What would you buy for £800-£1000

preston61 · November 2017

So I have been on a little guitar journey with acoustics and have run in to a bit of a dead end.

The guitar I really like is a Martin 000-15e Special. Sitka Spruce Top, hog back and sides, rosewood fretboard and just sounds superb! However it is out of my budget by over £600 and I just cant find the extra cash, or justify spending that much.

So I thought I would come to the good people of this forum for any suggestions that might be similar.

I mainly strum, with the odd bit of flat picking and finger picking. My current setting for playing is a room of about 20 people who are all singing as well, so it needs to be loud enough to be heard, and at some point I will be moving to a venue where I will need to plug in, but I can add a pickup later if needed

Legionreturns · November 2017

I'm totally biased after my recent purchase, but many of the Japanese Takemine guitars are in your budget and blew away everything near them price wise when I was hunting.

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/116660/review-takemine-cp3nyk-new-yorker#latest

VimFuego · November 2017

I would probably try and buy 2nd hand. TBH at the price, there are so many fine guitars that I personally wouldn't get fixated on the brand, I'd go for the one that spoke to me.

Guitar_Slinger · November 2017

I bought a Martin 000M two years ago. I'd lusted after a friend's for about 8 years - they don't make them any more and he wouldn't sell me his. Some came up on eBay but I was either too slow, or they were too beaten up for the price, and I was about to go for a new Sigma 000M when I found a Martin. I'm really happy with it.

Sparky · November 2017

I've just this weekend bought a Sigma 000mc-15e and it sounds very nice indeed. For the record, I'd love a Martin too but had even less than you in my budget! Have you considered a Sigma or is the difference too far away from what you are looking for? You'll save a few quid towards your next obsession too.

preston61 · November 2017

Should have mentioned that I am happy to buy 2nd hand. Don't mind too much about the bane on the label, but the stores near me stock mainly Martin and Taylor guitars, so they've been my reference point.
I also don't really care for cut aways

BRISTOL86 · November 2017

2nd hand Larrivee? I only ever seem to read good things about them.

AliGorie · November 2017

eastman maybe used got mine for under 600 ex demo as good as it gets up to 1.5 - 2k solo fingerpicking's what I use it for.
or as Brist says - larres are good quality

Strangefan · November 2017

Def 2nd hand, larrivee or takamine,

or a 3 series Taylor mmmmmmmm

AuldReekie · November 2017

+1 Larrivee

Funkfingers · November 2017

Furch/Stonebridge http://www.furch.cz/en/millenium-guitars/detail/21-sw/

Jez6345789 · November 2017

As said masses of good acoustics now for a lot less than Martin. Furch comes to mind, Sigma at the budget end.

i really like my Cort adirondak triple o a lot of guitar for little money pretty much a brace for brace clone of a golden era Martin.

The world is your oyster with the current crop of well built Chinese Acoustics.

wrinkleygit · November 2017

How about my '66 Kalamazoo built epiphone, same build as a Gibson LG-0,( built in the same factory ), well within budget with enough change to fund a p'up, see my ad in acoustic for sale section

stickyfiddle · November 2017

If you're trying to fill a room with strumming, have you looked at Dreadnoughts? You might struggle to get even a used Martin D18 around that budget (though there is one on ebay right now in Farnborough for 1k), but something similar from Sigma, Takamine or even Recording King (below budget) would be good.

Maybe?

https://www.andertons.co.uk/acoustic-dept/acoustic-guitars/dreadnought-acoustic-guitars/sigma-sdr-28h-d-style-guitar-solid-indian-rosewood-b-sides-natural-with-herringbone-inlay-inc-gigbag-sigmasdr28h

Fuengi · November 2017

The problem with buying used is you don't get to pick the one you want from a selection.

With your budget I'd go to a two or three well stocked stores and try as many as you can until you find a couple you really like up to £1200 and then see what deals they can offer.

I'd be looking at the Faith range, you can pick up something really good for that money.

Don't forget you're in a strong position with cash in hand to by for £1k as most music stores offer finance at 0% interest*.

*Edit: in order to sell at this price.

preston61 · November 2017

Cheers for the suggestions.

I have considered Dread's. I used to own a Gibson J45 and that was excellent, but it had to get sold to fund a holiday. I have no issue with dreads, just found 000 style guitars a tad easier to play recently, but if a great dread came up locally I'd be inclined to go see what it was like.

Because of online prices, guitar stores don't really offer up much of a great deal round this way. Even heard one of the store guys at PMT say that they don't budge on new prices anymore as they check to make sure they are the cheapest online, can't even offer out a pair of free strings, apparently.

I've got my eye on all the online 2nd hand sections that I know of, so I'm sure something will crop up. I'm holding out instead of just getting the first thing I see, which I think in the long run will pay off

BigLicks67 · November 2017

This has been on eBay for a while, a Furch DS32SM, you could probably get it for £800.00.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stonebridge-DS-32-SM/282313167693?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Sassafras · November 2017

Faith make good guitars at very reasonable prices.

AuldReekie · November 2017

Second hand Larrivee will be within range and see off the others mentioned here

Winny_Pooh · November 2017

There are good Larrivee, Furch etc but a recent guitar that I was really impressed by was an Eastman, not so common used.
There is a rosewood OM on ebay ATM, not played that model yet.

brojangles · November 2017

Thirding Eastman - they are brilliant. You can sometimes get very good prices on them Bax Shop, or you could wait around for one to come up second hand.

rustneversleeps · November 2017

I’ve been in your position years ago.Iam lucky enough to own several martins.I also own a sigma.
Sigma’s are very good stop gap regarding budget.Their not a Martin but if you find the right one their very good..To be honest I shocked how good they are. My Sigma’s a keeper.(Ps you not far away from my M36 in classifieds a real Martin).

boogieman · November 2017

You really do need to try before you buy. I went into Unplugged with the idea of buying either a Martin or a Yamaha L series. I'd based this on reviews in guitar mags and general forum feedback. I left with a Takamine SS dread. It just felt better all round:,it had a nicer neck, it sounded sweeter and had more depth to the tone. (The Martin was one of the Formica-style topped things they were doing in the early 2000's, obviously made down to a price point and they sounded terrible. Afaik they didn't make them for long, unsurprisingly .)

sawyer · November 2017

I find with acoustics its not what it says on the headstock or how much it costs. It what it plays and sounds like. I know that sounds a knobby comment but its true ha.

preston61 · November 2017

Thank you everyone for all your input. I ended up getting an Avalon!!

Incredible piece of craftsmanship and it sounds ruddy lovely, going to have to play it in a bit more as I don't think it's been used much in the last year, however it's pretty much brand new. Used it properly for the first time yesterday and it was loud and clear, and the sustain on it is pretty special. First hand made guitar I've ever owned and I'm very impressed with it

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What would you buy for £800-£1000

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