Best way to spend £1,000- £1,500

lincolnblue · November 2020

I have just been left some money by a close relative and in memory of her I want to spend the money on a guitar. I have been changing my mind regularly on whether to buy acoustic or electric, but as I play acoustic far more, I think that is where I would be best to put my money.

Acoustic wise at present I have a Breedlove Atlas AC-SR25 Plus and a Faith Neptune Trembesi. I would therefore want something different in looks and sound. The Breedlove has a very bright resonant tone where the Faith is darker and more mellow.

I will have ideally £1,000 to spend but may be able to push it by a few hundred for the right instrument. I realise that the only way to truly decide is to play a load (and I certainly don't want to buy blind) but I don't know where is best to put my money. It would need to have a pickup too.

Due to the sentimental value it will be a keeper so resale is not going to be an issue for me.

I would value any advice on what guitars are good value for that money and what might be good that is different to the acoustics I already have.

I love the look of a J45 but they are about double what I have to spend. What else is worth considering. I assume that as I don't have the money for "vintage" that buying new would give me the best array of choice rather than used.

Wazmeister · November 2020

I've got a J45 style recommendation that has blown me away...

Guild DS 240 - a mere £449. It came tuned straight out of the box, and has rarely needed tuning since.

Background

Ive owned a lot of decent acoustics; Taylor 814ce, W65, 912, RRR, 614 ce 30th anniversary fall ltd, J45, Collins, Atkin The 43 (loved that one).

Then, I had to really reluctantly sell my Atkin to fund a business deal. My mate had a Guild DS240, and I played it and completely loved it. Amazingly, probably the best acoustic neck Ive played and it sounds like a £2000 guitar.

Ive just fitted a K&K Pure Mini and it sounds superb.

Not a high end, but def a keeper for life for me, due to its playability and low value.

jimmyguitar · November 2020

I would buy a nice 1940’s Kalamazoo KG-11 or KG-14... they’re vintage, Gibson USA made & different sonically to what you have.

crunchman · November 2020

Furch. You would need to go second hand for the higher end of the range, or get one of the cheaper ones new.

lincolnblue · November 2020

Wazmeister said:

I've got a J45 style recommendation that has blown me away...

Guild DS 240 - a mere £449. It came tuned straight out of the box, and has rarely needed tuning since.

Background

Ive owned a lot of decent acoustics; Taylor 814ce, W65, 912, RRR, 614 ce 30th anniversary fall ltd, J45, Collins, Atkin The 43 (loved that one).

Then, I had to really reluctantly sell my Atkin to fund a business deal. My mate had a Guild DS240, and I played it and completely loved it. Amazingly, probably the best acoustic neck Ive played and it sounds like a £2000 guitar.

Ive just fitted a K&K Pure Mini and it sounds superb.

Not a high end, but def a keeper for life for me, due to its playability and low value.

That looks nice. I don't usually like the Guild headstock shape but that one is lovely. Is it all solid wood or laminated back/sides?

Wazmeister · November 2020

It is solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. I bought mine from Merchant City Music;

https://www.guitar.co.uk/guild-ds-240-memoir-slope-shoulder-dreadnought-vintage-sunburst-gloss?gclid=CjwKCAiAzNj9BRBDEiwAPsL0dwN0F8p6UYgcocmfsExCdL6Fx-bP6orYf6fMkda_hmk3z9i3EbIKExoCeDQQAvD_BwE

Andy79 · November 2020

I would by old and cool.

Yamaha FG-300 Or another FG but neck angles will start being a thing on others.

There’s a VERY nice FG-580 on Reverb
Harmony H1260 Sovereign

Kalamazoo KG-11, possibly but pushing it I think can’t get a 14 on your budget these days

Pre-War Harmony possibly
All great sub £1000 classics

Newer but still cool
Gibson J15 or J35
Martin 15 series

New I would consider a Gibson G-45.

lincolnblue · November 2020

Andy79 said:

I would by old and cool.

Yamaha FG-300 Or another FG but neck angles will start being a thing on others.
There’s a VERY nice FG-580 on Reverb
Harmony H1260 Sovereign

Kalamazoo KG-11, possibly but pushing it I think can’t get a 14 on your budget these days

Pre-War Harmony possibly
All great sub £1000 classics

Newer but still cool
Gibson J15 or J35
Martin 15 series

New I would consider a Gibson G-45.

Love the look of the J15 in Walnut burst - I quite fancy sunburst for a change and think on the Gibsons they work really well.

Andy79 · November 2020

Express music have a sunburst Martin DSS-17 in budget-ish

lincolnblue · November 2020

Andy79 said:

Express music have a sunburst Martin DSS-17 in budget-ish

That's very nice but I'd need a pickup and that would cost me too much in the end sadly

ToneControl · November 2020

You might find a used Avalon for £1500
That's a top-notch UK luthier-built Lowden-design instrument worth over £3k new
some used Larrivees can be found under that, I'd prefer them out of the big brands for that budget

If you forget about buying first-world-made guitars, you will find some stuff that's good but it's harder to rely on brands, and resale values could be poor

Gandalph · November 2020

This has just appeared on reverb

2020 Gibson J-45 Studio Walnut * Walnut Burst * Fishman Pickup * OHSC + Candy
https://reverb.com/item/37139897-2020-gibson-j-45-studio-walnut-walnut-burst-fishman-pickup-ohsc-candy?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=37139897

badlydrawnbanjo · November 2020

Yamaha FS or FG red label reissue. You're in the 5 series made in Japan range with that budget but I have one one the 3 series Chinese made guitars and am blown away by the quality.

TheMadMick · November 2020

Peach are selling YamahaLL6's for £399. Lovely guitar and a jaw dropping price. The only drawback is that it does not have on board pre amp.

Take a look and see what you think?

idiotwindow · November 2020

Yes, agree with the Yamaha recommendation. The Japanese made FGX5 is within budget. These are classic guitars and very playable.

brucegill · November 2020

I’ll have a lovely Avalon A2-20 for sale soon

artiebear · November 2020

If you are looking for a sentimental / marker guitar, my view is that you are looking at it from the wrong angle. Regarding a pick up etc, you have a budget, get a guitar that, in this context, means something to you, of the highest quality, brand etc that says something to you then, if it is a keeper, get a pick up in there down the line ( couple of hundred at worst from a decentt guitar tech). If I was you, and I, certainly I am not

, look at used listings with highest solid wood spec then decide. Good luck

cmacguitar · November 2020

I think your best bet would be a mahogany Martin 000-15m like this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Martin-000-15m-Acoustic-guitar/193749459393?hash=item2d1c5e21c1:g:ENkAAOSwJX5fpsmB&autorefresh=true

p90fool · November 2020

My used J-35 for a grand was literally my best ever guitar purchase, we're inseparable.

This is the day it arrived.

lincolnblue · November 2020

brucegill said:

I’ll have a lovely Avalon A2-20 for sale soon

Do let me know when you do and I'll certainly have a look

ToneControl · November 2020

I forgot:
have you heard of Frailers?

https://www.frailers.com/acoustic-guitars/

They (at least used to) import used guitars from the US , and often have great bargains

lincolnblue · November 2020

cmacguitar said:

I think your best bet would be a mahogany Martin 000-15m like this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Martin-000-15m-Acoustic-guitar/193749459393?hash=item2d1c5e21c1:g:ENkAAOSwJX5fpsmB&autorefresh=true

I do really like the look of those. The downside to buying used is finding something within reasonable distance of me (Lincoln) and having the option to try before I buy in case it doesn't gel.

The real advantage to buying new is being able to (when they are open) go round shops and try a lot, but then you get more for your money used.

lincolnblue · November 2020

artiebear said:

If you are looking for a sentimental / marker guitar, my view is that you are looking at it from the wrong angle. Regarding a pick up etc, you have a budget, get a guitar that, in this context, means something to you, of the highest quality, brand etc that says something to you then, if it is a keeper, get a pick up in there down the line ( couple of hundred at worst from a decentt guitar tech). If I was you, and I, certainly I am not , look at used listings with highest solid wood spec then decide. Good luck

That is a very good point - worth me being a bit ore flexible in what I look for

lincolnblue · November 2020

ToneControl said:

I forgot:
have you heard of Frailers?

https://www.frailers.com/acoustic-guitars/

They (at least used to) import used guitars from the US , and often have great bargains

I haven't but will have a look - thanks

cmacguitar · November 2020

lincolnblue said:

cmacguitar said:

I think your best bet would be a mahogany Martin 000-15m like this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Martin-000-15m-Acoustic-guitar/193749459393?hash=item2d1c5e21c1:g:ENkAAOSwJX5fpsmB&autorefresh=true

I do really like the look of those. The downside to buying used is finding something within reasonable distance of me (Lincoln) and having the option to try before I buy in case it doesn't gel.

The real advantage to buying new is being able to (when they are open) go round shops and try a lot, but then you get more for your money used.

Yes I think that's always the case. I have put a few friends onto them and some have bought with out trying them and they absolutely love them if it's worth knowing. If you can wait until lockdown relaxes my best advice would be to go to Frailers in Runcorn (2hr 30mins) if you drive as they have a vast collection which you could try and just go with what your heart tells you to buy :P Good luck!

cmacguitar · November 2020

ToneControl said:

I forgot:
have you heard of Frailers?

https://www.frailers.com/acoustic-guitars/

They (at least used to) import used guitars from the US , and often have great bargains

Ahhhh what @ToneControl said

lincolnblue · November 2020

cmacguitar said:

lincolnblue said:

cmacguitar said:

I think your best bet would be a mahogany Martin 000-15m like this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Martin-000-15m-Acoustic-guitar/193749459393?hash=item2d1c5e21c1:g:ENkAAOSwJX5fpsmB&autorefresh=true

I do really like the look of those. The downside to buying used is finding something within reasonable distance of me (Lincoln) and having the option to try before I buy in case it doesn't gel.

The real advantage to buying new is being able to (when they are open) go round shops and try a lot, but then you get more for your money used.

Yes I think that's always the case. I have put a few friends onto them and some have bought with out trying them and they absolutely love them if it's worth knowing. If you can wait until lockdown relaxes my best advice would be to go to Frailers in Runcorn (2hr 30mins) if you drive as they have a vast collection which you could try and just go with what your heart tells you to buy :P Good luck!

Thanks for that - Runcorn is very near my Parents in Cheshire so next time I'm allowed there would be worth a visit

earwighoney · November 2020

p90fool said:

My used J-35 for a grand was literally my best ever guitar purchase, we're inseparable.

I'd also recommend going for a SH J-35.

Great guitars.

WindmillGuitars · November 2020

Eastman are worth a look - you'll get a lot of guitar for your money for that budget.

ToneControl · November 2020

lincolnblue said:

ToneControl said:

I forgot:
have you heard of Frailers?

https://www.frailers.com/acoustic-guitars/

They (at least used to) import used guitars from the US , and often have great bargains

I haven't but will have a look - thanks

Frank who owns the store is in his 70s. No massive budget to keep the store running, which is good. He used to go the US every year and buy loads of acoustics. Recently, it's not been possible to easily import rosewood, he told me he was "down about 70 guitars a year" I think early last year. Hopefully that might change now CITEs has been relaxed

It's a lovely old shop, with so many nice guitars, you can park on the road within 100m
I've seen a guy go in there, and tell him he'd just come up from London on the train to "buy a Martin", which he was quickly able to do.

Best of luck

ToneControl · November 2020

lincolnblue said:

cmacguitar said:

lincolnblue said:

cmacguitar said:

I think your best bet would be a mahogany Martin 000-15m like this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Martin-000-15m-Acoustic-guitar/193749459393?hash=item2d1c5e21c1:g:ENkAAOSwJX5fpsmB&autorefresh=true

I do really like the look of those. The downside to buying used is finding something within reasonable distance of me (Lincoln) and having the option to try before I buy in case it doesn't gel.

The real advantage to buying new is being able to (when they are open) go round shops and try a lot, but then you get more for your money used.

Yes I think that's always the case. I have put a few friends onto them and some have bought with out trying them and they absolutely love them if it's worth knowing. If you can wait until lockdown relaxes my best advice would be to go to Frailers in Runcorn (2hr 30mins) if you drive as they have a vast collection which you could try and just go with what your heart tells you to buy :P Good luck!

Thanks for that - Runcorn is very near my Parents in Cheshire so next time I'm allowed there would be worth a visit

whereabouts are your parents living?

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Best way to spend £1,000- £1,500

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