General Music Chat

Hey folks, I started an acoustic project on the side... but I don't have an acoustic guitar lol.

I've been using my Kramer through an acoustic simulator, but it's just not the same (pretty damn close though !)

So I'm in the market for an acoustic electric, but would rather buy used and get a better guitar than buying new, simply because I got little budget for this.

So, I hear stuff like "maple" and "spruce" top, and other references that I know nothing about, but I can tell that to some people, it makes loads of difference.. and as an electric player, I know exactly how that is..

So anyways.. My budget is about $150-200.. Get's me pretty much the epiphone version of Ovation, and the starter model at that. I've been looking at a few Ovations on craigs, but most are out of my price range, even used.

So what brands / features / models would you guys suggest, at that price (used) ?

THanks!

I found craigslist to be a place where people want too much for what they have personally. Ebay or pawn shops are the way to go in my opinion.

At that price range, I'd be looking at Ibanez first. They make a decent quality for what they go for. Do a search on ebay and you'll see what I mean.

Other than that, go pawn shoppin' and see what you run across.

Good luck with your new project Kramer!

I like Ovations well enough. They track great, so if you play direct into PA or record direct, you'll have a great signal directly from the guitar. The only thing that I don't care for with Ovation guitars is the harsh, tinny brightness on the top end of the tone. They sound kind of brittle to me; I guess its due to the plastic back. However, they play like a dream. Cut some of the treble out of the EQ and you'll be set.

As far as brands (well, major brands) in your price range, I like used Yamaha, Dean, Ibanez, Fender, and Alverez. The Ovation would be a great buy, though, if you can get it for that low of a price, and if the neck is straight.

As far as new, check this out:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dean-Performer-Archtop-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=512177

Hope this is helpful.

Just found a great deal on this one, but its a bit over what you want to spend:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alvarez-AJ60S-Artist-Series-Jumbo-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518790

Lists for $650, streets for $430, on clearance for $300. This is not acoustic/electric though; if that doesn't matter, its a great buy.

In that price range, you're pretty limited, for sure.

Johnsons have good sound, but they have a neck like a brick.

I think I'd go used at that price...check out the pawn shops cuz they're pretty full right now in this economy.

I have a low-end Ovation 12 string, & the p/u's pretty much erase any lousy acoustic tones you might have, but I hate the sounds of it w/out amplification.

I've played some Washburns & Oscar Schmidt's in that range & they're playable, but they'll make you work a bit.

Lemme know what you end up with.

I bought an Ibanez PF while my Martin was in the shop. It's made in China so it was cheap; $227 plus tax and I also bought a case for it. But at that price you can't beat it; built in pickup, tuner and EQ and it sounds great. If the same guitar was made in America it would easily cost $1000.

All the pawn shops I've been to over that past few years are pricing there used crap higher than new. And that's with little or no warranty. The only way to get a good pawn shop deal is if you know the owner or someone that works there. I like musician's friend as they have a 45 day warranty that even pays shipping both way so you're not out anything but time. Gives you time to really check it out without being tied to it. I always read the reviews on each instrument before making a decision as they even print bad reviews if any.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/navi ... 1+304277+8

Kramer, The best acoustic electric guitars that I have found for the money are Takamine G Series I have had one for 10 years it has a spruce top and I paid $800.00 for it. I just bought one for my son last Christmas a Tak. I paid $299.00 and it blows away the $800.00 guitar I had to go look at it because I knew it had different woods turns out it has a cedar top and back and I really like the way that guitar sounds. One thing I do know about Taks is for some reason they are not real consistant. Some sound average and some sound like a $5000.00 guitar I would look for a used Tak on CL or online and then play it if it has the sound you want then buy it. If not keep looking. Another thing about acoustic strings D Addario sells 2 diiferent kinds of each version of acoustic strings. One version sounds darker and the other has a brighter sound the reason for this is if you are doing a one man solo show you want the darker fuller sounding strings they sound warmer but don't cut through well with a full band. If you are going to use your acoustic in the full band setting you want a brighter string that will cut through the other instruments better. Just a little info there I hope it helps. Oh and you will want a Feedback buster $10.00 at GC they are a little rubber peice that covers your soundhole. On stage at higher volumns acoustic guitars in front of a monitor wedge will start to humm the lower frequencies just from someone talking between songs will resonate inside the body and sound terrible. The best capo I have found is a Kyser, kind of like a cloths pin.
As an electric player you are going to feel like you want extra light strings but I highly advise against it. Anything lighter than light gauge strings on an acoustic and you loose serious tone, it is best to just bite the bullet and get use to them.

J Haley beat me to it. I have a Takamine G series, 330gcs I think, never can remember, but it sounds fabulous. It's the one you hear on the acoustic songs on my profile. Cedar top, good electronics, I've used it onstage quite a bit and it sounds good plugged in, plays like a dream, but was a bit out of your price range, $335 at a pawn shop.

I agree with everything else he said, especially strings. I use GHS Curt Manghan strings, .012 gauge, they sound a lot better than the Martins I have on it now, they were out of the ghs at the time.

Scour the pawn shops, and if you have cash in hand they will oftwn take less then the sticker price. The place I got mine wanted $350.

Also check out Ibanez, Washburn and Oscar Schmidt, but stay away from anything with a laminated top. (check at a music store and ask them, then look at a few. You can tell by looking once you know what to look for.) some of the Washburns and Oscar schmidt guitars I've played have been pretty good for the money. Also check your local paper classifieds and the sale papers like Thrifty Nickel. You'll find deals there now and then. But definitely get to know a little about laminated tops and how to avoid them, the sound just is not there. That's what you'll probably get on a Jasmine, otherwise a nice guitar. Jasmine is a lower quality Takamine and if you find one with a solid top it might be worth checking out.

Spruce has been the most common top for many years, that's what you've been hearing on the radio all your life, most likely. It sounds good, looks good and lasts well if taken care of like any guitar. Cedar has really impressed me, my Takamine sounds better than 90% of the new guitars I see in music stores.

The newer guitar have better electronics, even some of the less expensive guitars have decent sound plugged in.

Most important, play it and listen to it. The one you want is the one that sounds good to YOU. I bought mine because when I was playing it in the pawn shop i suddenly noticed I didn't hear any noise...8 or 10 people in a pawn shop, half of them rednecks looking at deer rifles, and not a sound other than the guitar...looked around and they were all watching me play. I decided if it could stop everyone in the place, it was the one I wanted. I like it better all the time, best acoustic I've ever played. I've had it near 10 years now, don't think I'll ever part with it. It's also the one I play most. Unfortunately, I don't think you'll find a good Takamine in your price range, it's really too bad you can't get a few more bucks together.

If you can wait a little, while you're looking around, try this. Every time you go to the store to buy anything, NEVER use a one dollar bill. Even if it costs less than a dollar, give 'em a 5. Put the ones away, they don't exist any more. Stash them in a coffee can when you get home, after a month you'll be surprised how much money you have stashed back, all one dollar bills. A couple of months and you might be able to double your guitar budget. Just never spend a one dollar bill, give them a 5 or 10, whatever. NO ONES. Stash those at home. In a month or two it really adds up.

Buy a Yamaha. you just can't beat em for the quality to cost ratio!


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"It is what it is"

200$ acoustic guitar = Tin can Alley..


"MARTIN" he screamed as he was shot dead by the mob. ... LOL
but not for 200..

If you see my old Sigma Dm in a pawn shop, don't buy it.. LMAO

Thanks for all the info.. few more questions-


Whats the difference between cedar and spruce top?

Any opinions on "applause" brand (ovation daughter company, same relationship as epiphone to gibson).. I found a $200 one that sounded decent and played well...

Of course I'm scouring the local CL and ebay auctions.. nothing worth mentioning there..

And of course I've been to to music stores checking out new, and used models when possible. It's literally a world of disappointment.

Saddest thing is some of the $200 guitars I played sounded better than many of the $500+ acoustics I played... and had better action / neck profile.

I've gotten all my guitars from pawn shops; that's the best place, in my opinion, to find a good deal on a good guitar. Most shops will have an amp so you can plug in and test the guitar before you buy. it's good to find a pawn shop that sells a lot of different things because sometimes...SOMETIMES they don't know what they have until somebody comes in with knowledge and finds a Martin hanging on the rack selling for 300 bucks knowing it's worth wayyyyyyyyyyy more than that. Those are sweet deals.

Ebay is a good idea...but, you don't get to try the instrument out before hand; it's always good to see how it feels when you play it; how easy it plays. I personally wouldn't buy a guitar I couldn't play first....kind of like buying shoes...it's important to try them on for size first.

That's the bottom line Kramerguy. You have to spend an afternoon or two and play a lot of guitars to make an informed decision. Price has less to do with quality as it used to; I would love to buy only American but it's becoming harder and harder. Many people insist on American made guitars but it's an elitist mentality, and mostly applies to vintage equipment anyway. Buy what plays and sounds good; looks are next. Then you can worry about where it's made, how much it costs or what name is on the headstock.

I played a Yamaha (spelling) for years...cheap price, great sound...my fingers slid up and down the neck so smoothly (get your heads out of the gutter)....I loved that guitar...somebody stole it ....f'cker. it took me a long time to replace it with something I was just as happy with. I like playing with medium strings as well...that makes a big difference too.