Again (sorry) - Which acoustic guitar

maidenfan · June 2014

After looking through a multitude of options I'm afraid I'm still none the wiser. My wife has indicated a strong wish to play acoustic and would like a nice one for her 40th. I would like to try and avoid the inevitable upgrade after a year or two, so would like something that can grow with her and not limit her progress. Budget is around £800.00. I have played electric for many years myself but have never picked up an acoustic apart from in the 80's to cover Poison and the like.

Her taste ranges from the Stones and Led Zep, to Richard Thompson.

I have looked at the Taylor 214ce but I would really value some knowledgeable suggestions, thankyou !

(I have put some aside to cover a chunk of lessons as well)

svejk · June 2014

I'm not in the market at the moment because I'm stony, but I've been fantasising about when I'm not!

I look the look of Furch (made in the Czech Republic, which as a Czechophile I would say is a great thing). Thomman have good prices on them. Don't know if anyone here has played them, but videos look good.

If 2nd hand is an option, couldn't you stretch to a Gibson, which would tick all the Stones / Led Zep boxes?

I've never been excited by any Taylor - they seem well made but boring. I bought a Tacoma last time I was looking, which is simple & sounds really sweet. They don't make them any more sadly. Have fun looking!

BilliBob · June 2014

Have look at Takamine Pro series.
Be very careful spending that much on a 2nd hand Gibson or Martin. Not saying dont do it, just beware thats all.
Taylors are awesome guitars, far from boring, magnificent guitars. In fact probably perfect budgetwise for you. Lots of other makes to look out for Breedlove, Larivee, many options. If you dont have the fortune to have an acoustic person to help, it may be worh looking up a teacher of acoustic and enlisting their help.
Best of luck.

noisepolluter · June 2014

Definitely try Larrivee 02 series - probably the best I've tried in the £800 budget.

stickyfiddle · June 2014

I have a Taylor 214 (non-C, non-E!) and it's a great guitar but they're a bit overpriced new imo.

I'd say it's a perfect gigging guitar - nothing wrong with it, but a little unexciting at home compared to lots of others. Definitely worth looking at Recording King at that budget - they're usually less than 800 but really punch above their weight.

svejk · June 2014

Gibson J-15 up on Thommann for £940.... http://www.thomann.de/gb/gibson_j_15.htm.

I presume normal guitar budget rules apply - whatever figure you quote, it's fine to look at things 20% more expensive

I know Gibson get some stick, but some of my happiest times have been spent playing them...

maidenfan · June 2014

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, really helpful. The Breedlove range in particular has caught my eye, how do they stack up against the Taylor ?

richardhomer · June 2014

IMO Taylor make the best playing, most consistent acoustics on the market. The 200 Series (and below) have laminated backs and sides and are made in their Mexican factory.

Neither of these things particularly matter; 'Westerley' Guilds (which some rate highly) had pressed laminate backs and the quality of Taylor's Mexican production seems to be every bit as high as their American built guitars.

The (Amercan) 312 & 314 could be picked up used within your budget - they are all solid, with Sapele back and sides - and sound superb. Tonally they are arguably better than some of the higher-priced models, which use more traditional wood combinations.

AuldReekie · June 2014

Second hand Larrivees certainly worth looking at in this price range

menamestom · June 2014

Any well made and well set up acoustic will not limit progress, there are lots of guitars from around £200 that would do the job great. The main thing is to make sure it is set up well IMO for somebody learning acoustic.

The Taylor suggestions are good because they do play very nice out of the box and sound good. The GS mini is the best sounding Taylor I have played, I actually preferred it to a 3k Koa Taylor when I tried a few recently. Easy to play and they sound great.

Faith sound great and play well too and you get a lot more for your money, a the faith naked series are outstanding value.

Steadhock · June 2014

Personally, I would say one absolute MUST-TRY in that budget is the Yamaha A series. They're absolutely wonderful guitars and very much nail the Taylor vibe but with way more bang for the buck - the electronics in particular are superb. Also has a nice sinker finish on the neck that means you can feel the wood grain under your hands. Mahogany and rosewood-backed options are available and you can also get them in a dreadnought rather than grand auditorium if that appeals. An AC3R has been my wishlist acoustic for at least two years and I still haven't played anything else in that price range that nails that combination of features quite so well.

And like others have said, Larrivees are simply fantastic. Beautiful, beautiful guitars and very well priced. Check them out too!

crunchman · June 2014

Furch / Stonebridge are excellent. I think they have reverted back to the Furch name now but they are the same thing.

spark240 · June 2014

I have the Taylor 414CE, my pal has a Martin...different guitars but both really nice to play.

That said...I have a Yamaha APX and cant really fault it except its a bit quiet unplugged.

Evilmags · June 2014

Second hand Larrive. At 800 quid you should be able to get an all solid bodied acoustic if you go second hand. Thn you have to decide the following.

1) Body shape. Do you want a loud, deep bass (Dreadnaught), or very focused (orchestral size) or somewhere in between. The body shape makes a huge difference to the sound.

2) Top Cedar or Spruce. Cedar is warmer, spruce more piano like.

3) Back and sides. Mahogany, Rosewood and Maple are the most common. Again each sound different.

maltingsaudio · June 2014

You have two variables here one you want an acoustic and two your buying for your Mrs..... take her to a suitable acoustic specialist emporium take a flask of coffee and some sandwiches and let her try everything. I wouldn't get hung up on makes and types at this stage because every acoustic at that price point be it new or secondhand will be slightly different. I know I was that soldier twenty years ago looking to buy a nice acoustic expecting it to be a martin or gibson sat down in Hanks for two hours and walked out with a Fylde saving over a grand on what I expected to pay!

xmrchi · June 2014

Can I sugguest a USA guild, Amazing guitars!

maidenfan · June 2014

Thank you again everyone, I really appreciate the helpful advice and suggestions.

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Again (sorry) - Which acoustic guitar

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