Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

[chillytouch]

Hi all,

I have been playing and learning a lot of electric guitar recently and my folks and wife have been asking me what I'd like for christmas. I'm a big fan of Eric Johnson, and was thinking about dabbling in acoustic to learn some of his tunes.


I have no idea what good brands are for acoustics or what to expect. Only thing I know is that I don't "need" it to have a plugin for an amp.

For $500.00, I just want the best acoustically sounding guitar that I can get. I was looking at the epiphone PR-5E as I liked the look of the cutaway neck but a couple reviews said it does not sound good unless it amplified, and I don't need that.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[AniML]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Yamaha, Breedlove, Seagull, used Taylor 100 series (maybe some 200s in that budget)

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

BTW EDIT -^^^^ I did not see this post before I posted if that doubles down on opinions for you.

Entry level Yamahas and Breedloves are always good at the 300 to 500 price point. Yamahas will generally be the most overall value for your money at the 500 price point (Pickup, materials, quality, features) but the Breedloves have a sound that you might prefer -If you can stand the look of the headstock, Seagull makes a really great one too BTW . I was never been a fan of the entry level Fender or Gibson entry level acoustics -but I cant put my finger on all the reasons now.

Another approach would be to buy a used Taylor or Martin at that price point. -for 500 -you can likely get into a Taylor 1 or 2 series or the corresponding Martin -which will be another level of sound quality compared to most new 500.00 acoustics.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Yamaha, Breedlove, Seagull, used Taylor 100 series (maybe some 200s in that budget)

Damn, Same damn thoughts.. ***insert high five***

I listen a lot in stores to sound quality of acoustics -those are my choices too.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Don't know about US prices, but here in Europe I bought a Yamaha FGX830C for around € 500, that looks, sounds and plays absolutely fantastic.

Definitely recommended!

 

[chillytouch]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Thanks guys. I'm going to go to the store this Thursday so I will try a few different ones. I'll keep an eye out for the ones you mentioned.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Seagull acoustics (the S6 anyway) are quite nice in that price range, if you can get along with the 1 3/4 inch nut.

I couldn't find any of the Taylor 100 series for much under 800$ used, let alone the 200 series. Same story with the Martin D-16, even used they are going for 800-1000$ . . . but maybe that's just because I'm up here in Canada.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Can you get a used Martin 15 series for $500 anymore? My buddy got one for about that price and after a setup it’s killer.

I agree with the other posters, Yamahas and Seagulls have always been great acoustic guitars across the range for me.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Can you get a used Martin 15 series for $500 anymore? My buddy got one for about that price and after a setup it’s killer.

Reverb says going price is about 1,100$ on a D15M these days.

 

[AniML]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

I happen to have a Taylor 114 with no cutaway or electronics on Reverb currently. I recently (3-4 months ago) purchased a new 000-15M after looking at used ones. They were listing for around $900 and up at the time.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

I happen to have a Taylor 114 with no cutaway or electronics on Reverb currently. I recently (3-4 months ago) purchased a new 000-15M after looking at used ones. They were listing for around $900 and up at the time.

Scouring the internet, I see plenty of used Taylors 1 series in the 550-700 range.

But damn, the general consensus looking at the prices is they really hold value nicely.


Also, I know there is a fair bit of Taylor hate in the industry because of their rise to dominance, and their CNC innovation which allowed for less labor overall and the ability to bring a higher quality guitar at a lower price point than competitors of many years (not sure if that's still true now because every manufacturer uses a portion of Bob's techniques now) . -But at the end of the day, they make fantastic guitars and people who hate on Taylors are being sort of hipsters.

I know in the studios in Nashville in 90s and 00s -I used to get sort of underhanded comments about my Taylor -maybe those days are done.

Bob Taylor is a hero in the guitar industry.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Many of the Taylors I tried were overly bright for flatpicking and felt like they were more suited for fingersylists. That said, the Taylor 214ce DLX that I bought is a stunningly good acoustic guitar with none of the brightness problem I heard on other models. It is also one of the nicest playing acoustics I've ever had my hands on.

 

[Oldskewl808]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Eastman.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

It is also one of the nicest playing acoustics I've ever had my hands on.

Last week a Music producer from NYC told me that he likes his Taylors because they are the only acoustics that can play as fast as an Electric guitar -now I know that's a bit of Hyperbole, but they do play so easy and nice.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Reverb says going price is about 1,100$ on a D15M these days.

Wow, it seems like that was the new price not so long ago.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

i have a few very nice taylors, 814ce and ns72ce, and they play amazingly well even with 13's. they dont sound as good as my other less expensive guitars but they sure play better

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

i have a few very nice taylors, 814ce and ns72ce, and they play amazingly well even with 13's. they dont sound as good as my other less expensive guitars but they sure play better

814s and 914s are absolute Taylor Race cars -god they play amazing ..... but yeah, Taylors are shimmery and bright -if thats not your thing, I can totally see it.

but one of my Taylors is now 25 years old and has been outside A LOT and I'm glad to report it's really settled into a smoother sound.

 

[PAPADON]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Guild Westerly Collection - Prices are MSRP

https://guildguitars.com/guitars/acoustic-guitars/

 

[chadd]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

It's amazing how some people can turn any topic into a chance to talk about themselves or their guitars, rather than help out the OP.

In addition to the Breedlove and Yamaha suggestions, Alvarez has some nice offerings at that price point. The most important thing though, is to play a bunch of stuff and pick the one that feels and sounds best to you.

 

[Securb]

Re: Recommendations on a sub $500.00 acoustic

Ibanez makes some beautiful sub $500 acoustic guitars.