Acoustic noob would like some purchasing advice.

[GiorgioV]

Hi all, I have some advice to ask you..

I' ve been playing guitar for almost 20 years now, first classic guitar as a kid, and then electric.

I've NEVER OWNED an acoustic guitar.

In the later years I started getting interested in purchasing one, I've tried many guitars, of many brands, in the 1000 euros or below range (didn't want to spend so much on a guitar I didn't know how much I was going to use), and never heard or felt anything that I liked.

A year ago a small little shop opened up in the city I live in, the owned is a very nice person with extensive background on acoustic guitars and owns and sells several pieces, some new and lots of old ones.

He "tricked" me into playing some vintage Gibsons and I was finally able to put my hands on a acoustic guitar that I really wanted to keep on holding. So basically the "vintage acoustic" bug bit me.

A couple of days ago I went to the shop to order some Grover mechanics, and I mentioned that I was interesting in purchasing a nice acoustic guitar in the 1500 euros range.

He made me try 4 guitars:

a 72 Guild D-35, bone stock, very good conditions - 1100 euros
a new Taylor "don't know the name of the model" - 900 euros
a 2010 used / as new Gibson 1937 L-00 Legend - 2000 euros
a 62 or 63 (round shoulders) Gibson J-50, all original except for the mechanics - 3000 euros

These were all nice guitars. But the new ones were not as nice as the Guild and the J-50

Now there's a huge price difference between the two. The Guild sounds nice, very even, beautiful mids, balanced sounds. The J-50 plays AMAZING and sounds reeeeeeally good, it's awesome for soloing and bluesy stuff, while the Guild feels more prone to "strumming" to me (mind you, never having owned an acosutic guitar I've never learned any "standard acoustic song", so I played the first things that popped in my mind.

I like the J-50 better. But it costs three times as much and I'd have to do some sacrifice in order to purchase it. Like, major ones. The Guild sounds beautiful in it's own way, I don't like it as much and it doesn't play as well (but doesn't play bad at all), but at the same time, if I were to play the acoustic guitar with my band (which I could, if I had one) I feel like the D35 would fit the part better. The Gibson would be more fit for leads, and noodling at home.

What would you do?

(mind you, if the prices seem high to you, that these guitars are VERY hard to come by in Italy, and if you manage to, they're usually way higher).

Thanks for your opinions and advices.

I have the Guild on hold, but I really don't know what to do right now.

[Jahn]

I'd buy the Guild, especially if you're playing out. No good to be too scared to bring your Gibson out to gigs! The Guild is a solid piece and should serve you well.

[treeofpain]

I love the early 60's J45s and J50s. But 3000 Euros is about $4000 at the current exchange rate, and it seems like a lot of money for a J50. Of course, I understand stuff is more expensive in Europe, but there are a LOT of very nice acoustics in that price range.

[tapeworm]

Guild Guitars- Made to be Played.