A New Acoustic

gaffmaster

I've been playing guitars for years. 95% of them electric. I have a decent collection of Electric instruments, and i also have a rubbish acoustic. i think it is time i got myself a decent acoustic.

I would be willing to spend about €500.

I would like a nice tone and nice feel to the neck/good action. I have to want to pick the guitar up. A pickup is not esential at this stage.

The problem is i know very little about Acoustic Guitars.

If you know your acoustics, could you recommend me a couple of nice ones to try out?

Thanks a lot.

deaddonkey

you want a nice tone?

well that's really specific

i was shopping for acoustics earlier this year with a grand to spend, wanting a big, warm, fat, loud bassy tone

ended up with an epiphone ej300 with a solid pine top and laminated rosewood sides
i like it a lot, it's a fun guitar to play.
also, garrison make some great dreadnoughts in the 6-800 range if you can stretch your budget.

It wasn't me!

There is no nicer guitar in that price range (in my experience and opinion) than a Simon and Patrick. I've played guitars for nearly three times the price and my Simon and Patrick which I got for 500 blips out-classes every last one of them up until over 1200, so I can't recommend it enough. I plug them every time someone asks about acoustics, but I really do believe they offer you more for your money than any other acoustic manufacturer out there, and offer enough options that you'll almost certainly find a tone you like. They stock them in Music Maker, so do yourself a favour and pop up. They probably have a christmas type sale on now anyway, so you should get one at a decent price.

gaffmaster

Donkey by nice tone i was specifying that i wasnt really after a brand name so long as the tone was good. so if you want me to talk the language of tones i suppose i'd be after a crisp, tepid, resonant, bassy, strong all rounder.
Thanks for your recommendation but unfortunately i dont have that much money.


It wasnt me - thanks for the tip, i'll check them out.

It wasn't me!

No problem. Any chance to plug a really great guitar is always appreciated.

JimmyJazz

I agree with 'IT' - S&P are really nice guitars. I've had a S&P Flame Maple Pro for 5 years and I love it - beautiful big full body sound. Really well put-together and and looks great too!!

It kinda gives me confidence when playing if that makes any sense?

Here's the harmony review:
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Simon+%26+Patrick/S%26P+Pro+Flame+Maple/10/1

FindingNemo

gaffmaster wrote: »

I've been playing guitars for years. 95% of them electric. I have a decent collection of Electric instruments, and i also have a rubbish acoustic. i think it is time i got myself a decent acoustic.

I would be willing to spend about €500.

I would like a nice tone and nice feel to the neck/good action. I have to want to pick the guitar up. A pickup is not esential at this stage.

The problem is i know very little about Acoustic Guitars.

If you know your acoustics, could you recommend me a couple of nice ones to try out?

Thanks a lot.

Hi there,

Well, you've a few choices..
If you were looking for something new I would go for a either a yamaha or tanglewood.
You spoke of pick ups. If you don't need one, don't get one as this effects the price of the guitar by anything from 40 euro to 200 euro. Besides, you can always get one fitted at a later stage.

I personally, would look out for a second hand guitar. You can get some great bargains. The entry level martins, D1 etc......it's just a matter of timing though as they don't come around too often.
I would try to avoid the likes of epiphones/takamines.

Eoin Madsen

I'll second the Simon & Patrick. In that budget range it's a class above a Tanglewood, Takamine or Yamaha, imo.

gaffmaster

Thanks for your replies everyone. Wow Simon and Patrick are getting alot of praise.

Has anyone ever bought a guitar off Chris Guitars? www.chrisguitars.com

Kenny_D

gaffmaster wrote: »

Thanks for your replies everyone. Wow Simon and Patrick are getting alot of praise.

Has anyone ever bought a guitar off Chris Guitars? www.chrisguitars.com

Yes simon and patrick are good guitars in their price range. Better than tanglewood IMO. On par with a good Yamaha.

And yes I bought a wonderful koa Takamine acoustic from chrisguitars about 2 years ago. It arrived without any problems. You'll have to pay import tax. Chris is a good guy to deal with if you get a response from him. My only gripe is that recently his prices seem to be a bit higher. I remember you could get some great bargains on his site. Now it seems to be getting a lot harder to find a real gem on their for a good price. Saying that, I'd love that Soldano amp he listed today and it's a decent deal when you consider its €1400 here and $900 from chris

kev_s88

bought a Tanglewood Indiana series semi- about 3 years ago for about 350 euro. and its is to this day my most prized guitar.it has the most beautiful sound.and i would deffo rate it very high in its price range.

gaffmaster

I went to a few guitar shops and played a few guitars over the past few days.

Eventually I went for the Avalon DS 201. Its made in Korea but it's a lovely guitar. Bought it in MusicMaker for precisely €500 (free cappo and strings) comes with a gigbag. Great service in there, was impressed with the salesman.

Rosewood Back and Sides, Mahogany Neck, Cedar Top.

Chose the Dreadnaught over the Concert Body because it felt nicer.

Thanks for all of your help and advice people.


Side notes: Simon and Patricks were all out of my price range. I almost fell in love with a Guild till i saw the price tag. played a takemine, it wasnt for me.

Keyzer

What about this on Gumtree - http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/96/14838596.html

I reckon you could get him down to €600, its a bit above your price range but the sound off this thing is phenomenal.
I played one in London a while ago and almost wept...

I'd buy it myself but I'm saving up for an Orange Rocker 30 Head and a matching 212 cab...