Want to buy my first "real" acoustic, but...

[Tito83]

Where I live there's really no place I could test myself the guitar, so I'm really really needing suggestions.

So... I've looked to some of the entry models from Taylor and Martin basically, also Blueridge and Takamine. The single one that stood out for me from the gasillion samples I've listen to was the Taylor GS Mini, which was really surprising for me and I'm starting to think I'm off base here. I think most sounded really stiff and did not appeal to me at all, but not the GS Mini. Is something wrong with me?

The acoustic tone I have in my head is Tommy Emmanuel's BTW. Yeah, yeah, but I don't want to sound JUST LIKE HIM, just in the ballpark - if possible.

Prices overhere do not really match the US market, but my budget would be something around $600 (yeah, not much) new, but I if I get lucky I could get good deal with one used.

[geek-mo]

Originally Posted by Tito83

Where I live there's really no place I could test myself the guitar, so I'm really really needing suggestions.

So... I've looked to some of the entry models from Taylor and Martin basically, also Blueridge and Takamine. The single one that stood out for me from the gasillion samples I've listen to was the Taylor GS Mini, which was really surprising for me and I'm starting to think I'm off base here. I think most sounded really stiff and did not appeal to me at all, but not the GS Mini. Is something wrong with me?

The acoustic tone I have in my head is Tommy Emmanuel's BTW. Yeah, yeah, but I don't want to sound JUST LIKE HIM, just in the ballpark - if possible.

Prices overhere do not really match the US market, but my budget would be something around $600 (yeah, not much) new, but I if I get lucky I could get good deal with one used.

I bought a Martin 000-16 for about that price some years ago. Very plain, spartan-looking mahogany guitar. It sounds beautiful, though, and is very playable.

[littlepicker]

Pick out one you think you would like. Find a music store that has a return policy.
Order it, checkit out, if you like it keep it, if not send it back fro a refund.

[frquent flyer]

Our local repair man,repected by most players said that the Martin 16 series really impressed him.

[acwild]

The GS Mini is a great guitar. I have three Taylors and everyone seems to grab for the Mini first. Stock saddle height is kind of high for my tastes so I brought the saddle down a bit and it's a joy to play now. It sounds like a bigger guitar and stays in tune no matter what odd tuning I adjust it to.

[gevans378]

I've got the GS Mini too -- I really like it but its a pretty bright guitar. I lucked into a Breedlove Revival 000 that I really love and it was well under $1,000.

[Stratobuc]

Larrivee.

[smiert spionam]

The Epiphone Masterbuilts are in that price range, as are the Guild GAD series -- both are excellent for imports, and I would take one of them over just about any Taylor.

[megatonic]

Yamaha A3R or A3M; rosewood or mahogany.
Great sounding, high quality guitars at a price way less than those other guys.

[whomad1215]

Originally Posted by Stratobuc

Larrivee.

A used Larrivee/Taylor/Breedlove/Martin.

Honestly just find a guitar with solid woods that you like the look of if you can't play a lot of them. Research what the different wood combos sound like (cedar tops are more mellow ~100% of the time as opposed to spruce)

[frquent flyer]

How does the mini measure up in the tone department,volume,clarity,overall beauty of sound production. I have a friend who is looking for a small guitar and Taylor is a possible choice.