Best Budget (under $500) Acoustic?

[humbert]

I'm a mostly electric player who wants to expand my vocabularity (and portability!) by picking up an acoustic guitar. Looking for something that is toneful, playable, and affordable. I don't mind buying a used guitar either to cut down on the price.

Any help would be appreciated -

Thanks guys.

-Tim

[Jimmydeez]

Seagull S6 + cedar

[Jeeves]

I've tried a couple Seagull's and they've all been good.

Also, the Epihone Masterbuilt ef-500 series' are really nice, imo. I played a couple a while back and for about $550 it seemed like a great buy.

You just need to play a bunch of acoustics and see which one grabs you. Just make sure when you get one that you keep it properly humidified in the winter, if you live in a cold place. Nothing ruins a nice acoustic faster than dry winter air.

Good Luck - Acoustic guitars are addicting!

[les_patlaw]

+1 for Seagull.

I've owed the M6 cedar and the S6 cedar gloss top and both are great guitars. I lost the M6 when Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf of Mexico reclaimed may home and left me with a slab, but still have the S6 gloss top (Also lost my favorite PRS, but saved all of my "real" guitars/amp by taking them with me when the family left for Mobile, AL!).

Anyway, the Sagull wins in my book. I played a Taylor 900 series for about 5 years. Loved the guitar, but the old tast buds changed. However, comparing the seagull to the 900 (and a 510 too) Taylor is possible. The seagull has a completely different neck shape, woods, etc, but there is much to compare. Althought the Seagull doesn't have the Taylor's complexities and high end, it does have a clear midrange honk that cuts through a "mix" much like a traditional Martin. It's not as fragile as the Taylor either. The best part is that the Seagull will doesn't seem to backdown when you push it hard (ie: during a bar room blues or country/bluegrass setting). Of course the Tayor 900's are a better guitar - better built, better wood, etc., but the seagull has much more of a clear "rootsy" voice compared to the Taylor's pristine highs. The low end on the Seagull projects. The Taylor's low end was weak.

Comparing the Seagull to most other guitars in it's price range is silly since most are laminated and dead sounding. Plus the seagull is finished in all nitro. I washburn/ibanez/etc with a thick poly coating and laminated woods is not going to be enjoyable to play (or hear).

On the otherhand, the Seagull lacks a number of things. It'll never be as balanced an Olson or as traditional as an old Martin or a Collings. BUT, the thing only cost a couple hundred bucks!!!!!

The Seagull can hold it's own beside some real acousitics, but it's limitations are noticable. However, where 90% of similarly priced acousitcs would destroy a group's sound, the Seagull is able to contribute. And if you've got a couple of chops it's easy to steal some favorable attention from guys playing expensive guitars.

There's alot of sound in a Seagull. If you're a beginner, it'll sound great as you strum and pick away. If your an advanced player, go check one out- it won't blow you away, but it will be able to keep up. :AOK

[suttree]

seagull +1

same company, different bracing and a smaller martin-esque neck: simon and patrick.

alvarez/yairi. the make some really nice guitars in the under $500 range, very playable.

cort. this is the factory that makes a large percentage of all the "great korean guitars" that are marketed under different brands.

entry level blueridges are in that range, too.

used, look for guilds, you should be able to find an older d series in that range.

yamaha "L" series stuff is incredible, and the resale ain't great, last i looked.

[Big0range]

I'm sure I'll catch some crap for this, but I bought a Zager (basically a Sigma or Samik) and was quite impressed. It sounded great, and played great. PLUS, you can call or email the Zager folks and ask what one-offs they have. You'll save about $50 off the regular price. Plus plus, if you don't like the guitar, they pay for shipping both ways. And they have top-notch customer service. Finally, no - I do not work for them and they don't send me any referral money. I sent mine back because it was just one too many, but it was a fine instrument.

[Brett Valentine]

Another vote for Seagull

Brett

[Doug]

Seagull does make a great guitar for the money. I have a Rosewood Artist, which was a bit more than $500, but it can hold its own against the big boys, IMO.

I'll probably get banned from the board for life for saying this, but for under $500 I really like the Martin DX1. I know, I know. It's not all solid wood, laminate back and sides, bonded neck, etc. I don't care. I helped my dad pick out one last year, and it's a great sounding guitar. Strummed or fingerpicked, the guitar sounds great. We tried it against a lot of guitars in and well above its price range, and we liked it the best by far. It doesn't have quite the volume and projection of the $2K+ models, but it really has a nice, full, deep sound that I like a lot.

[PAF]

Used Tacoma

[Ryguy]

For under 500 you can get a KILLER Yamaha orange label made from 1969-1971 in Japan (Nippon Gakki). They are based loosely on Martin's, and although not solid spruce tops AFAIK, they are very resonant and have a beautiful, well balanced tone. I have a owned one vintage Gibson, and a couple of really nice Guilds, and the Yamaha FG110 I have is easily on par with the others. IMHO you have to spend much more money to get a guitar with as nice a tone as these Japanese made Yamaha's have.

[rbisherw]

PAF has got it right, used Tacoma.

[tbp0701]

Another vote for:
Seagull/Simon & Patrick, etc.
Used Tacoma: I've seen some DM-9s go for less than $400 on eBay (when the sellers didn't set a higher reserve).
Taylor Big Baby

[silentstudios]

+1 again to the seagull. I've got an S6 that I bought to keep in my vacation spot. It's incredible for the price.

In fact I'm seriously considering selling my mainstay larivee (paid $2000 for it in the early 90's) and buying another seagull S6. It'd be nice to put a G in the pocket. I just need to take some time to see how the S6 sounds on tape (the larivee rocks for recording).

Anyone had any experience recording with an S6?

[astainback]

I have an Alvarez Artist that cost under $500 (not sure exactly how much, it was a gift) that plays and sounds just as good as any acoustic that I have ever played. It has a perfect Satin neck, and a pickup for plugging in.
I have a friend that has a really nice Takamine that he paid plenty for, and I think my Alvarez sounds just as good if not better.
If you look up the reviews on HC, you will see that all the Alvarez acoustics get exceptional ratings.

Adrian

[Rob DiStefano]

Most anything produced by Robert Godin - Seagull, Simon & Patrick, or Norman. Exceptional value for wonderfully toned and playing guitars. IMHO. YMMV.

[LesPaulMan]

Used Tacoma would be my first pick. A new Alvarez (MD series) would also be a great guitar.

[Caretaker]

I`m a big fan of Yamaha. A new solid topped one will cost about $300-400. They get better but these are great. 450S series.

[cordroad]

Just played a Walden Natura series G570 last nite and bought it. I was amazed at the balanced sound and volume this guitar has for right around $200 brand new. Body style is what Walden calls a grand auditorium with a solid cedar top. Check the Walden line.

[keith_t4e]

I'm suprised we are not seeing more Alvarez. For the money they seem great.

[tot_Ou_tard]

Most anything produced by Robert Godin - Seagull, Simon & Patrick, or Norman. Exceptional value for wonderfully toned and playing guitars. IMHO. YMMV.
Are there clear differences between the Seagull line, the S&P line, and the Norman line of Godin guitars?

If so could you describe these?

Thanks!

[movingpictures]

Although i havent played one yet, the offshore built Breedloves look nice. Some of them fall in that price range, and ive read good reviews....

[kbphx]

Although i havent played one yet, the offshore built Breedloves look nice. Some of them fall in that price range, and ive read good reviews....

I played around with one of the import Breedloves at the local GC; not bad, but certainly nothing special. Not much attack, projection or volume. Playability was about the same as everthing else around the $500-600 mark.

[billygoat]

There are slight differences between all of the godin guitars. I like the headstock on the simon &patricks the best. The s&p and seagull have nice wide string spacing vs. the normans.

Right now my acoustic is a Simon & Patrick special edition guitar made for long & mc quade's 50th anniversary. It's the Folk size (a little smaller) which I love for carrying around, and it has a gloss top, back and sides, and the back and sides are laminated flame maple.

It's a great little fiddle.

[Rob DiStefano]

My current fave flattop duo ...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/guitars/duo.jpg

Both are from Norman and are made in Canada (another Godin acoustic company, like Seagull, Simon & Patrick, LaPatrie). Solid cedar tops, lam wild cherry back and sides, satin lacquer finish. The headstock has the faux binding around perimeter - nice touch of class. As incredibly resonant and toneful as any lacquered Seagull, but at $290/each, w/HSC, delivered! IMHO, currently the best buy in an acoustic - better than the Seagull S6+, but Normans can be a bit hard to find in the US. Gotta say it again - the resonance and tone are too sweet to pass up for both finger and flat picking.

The materials, build and craftsmanship on both of these gems is top shelf all the way. I even mirrored inside the box and it's as flawless as they come for craftsmanship - tight joints, no glue drips, clean wood. The only mod I've hadda make was lowering the saddles about 1/16" (the neck angles are *perfect* and each will allow an action that could be as low as any Gibson LP if nbeed be - but why? ). I may use a violin finger plane and scallop the top bracing, to eek out a few more percent of good vibrations. I've already added a K&K Pure Western mini system to the 12 string, with another on the way for the 6 string. I dunno how the heck they do it, but the goods and value from Robert Godin keeps amazing me.

[mikeo2]

With $500 in my pocket, I would look for (in this order)
1. an old red-label Yamaha
2. a used Martin 000-15 (they go on eBay for around $400-$500)
3. A Seagull

[Rusty]

Taylor 110
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/images/100/110_zoom_front.jpg

[PHLOW]

Another thumbs up for the Godin Guitar steel string lines-Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Norman. Also, some of the Cort steel strings are very good value guitars-solid tops, some with solid backs. Those in the $350-$450 street price range are very decent guitars.

[tot_Ou_tard]

My current fave flattop duo ...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/guitars/duo.jpg

Both are from Norman and are made in Canada (another Godin acoustic company, like Seagull, Simon & Patrick, LaPatrie). Solid cedar tops, lam wild cherry back and sides, satin lacquer finish. The headstock has the faux binding around perimeter - nice touch of class. As incredibly resonant and toneful as any lacquered Seagull, but at $290/each, w/HSC, delivered! IMHO, currently the best buy in an acoustic - better than the Seagull S6+, but Normans can be a bit hard to find in the US. Gotta say it again - the resonance and tone are too sweet to pass up for both finger and flat picking.

The materials, build and craftsmanship on both of these gems is top shelf all the way. I even mirrored inside the box and it's as flawless as they come for craftsmanship - tight joints, no glue drips, clean wood. The only mod I've hadda make was lowering the saddles about 1/16" (the neck angles are *perfect* and each will allow an action that could be as low as any Gibson LP if nbeed be - but why? ). I may use a violin finger plane and scallop the top bracing, to eek out a few more percent of good vibrations. I've already added a K&K Pure Western mini system to the 12 string, with another on the way for the 6 string. I dunno how the heck they do it, but the goods and value from Robert Godin keeps amazing me.

Thanks for the info everyone, what model are these Normans?

[Teleman]

My nephew bought a Carvin new for $499. It easily sounds as good as my Tayolr 310 and plays better. A great value!

[Rock Johnson]

Look around for a Conrad acoustic from the '70s on ebay. They go for around $100. A friend of mine *gave* me one that he had in his closet that was all beat to shit. A new saddle and some new tuners, and voila! Killer acoustic guitar.

Interestingly, it was made in Japan and has a dead perfect Gibson headstock, although it does say Conrad. I'm not sure who actually built it, but it's killer.

[tot_Ou_tard]

What do folx think of the Washburn D10? Apparently Acoustic Guitar magazine rated it the best under $500 acoustic.