Any guitars you bought that were unexpectedly great?

[BT55]

I ran across a 2003 Taylor 420 on my local CL. The guitar was in like new condition even though it was 14 years old. The Cedar/Maple combination is awesome! Great guitar at a fair price, can’t beat that!

[bil]

I was in one of our local music stores a few weeks ago (Mike’s Music in Dothan, Alabama) looking for a cheap Yamaha for a travel guitar. When I explained to Mike what I was looking for, he pointed out a little Recording King Dirty 37. Long story short, $150 later, I walk out with a surprisingly good sounding all laminate guitar I can toss in the car for our road trips that I don’t have to worry about! The narrow nut is a little weird but not enough to be distracting.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Haasome

Any guitars you bought that were unexpectedly great?

Nope. All my guitars were great, as expected.

[DWKitt]

Originally Posted by Cheezeweggie

My Yamaha FG800 has incredible voice and sustain for a embarrassingly low cost.
I don't think Yamahas instrument division is given the respect they've earned - being a company that also manufactures motorcycles and jet skis.

I couldn't agree more. The more I play my 800 the more incredible and lovely it sounds.

[SpruceTop]

On Saturday, I played a used 2018 Yamaha LL-TA TransAcoustic that was just traded-in at my favorite local guitar shop. Aside from the marvelous-sounding TransAcoustic preamp feature, this guitar, priced new at $999 MAP, and Made In China, sounded wonderful when played acoustically without the TA effects--plenty of tonal richness and sustain! It sounded so good that yesterday I ordered a new Yamaha LL-TA TransAcoustic, which should be arriving this Thursday. More to come ...

[gfspencer]

My Martin 00-17 Authentic 1931 turned out to be so much better than I expected. It is easy to play. It is easy to carry around. It has a beautiful tone. And to think that it is my first all mahogany guitar ever.

[Photojeep]

Originally Posted by Jaden

The Siris back on the 000RSG I’ve seen in shop is incredibly beautiful and I believe dense and heavy.* If it wasn’t for the included electronics I’m sure I’d be happy with it over the standard series 000-14s I’ve had for a little less than half the price. Martin is hitting it out of the park with Siris.

* one database cites it being more dense with longer sustain than Indian rosewood(!)

Jaden,
Wow, it never occurred to me it was the Siris that was creating the weight differential...

Well, now I know. This particular guitar has a wedge of rosewood in the back in the Martin 3 piece back style. I wonder how heavy she'd be if she had an all Siris back!

Thank you,
PJ

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by Photojeep

Jaden,
Wow, it never occurred to me it was the Siris that was creating the weight differential...

Well, now I know. This particular guitar has a wedge of rosewood in the back in the Martin 3 piece back style. I wonder how heavy she'd be if she had an all Siris back!

Thank you,
PJ

You’re welcome. That particular 000RSG I mentioned was hefty, I didn’t have a scale on hand but maybe close to 6 lbs. I know the Road Series are on the heavy side also due perhaps to the included electronics, but the weight of the wood used I think is the most determinant factor.

[shadow714]

Eastman AC522. Under $800 when I got it. Still my favorite. Have more expensive guitars now, but it is special.