What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

[Nightburst]

Hey guys, I thinking about buying a nice acoustic guitar but I don't know much about acoustics.

I'm looking at some Dean models and also some Fenders. Does anyone know if they are any good? Brands to avoid?
Of course I will try a few in the store before I buy but a buyer who does his homework always ends up with the better stuff IMHO.

Please keep in mind that I don't want to spend more than around 150 - 200.

Spruce tops are best for acoustics? Mahogany?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Try to get your hands on a Seagull or any of the Godin subsidiaries. Good quality stuff for not a lot of money.

 

[Bludave]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Yamaha Acoustics IMO are the best cheap guitars I have played.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Cool, that's good info guys, thanks. Keep it coming!
Most Yamaha's I see are quite expensive. The store I'll go to has Seagulls, I'll make shure to try them though I don't like the looks much.

How about the Deans? They look pretty cool. I'm looking at one that has a solid spruce top and a mahogany back, for 229. There is also one that has a cutaway and is painted black. Same price! :drool:

 

[iDunnoMang]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Eh, i like Yamaha and Seagulls.

my guitar teacher has a low end fender he rocks with. its probably just his skills shining through though.

never heard of dean acoustics

 

[Im_in_Disguise]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Alvarez RD8 = Most popular guitar in the world for like, the last ten years. runs about 200$ with a hardshell case in most places, quality hardware, good intonation, good action, sound that one can easily find agreeable.

 

[Sprinter]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

The best import acoustic guitars I've found are Aria's. Dean's aren't bad either.


Sprinter

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Don't know how much the Fender "Stratcoustic" (sic) costs, but it plays pretty nice.

 

[megalo]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Yamaha and Seagull for sure. Ive owned both and they are far better than some more exspensive guitars ive played.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Seagulls are known to have been a "repair shop" favorite. I have played and will eventually get around to buying an Alvarez myself. I love the tone. Balanced, yet sounds rich and full and has a bit more of a brightness than other acoustics.

The model I'll be getting is a bit more expensive, an AJ60SC, but it delivers more than a lot of acoustics I've played, even custom shop Martins (and that blows my mind).

 

[diggamark]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

+1 seagull...

 

[Hoss]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

i have two fledgling guitar nephews with Alvarez's...not bad at all...you might find a used Takamine for that price too...can't go wrong there...and Arias aren't bad for the $$$ either!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Yamaha Acoustics IMO are the best cheap guitars I have played.

Yep! Yamaha, Takamine, Alvarez....look for a used one! Don't buy a new $150 guitar. It'll be crap. Lew

 

[HOly_HuMbuCkeR]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Go with the dean its great quality for the price range.

 

[Rstlessone]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

+1 for the Seagull, from the same people that make Godin electrics. The next lower grade from the Seagull is the Art & Luthrie, same group of companies, good quality and lower price.

Also +1 for the Alvarez, great guitars for the price. They have many models so look around.

Buying used is your best bet, look for a solid wood top if possible, many of the low end guitars have laminate tops. When buying new or used be carefull, look out for twists in the neck and check every fret for buzz. Watch that the action is not too high or the frets are sticking out at the sides.

Good luck.

 

[skh515]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

I've had two Yamaha acoustics, both were great guitars. I still have one, my nephew has the other. I like the FG-300s and 400s, if they're still making those. It pains me to say this, but avoid Fender. They have never really made a good acoustic to my knowledge. I have not played a Stratacoustic so I can say anything about them.

I love Mahogany top guitars, but not everyone does. I think they have a fuller, richer sound whereas Spruce tends to be more bright/brillant sounding. I don't know if there are any Cedar top guitars in that price range but that is another tonal choice.

Happy Hunting! :rocket:
Steve

P.S. I can't count how many really good guitarist I know who own and use Yamaha acoustics. That should count for something.

 

[jbuckley]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

I know Fender has an acoustic pack that runs around $200. The guitar that comes with it has a solid spruce top, which tends to age better than cheaper models with laminate tops. Guitar Center usually sells 'em.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Yamaha Acoustics IMO are the best cheap guitars I have played.

+1

 

[Nightburst]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Great advice form everyone! Thanks!
It seems the Yamaha's and Seagulls are populair as well as Alvarez, I'll definately check those out.
I'm still curious about those Deans, does anyone own one?

 

[gordon_39422]

Re: What's a nice acoustic for around 150 - 200?

Never seen one in person, only in magazine ad's. Another testimony for Seagull..... When I drove to Atlanta to do my evaluation for admission into the school, I was surprised to see that the president played one. Not just one he has laying around for students to bang on, but that was HIS guitar that he had used a few nights before at a gig. He claimed that when he was searching for an inexpensive guitar to gig with, he tried every guitar in the store (GC), and was sold on the quality to price ratio of the Seagulls. Now, this is a guy who has several modded guitars, along with a Matchless, VHT, and Mesa/Boogie Mark IV in his office. I played the Seagull for nearly 3 hours so that I could pass the entrance exam, and I have to say I was impressed with the action, the tones, and eventually the looks grew on me. I had seen them in stores before, but turned away because of the price tag (too low)! Well, I learned from that one... Now when I test gear out, I play everything that falls into the category regardless of price. If nothing else, it gives you a frame of reference for tone.

Got off on a tangent, but seriously, I definitely vote for the Seagulll!