Budget solid-top acoustics (beaters, student 1st guitars, etc.) - share yours...

[Gear_Junky]

It's hard to believe that with so many guitar addicts we don't have more acoustic posts. Well, here's my idea:

I know that it's harder to compromise on acoustics. We all love our cheap electrics, swapping pickups, etc. but generally for good tone and playability we had to really pony up the cash for an acoustic. But the budget stuff has been getting better. I've had a decent solid-top $150 beater guitar (Brownsville) for over 15 years (until it was ruined by sitting at the fireplace room w/o humidifying). But was only "ok".

I don't want to set a budget or price point, let's just say that it's obviously budget-minded and yet it's the kind of instrument that a beginner wouldn't have to be frustrated with or sell as they got better. It's not just about what I would buy, it's what you would recommend to a friend who wants to start playing (and are serious). Or maybe a cheaper guitar that gave you a bit of a "remorse" about your nice Martin, Taylor or whatever? Years ago I sold my Martin D15 - not because the cheaper guitar was better, but because it was good enough and I didn't want to worry about ruining the nice expensive guitar.

I was recently on this search (and posted a review of what I bought), but I also seriously considered Yamaha FG730 - these have solid Sitka spruce tops, a phenomenal value. But I also saw a cheaper solid-top offering from Guild, maybe Fender and I think there's also a solid-top Yamaha "Amazon special" (exclusive), a really cheap one but I suspect it's also decent if they don't break it while delivering.

Any good recent experiences?

P.S. I realized that for some reason I didn't mention mine
Review here: viewtopic.php?f=39&t=924

And a few pics

[nomadh]

there were a few very well thought out threads on this in the old agf. I agree that I cannot find the 80/20 type value equations in the acoustic market . For electrics I was very used to getting 80% of the looks/ playability/value and tone for 20% of the price. And then making up the other 20% for just a setup and pickups that can also follow the 80/20 rule. For a "consistently" good Acoustic you really need to pony up generally. The gems are mostly 1 in 20 or 30 or even 100 luck shots. I regularly compare the gibson, martin and taylor to the walk up wall. Some people like the epi masterbuilt series. They are a bargain in the solid wood category but I have found them many times not a good sounding as many cheaper solid top only models. Maybe over the years they will bloom but I want it to sound good now.
I can add that there is a "low end" solid walnut gibson for 1k that is outstanding and a value comparatively. And I was bitchslapped when I played a solid wood martin dread jr for about $500?!?!?! the formica martins can be about 500?!?!
Love the ibanez small body mahogany open pore thin finish model at about $300, maybe 4. Not the model 54 dread that just seems to suck generally but they also tend to be $200. But they have terrible setup I cant get past. Maybe with some work it can have killer tone of small body ??340?? model?
Just played a michael kelley 10 string I was smitten with. Beautiful wood great playing and interesting different tone. Closeout for about 250 i think. If I didn't already have my fender 12 string that is both decent sounding, beautiful and a present from the wife I would have definitely jumped but at this point Space and estimated use may be more important than price to me (wash my mouth out now)





Figuring out what tuner goes to what string will drive you crazy for a bit though

[Spike]

I have an old Yamaha that i bought the week before I got married (32 years ago) that I still have and a recent addition of the RWB Recording King which gets picked up and played a lot lately.

Played this Washburn for years but don't have it any more.

[nomadh]

But to get back to OT there are sooooo many decent acoustics out there. And mostly very playable unlike years ago that were there just to torture beginners. A few years ago a salesman at gc tried to sell a mom into getting a fender acoustic. I was dubious. Later the salesman left so she asked me to confirm. I said fender was almost notoriously known for not having great acoustics. Well I tried it out and it was certainly a very nice entry level guitar at a very good price. I have a fender 12 string that my wife bought online for me because she thought I should have a 12 str. I didn't really like getting pushed into something like that although very sweet. It still needs some action work but its already very playable and quite decent tone. Add in yamahas and epis and yaris there is lots of great stuff. But sadly almost never reaches up to the greatness of the big 3. I shaved a bit on the value equations when I bought a used eastman solid wood chinese guitar. It is certainly right up there and $600 used seems still way too much for a used chinese guitar. You just don't keep feeling that way when you play it. I feel I got very close to a martin performer series but mine has a bit more bling. I have played a few used martin performer s for around 5 to 600 but they just didn't wow me like the few I've played new.

[Flatline]

I have a Yamaha FS830 that I picked up for cheap. My son has commandeered it as his own.

[Gear_Junky]

Love those side ports! I've been thinking about that idea for YEARS, even had a printout on how to DIY them. Just never got around to it.

I agree with you on everything and that's precisely why I was reviewing my new Mitchell T311CE - I think it hits many of those nails on the head. Open pore back and sides. Made in Indonesia, set up in the US (it had good set up out of the box, almost in tune). And I think the bracing design, TUSQ nut/saddle and solid top all make for a very resonant feeling and pleasant sounding guitar, even if it's not a Martin/Taylor/Gibson, etc. It's the kind of guitar one can decide to cut a side port on without too much fuss. In fact, I'll just take out the preamp and see how it sounds

[Gear_Junky]

But to get back to OT there are sooooo many decent acoustics out there. And mostly very playable unlike years ago that were there just to torture beginners. A few years ago a salesman at gc tried to sell a mom into getting a fender acoustic. I was dubious. Later the salesman left so she asked me to confirm. I said fender was almost notoriously known for not having great acoustics. Well I tried it out and it was certainly a very nice entry level guitar at a very good price. I have a fender 12 string that my wife bought online for me because she thought I should have a 12 str. I didn't really like getting pushed into something like that although very sweet. It still needs some action work but its already very playable and quite decent tone. Add in yamahas and epis and yaris there is lots of great stuff. But sadly almost never reaches up to the greatness of the big 3. I shaved a bit on the value equations when I bought a used eastman solid wood chinese guitar. It is certainly right up there and $600 used seems still way too much for a used chinese guitar. You just don't keep feeling that way when you play it. I feel I got very close to a martin performer series but mine has a bit more bling. I have played a few used martin performer s for around 5 to 600 but they just didn't wow me like the few I've played new.

So true, I feel like they've really stepped up their game. I'm guessing it's precision machinery and perhaps management that cares a bit more due to more competition.

An electric can be set up after watching a video online by almost anyone. But selling a beginner without guidance something like an unplayable acoustic is a really bad thing and a waste of all those materials and labor. We live in a world where it's possible to mail-order a perfectly set up and decently sounding acoustic. I never thought I'd see the day

[nomadh]

Love those side ports! I've been thinking about that idea for YEARS, even had a printout on how to DIY them. Just never got around to it.

I agree with you on everything and that's precisely why I was reviewing my new Mitchell T311CE - I think it hits many of those nails on the head. Open pore back and sides. Made in Indonesia, set up in the US (it had good set up out of the box, almost in tune). And I think the bracing design, TUSQ nut/saddle and solid top all make for a very resonant feeling and pleasant sounding guitar, even if it's not a Martin/Taylor/Gibson, etc. It's the kind of guitar one can decide to cut a side port on without too much fuss. In fact, I'll just take out the preamp and see how it sounds

There was a damaged mitchell with natural binding at gc awhile ago that had a great tone and playability. It just had "it" but with the damaged corner I was waiting for gc to lower the price more. It was gone before it could hit my price.
I do love side ports. Ever since breedlove. After all 90% of th timer you are playing for yourself. If playing for others then its probably amped anyway, right?

[Tiga]

The two budget-ish acoustics I own are the Seagull S6 and the Martin Dread Jr. Sapele. Both are outstanding. I will also echo the Yamaha FS-8xx series and the Ibanez AC240/340 - punch way above their price point.

[voodoorat]

i recently got an orangewood oliver jr travel size b-stock for $145 and i am pretty impressed with it.

[Lacking Talent]

In an effort to keep the thread alive, my budget beaters...