Acoustic Guitar - Reasonably Priced Query...

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

Hi folks, I've not had my eye on any acoustic guitars for the best part of 7 or 8 years, and due to moving abroad and fancying a change, I'm thinking off selling my Martin DC15E.

I fancy a non cutaway, and don't play the acoustic enough to justify having two lying around. I can't say I use the same argument with electric guitars though!

I bought that Martin used, and it need a bit of work to get the neck right, so I don't expect any new guitar to not need some tweaks.

I'm not too precious about woods etc and am looking at something reasonably priced.

Funnily enough, one of the nicest guitars I've ever played apart from a Gibson hummingbird, was a bog standard Big Baby Taylor, so I'm thinking of one of these. Maybe this would be considered a step down compared to what I'm looking to sell but at least I'd have peace of mind that if it were damaged etc, it would always be replaceable. The one I played just felt great.

Other options are the Martin DRS1, OOO10E, Taylor 110e. I know they're a good bit of a step up from the Big Baby Taylor but would be in or around the price point. A step sideways if you will....

I just listened to some demos on Thomann to get a rough idea, and the Martin DRS or Taylor 110 sounded the best, but it's hard to call with those sound demos at times...

Other options are Seagull (any I've ever played have been decent) and Yamaha.

Thoughs? Opinions? Advice?

munckee · April 2019

I played a martin dreadnought jr 15/16 size not tiny a while ago and was really impressed. About £700 new I think - if that's within your budget.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

munckee said:

I played a martin dreadnought jr 15/16 size not tiny a while ago and was really impressed. About £700 new I think - if that's within your budget.

I'd say it would. I had not thought of this.

Whitecat · April 2019

I used to have a Taylor 110... loved it, it was a great guitar, but it definitely had "the Taylor sound" in spades. Sold it because what I really wanted was a 12-fret, but it was a damn good guitar for the price.

zepp76 · April 2019

The Tanglewood Sundance acoustics are fantastic, mines an X15 NS and is a wonderful guitar. Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, bone nut and saddles and maple binding. It's dreadnought sized and plays and sounds great. It also comes with a hard case if that helps, all for £650, a bargain for what you get.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

In terms of Seagull, the Seagull S6 Original would also tick a lot of boxes. Not sure about the coastline or maritime series.

Kalimna · April 2019

I wonder if the Loweden Sheeran models, when in general circulation, might be just the ticket? Having only ever strummed a couple of Lowdens in GuitarGuitar, I couldn't rate them highly enough, and whilst Ed's models may not be in quite the same league, they are unlikely to be duds.

Adam

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

@zepp76 yep, I had a Tanglewood before too, and it was a solid guitar. My particular one just didn't have what I was looking for. Can't fault it for build quality though. I've played some really good Tanglewoods.

Are the Sheeran guitars available to buy? The S01 would be lovely to try but not sure they'd be on my radar to be honest.

Kilgore · April 2019

Eastman, Blueridge and Alvarez do all solid wood models in the £500- £800 range. Dreds and OMs. Worth a look.

Kalimna · April 2019

Im not sure if the Sheeran models are available yet. Andertons, at least, have them to pre-order -

https://www.andertons.co.uk/sheeran-by-lowden-s-01-acoustic-guitar-w-walnut-back-and-sides-cedar-top

Adam

Rocker · April 2019

Sigma. Martin style guitars for very little money.

TonyR · April 2019

You gotta have Faith!

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

So much choice! I'm going to try and narrow it down though just to save me the hassle!

ESBlonde · April 2019

The Sigma call is a good one, they do Martin style well because they were owned by them for a while, but they also do other styles and are well regarded.

There are a good selection of Furch (Stonebridge) guitars too from mid priced and upwards that represent fantastic value.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

I also sea Seagull do some eco friendly models. Nice.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

I think I am narrowing it down to a Seagull or Taylor. (Big Baby Taylor, or 110e) or a basic Seagull SG electro non cutaway.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

I can see that all I have mentioned bar the big baby taylor are for sale used near me. Ones I didn't consider were the Tanglewood TW73 or the Tanglewood X70. The X70 seems to have really good specs.

kreggs · April 2019

Seagulls sometimes have big ass wide nuts on some models, varys from range to range.

kreggs · April 2019

I have a nice ibanez Om acoustic with a soft V neck. Crazy easy to play. Torrefied mahogany top. Worth a shout too

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

On second thoughts, I'd rule out the wide neck Seagull and the Parlor Tanglewood!

I may also have to buy online as I'll be abroad.... back to the Big Baby Taylor!

Andy79 · April 2019

Buy a Yamaha LL and don’t look back. There’s a used one on here for no money

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

Andy79 said:

Buy a Yamaha LL and don’t look back. There’s a used one on here for no money

That is indeed a bargain. Unfortunately I'll be between Ireland and Spain.
i also spied a baby jumbo Faith Neptune

Fuengi · April 2019

Try the PRS Angelus range. I recently picked one up, it was - in my view - the best sounding electro acoustic in its price range.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

Fuengi said:

Try the PRS Angelus range. I recently picked one up, it was - in my view - the best sounding electro acoustic in its price range.

I'm going to get a non cutaway if I change at all

terada · April 2019

Check out Gibson j15s too. Great guitars

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

Still have it narrowed down to a non cutaway Seagull S6 perhaps or a big baby Taylor. A bit concerned, but not too much, that I might be going “a step down” by going for something with laminate back and side but saying that any BB Taylor or Seagull I played sounded really good.
Not sure if I should get a seagull s6 and then buy a pickup later for it rather than the Q1 S6 electro acoustic. Anyone know what the stock Seagull pickups are like ?

ICBM · April 2019

Creed_Clicks said:

Anyone know what the stock Seagull pickups are like ?

They use LR Baggs systems as far as I know. Excellent.

My reservation about Seagull is that they sound great new, but are not very durable.

Fuengi · April 2019

ICBM said:

Creed_Clicks said:

Anyone know what the stock Seagull pickups are like ?

They use LR Baggs systems as far as I know. Excellent.

My reservation about Seagull is that they sound great new, but are not very durable.

Was it you @ICBM who said you see more Seagull acoustic in for repair than any other brand? I remember from another thread.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

@ICBM good to know. Time to rethink my shortlist ?!
What kind of repairs?

ICBM · April 2019

Fuengi said:

Was it you @ICBM who said you see more Seagull acoustic in for repair than any other brand? I remember from another thread.

Not Seagulls specifically, but if you add up all the Godin brands then yes.

Creed_Clicks said:

@ICBM good to know. Time to rethink my shortlist ?!
What kind of repairs?

More headstock breaks than any brand other than Gibson, top braces coming off, splits in the tops, and the very thin finish wears through in no time - you may think that looks cool, but it leaves the wood unprotected. Basically they seem to be built lightly to sound great out of the box, which they do - but they're too flimsy to last very long.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

Ok it’s back to the drawing board. Big Baby Taylor: maybe.
Now looking at Faith but maybe the Naked series lack of finish could lead to problems too ...

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Acoustic Guitar - Reasonably Priced Query...

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