Acoustic advice

[TRex]

I went to my local shop down the street yesterday and looked at what they had in the acoustic department. I needed a new Acoustic as my lotus's bridge is lifting, and taking part a layer of the laminate top with it.

Kinda noticed a few things I always wished my lotus had, such as a preamp jazz and a cutaway.

I came in with thinking of a budget of $300-350, but they didn't have a lot in that price range. Few things caught my eye.

A used $200 Yamaha apx700dsr caught my eye, but it has a few cosmetic taste issues. Abalone ring, redbust finish, bit strange body shape.

A Recording King dirty 30 000 for $200 as well. Probably could use a nut and bridge job as the action was high. Also no cutaway or electronics, which I was hoping to get. Pretty sure they are solid top, but not 100% sure. Had huge dot inlays that where a bit odd to see.

A beautiful sunburst seagull entourage rustic cw. Fit every part of the bill, except it was $150 overbudget at $499. Nice fit, finish, setup, and played really well.

There was another white seagull that was a bit cheaper at $399, but lacked a cut way and the finish wasn't something I adored. Had French writing about Quebec around the sound hole as well, and had Fishman instead of Godin electronics.

What's you all's advice?

 

[TRex]

Re: Acoustic advice

If I have time today, I think I'm going to head back over there to play them more.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Acoustic advice

Begin by deciding what size body you need to get the sort of tone(s) you require. Waste no time on anything that does not have a solid soundboard. In your stated budget range, onboard transducer and pre-amp circuitry is likely to account for approximately one third of the purchase price.

As you have already noticed, anything that truly hits the spot exceeds your current budget.

I suggest that you overcome your objections to the Yamaha APX. It would keep you playing until you save enough to purchase the guitar that you really desire.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Acoustic advice

I really like Seagull guitars. If you are able to go over you budget and get something like that, I would do it.

Another guitar to keep your eyes open for would be a used Epiphone Masterbilt acoustic. They run around $500-600 new, but I've seen them used from $300-425 ish. I have the Jumbo version and I love it. Mine doesn't have electronics, so I put in an aftermarket K&K Mini, which sounds great. There are some that come with a really nice transducer/mag hybrid pickup system that sounds incredible.

 

[blakejcan]

Re: Acoustic advice

Of those choices, recording King

The seagulls are rad but the finish on that entourage series doesn't hold up

 

[regan]

Re: Acoustic advice

I'd go with the Yamaha apx700dsr never played a bad yamaha.
And if you want to upgrade you'll probably get your money back

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Acoustic advice

I've got a APX500III
brand new on Amazon.com for $300 with case

I like the Yamaha.
I found the recording king lacking

The Master built Epiphone is a good choice. But the was one at GC that was pedestrian while another at a local shop sounded amazing

Be sure to find the right one

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Acoustic advice

Craigslist can be your very good friend in this department

Epiphone Masterbilts can be bought for around $300...but will probably be a bit over budget. They are all solid wood though and sound much better than the price, IMO (compared to their Gibson counterparts vs price that is.) Epiphones in general are hit and miss, but some of those cheaper acoustics can really sing for the price.

Check for an Eastman, they have some great sounding stuff out there and some around that price range.

Parkwood sounds great as well, more pleasing to the eye as well, IMO.

Yamaha makes incredible gear.

Recording Kings have a very nice tone! I wouldn't be afraid of that guitar.

If you are welling to sacrifice your jazz preamp and cutaway, Baby Taylors and Big Baby Taylors are amazing!

 

[TRex]

Re: Acoustic advice

Begin by deciding what size body you need to get the sort of tone(s) you require. Waste no time on anything that does not have a solid soundboard. In your stated budget range, onboard transducer and pre-amp circuitry is likely to account for approximately one third of the purchase price.

As you have already noticed, anything that truly hits the spot exceeds your current budget.

I suggest that you overcome your objections to the Yamaha APX. It would keep you playing until you save enough to purchase the guitar that you really desire.

As far as I know, all these have solid tops. The size of the Yamaha maybe a problem, it really didn't sound as full as the other larger instruments.

I really like Seagull guitars. If you are able to go over you budget and get something like that, I would do it.

Another guitar to keep your eyes open for would be a used Epiphone Masterbilt acoustic. They run around $500-600 new, but I've seen them used from $300-425 ish. I have the Jumbo version and I love it. Mine doesn't have electronics, so I put in an aftermarket K&K Mini, which sounds great. There are some that come with a really nice transducer/mag hybrid pickup system that sounds incredible.

Now that I think about it, there may have been a non electric or cutaway seagull for not much more than my budget. Maybe I could get that and a transducer pickup later down the road. That would probably be under $400 then I can add a $100-150 pickup later.

Of those choices, recording King

The seagulls are rad but the finish on that entourage series doesn't hold up

Really? If anything I thought the seagull's finishes felt better and stronger than the dirty thirty's. (Both where great)

I'd go with the Yamaha apx700dsr never played a bad yamaha.
And if you want to upgrade you'll probably get your money back

This is true, I could probably get the guitar for what I could sell it for later.

I've got a APX500III
brand new on Amazon.com for $300 with case

I like the Yamaha.
I found the recording king lacking

The Master built Epiphone is a good choice. But the was one at GC that was pedestrian while another at a local shop sounded amazing

Be sure to find the right one

The recording kings they had had a bit of strange string spacing between the B and E strings.

The Yamaha is definitely a decent guitar. But I'm not sure I liked the abalone raised ring around the sound hole, or the shape of this particular model.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Acoustic advice

The K&K mini is a great pickup. I think I purchased mine and had it installed all for about $150, but it's been a while, so that might not be accurate.