The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #61  
Old 11-28-2021, 03:11 PM
stillsteven stillsteven is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 258
Default

I’d skip $500 price point and get a Yamaha, Seagull or Eastman around $1000. Preowned Martin 15-17 series or Taylor 300-400 series for $1500 and under.
__________________
Steven

Boucher SG-52 (Adirondack Spruce/East Indian Rosewood)
Bourgeois OM Custom (Italian Spruce/Cuban Mahogany)
Martin Custom Shop 000-18 (VTS Sitka Spruce/Sinker Mahogany)
Taylor GA3 (Sitka Spruce/Sapele)
Reply With Quote
  #62  
Old 11-28-2021, 05:03 PM
Gordon Currie Gordon Currie is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Kirkland, WA USA
Posts: 2,445
Default

Knowing what I know now, for me only:

I would skip the $500 range entirely. Some great values for a starter guitar no doubt, but I would have outgrown them too quickly.

I would enlist the help of a more experienced guitarist to find me a used Larrivee. I most likely would still be playing that guitar decades later, even if I had added better ones in the meantime.

Getting that Larrivee would open me up to an entire world of guitars that I would otherwise never consider. So the higher price tiers would have lots of choices.

I would skip Martins, Gibsons, and Taylors entirely since they just don't work for me, at ANY price point (including free).
__________________
-Gordon

1978 Larrivee L-26 cutaway
1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway
2006 Larrivee L03-R
2009 Larrivee LV03-R
2016 Irvin SJ cutaway
2020 Irvin SJ cutaway (build thread)
K+K, Dazzo, Schatten/ToneDexter


Notable Journey website
Facebook page

Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. - Leonardo Da Vinci
Reply With Quote
  #63  
Old 11-28-2021, 08:33 PM
standup standup is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 105
Default

Interesting question. When I bought my first guitar, it was a used Alvarez for $100. And a Mel Bay chord book. A couple years later the bridge was coming loose and the top was rising/bellying up. I knew nothing about acoustic guitars or caring for them. I knew nothing. I didn’t know a G chord.

So knowing what I know now, on the cheap end I’d get either an Alvarez (I know they’re making some excellent guitars now) or a Breedlove, which sound great in their cheap versions.

If I had more money maybe a used Larrivee or a Martin 000-17 or 000-15m.

If I had over $2000 and knew what I know now: Gibson, Martin.
__________________
Gibson J-50, 1970
Larrivee 00-40
Republic steel-body resonator, 2016 maybe
Basses
Electric guitars
Lap steel
Reply With Quote
  #64  
Old 11-28-2021, 10:25 PM
Wellington Wellington is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,535
Default

Great thread topic! I'm going to assume buying new.

For $500 range, I'd probably go well under with a Yamaha FG800, or if I didn't know about the epoxy I'd also most likely go with a Simon & Patrick Woodland Cedar.

$1000, I'd say Yamaha FG3 or LL6 or 16.

$1500 I'd probably go with a Larrivee D-02, or Martin 000-15m.
Reply With Quote
  #65  
Old 11-28-2021, 10:47 PM
Mezner Mezner is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 140
Default

For around $500 I would spring for an Alvarez or something in the Eastman PCH/E1/E2 series. Taking a quick-peak at Reverb, it seems like an Eastman E1OM, E1D, E2OM and E2D can be had for $530, which is a fantastic deal for an all-solid guitar.

My first "higher" end guitar was in the $1000 range, but if I could do it over, like many others, I would spring for a Larrivee. I've seen lower-trimmed used Larrivees in the $800-1200 range; I'd argue they're near unbeatable for the quality you get.

Last edited by Mezner; 11-28-2021 at 10:53 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #66  
Old 11-29-2021, 12:09 AM
Skeezix Skeezix is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 89
Default

I’d go hunting for guitars to play within whatever price limit…you never know what you’ll find!
Reply With Quote
  #67  
Old 11-29-2021, 12:43 AM
jrb715 jrb715 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,209
Default

Going to break the rules of price ranges:

I'd look for an all solid wood smaller guitar: either a 00 or OM; and if an OM I'd prefer a short scale. I'd want it easily playable and easy to just pick up, grab a seat and get my arm around.

Best starter guitars for me at two illegal price points:

1. Martin 00-18
2. Collings OM2G or OM1A (both short scale)
Reply With Quote
  #68  
Old 11-29-2021, 12:45 AM
VoidBringer VoidBringer is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Northeast Coastline
Posts: 32
Default

Cheapest: Yamaha FG800 or Epiphone Pro
Sub-$500: Epiphone Hummingbird
$1000: Taylor 200 series
$2000: Martin D15
__________________
2021 Martin D18 standard
2022 Taylor 514ce Urban Ironbark
2021 Fender Player Stratocaster
1996 Ovation Celebrity Elite
2016 Epiphone Hummingbird Pro
2021 Schecter Reaper
2020 Ibanez Mikro Bass
Reply With Quote
  #69  
Old 11-29-2021, 07:21 AM
Neil K Walk Neil K Walk is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pittsburgh suburbs
Posts: 8,309
Default

Edited for reconsideration
__________________
(2006) Larrivee OM-03R, (2009) Martin D-16GT, (1998) Fender Am Std Ash Stratocaster, (2013) McKnight McUke, (1989) Kramer Striker ST600, a couple of DIY builds (2013, 2023)

Last edited by Neil K Walk; 12-12-2021 at 02:45 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #70  
Old 11-29-2021, 08:21 AM
sinistral sinistral is online now
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,452
Default

My first guitar was a nylon-string Yamaha student guitar, which I have somehow managed to still have some 50 or so years later. Not sure how I was able to play it (I was 8 or 9 at the time). My next guitar was a Fender Mustang (eureka for small hands) followed by a Les Paul Custom, a fretless wonder. Didn’t buy a steel-string acoustic until I was 30 or so—a Yamaha FG420A-L.

Knowing what I know now, for a first guitar for my 10-year-old self, I would probably get a Cordoba crossover (or whatever they are called) or 3/4 guitar—nylon strings but with a narrower neck.

In the $1k range, definitely a Yamaha, but not the dreadnought size, the 000 size.

For $2k, a 000-18 (basically what I paid for mine recently). Not exactly what I would consider a “first” guitar, but more of a “first guitar in that price range.”
Reply With Quote
  #71  
Old 11-29-2021, 10:33 AM
rmeyer7 rmeyer7 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 42
Default

If I knew then what I know now:

Under $500, either a used Seagull Entourage or a Yamaha FG800 series model. Both great bang for the buck.

$500-1,000 is tough because I've owned a lot of guitars in that range that have been excellent, but have rotated them in and out of the collection over the years. Breedlove's Stage Series would be a great option that often gets overlooked. But I also really like my Martin D Jr. Custom, so something in that line would be a strong contestant.

Up to $1,500 is also tough, for similar reasons. A 15 or 16 Series Martin can be had in that range, as can a Seagull Artist Series and several other strong choices. I love all of those -- in fact my 2 main workhorses at the moment are a Martin DC-16RGTE Aura and a Seagull Artist Concert Hall.

Up to $2,000 opens up a world of possibilities, hard to choose for entirely different reasons. Wouldn't quite be able to afford a used Martin M-36, which I really want. But a nice 18 Series would be possible.

And of course there are a number of Larivees, Eastmans, Gibsons, Takamines, Breedloves and even a couple of Taylors in some of these price ranges that would be worth looking at if they're the kind of sound you like and they feel right in your hands. I just tend to really enjoy Martins and Seagulls.
__________________
Martin DC16RGTEAura
Martin D Jr. Custom
Seagull Entourage Mini Jumbo
Seagull Artist Concert Hall
Alvarez MSD1
Reply With Quote
  #72  
Old 11-29-2021, 11:42 AM
CoastStrings CoastStrings is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Central Coast of California
Posts: 385
Default

$500

For a steel-string, I would stretch my budget a bit and buy the Seagull S6 Cedar Original QIT Acoustic-Electric Guitar. It costs $629. The acoustic-only version can be had for $529.

It's a versatile instrument suited for strumming and fingerstyle; and I've realized that acoustic-electrics are also good for beginners.

For a nylon-string, I would again stretch my budget and get the Yamaha CG-TA. If you want an acoustic-only, I would go with any Cordoba that's at least a C5.

I don't have extensive knowledge or experience with more expensive instruments to offer recommendations.
Reply With Quote
  #73  
Old 11-29-2021, 11:59 AM
takamineGD93 takamineGD93 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 406
Default

If I knew what I knew now and had the money I buy a Eastman D20 and be done. And maybe a proffessional setup if I could find it in my neck of the woods...
Reply With Quote
  #74  
Old 11-30-2021, 07:09 PM
mrjop1975 mrjop1975 is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Urbana, IL USA
Posts: 758
Default

My first guitar was a Harmony Soverign guitar, huge, bulky, but a good sound. Wound up passing it onto a friend. If I was starting from scratch, I would get a Martin 15 series, no bigger than a 000. I think that is the perfect match for what I like - smaller guitar, less bulk, but a good sound to it.
Reply With Quote
  #75  
Old 12-08-2021, 09:21 AM
mpbounds mpbounds is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 28
Default

As a Beginner looking for my first guitar, $1000 and $2000 is unreasonable. I’m in the $500 range. Now you want a solid top because if it doesn’t sound good it will just end up back at the second hand store.

The best bang for your buck is the Seagull or any other Godin brand (Art & Luthrie, Simon and Patrick, etc). So in the beginner realm your looking at the S6 or Entourage maybe a Coastline in there. So think about the tonewoods you want. Standard for those models is a Solid Cedar top with wild cherry sides and back but there are All mahogany, Spruce and other models available.

Now you have to think Size. The S6 size is a dread size. You can in the entourage and coastline lines get concert hall and mini jumbo sizes but dread size is the most normal size from them. The normal scale is 25.5” the Entourage is short scale at 24.8”. Then nut width. Most S6 and coastline are 1.8” and Entourage is 1.72” (same as a Taylor). The S6 and Coastline are available in slim versions at 1.72” and I have seen a couple short scale versions but not too many.

But bottom line but my first guitar would be a guitar would be a Seagull. My first all solid wood guitar would be a Seagull. Until you start getting into the tiers past the Artitsts, buy the Seagull, they are the absolute best guitar for your money out there.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:16 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=