If you had £400 to spend on an acoustic, what would you get?

fretmeister · July 2016

I've never had a good acoustic. I've had an average Yamaha electro, and I've had a 'far better than it should have been' kids nylon string that is now falling apart.

I like nylon strings but I don't like the full size fretboard that is usually found on a classical - hence me keeping the kids one for as long as I have.

I usually play with fingers - I'm not really a strummer when it comes to acoustics.

So I'd like something with a small body and with a neck that is more similar to an electric than a classical - and probably with nylon strings.

Can I do that for £400? New or used is fine.

ta

BigLicks67 · July 2016

You probably want to look at a crossover type model like this :

http://www.furch.cz/en/grand-nylon-guitars/detail/gn2-cw/

Cordoba might have something in that price range if you can find one locally.

xSkarloey · July 2016

What 'big' (i.e. places with a healthy and varied stock level) guitar shops are near you?

Sounds like you need to go somewhere with a range of models to see what suits.

Last time I was in a branch of GuitarGuitar for instance I saw quite a lot of nylon strung guitars of all kinds. Staff were helpful too.

earwighoney · July 2016

Cordoba have a number of 'crossover' models.

Are you looking for something with 12 or 14 frets to the body join? Cutaway or not? Cedar or Spruce soundboard? By full sized fretboard do you mean scale or nut width?

fretmeister · July 2016

Nut width.

I'm in Northants. So there is a PMT for the Zakk Wylde kids and not a lot else.

earwighoney · July 2016

How would something like this fit your profile

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Cordoba-Fusion-12-Natural-Cedar-Classical-Electro-Acoustic-Guitar/18TT

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Cordoba-Fusion-12-Natural-Spruce-Classical-Electro-Acoustic-Guitar/18TX

A bit more than your budget though.

crunchman · July 2016

earwighoney said:

How would something like this fit your profile

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Cordoba-Fusion-12-Natural-Cedar-Classical-Electro-Acoustic-Guitar/18TT
http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Cordoba-Fusion-12-Natural-Spruce-Classical-Electro-Acoustic-Guitar/18TX

A bit more than your budget though.

Nut width on those is still 48mm. That's really wide for anyone used to anything other than a classical.

The Furch above has a 45mm nut width which is a lot more sensible but Thomann list that as €1098 new. It's probably not going to be available for £400 even second hand.

I've wondered about getting nylon string but the nut width thing has always been a problem on almost all of them. The Furch does look good but it's a lot of money for something that I would only use occasionally.

fretmeister · July 2016

48mm is too much. Even my widest 5 string bass isn't that wide.

That Furch looks great but it is out of my budget. However I am wondering about saving up a bit longer to widen the choice.

thomasross20 · July 2016

Used Larrivee

earwighoney · July 2016

fretmeister said:

48mm is too much. Even my widest 5 string bass isn't that wide.

That Furch looks great but it is out of my budget. However I am wondering about saving up a bit longer to widen the choice.

The only nylon string with such a narrow nut I can think of in that price range would be a second Guild GN-5.

I personally believe nylon strings require a bit more space at the nut than steel strings. I'd advocate at least trying a guitar with a 48mm nut first.

stickyfiddle · July 2016

Steel strung, but the Taylor 214 I had for that kinda budget was a fantastic guitar.

AliGorie · July 2016

used Eastman or Blueridge would fit the bill

ThorpyFX · July 2016

a second hand faith naked, really nice guitars indeed

raphaelsamad · July 2016

Another vote here for a Faith guitar. I have tried lots of different models and have always been impressed with what they offer for the price.

Nitefly · July 2016

I bumped into a guy last year playing bossa-type jazz stuff on a really tasty Crafter - nylon-strung, with a cutaway, and reasonably narrow nut (felt about the same as my Seagull, which is 45mm).

Sadly not sure of the model number though.

I see Sheehan's in Leicester are dealers for them, not too far away for you?

fretmeister · July 2016

I had forgotten about Sheehan's. I might go on a trip!

sticker · July 2016

I have a Crafter CT125N , which is their Tele shaped nylon sting acousticaster rip off , it's the only nylon strung guitar I've ever been able to get on with .

The neck is more like a steel string/electric , they seem to go for peanuts on eBay when they do come up for sale .

jellyroll · July 2016

Godin do a narrow nut version of their nylon string acoustic ( I think it's called ACS slim)...you might track down a used one.

fretmeister · July 2016

I know they are steels but what are the Taylor GS Mini like?

sticker · July 2016

in a word "Glorious" I bought a Koa mini e series last month from Peach (at 0% finance over 2 years it was stupid not to) and I haven't touched any of my other guitars this month .

They are very comfortable , very playable and punch well above their weight . I was expecting a bit of the usual smaller bodied boxiness but there really isn't any and it keeps up with my 414ce which cost 3 times as much .

ToneControl · July 2016

I used to prefer classicals but not any more now that I have really good steel-strungs

You can get crossover nylons with narrower necks, usually cutaways

Also, if you bide your time, you can get amazing bargains on ebay for traditional nut-width classicals with no cutaway, I suspect that people buy a good one to learn on, then many give up. I got a mint solid-wood Spanish-made one for £50 once worth £300 new. Seller had no case, and lived out in the sticks in Wales, so was collection only. Sometimes, Pro-level ones go for well under half price

For a steel strung, you have several nut widths. 1.75 inch is probably best for most finger-style

I have a couple that are 1 and 7/8 inches, which are good for classical-style pieces, etc

Good steel-strungs typically have better intonation than traditional classicals, which can improve the pleasure of playing - it does for me

Listen to Tony McManus's "Mysterious boundaries"

spotify:album:5fDTmuUhsYGfqTVIBGuYoY

for steel strungs, at £400 I'd look for used solid-top guitars

The higher spec BlueRidges would be £200-£300 I think

There are lots of well-made guitars that go for £500-£1000 new, so for £400 you'd get something good

LooseMoose · July 2016

If it helps I have a mint Faith Naked Venus with Hiscox that's inside your budget and would tick all the boxes!

fretmeister · July 2016

@LooseMoose can you give me specs and pics?

pintspiller · July 2016

Skarloey said:

What 'big' (i.e. places with a healthy and varied stock level) guitar shops are near you?

Sounds like you need to go somewhere with a range of models to see what suits.

Don't rush your purchase either. Use checking-out-guitars as an excuse to go to another-big-town-or-city with your significant-other/mates to try a few more "big" guitar shops.

My advice is always to go by feel and sound of in instrument over brand.

There will be more bang-for-buck by getting a used guitar, so try "over budget" in the shops so you can compare possible 2nd hand ones via Gumtree against new ones within your budget.

I haven't played an acoustic guitar in years, but when I gave guitar lessons twenty years ago I generally told students or their parents to buy the most expensive Yamaha they could afford. But that may not be the case these days.

Gassage · July 2016

Ironically, I'd get a Yamaha APX1000

ToneControl · July 2016

Actually, best advice is to get someone who has lots of experience, who is a good player, and has more expensive instruments, to take you round some shops

Try to do a day trip to Frailers in Runcorn http://www.frailers.com/ to get ideas

However, their good stuff starts at £700 with Larrivees

pintspiller · July 2016

Like I said, "try "over budget" in the shops so you can compare possible 2nd hand ones via Gumtree against new ones within your budget".

Maybe you'll be able to pickup a used Larrivee within budget via Gumtree (other-used-guitar-sources-are-available).

buckfast · July 2016

A used Blueridge. I can't fathom how they aren't more popular. Probably due to availability over here.

Sassafras · July 2016

There are quite a few very reasonably priced Faiths on ebay at the moment.

From £200 to just under £400.

fretmeister · July 2016

I tried a GS mini today. Sounded nice but the shirt scale is too cramped.

Tried the Taylor Big Baby - that was much better scale wise.

ToneControl · July 2016

buckfast said:

A used Blueridge. I can't fathom how they aren't more popular. Probably due to availability over here.

I have a Blueridge tenor

it's a lot better than the Martin cheapo ones that are £200 more

I'd assume the BR63 etc are good, go for £200-£250 on ebay

the BR60 etc got excellent write ups in the USA "acoustic guitar" mag

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If you had £400 to spend on an acoustic, what would you get?

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