Bang for the buck acoustic?

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Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by yoggo »

Hey zen masters,

I'm a classical dabbler, but I've been listening to a bunch of finger-style folk recently (Bert Jansch, Martin Simpson, usual suspects) and am feeling keen for a steel string. I think I'm after a wide-ish neck, smallish body guitar, probably bigger than parlour but smaller than a dread, so 000,OM size. Would prefer, but not die in a ditch over a paddle headstock rather than slotted.

What's the current good options for under $1000? I could possible swing a (used?) X series Martin, but am pretty suspicious of the cheap flooring-style back and sides. Recording King, Cort & Sigma look like they might have things that would work, any others?

Cheers

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by codedog »

My previous experience with Cort and Sigma have been strummers with 1 11/16" nuts. They were very nice and great value. There's quite a range out there now. For finger-style check out the Godin family, i.e. Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, etc. They're great guitars. I tried a top end dreadnought Seagull once... the neck felt wide. Felt more like finger-style 1 3/4" nut. Sounded great!

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by harveysj »

Alvarez are great bang for buck sub $1000

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by Slowy »

Art & Lutherie (Godin) do a parlour guitar which looks cheap and plays beautifully.
From the same company, Seagulls can be great.
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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by rickenbackerkid »

Sigma, Art & Luthiere, Seagull, some Cort models.

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by Jake »

The cheaper Guild models for $800 are wicked value for money if you like a thin satin finish

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by Molly »

Happy with my Walden which I 'traded-down' from a 300 series Taylor for. None the worse for it.

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by NippleWrestler »

Check out guild. Their guitars are brilliant and cost nowhere near as much as they should.

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by robthemac »

Walden's are my favourite in that price range. Even $599 will get you s fantastic acoustic guitar.
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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by yoggo »

Thanks all, I'll head down to the rock shop for a play of some Seagull and Guilds. Which model Walden should I be looking out for? I have a Walden classical that sounds much better than the $300 or so I paid for it, but I haven't seen them around new for years.

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by robthemac »

Anything with a solid top that feels nice in your hands. Might even get a solid back as well for that money.
Jops wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:46 am Spring is the comic sans of reverbs anyway.

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by Bg »

I have a Cort bought 14 years ago, solid top and it keeps getting better , I pick it up every 6 months and it sounds great when I put new strings on it.....
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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by NippleWrestler »

yoggo wrote:Thanks all, I'll head down to the rock shop for a play of some Seagull and Guilds. Which model Walden should I be looking out for? I have a Walden classical that sounds much better than the $300 or so I paid for it, but I haven't seen them around new for years.
The 5 series are a safe bet. The 550 I played was really nice. I think the 7 series are all solid and priced very competitively.

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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by sizzlingbadger »

My $600 Crafter is a great guitar.
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Re: Bang for the buck acoustic?

Post by Vince »

sizzlingbadger wrote:My $600 Crafter is a great guitar.
Agreed. Crafter is a great brand.

I was a bit disappointed with the Alvarez acoustic bass I tried. The frets weren't finished very well, I actually wondered if I'd eventually cut myself.
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