Thinned out shortlist

lapua65 · October 2019

Have been looking for a few weeks for a guitar that I can learn on but not outgrow (not physically). I've done the ebay bargain an ended up with a bit of a twisted neck so not going down that route again. I narrowed the field to a Fender CD140SCE, Sigma DTC-28HE, Epiphone DR500 and a Takamine GD93. They all have a sound I really like and although they are different shapes I would be happy with any of them. I did try a Faith, but didn't like the finish on the Naked model particularly. The Yamaha's were nice but a bit vanilla. Looks wise the Takamine does it and so does the Sigma. Considering the price difference I was really impressed with the Fender but am concerned that it comes with a very nice case, so how have they produced it for so little money? Is it likely to fall to bits in a shorter period of time?

As I haven't played enough to know if I want to strum or pick, I need to get something of an all rounder. If I had seen all of them in the same shop, it would have been easier, but unfortunately I have not managed to do a side by side of any of them. The Sigma belongs to guy I work with, but I will be buying new.

Are there any of the 4 I have looked at a stand out model that can be recommended by anyone on here?

Andy79 · October 2019

Fender should stick to making Telecasters. Look at the Eastman E1D. It’s phenomenal

Davemate · October 2019

I have a fender 140 00 they arebrilliant for the money, hard case too.

Greatape · October 2019

Andy79 said:

Fender should stick to making Telecasters. Look at the Eastman E1D. It’s phenomenal

Do they make anything of similar spec with a long scale? That looks nice.

Andy79 · October 2019

Pretty standard 25.4 for a dread, think you would struggle to get anything longer.

mixolyd · October 2019

The E1D is an absurd value and yeah they’re not short scale - they’re basically a quality copy of the archetypal acoustic guitar the Martin D18 (cost £2.4k). I’d want to be certain I was going to “make it” as a player and not give up if I was going to spend the 500 smackers though. I’d be tempted to get something cheap second hand to get started on then sell it and buy something awesome like the Eastman as soon as I was confident playing along with a few favourite tunes.

Something like a used Baby Taylor, GS Mini or whatever would be a doddle to start learning chords on.

Chances are any guitar is going to need a setup unless it’s a used one that’s been set up reasonably recently. The setup more than anything could make the difference between becoming a guitarist and giving up in frustration.

Andy79 · October 2019

I don’t think there’s any reason for buying a cheaper instrument because you may not make it.
Sigma, recording king and Eastman are better guitars than cheap Taylors and Epiphones and Fenders, in my opinion.

bluechargeboy · October 2019

Epiphone DR500 out of all these for me. I have played one and it was decent. All solid wood. 43mm nut if you prefer that to 1.75" nuts.

That E1D looks good if you can live without a cutaway!

Fuengi · October 2019

Andy79 said:

I don’t think there’s any reason for buying a cheaper instrument because you may not make it.
Sigma, recording king and Eastman are better guitars than cheap Taylors and Epiphones and Fenders, in my opinion.

Eastman's are good but just watch out for the finishing and set-up. The nut I had on my brand new E10ss was so poorly cut that Peach paid for a new one and the marks on the edge of the fretboard are sloppy. That's not great for a guitar that costs over £1k and you wouldn't get finishing that sloppy on a Taylor.

Having said that it plays beautifully (with a new nut) and sounds incredible.

drofluf · October 2019

Have another look at the Faith range. The Naked series have a thin finish by design but the other ranges have a better finish. I also think they offer great value for money.

Greatape · October 2019

Andy79 said:

Pretty standard 25.4 for a dread, think you would struggle to get anything longer.

Ah. The ad I saw said 24.5. I see now httpsthat the description and spec here differ.

/www.projectmusic.net/eastman-e1d-22630-p.asp?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0IDtBRC6ARIsAIA5gWu9NgdvSMJ3lZRxohKz6lu5NOA5ATdLxncM1TVNkSvztkCLPsO9ODoaAjTrEALw_wcB

25.5 is perfect.

Andy79 · October 2019

Thats a typo.
Here’s the blurb from Eastman

https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e1d

Andy79 · October 2019

It’s an incredible guitar. Don’t be put off by the sapele. Nobody can tell it from Mahogany, just check the internet debate over the Martin sapele, mahogany thing.

lapua65 · October 2019

The Eastman is a good shout but I hadn't considered the E1D I had a quick look at the AC122 (?) that has the electronics. The E1D looks nice and just watched a demo on Rguitars and they are quite local to me.

thomasross20 · October 2019

Andy79 said:

It’s an incredible guitar. Don’t be put off by the sapele. Nobody can tell it from Mahogany, just check the internet debate over the Martin sapele, mahogany thing.

I prefer sapele!

mixolyd · October 2019

There’s an E1D on eBay at £370 BIN, plus offers. Collection only in Preston though.

Fuengi · October 2019

thomasross20 said:

Andy79 said:

It’s an incredible guitar. Don’t be put off by the sapele. Nobody can tell it from Mahogany, just check the internet debate over the Martin sapele, mahogany thing.

I prefer sapele!

So you can tell the difference!

Andy79 · October 2019

I’ll wage my dinner that in a blind test nobody could. Hard enough telling rosewood from mahogany let alone mahogany from mahogany

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