Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

[danny458]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new acoustic guitar that is reasonably easy to play and does't require me to push down incredibly hard with my fingers. I'm looking for a guitar that has a fairly bright sound and is diverse enough for most genres and styles but mainly rock, blues and country. I'd like a guitar that is good for finger style, strumming and acoustic lead guitar; basically a guitar that sounds good for most genres and styles of playing. Any suggestions?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

What price range?

Sounds like you want a Taylor–brighter sounding and super easy to play.

 

[danny458]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

I don't really want to spend a huge amount but i'd around £400 - £500

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

Well, a new Taylor to do what you are looking for will probably cost you more than that new (that is roughly $500-$650 here in the states, not sure how high things are in your country after shipping and customs.)

Alvarez, Breedlove, Epiphone and Ovation all offer some very nice sounding acoustics that should be in that range.

If you are just wanting easy to play then an setup/action adjustment can make that happen.

 

[danny458]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

Yeah £400 is about $390 so I guess it's close. Do you have any specific Taylors you recommend?

 

[Securb]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

The Ibanez EP5 Euphoria Steve Vai Acoustic Electric Guitar has a neck like an electric and is a dream to play. Here is a review I wrote about it.

http://www.tmrzoo.com/2012/35842/gu...5-euphoria-steve-vai-acoustic-electric-guitar

 

[vinnie1971]

Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

I recommend Washburn and Tanglewood in your price range. I have a super jumbo and super folk respectively and bought them for their tone, playability out of the box and price. They are great.
Also I recommend Takamine and Ibanez too.
I was disappointed by Epiphone acoustics in this price range. I expected better.


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[danny458]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

Thanks a lot for all your replies, do you have any more specific guitars from the brands you listed?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

Yeah £400 is about $390 so I guess it's close. Do you have any specific Taylors you recommend?

If you don't mind going used, then a 100 or 200 series Taylor should get you where you want to go.

Others have mentioned some great ones too–Takamine and Ibanez make some great stuff.

Epiphone Masterbilts (spelled correctly) are something to seriously check out–all solid wood construction (most stuff in that price range are laminates.)

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

short scale 24,75 inch with extra light strings

taylor makes them as does Seagull

I shopped them till settling on an Epi Hummingbird about 3 weeks ago

it arrived with twelves from the factory
swappped them for 10 - 46 Elixir set of 80 20

the volume dropped dramatically from the twelves
much easier to play

I blame the volume drop on the 80 20 set
phospher bronze is my go to strings
but I wanted to try these

when I change strings again I'll fix that

my recommendation is Epi

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

I recall a recent review of an "easy for beginners" acoustic in Guitar Player. I can't remember exactly but I think it was within the last year. It was built from the ground up for that purpose.

 

[Will S-T]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

Tanglewood is a British brand that has a wide range of quality guitars, from beginners to pro solid timbered instruments.

You should check out what you can get second hand locally. You could end up with a lot of guitar for that money

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

I recall a recent review of an "easy for beginners" acoustic in Guitar Player. I can't remember exactly but I think it was within the last year. It was built from the ground up for that purpose.

the Epi PRO line is billed that way
the reviews are horrible though

similar short scale
thin body
light strings

ugly headstock

 

[chadd]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

Going to the lightest gauge of acoustic strings that you can find will help a lot with playability. It will reduce tension and give you a brighter sound. I regularly play with 11s on my acoustics for those reasons.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

Whatever you find, have it setup. Many complaints about difficult to play acoustics are poorly setup entry level models. I play 13s on mine, it's not that difficult when the nut, relief and action are correct.

I also suggest the Taylor 100 and 200 series, great guitars for the money, they play and sound great for the price.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Which new acoustic should I consider buying for a reasonable ease of play?

Nothing NEW.

Find a cheap old Made in Japan, used... like Takamine or something. Just check it actually says Japan.

Nothing new for under $1000 will ever compete.