Help picking acoustic

PudWud · January 2021

Hi all

I’m looking for an acoustic at the moment but I have to admit I’m not familiar with the best ones for my budget.

Based on what I’ve played previously I know that I either want an 000 or OM style acoustic.

Budget is up to about £1750, what would be the best options available in this budget?

I’ve seen the Martin 00017L which look nice but not sure how good they are.

drofluf · January 2021

I've got a Martin 00015-M which is one step down in the range which is a guitar I never want to put down! SO I think you'd be happy with the '17.

But we all have different preferences

Andy79 · January 2021

000-17 is a GREAT guitar, as is the 15. I really like mahogany tops but not as an all the time guitar. I would go spruce for that. At that budget you could think about a used 000-18 also

Easman do great 000 size ones too. 99% as good as Martin, maybe

Furch. Top drawer,

Gandalph · January 2021

If you’re patient you might be able to find a 000-18 in you’re budget.

If I was looking right now though I’d seriously consider the 000-17 in the classifieds, it’s a fair price and has a pick up (bonus).

DavidR · January 2021

Yamaha FS5, Any Eastman with E and OM in the name!

Andy79 · January 2021

Your left handed?

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/px201211364950025--martin-000-18-left-handed-pre-owned

meltedbuzzbox · January 2021

If you go used you really have a massive range of choice.

I think you can get a real decent Martin with £1750. I would always try the guitar out first though. Which is tricky at the moment.

PudWud · January 2021

Yeah, I am really leaning towards the Martin 00017 or 18 (if there’s a decent priced second hand one).

Does anyone have experience with Larrivee?

https://www.peachguitars.com/larrivee-om-02.htm

TheBigDipper · February 2021

PudWud said:

Yeah, I am really leaning towards the Martin 00017 or 18 (if there’s a decent priced second hand one).

Does anyone have experience with Larrivee?
https://www.peachguitars.com/larrivee-om-02.htm

I own a Canadian-built L'Arrivee L-01. I've had it for 16-17 years now. That's the same as the L-03 in the current product lineup but plainer, no bindings, less bling, same solid woods. It was a special production run for their Japanese distributor, I believe. It's really good. Nice neck, easy to play and sounds balanced. The L body shape is unique to them - sort of jumbo-ish and dread-ish but not quite as big or quite as loud. I'd recommend them (along with Furch) as punching above their price point. They have a similar model naming approach as Martin. The letter is the body shape and size, the number is the bling factor. The bigger the number, the fancier the woods and decoration will be.

The OM model you've linked to looks nice to me. Peach has a great rep for offsite sales.

A few years ago I was looking for an OM-sized guitar. In my own limited experience, I didn't find a Martin I liked at the price range you're going for. They all played OK but sounded dead. I needed to go to £3K upwards before any Martin OM or 000 started to sound as good as far cheaper Furch or L'Arrivee models.

I was willing to spend a bit more than you are planning, though, so I bought a Brook Taw. My entire guitar purchase history seems to be setting a budget and then blowing it when I play something I really want and finding the extra money somehow!

Tone71 · February 2021

I've just picked up a Martin 000-15 special, spruce top rather than mahogany.

A lot cheaper than an 000-18 and well within your budget, It is simply superb and haven't put it down since I got it.

WindmillGuitars · February 2021

@PudWud - If you'd like a chat about the Eastman range drop me a DM.
I've some great thermo cured OM models available right now that are well within your budget.

guitarjack66 · February 2021

I like the look of those Eastman E1 OM models. Just my size and price range too.Once I can shift my Epiphone Masterbilt I may invest in one.

tomjax · February 2021

If you can stretch any further budget wise this is a stunning guitar for a crazy price... https://reverb.com/uk/item/38620316-santa-cruz-h13-left-hand-sunburst

PudWud · February 2021

tomjax said:

If you can stretch any further budget wise this is a stunning guitar for a crazy price... https://reverb.com/uk/item/38620316-santa-cruz-h13-left-hand-sunburst

That looks nice but unfortunately I’m not left handed.

I’m in no mad rush so I think I’ll wait it out until some guitar shops are open and I can try some out again.

tomjax · February 2021

Ah, I think a few of us thought you were due to the 00017L reference. The price of that Santa Cruz has had me wishing I was!!

Christeafur · February 2021

brook lamorna (that's their OM) or any other brook s/h if you can find one. Simply amazing guitars made in the UK, and fantastic value for money. I have two, will be getting a third.

richardhomer · February 2021

You can’t really go wrong with a Martin.

I’d certainly consider buying used. I notice you’re in Lancashire, so a trip to Frailers in Runcorn would be worthwhile when we’re allowed. They usually have a really wide range of new and used acoustics.

Benm39 · February 2021

Second the recommendation for a Brook. I've a Taw, bought new from Coda, and now it's opening up and with sweetened tuning it's just a delight to play.

Winny_Pooh · February 2021

00018 is fab

BingMan · February 2021

Like others have said, you can’t really go wrong with a Martin. I sold a mint 00-18 a couple of years ago for about £1,600 so I reckon if you’re happy to wait around a bit you might find a used 000 or in your price range. It was a great sounding guitar... one of the reimagined ones, but I was suffering from severe GAS back then and moved it on to fund something else.

Seems like a few years ago there was a lot more on the used market than there is now. Guess what with all the lockdowns people are less likely to be listing guitars for sale, given you’d normally want to give a guitar at least a strum of a G chord before pulling the trigger, and lock down ain’t really allowing that.

Worth considering Eastman too if you don’t want to buy used

guitarjack66 · February 2021

richardhomer said:

You can’t really go wrong with a Martin.

I’d certainly consider buying used. I notice you’re in Lancashire, so a trip to Frailers in Runcorn would be worthwhile when we’re allowed. They usually have a really wide range of new and used acoustics.

If you go to Frailers(Runcorn is where I live but found Frailers pretty unfriendly) try Ideal Sounds which is literally up the side street next door. Karl is my local guitar tech and has a great little shop full of used guitars and guitar gear which will fascinate you. He's a great fella too and very friendly.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Help picking acoustic

Comments