrade a little. I'm looking for a strumming guitar, price tag around 1k, preference is definitely for warm/dark and preferably one that can get quite loud and project. Electronics are not essential at all.

Thank you in advance.

LeDave · #2 09-23-2020, 04:08 PM

What're you currently using if you don't mind me asking. And welcome to AGF although you said you've been a long time dweller, welcome to your first post!

aeisen93 · #3 09-23-2020, 04:18 PM

I would recommend a Taylor 110. You can find a new one for around $800. I know many people wouldn't associate Taylors with having a warm sound, but the tone really is great! It's loud, clear, and just sounds incredible.

emtsteve · #4 09-23-2020, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teapot

Hi all, first post but long time browser.

I've never had much throwaway money to spend on guitars but I'm now in a position where I'm looking to upgrade a little. I'm looking for a strumming guitar, price tag around 1k, preference is definitely for warm/dark and preferably one that can get quite loud and project. Electronics are not essential at all.

Thank you in advance.

Welcome. Give a Martin D-15 a try, used it is in your price range and a bit more new. Put .13 Monels on it and it should be plenty loud.

Have fun!

phavriluk · #5 09-23-2020, 05:06 PM

OP, you're going to get everybody's favorite guitar proposed as a solution to your needs, all five hundred of them. Go shopping at a brick-and-mortar store whose salesfolks know guitars and choose for yourself. Maybe a road trip to Elderly Instruments or some dealer like them.

Steve DeRosa · #6 09-23-2020, 06:50 PM

Another vote for the Martin D-15...

Bob from Brooklyn · #7 09-23-2020, 07:46 PM

Hi, welcome! Yup, a used 15 series Martin for sure!

Shadowfox · #8 09-23-2020, 10:23 PM

A used Martin MMV, or a Yamaha Red Label would be a good option imho.

ataylor · #9 09-23-2020, 11:20 PM

Welcome!

The Martin D-15M was my gut reaction to the criteria listed as well. $1K or a little bit more should take home a new one from the right shop if you ask for their best price.

YamahaGuy · #10 09-24-2020, 03:45 AM

Yamaha FG5. I have the one with pickups in it. Killer tone. Bone nut and saddle. Ebony bridge pins. All solid wood. Yamaha's A.R.E. treatment on the top. One of the best sounding bang for the buck guitars at that price point. MIJ.

Rixtoy · #11 09-24-2020, 04:53 AM

As a new player as well, my own research led me to a Yamaha LL16 ARE at just under $1,000 from one of the known retailers.

You can do some research, but it is a very nice solid wood guitar at that price point.

(Full disclosure - because I am a lefty, the wait for one from the factory became too onerous during the pandemic and I upgraded to an available higher priced Martin, but think the LL16 would have served my needs very nicely.)

Good luck.

Proclaimer888 · #12 09-24-2020, 05:08 AM

So Larrivee just came out with a new "budget" model.....All solid wood, comes as a dred or an OM body....I believe 1200 bucks. IMO Larrivee makes an awsome guitar and you cannot go wrong. https://heartbreakerguitars.com/coll...vee-simple-6-d
Regardless, looking is half the fun!!!!!!!!! Enjoy and good luck!

UncleJesse · #13 09-24-2020, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proclaimer888

So Larrivee just came out with a new "budget" model.....All solid wood, comes as a dred or an OM body....I believe 1200 bucks. IMO Larrivee makes an awsome guitar and you cannot go wrong. https://heartbreakerguitars.com/coll...vee-simple-6-d
Regardless, looking is half the fun!!!!!!!!! Enjoy and good luck!

They look nice. Unfortunately, that demo did the thing that drives me crazy. They use an alternate tuning so it's hard to get a sense of what it's going to sound like in standard. I've found even cheap guitars can sound great in open D or open G or at least deceptively good.

Bob from Brooklyn · #14 09-24-2020, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

They look nice. Unfortunately, that demo did the thing that drives me crazy. They use an alternate tuning so it's hard to get a sense of what it's going to sound like in standard. I've found even cheap guitars can sound great in open D or open G or at least deceptively good.

Thanks Unc! Demos in drop D make me twitch.

UncleJesse · #15 09-24-2020, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob

Thanks Unc! Demos in drop D make me twitch.

Ha! I guess I initially thought it was in another tuning and not drop D. Another one I see used on inexpensive guitars that tend to be bright is tuning the whole thing down to Eb. Hey! I know what you're up to, guy.

What can I say? I'm old school, if you're dropping down to Drop D play Angeline the Baker or something!