Best solid wood acoustic for £500-£700

Thomas_k · April 2019

basically I’m tired of hearing these cheap tin sounds from all these guitars.. I want something with a nice rounded off low ends all solid acoustic guitar with a budget between £500 -£700 i was thinking a guild or something like that. Any suggestions would be great ?

Kilgore · April 2019

I suggest moving this to the acoustics section.

Kilgore · April 2019

Eastman do some all solid woods in that price range.

Maybe you could be more specific? Dred, OM, etc. Spruce, cedar or mahogany top? That kind of thing. What do you like playing?

rossyamaha · April 2019

Can't really go wrong with the Yamaha L16's. Choice of body shapes and they're like dead good and stuff.

earwighoney · April 2019

rossyamaha said:

Can't really go wrong with the Yamaha L16's. Choice of body shapes and they're like dead good and stuff.

No longer under £700, but a fair chunk more.

Great guitars though. IMO, one of the best necks for any acoustic guitar - the 5 piece necks are incredibly stable.

rossyamaha · April 2019

earwighoney said:

rossyamaha said:

Can't really go wrong with the Yamaha L16's. Choice of body shapes and they're like dead good and stuff.

No longer under £700, but a fair chunk more.

Great guitars though. IMO, one of the best necks for any acoustic guitar - the 5 piece necks are incredibly stable.

Most places just over but you can get this..

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/14030615390532--yamaha-ll16are-dark-tint?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvs2v69DX4QIVw7HtCh2lpwBnEAkYASABEgJGtfD_BwE

stimpsonslostson · April 2019

FAITH!

Thomas_k · April 2019

Sorry I should have been more specific.. definitely a dreadnought, I haven’t really looked at Yamahas maybe I should. I was thinking more of the lower end Martin or Guilds. At the moment I have a Martin DC15E soild mahogany and it’s great. So something along them lines... I’ve heard good things about the epiphone masterbilt dr-500mce but I’ve never really heard a good epiphone so I’m very sceptical

Fuengi · April 2019

I recently was shopping in this price range and the first thing I'd say is don't discount layered back and sides.

We tried everything, absolutely everything, in the £400 - £800 all solid range at Guitar Village and ended up with a PRS Angelus Ltd Edition which is layered Koa b&s with solid spruce top. It was clearly the best sounding acoustic (to ours ears) at this price point.

Guild and Faith were all decent at that price but didn't match the detail of the PRS. The bracing system they used on that model locks down the back and sides and just focuses on moving the top. It seems to work!

I took it to the Water Rats jam last week and general consensus was it sounded great both acoustically and plugged in.

I'd definitely look at a Taylor 114 not least because they have always argued that the woods matter less than the way it is constructed. I've also had a bit of a Damascene conversation regarding this, with experience of a poorly finished Eastman as well as this experience with PRS.

Teyeplayer · April 2019

Maton S60, the odd s/h Gibson j15 and a couple of Eastmans would all fit your criteria and be good acoustics.

Winny_Pooh · April 2019

Some solid wood recording king guitars are bargains in that price range.

Kilgore · April 2019

How about Dowina for a left field suggestion? Slovakian brand, all solid. Andertons stock them, YouTube videos available.

Thomas_k · April 2019

Thanks all. I’m gonna look at the suggestions. I do like the look and sound of the Gibson J15 im sure you can pick decent second hand ones for a decent price

zepp76 · April 2019

I have a Tanglewood X15 NS solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, maple binding, bone nut and saddles, dreadnought sized.

its a very nice guitar, I picked mine up for £650 and it's worth every penny!

Andy79 · April 2019

I’ve seen J15s and J35s as cheap as £800 from time to time but never less. Glenns has a J15 at mo £999

BigLicks67 · April 2019

If you go for a Yamaha LL16 make sure you go used as the depreciation is steep. They are very good guitars though.
I've seen a J15 go for £660 recently.

TheMarlin · April 2019

BigLicks67 said:

If you go for a Yamaha LL16 make sure you go used as the depreciation is steep. They are very good guitars though.
I've seen a J15 go for £660 recently.

These are fantastic guitars!

crunchman · April 2019

You might pick up something lower down the Furch range second hand at that price.

I wouldn't rule out something that doesn't have solid back and sides. Laminated can sound good, as can the HPL on some of the lower end Martins. Those Martins have an unfinished look to them. There is a finish but it's incredibly thin, so it doesn't restrict the movement of the top. I have an OOO version and it sounded better than conventional gloss finished guitars of twice the price when I bought it. I was willing to spend more but there was no point.

Fuengi · April 2019

Bargain Faith Neptune in the classifieds worth a look.

thomasw88 · April 2019

I have a tanglewood tW15s I think called and also a simon and patrick (can't remember the model). Before that i had a taylor 414. I much prefer both those to the Taylor by a mile.

Th4fonz · April 2019

I would keep your martin and get saving and just buy a d 18 or d28 whether you want hog or rosewood. As that price range your not going to be gaining anything over what youve got.

Thomas_k · April 2019

Th4fonz said:

I would keep your martin and get saving and just buy a d 18 or d28 whether you want hog or rosewood. As that price range your not going to be gaining anything over what youve got.

Andy79 · April 2019

What else do you have?! Where do you keep hearing these terrible sounds?

GTC · April 2019

The guitars from the Alvarez Masterworks series are worth a look. All-solid tonewoods. Hand-crafted (in China) - but generally with a very good build quality and attention to detail. The Masterworks series emerged from the relationship between Alvarez and the Japanese luthier K. Yairi.

Teyeplayer · April 2019

Thomas_k said:

Th4fonz said:

I would keep your martin and get saving and just buy a d 18 or d28 whether you want hog or rosewood. As that price range your not going to be gaining anything over what youve got.

That’s the conclusion I’ve come to, I’ve also got a 2003 J45 so so the sounds I’m hearing from these cheapish guitars aren’t what I’m looking for. I think it’s best to save the penny’s and get a decent Martin

If you are looking for something different to your Martin and Gibson, can I suggest you check out Larrivee. Their L shape just has something in my opinion.

rustneversleeps · April 2019

I’ve a solid wood Sigma ,very nice guitar.In your price range.Well worth a test drive if you can,good luck.

Thomas_k · April 2019

rustneversleeps said:

I’ve a solid wood Sigma ,very nice guitar.In your price range.Well worth a test drive if you can,good luck.

What one is it ? I’ve tied a few sigmas really good guitars for the money

rustneversleeps · April 2019

Thomas_k said:

rustneversleeps said:

I’ve a solid wood Sigma ,very nice guitar.In your price range.Well worth a test drive if you can,good luck.

What one is it ? I’ve tied a few sigmas really good guitars for the money

It’s a 00028vs 12 fret and a great all round guitar.

Andyjr1515 · April 2019

I build guitars and do use solid back and sides - but I would fully agree with some of the comments above about not discounting laminate back and sides. The back can sometimes make a difference to the acoustic volume but the tone is ALL about the quality of top and bracing.

If you're going for new and can get to a large store, tell the guys what sound you're after but don't specify solid. Then be guided by your ears. The good (for your taste) ones from the bad (ditto) will stand out like chalk vs cheese.

And yes - I also rate Yamaha acoustics very highly.

Teyeplayer · April 2019

Dude, you need to order one of these:

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/eastman-e1om-limited-handmade-orchestra-model-acoustic-classic/924880

Just taken delivery of one and it’s a fantastic acoustic. All solid woods, good comfy neck and outstanding build quality. Only £499.

I got mine through Gak and they are offering all sorts of great/crazy finance deals (24months interest free, mental, that’s £20 a month).

Will do a NGD shortly, lighting isn’t great for photos this eve. Was one of those don’t think about it, just do it purchases and the gamble has more than paid off.

ESBlonde · April 2019

You will have to search them out, but there are a couple of Furch guitars at or near your price range. Solid tops and laminate is pretty much order of the day at that price, but they do sound very good and not just for the money.

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Best solid wood acoustic for £500-£700

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