What's the best cheap acoustic?

[That90'sGuy]

Hey guys, my girlfriend really wants to learn the guitar, (I know, SCORE ). I was thinking about getting her a decent beginner acoustic as a graduation present (she'll be graduating from UConn in a month).

I honestly don't know what's out there now. Are the Samick acoustics decent? I was thinking one of those Jasmine by Takamine acoustics (one of the acoustics I thought was decent and played in school when I first started). I know GC has Epi acoustics for sale for $99.

I, myself will be getting an Alvarez, perhaps they make some really cheap ones too? My mind is really running through several companies.

 

[jmv]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

Uhh, yeah, when i saw this, i was gonna reccomend an alvarez, but i don't know how cheap they come.

As i recall, when i was at a store helping one of my moms freinds pick out a cheap guitar for her son, fender actually made the best sounding one they had there.

I'd go play some, see what has a decent action, and what doesn't sound too super-tinny (thats the problem with most cheap acoustics, they're all top end, no bass).

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

I should have thought of Fender, good suggestion. Thanks I agree with the tinniness problem, but I know I can't avoid that on a $100 or less acoustic.

While I'm looking into this, any other suggestions?

 

[FenderBender03]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

Hi...

I don't know if $200 - $250 is out of your price range or not, but my acoustic is a Fender DG-14S and i think musicians friend has them for $209 or something close to that. I think this is the perfect entry level acoustic, it has a solid top (a must-have for acoustics IMHO) and plus it has a total satin finish which i think helps the rest of the guitar resonate better. When i play this acoustic along side of ones that cost much more, i really don't hear a big difference :fing2:


FenderBender

 

[jmv]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

Yeah, thats a good point i forgot to mention... a solid top is a definite plus... so are back and sides, but i don't think its possible to find a cheap guitar with that, but i dunno, cuz i don't too much about em, since i'm not in the market for one.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

The Samick Greg Bennett stuff IMHO Can't be beat. I have a D-8CE
That got off ebay as a factory 2nd for $140. It plays and sounds Awesome.
To the best of my knowledge All the Fender and Epi Acoustic's are made
at the Samick factory?

 

[FenderBender03]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

My DG-14S says "made in China" on the back of the headstock, but i have no idea if its affiliated with Samick in any way. :dunno:


FenderBender

 

[Norman_T]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

Funny one of my students has recently bought one of these Fender guitars (I did not know they were made by Samick), made in China. Sounded very good and had a nice tone, it had a fairly low action, nice strings and more importantly it played well. Also was in tune over the fretboard and not bad intonation at the twelfth fret. It cost £99 including a gig bag but I guess if you are in the states then its probably $99 or thereabouts? It is not a solid top guitar, but for that sort off money would do you (and your girlfriend) very adequately. If nothing comes from your girlfriend playing the guitar then you could keep it for yourself or sell it and hopefully not lose to much money .

 

[beandip]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

my best acoustic came from marlboro, the cig company. so if you smoke, and same your miles, you can get the same as mine for 2000 miles and 50 bucks. solid spruce top, mahog. back sides and neck. action is really low w/o any buzzing at all. its great.

 

[BluesNRock87]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

i was looking with a friend recently and some of the under 175 washburns sounded really good to my ears. The fenders in that range were also really nice. Alvarez are great, but i dont think they make anything that cheap. Any of the 3 (washburn, fender, alvarez) and i dont think you can go wrong...Solid is essentail,

i ddidnt like the jasmine by tak. but give them a try, they arent for everyone IMO

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

Thanks guys.

I was just thinking about this; she didn't realize just how much of a beating your hands take with steel strings. So I think she wants a classical I know I can find those pretty cheap and I agree with the above advice, solid woods are essential.

Now to find out who puts out a good classical. Either way, it shouldn't be too hard

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

My DG-14S says "made in China" on the back of the headstock, but i have no idea if its affiliated with Samick in any way. :dunno:


FenderBender

I don't think Samick has a plant in china? But if it says made in korea
or Made in Indonesia, Good chance it was made by Samick.

 

[RACER X]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

You can get one of the new Ovation AA-21 turtle back Applause acoustics in black,ruby, or natural for $149.99 at Musicians Friend.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What's the best cheap acoustic?

For the player looking for real tone, the best buy is a used Martin DR (Dreadnaught Rosewood). They're $900 new, and $600 used, if you can find one! That, and the Taylor 310 are the best midlines.

For beginner guitars, you can't beat Washburn, Takamine, and Yamaha. It's sometimes hard to believe they can sell something that good for $200.