Need help buying a new acoustic

[Sonic Reducer]

I know what I want and don't want etc.
I'd like to keep it under $1500 (If I had to spend a little more for a good one, that would be cool.) If you know of a good one that fits my requirements for much less, that's good too.
I don't want an Acoustic with built in electronics.
I don't want a cut away. I want a dreadnought.
I like a decent size neck. Nothing too skinny.
I don't fingerpick. Mostly strum chords and such. I play rock type music. The Who, Oasis, Beatles, Pearl Jam, U2, Radiohead etc.
I was thinking about maybe some kind of Taylor, but am open to any make.
I hope this can help narrow down some suggestions. Just looking for something that is pretty loud and alive.

[Da5Id]

You might want to check out a Tacoma. I've heard nothing but good things about them, however never played one. You might not like Taylor's if you're interested in a bigger neck. I used to own a 814 and could never get comfortable with the neck profile so I let it go.

2nd for Tacoma

[BrentB6]

Used Guild D-55...period

[rul8agn]

How about a Martin D28? At $1600 give or take, it is one of the best deals in acoustic guitars. Not to mention, it IS the standard for which all other dreadnaughts are based.

[BBHollowbody]

Larrivee perhaps a D-05 or D-09.

[Paulpuck68]

I had a Tacoma that was pretty nice. It was a Koa. While koa is very pretty it just lacked something. I sold it and bought a used Breedlove for about $1500 and it is the best accoustic I have ever played. I have lower end (but still solid wood construction) Martin and Taylor's that are also very nice. The Taylor feels a bit fragile but I can't really say why. Good luck.

[pickaguitar]

How about a Martin D28? At $1600 give or take, it is one of the best deals in acoustic guitars. Not to mention, it IS the standard for which all other dreadnaughts are based.

Good advice...2nd that!

[r9player]

or a D-18

[ssimon64]

Make sure you take the chance to try a gibson advanced jumbo. Very sweet, powerful guitar in the $1700-$1900 range.

[BigRed51]

I realize that normal answers are required to either start with "spend more money and buy" or "buy what I just bought so I will feel good about my purchase," but my recommendation is well below the top range of your budget, and I don't own one. It sounds to me as though you are describing a Martin D-16GT. No electronics, standard dreadnought, substantial neck (but not chunky), very good projection, and a good, balanced sound that will stand up well to your strumming. I am confident that you will find it will beat any Taylor model substantially in the 'pretty loud and alive' category.

[teleking36]

+1 on the Guild D-55.

Along with its Jumbo sibling, this is Guild's flagship acoustic. IMHO, it's quite possibly the loudest dreadnought on the planet. It's got a great sized neck; I would say somewhere in the Martin-meets-Gibson arena. While most of these come with a UTS transducer, some are without electronics. No chunky electronics cut out of the side either.

These can be had used for around your asking price, and they come in Natural and Sunburst. Definitely one of the nicest looking acoustics around today. You should definitely keep the Guild in mind. You won't be disappointed.

[apgrower]

i have a 98 guild d55 made inwesterly rhode island i want to sell asking 1500 has hang tags ohsc let me know

[Songman]

I think Larrivee D-09 is hard to beat under $1500.

[stratman89]

I have a Larrivee D-03. I tryed Martins,Gibsons and Taylors before settling for a beautiful sounding Larrivee that was value priced under $1500.