Need a New Acoustic/Electric

[ahltarocka]

O.k. I am a professional singer/guitarist, starting to do single acoustic gigs. I am looking for a professional quality acoustic/electric max $700.00. In addition, would like a smaller guitar (not 3/4 or mini or baby etc.) with excellent electronics and great feel. Of course, I would love a Martin or Taylor, just don't know if they have quality guitars in my price range. Takamine may be a possibility. Please let me know specific makes and models suggested.

 

[Whats4dessert]

I recently picked up one of these, very lightly used, for $224 on Craigslist. I'm absolutely in love with this axe; it's got a great acoustic sound, Fishman setup and Grover machines and some gorgeous wood too... check it out:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/WCG25SCE?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CMzB0PLrlLwCFU5cfgodYAEAKg

 

[BuddyDog]

You might consider the Yamaha A1, A3, AC1 or AC3 series. Mahogany or rosewood bodies.

 

[kludge]

My gigging acoustic is a beat-up late 1970s Alvarez ($200) with a Baggs M1A active pickup ($150). Beats the hell out of any new acoustic-electric, both as an acoustic and as an electric. The shop I bought the guitar from drilled out the endpin for a pickup jack on the spot for free, because I'm a regular customer and it's not a lot of work.

So consider used vintage Japanese guitars and adding aftermarket electronics. You can get great bargains that way and outperform new guitars by a wide margin.

 

[FenderTone]

Have you checked out Ovation? I bought an acoustic electric last year for practicing on weekends with just our singer and for possible recording - I set my budget at $400. I played every acoustic electric in the outer (lower cost) GC acoustic room and eventually settled on a Fender as the best playing/acoustic sounding guitar. I took it home and amplified it - it sounded awful. Totally weird sound. I took it back, played them all again and took home an Ovation. Plugged it in - sounds great. I'm not saying it sounds like a mic'd acoustic, but for the money in terms of playability and the performance of the Ovation piezo pickups I think it beat everything in that lower cost room. The only drawback for me is the rounded back, it's PIA to play sitting down. I taped a piece of flat thin rubber (a jar opener) to the back of the guitar where it sits on the leg and that little mod made it a very enjoyable guitar to play.

Bottom line, I'm not into acoustic electrics but you may want to consider an Ovation.

 

[Jarizzle]

My gigging acoustic is a beat-up late 1970s Alvarez ($200) with a Baggs M1A active pickup ($150). Beats the hell out of any new acoustic-electric, both as an acoustic and as an electric. The shop I bought the guitar from drilled out the endpin for a pickup jack on the spot for free, because I'm a regular customer and it's not a lot of work.

So consider used vintage Japanese guitars and adding aftermarket electronics. You can get great bargains that way and outperform new guitars by a wide margin.

I fully agree. I picked up a used Alvarez-Yairi DY-84W that I absolutely love for quite cheap (<$500). Plays, looks, and sounds like a guitar 3 or 4 times the cost. The old Yairi's are stunning gits. I would also recommend a used Tacoma. Hand made in the US and can be had for quite cheap money.

 

[ahltarocka]

You might consider the Yamaha A1, A3, AC1 or AC3 series. Mahogany or rosewood bodies.

Had a Yamaha and the electronics died. Don't like Yamaha, thanks anyway.

 

[kludge]

I fully agree. I picked up a used Alvarez-Yairi DY-84W that I absolutely love for quite cheap (<$500). Plays, looks, and sounds like a guitar 3 or 4 times the cost. The old Yairi's are stunning gits. I would also recommend a used Tacoma. Hand made in the US and can be had for quite cheap money.

It's not just that those older Japanese guitars are so nice... the electronics in budget guitars tend to be pretty compromised. When you buy a used guitar (or even a new one), you can put in a real quality pickup like a K&K or Baggs, something that doesn't sound like a dry quacking duck.

 

[jmac006]

Don't pass up on Guild either. I picked up a used Westerly JF30 off the emporium for less than your budget, and I can't put the thing down. Just a great playing sound cannon.

 

[McStrats]

Good acoustic tone, and good acoustic electric tone are not the same thing. If playing 'electric acoustic' is the primary task for this guitar, and in a professional capacity? I would look at something that lends itself more toward A/E than just A.

Martin 000X1 and K&K Pure Mini with outboard pre.

The X Series because they have the same play-ability as high end Martins, and also because the stratabound neck is going to hold up to serious gigging better than an expensive mahogany one will. The K&K because its the best out there..

Good luck..

 

[McStrats]

And because you can get the whole sha-bang for under $700 new.

 

[mischultz]

Lots of Taylor 210s in that range on Craigslist.