Decent acoustic - what to consider

Tannin · September 2022

DavidR said:

I see that you perhaps plan to move this guitar on at some point. Have I read that right? In which case, the problem becomes not only what's nice but what holds its value best. So, much as I'm loathe to say it (because I think they're overpriced), that's probably going to be a Martin. Buy second-hand as others have suggested?

This is a fallacy. Think it through: it only holds true where you are buying new. Let's work an example:

Buy a new Martin for £3000. Sell it for £2500. Loss: £500.
Buy a new Other Brand for £2000. Sell it for £1000. Loss: £1000.
David's Theorem holds true.

Buy a used Martin for £2500. Sell it for £2500. Loss: nil.
Buy a used Other Brand for £1000. Sell it for £1000. Loss: nill.
David's Theorem falsified.

Obviously I've just made up some numbers there, but you can see the point. The loss on high-depreciation instruments takes places on the first resale. Once some other poor bugger has already worn the resale value hit, you have nothing to fear. Indeed, you can buy twice as good a guitar for the same money, and not lose anything on it if you sell.

Martin make nice guitars, every bit as good as a dozen other prominent makes we all could name. They have always been overpriced - say 20-30% over what you pay for most other makes of equivalent quality. But since the pandemic, prices are up about 20% for every brand - except Martin. Martins are now 45% dearer than they were. It is naked price gouging. Just say no.

mattacjones · September 2022

Thanks for all the thoughts. I picked up a 2018 Martin 00015m today at a decent price, hardly used, so just a decent set up required. Cheers

PAL · September 2022

Your already thinking about selling a guitar you haven't bought so I would suggest taking your time.
You have a good budget to spend on a guitar but you don't need to spend a lot the best thing to do is go and try some
acoustics out and see how they feel to you.
As someone has mentioned most people go for dreadnought or jumbo guitars and these can feel a bit cumbersome
coming from electric the same goes for neck size they vary so I would suggest trying a Taylor as these guitars were initially
designed with electric guitar players in mind. Even the GS Mini is a nice guitar but then they go up in sizes.
Hope you find the guitar for you.

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Decent acoustic - what to consider

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