Guitars that play way above their cost

[Greymuzzle]

I have a Johnson Carolina Series 2 (the solid wood one) with a k&k in it.
A go anywhere play anything little instrument that sounds better than price would suggest.
Was one of the early ones from this maker/range but they didn’t stay about for long

[Tube Sound]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Tube, those were nice.

sm

Originally Posted by aknow

Tube: I had one of those early '80's MIJ Sigma's. It sounded great!

Thank you Scott and ak. I've also got an '82 DR-41. These guitars are real treasures, especially if you find the right one. Diamonds in the rough.

[Traikat]

I'm going to have to say the two Blueridges I have owned for under 400.00, are still my favorite laminates. My current BR 42 12 fret is my drag through the mud, hit the side of the car, stomp on go everywhere guitar. (for those who just took me serious...don't!) There is a sense of freedom knowing your playing an inexpensive pretty good sounding hog, that you can replace in a heartbeat. Does it sound as clear and bell like my Martin...the answer is no.....is it fun and evokes a smile...yes!

[drew b]

I’m surprised the pre-Fender Tacoma guitars haven’t been mentioned (although I could have missed a post). I have played EM9 and DM9 guitars that are just great. They have 1.75” nuts, all solid woods, good spacing at the bridge, and sound (to me) similar to an Irish build. The 9 series also don’t suffer from the finish issues of some of the higher-end models. There are no more being made, but If you can find one there are examples that are gems.

Drew

[Kohtzy]

Any Larrivee.

[musicman1951]

185 posts and counting.

I could have told you that EVERYONE'S guitar punches way above its cost, no matter what that cost might have been.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by musicman1951

185 posts and counting.

I could have told you that EVERYONE'S guitar punches way above its cost, no matter what that cost might have been.

What he said. So what I want to know is which guitars play at their cost.

[SkipII]

Originally Posted by Nyghthawk

Exactly what was the purpose of the "everybody should just give up and buy a Martin, Gibson, Taylor" comment? Most of the other contributions were extolling the virtues of one instrument or another (and on point with the OP's question, I might add).

Some people are not happy without raining on someone's parade.

The moral equivalent of "Buy a Ford."

[SkipII]

I think the only measure of this is personal, not collective wisdom. We all know that guitars, even the production-level guitars that have good consistency across a given product line, will vary over the years depending upon a lot of factors.

What I think is best is to play a guitar at some shop with your "eyes closed" in. terms of ignoring the brand and then once you have a feel for it, look at the price. If it is a pleasant surprise, that's your guitar punching above its weight.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

What he said. So what I want to know is which guitars play at their cost.

A Froggy Bottom is worth every penny.

[jklotz]

To me, the king of "punching above it's weight class" is the meager Eastman E2-OM. Unbelievable how good that guitar sounds for so little money.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by jklotz

To me, the king of "punching above it's weight class" is the meager Eastman E2-OM. Unbelievable how good that guitar sounds for so little money.

I hear from them that their new cedar-topped dread is also flying off the shelf. That company just keeps hitting homeruns.

scott memmer

[Birchtop]

Yamaha’s FG/FS 800-830 series and the LL16

[Boozehound]

I have an Alvarez Artist AD60 that sounds pretty good for a $200 guitar. The fit and finish aren't spectacular, but at that price point I don't expect it to be. I still never really play it because I have too many other guitars that are much nicer.

[Br1ck]

If someone had $4k, I'd tell them to find a used D 18 Authentic

If someone had $3k, I'd suggest a 60s D 18 on the correct side of a neck reset and fret job, or a Guild D 55. Perhaps a used Collings D1.

If someone had $2K, too many 10-20 year old worthy guitars to mention, but my D 35 custom from 07 is the best D 35 most people who have played it have played, and the 80 M36 I had for twenty years, sold to pay for the D 35, is in this territory too.

$1K ? My 1970 Guild D 35 would be hard to beat, followed by a 15 series Martin.

$500? Scour the universe for a Guild D 25. It's going to be beat up, but it will rock your world. Get very lucky with a 70s Yamaha or Alverez. I played a $250 70s Alverez once that blew me away.

000 may be subbed for D if dreads are not your thing

Honorable mentions? For $1200 and change, a Larrivee dread would be hard to beat, if the used Guild market is too intimidating.