You're gonna laugh, but I like it

[Gearjoneser]

and I got it for cheap.

Today, I found $20 worth of Sam Ash gift cards in my trunk that expire tomorrow, and
hit the store to look for something cheap like a used pedal, strap, or cleaning supplies.

After a half hour of pondering accessories, I headed to the acoustic room. After playing some Guilds I knew I wouldn't be buying, I spotted a fancy flamey cutaway dreadnaught that l didn't recognize. It even had a three piece back with fancy Phoenix inlay.

It turned out to be a Keith Urban Player guitar.... you know...the Home Shopping Network commercials. LOL

I picked up this brand new looking guitar, and realized it's about the same quality as an Epi, Samick, or Dean....probably made in the same factory. The neck is perfect, it sounds good, and it was priced at $69.

I love my high end acoustics, but I'm not a snob when it comes to decent cheap acoustics. They're the ones to travel with, camp with, and pass around to friends without flinching.

So for a couple gift cards and $50, I came home with a mint Urban Player. I'm ripping the plastic nut, saddle, and pins, and replacing it all with Tusq/Martin. That is what you do with budget acoustics to bring them to their full potential.

Pics coming, but here's links.

https://www.google.com/search?q=urb...2q9TVA==&q=urban player&imgrc=SJgg0q2yTy6L1M:

https://www.google.com/search?q=urb...2q9TVA==&q=urban player&imgrc=-VDgSduS33Ec-M:

Here's an idea of what the three piece back looks like.
https://www.google.com/search?q=urb...bm=isch&q=urban+player+&imgrc=QsPGlxdto2oxUM:

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Not being from the US I don't recognize the references but in my my eyes it looks like a pretty cool guitar and for 69 USD it's a no-brainer in my book so I'll simply and honestly say enjoy her in good health man and of course Happy New Guitar Day! :headbang:

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

I worked with a guy who bought one of these and loved it.
He was a beginner and he said it suited him just fine and it stayed in tune and everything.

I give Keith credit. He knows how to keep that money rolling in.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Maybe Keith will be able to afford a proper haircut now.

 

[ErikH]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Nice score. I like cheap acoustics too. Last year I picked up a cheap Yamaha for my daughter and I really like how it sounds. Got it for a steal at GC the weekend after Father's Day because they forgot to remove the sale tag from it. Their mistake, my gain.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

My cousin has an Urban and an Esteban
Both are nice in their own way but neither compare to the 67 Guild she also has

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Gotta love a beater acoustic. I'm always nervous taking my Martin outside to the cottage or beach/camping. I need to pickup a Tak for that so I can just enjoy.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

And if it goes haywire....well then there is always the fire

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Did you get all teh DVDs too?


Sounds neat,esp for under a C-note!
'Grats!

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Gotta love a beater acoustic. I'm always nervous taking my Martin outside to the cottage or beach/camping. I need to pickup a Tak for that so I can just enjoy.

This is exactly why I got my Yamaha Acoustic

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Did you get all the DVDs too?


Sounds neat,esp for under a C-note!
'Grats!

I don't care about the DVD's, but I would have liked the original gig bag. Didn't come with either.

It's quite a nice guitar for $50 out of pocket. It'll be better tonight with new strings, saddle, and bridge pins.
The nut is cut good enough that I'll leave it alone for now. I may change it to Tusq later.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Now I understand why Keith Urban isn't ashamed of his guitar line, nor feels like a sellout like cork sniffers assume he should. I own the same quality of guitars he does, and really dig his Player acoustic.

I tried my best to find out which company manufactures these, but it's apparently a well hidden trade secret.

After changing just the stock saddle for a quality one, which the Sam Ash repair dept. gave me for free, and dialing it in with Cleartone strings, I can honestly tell you guys it's on par with a high dollar acoustic.
In a shootout with a Martin D-28, it went toe to toe on chords and beat it on high single notes. It has the fullness and even more presence...like a Taylor dreadnaught.
Against my Epiphone AJ, it beats the Epi across the board.

I'm utterly amazed that I paid $50 for a Home Shopping Network acoustic that holds it's own among $2500 guitars....and I'm not in a honeymoon phase.

When you change minor things on a budget guitar like the saddle and nut, you bring it up big time.
I didn't even change the nut or bridge pins yet, and may not even do it. Well actually, Sam Ash is sending me another $10 gift card, so Martin black/abalone pins will be bought with that!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Congrats on the score!!!! Wow!! Impressive shootout findings!!! I rarely ever watch hsn, but happened to stumble across one night when they were hawking this guitar and package.. I almost pulled the trigger cuz the guitar looked pretty nice on tv (Yeah, I know you cant really tell) but for all the dvds and stuff that came with it, was really a pretty good deal if the guitar was worth a dollar.. Apparently its pretty darn good!!! Also, I ALWAYS take sales pitches with a grain of salt, but they did make a few believable references to the fact that it actually was very nicely made and they had a guy really play on it and sounded pretty great. Guess they weren't Kidman!! haha (yeah, lame I know)

 

[Aceman]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Feels good, sounds good, is good….

 

[BloodRose]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

I know, its only 50 bucks but I like it....

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

I'm jealous..$150 is the lowest I ever paid for a guitar...need to look around more & spot these hidden gems :lmao:


EDIT: Oh..it's an acoustic...not really my thing ..still a killer deal :bigthumb:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

The best deals on outstanding guitars I've ever gotten is this and a Godin P-90 guitar I got for $175 w/HSC. Both cheap, but surprisingly good.

I also bought a pricey LP flametop today, but that NGD thread is coming soon. My Gibson collection just got silly.

I'm going to be listing some good stuff this week because I need money.

 

[philthis]

Re: You're gonna laugh, but I like it

Gotta love a beater acoustic. I'm always nervous taking my Martin outside to the cottage or beach/camping. I need to pickup a Tak for that so I can just enjoy.

i did exactly this and the Tak play wonderfully with a good setup. made well enough to sound good unless you stack it up against something 2500.00 or above.