Acoustic Guitar Suggestions (*please read criteria first)

[cu4life7]

Like some others have mentioned, I would highly recommend the 000-15M or 000-15SM for you to at least try. They aren't for everyone, but they are fantastic and an amazing value in the tone/dollar category. Someone will have to pry mine from my cold dead fingers.

Gibson J15 is definitely worth a try. I loved the one I played. If you get into used guitars, the D-18 is an obvious choice to look at. You might be able to find a used 000-18 floating around if you look hard.

I got my 15 for less than half your proposed budget used. I find it great for fingerpicking and as vocal accompaniment.

[bsman]

Originally Posted by microscope

Is that why you let it go? And would you say a Taylor is a good example of the more zingy tone?

Actually, I've still got the 000-15 - it's the SWOMGT I let go!

[Tony Done]

I'm a folk/blues fingerpicker.

D-18, or similar in Taylor, like 210, 310 or 410, whichever your ears, not the price tag, tell you is best. I prefer Taylor on constructional (the shim-adjustable bolt-on neck) but not tonal, grounds, and I prefer the old plain-braced D-18s to the new ones for their "tighter" sound.

If you lived in Oz I would suggest some Maton models.

[zhunter]

I am curious, do you ever actually buy any of the numerous guitars folks have recommended over the years? If that is a mean thing to say, sorry, but folks have gone some distance to offer up a lot of advice several times. It would be nice to know you occasionally take some of it.

hunter

[flaggerphil]

PM sent.....

[Sagebrush Tom]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob

Martin 15 Series

Another nod for Martin's 15 Series. You just can't go wrong and you'll have money left over to get a pickup if you so desire.

Tom

[DukeX]

Another vote for Larrivee OM in either the 03 or 40 series.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by microscope

It's funny bc I hear a lot of love about this line, but also a lot of people letting them go. Could one reason be because it has a more bassy feel?

These Mahogany Martins are great guitars but...

They are warmly unconventional when compared to Spruce topped guitars.
I own a wonderful OMC 15e and I love it as an alternative but it just isn't a "go to" guitar for me. Others have suggested a used post-2012 D18. That's a great suggestion.
An new Eastman E 20 D at around $1000 is unbeatable unless you absolutely want to spend more. Don't be misled or fooled, Eastman makes one heck of a guitar. The E20D has an Adirondack Spruce top with Rosewood back and sides.
It's a beast!

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by Truckjohn

Size between a 000 and a Jumbo means a Dread....

Within those criteria....
New $1,500 Martin, Taylor, Gibson or Guild dread. Pick your specific model based on what you want..

Used - $1,500 wil get you a J-45, D-18, or Taylor 510...

For me personally - I would do used as you can get a lot more guitar for the money..
I would take a used D-18 over a new 15 series Martin.. But that's me....

I think 99% of players would. I'm in the 99%.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

I recommend you go to a shop and try some guitars. Some of the brands you want to avoid are the brands that build some of the best guitars in your price range. You’re limiting yourself. Increase your budget, or challenge your preconceived notions about brands and quality. Yamaha, for instance, makes one of the very best all solid wood models below $1000 with the LL16. Seagull makes outstanding solid topped guitars at very low price points.

My feeling exactly. And if he doesn't like Seagull, what about Simon & Patrick. They make the same guitar as the Seagull with some slight differences.

[Johan Madsen]

I'm obviously biased but it seems that a Furch OM would fit your description pretty well, very loud and projective, but also very responsive, great overall sound and workmanship

[Samogitian]

I play fingerstyle with my Taylor 414ce-R and while a new one is a little outside of your price range, a used one, or a new 3 series one might be just the thing. At the beginning I was brand agnostic, but ultimately went with Taylor because a lot of good fingerstyle players I watched on youtube used it.

[tippy5]

I agree with most of the ones mentioned. A newer used D-18 if you like long scale. 000-18 for warm tones and harmonics. The Larrivee's sound great for rhythm across your genres. Hard to beat a sitka / mahogany, light weight, Martin with the newer bracing pattern and perfect neck with narrow string saddle spacing.

They also have a big sweet spot sonically for right hand execution. Some guitars if you strum them a little off, across the 6 strings, that poor execution can produce audible mistakes. The Martin's are more forgiving. They have enough tone mid song to not show mistakes as other guitars would. Yet they are not as deeply lush as a boutique tone machines, which may expose slight mistakes. They are not too lush. They have a warm, compressed tone. (especially the low mids!). 15 series also sounds wonderful. I haven't owned a J15 but love slope Gibson's as well.

[Sagebrush Tom]

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

I think 99% of players would. I'm in the 99%.

I'm in the one percent. I own an 18 series (00) and i still prefer my 000 15 series.
I must be going thru an all mahogany phase right now as i just love the dry, woody warmth of a hog guitar.

Tom

[microscope]

After reading a few comments, I opened it up to more brands, so please keep
the good suggestions flowing.
Thanks : )