Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

[phil_104]

First off : I know NOTHING about acoustics.

I know, I started a thread about a punk guitar about a week ago.... oh well. I got that done, and now must turn my sights to an acoustic-electric, caus celtic-rock-punk would not work without a guitarist with a decent acoustic guitar.

My question to you gentlefolk of the forum : What is the best acoustic-electric guitar out there, in terms of price quality ratio, for a gigging musician who has between 300-550$ to spend on the guitar? Like I said, it's for celtic-punk-rock type stuff, so it's nothing to fancy, but I need something reliable that will sound alright when I plug it into our PA system.

I don't know much, but what I do know is that for this setting I would like a clear sound : so cedar tops might not be the best option. I would love something out of spruce of maple, even if it's not a solid top.

I've been looking at :
- Art & Lutherie
- Simon Patrick
- Ovation Celebrity center hole series

There has to be other options out there, and I need to buy this thing before the new year, so let me know what you guys think. I know there are some real good acoustic players here, so your help would be appreciated!

 

[tenniso]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

i have a yamaha fg730s which is outstanding. they make an elec/acoustic version i think its the fg730ags or something like that. check out their site. yamaha acoustics are really really good for the money. cant compare to martin, but otherwise you will never do better. i abousolutely adore mine.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

+1 for Yamaha.

As a teenager, I used to own a Yamaha FG-3xx. Foolishly, I sold it to finance something else. Today, I own a pre-owned Martin DM. This has made me appreciate exactly how good the Yamaha instruments are.

In your budget range, look out for Norman Guitars, Cort and Takamine/Jasmine.

Consider hunting around pawn shops and car boot sales. Occasionally, somebody has a guitar for sale but no idea of its true worth.

 

[trevorus]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Art and Lutherie makes great stuff. I have a cedar topped steel string, and it's a phenomenal guitar. it competes with guitars many times it's price.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

I've played a lot of yamaha acoustics, and for some reason, they feel really ''plastic'' to me. I don't know if it's the kind of finish they use, but they feel like they are dead compared to guitar with a more satin finish.

Any models that would break this description in their line?

 

[Tor]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Takamine offers good stuff..

 

[thespricket]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

I really like those epiphone acoustic electrics, some of them are less expensive versions of classic Gibson models. Anywhere from 200 to 500 smackers.

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Get an Art & Lutherie or a Simon & Patrick. Both companies are made by Godin guitars and every one I have picked up and seen played live has sounded great. Nice necks on them too.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Thanks guys,

I'm heading to a few stores on monday, gonna play some A&L, Simon Patrick, Epiphone, Takamine, Ovation, and Yamaha. Hopefully something will strike my fancy, and I can start my hunt on the used market (caus I can't afford new gear).

Suggestions are still welcome, specially if they are model specific!

 

[thespricket]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Thanks guys,

I'm heading to a few stores on monday, gonna play some A&L, Simon Patrick, Epiphone, Takamine, Ovation, and Yamaha. Hopefully something will strike my fancy, and I can start my hunt on the used market (caus I can't afford new gear).

Suggestions are still welcome, specially if they are model specific!

That's actually the best and only good way to get acoustic guitars. Go to a few stores and find the best guitar for your money. I wouldn't dream of buying an acoustic guitar without playing it first. Also, don't single out any brands. You may come across something amazing you've never heard of. They all feel and sound differently, and it's very personal and subjective.

one last thing, keep in mind a good string change will do a lot to the sound and feel of the instrument. Of course it's like that with electric guitars, but with acoustics it's a huge difference.

 

[Richard]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

I went through the same thing you are going through about 2 years ago. I wanted to find the best A/E guitar for the buck and i had about $350 to spend. I went out to 5 or 6different stores and played about 50 guitars and out of all the acoustics i played 2 really stuck out... A $2000 Martin and a $450 Alvarez... I found that same Alvarez on ebay brand new with a finnish flaw and a factory 2nd stamp on the inside for $205. 2nd best acoustic ive ever played. First being the $2000 martin of course. So check into Alvarez before you decide on one. Here is mine.

 

[scottish]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

if you want an acoustic guitar to play live, amplified, then get an ovation. 100%.

I was dead against them until i played one live...then i bought one, lol

 

[DLT]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

First off : I know NOTHING about acoustics.

I know, I started a thread about a punk guitar about a week ago.... oh well. I got that done, and now must turn my sights to an acoustic-electric, caus celtic-rock-punk would not work without a guitarist with a decent acoustic guitar.

My question to you gentlefolk of the forum : What is the best acoustic-electric guitar out there, in terms of price quality ratio, for a gigging musician who has between 300-550$ to spend on the guitar? Like I said, it's for celtic-punk-rock type stuff, so it's nothing to fancy, but I need something reliable that will sound alright when I plug it into our PA system.

I don't know much, but what I do know is that for this setting I would like a clear sound : so cedar tops might not be the best option. I would love something out of spruce of maple, even if it's not a solid top.

I've been looking at :
- Art & Lutherie
- Simon Patrick
- Ovation Celebrity center hole series

There has to be other options out there, and I need to buy this thing before the new year, so let me know what you guys think. I know there are some real good acoustic players here, so your help would be appreciated!

Phil,
Check out Carvin before you buy. They make great acoustic electrics for a fraction of the price of the competitors. Way better than an Ovation too.

I bought a 550C acoustic. It plays and sounds fantastic!

 

[beandip]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Bottom line:

In that price range, plugged in (which I assume a good 90% of the guitars life will be), it's hard to be Takamine. It's the reason you see soooo many people playing them. They sound great when amplified.

Now, if you're going to be micing the acoustic, which I seriously doubt, but will share my input on the subject anyway.

For Celtic Punk (I'm thinking something along the lines of Flogging Molly?), the Godin line of acoustics are good. Seagull, Art and Lutherie, Simon and Patrick are their brands. They're all constructed in the same manner, in the same factory. A&L is their lower line, but still offer an excellent selection. If you're going somewhat traditional, you need a spruce top. It offers the headroom needed for heavy strumming, and will give you the tone you want.

Used Epiphone Masterbilts can be had in that price as well, which are all solid woods, and for a hundred bucks or so, you can add the pickup of your choice and that's right for the guitar.

You can also find used Taylor 100 and 200 series acoustics, Martin X and 1 series (not too good for celtic punk), Crafter, Ibanez Artwood (great guitars, stay away from the AEF lines), and others.

All in all, I seriously suggest Takamine. They're cheap, they're sturdy, and they sound good plugged in. Can't ask for much more.

This has been a public service announcement from your resident acoustiholic.

 

[philthis]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Takamine offers good stuff..

Takamine all the way. Them and Seagull are great bang for the buck guitars:bigok:

 

[phil_104]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Thanks for the input guys,

Scottish, I have to admit that I have a certain fear of Ovation, because of the infamous bowl they are made of. I will try and play with with the least bias as possible,lol.

DLT, Carvin has always been a brand that I have respected, and I'm sure to try a few out.

Beandip, always good to hear from you on acoustics. I won't be using a mic, as I want something I can plug in, but I will be looking for spruce.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Takamine all the way.

+ 1. I own an EG260CENT that sounds great directly to the mixing board, and it costs a little bit over two hundred bucks... It's chinese, it sounds small when played acoustically, but amplified sounds HUGE!

That's the one I use both on stage and in the studio.

HTH,

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

I have an old yamaha apx-4A and it would be wonderful for what you're looking for.

It doesn't come close to my taylor for the purity of acoustic tones but once plugged it's good sounding and a reliable guitar. If you were to play solo or in a much more quieter band, I'd tell you to maybe look elsewhere but your acoustic playing's gonna get mixed with a drum, bass, electric guitar, you're not going to sound that loud or that clear. You're gonna be a part of the mix and it's often the mids that shine through an acoustic in these situations. Any acoustic/electric with a piezo-style pick-up and an on-board pre-amp should do the trick. The "plastic" feeling of these yamahas may be a bit suggestive but it's also why they're really sturdy and will last a long time.

Just my humble opinion but for a complete band and this type of music, you can't go wrong with a yamaha with on-board pre-amp...

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Another vote for Takemine from me.
Mines an absolute peach of an acoustic, it's a EG543SC and cost me less than £300 second hand.
Solid maple all the way so it's quite bright and brash but still not lacking in low end.
Plugged in it sounds really sweet.

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Best bang-for-buck acoustic electric?

Yairi or Alvarez