I'm a beginner but already I have the bug for a new guitar. I have a Washburn G17S but would like to move to the next level (still acoustic). I will spend up to $1000 max. Right now I lean towards one of the higher level Washburns or the Blueridges. I know I need to shop somewhere besides the internet and play different stuff. Any advice on these or other models will give me a headstart. One day I'll go big time with something like a Martin but untill that day comes I want to get the biggest bang for my buck. Money is not really an issue at this point in my life but I need to prove to myself that I'll stick with this before I spend 2 or 3 thousand! So far I love it and sometimes can't wait to get home and "play". I spend a lot of time out of town so I even bought a Washburn Rover to keep up the practice while in motels!
Thanks - Steve in Ga :)
Hi there,
I can't recommend the Seagull range of guitars highly enough. They are among the best bang for the buck around and sound really really nice. Hell not only do they sound nice but if you get a Cedar one it smells great too!
Since I replaced my Big baby Taylor I can't put the thing down and its given my practicing a kick up the back side it needed.
I have a SP6+ cedar (with extras) which I got for around £550 but they are cheaper stateside since they are made in canada. Larrivee also get tons of praise from everywhere so check them out new or old if you can within your price range.
Check them out if you can!
Well, I was in a position a while ago quite simular to yours (although there is a chance that you're being very modest). Where I could not really even play guitar beyond poorly done bits and pieces of a few songs and yet knew that the guitar I had did not have the tone I was looking for.
I can't really help you out too much with the level you indicated. I think the guitar you have right now is pretty much a second guitar for many people, which is what I hope to be getting soon, and therefore I have yet to look into anything in between a Seagull S6 and a Martin. One thing I can sugegst though is that whatever guitars people may throw at you here, actually go out and play them, at this level I assume that guitars can be a very personal thing, especially since price does not always indicated quality at that range. Some peopel swear that a $500 Seagull or Yamaha DW is far better than a $1500 Taylor. So yeah, they require playing. Go to a music store and ask the guy to help you find guitars to look at, if you're willing to spend more than $500 USD they will help you out for as long as you could need as far as what I've seen (I guess the store counts on an equal number of people going it trying out just a few and buying one really wuickily anyways.) Yet if you want some random things to check out: I've only heard good things about the Yamaha DW line and Takamines, and Seagull, although it is probably in the same price range or lower as your current one, might be something you'll fall in love in, and they do have a few models in the middle price ranges too. Either way I assume all of these would be the kind of guitar that if you're happy with originally you'll be happy with for a while.
One thing I will add is that the Seagull S6 is the same price as the Taylor Big baby which is similar to the Taylor 110 and the Seagull blows the Taylor out the water. I've never tried the upper range of guitars ala Martin/Taylor because I don't trust my impulsive nature ;).
Also be weary of Takamines, I had a list of models that I wanted to try out within my price range of £400 to £600 and the one I picked to try was the EG523SC model and it was very cheap in feel and sound in my opinion. It had black paint on it and it felt plasticky, the tone also was poor. I've heard some models are nice tho. I tried an Avalon guitar which was quite nice at the same time. The Seagull I got was around $1000 but try out varying brands and see what you like, here's a few more I've heard good things about...
Breedlove, Simon and Patrick (same company as seagull), and Tacoma?
I have a Seagull M6. I played a lot of guitars before and since buying it. (including a $10,000..yes $10,000 martin limited edition eric Clapton model through a friend)
Although the my M6 is not nearly at that level it compares favorably with guitars costing three to four times as much. I recently played a Taylor 314 ($1500) and honestly liked my Seagull better..
Am I biased? probably, but I've had quite a few friends agree that the Seagull was a great choice. I got the M6 at a small local shop for a great price ($450 CDN, including a hard case) and I've enjoyed it since day one.
What is a M6 in relation to an S6? Is the M6 the next model up?
I think if I can check out more Seagulls in the future then I might upgrade to an M6 or the artist series. I love the difference of Cedar to Spruce tho. I gave my girlfriend a spruce sp6 last Christmas and I like the look, smell, and sound of the cedar better for some reason.
Thats another point actually, try out different tone woods, you might like the sound of one better than another.
Breedlove as mentioned might be something to check out. I've never played them, nor ever read a single review, nor heard much abotu a particular guitar. yet I know that they are a company you wouldn't think woudl make second-third guitar level guitars. Yet they come out with a new Atlas series, which is definately less than $1000 USD. So you might want to check it out. Although a good company suddenly making cheaper mdoels may be either a good or bads thing, or both. I refer you to when Taylor started making cheaper guitars. There were some complications with the process.
What is a M6 in relation to an S6? Is the M6 the next model up?
An M6 is mahogany sides and back. they are available in either cedar or spruce top.
I like the crisper sound of spruce..I tried the cedar tops and they just sounded too mellow for me.
M6's used be available with a satin finish but I think gloss is the only choice right now. I kind of prefer it because its a little more resistant to scratches and scuffs.
For more info go here:
I've heard the lower end Breedloves in the Atlas range are excellent value for money and so are some of the Taylors in my opinion. I think I have seen Nick recommend the AD200 (or similar) guitar several times on these forums and the AC25SM also gets raves here and there. I liked the Big Baby I had but the only downside was the lack of any real bass. I am currently in the process of selling it but I sorta wish I hadn't because it was my first guitar, and it was also very comfortable and different sounding to play. Especially now I am unsure of my new amp considerations.
I have a Seagull Folk with cedar top. Recently, I had the chance to try out a €900 Martin. Whilst the neck on the Martin was very marginally better than the Seagull, the tone of the Seagull made the Martin sound 2nd class.
I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN
Suggest you read the recent Larrivee post on here.
Brilliant guitars in your price bracket i think
Matt
Don't forget to look at used, a good solid top will sound better with age.
"Things may get a whole lot worse/ Before suddenly falling apart"
Steely Dan
"Look at me coyote, don't let a little road dust put you off" Knopfler
Tacoma.
Tim Madsen
Nobody cares how much you know,
until they know how much you care.
"What you keep to yourself you lose, what you give away you keep forever." -Axel Munthe
hello chaps
On a similiar note I am thinking of a new accoustic, parsimonious I am looking at around £250 (ish). I am also a bit shalllow and how the guitar looks is very important to me i.e. I like nice fretwork and stuff.
I currently have
Yamaha Acoustic (entry level, plays okay but cant seem to get bar chords on the higher frets)
Epiphone les paul (not had it out the case for ages)
Epiphone Casino (lovely, finished in natural, on a stand in my front room all the time)
and 2 ukuleles
Question is, given the above whant can I get in the price bracket that would complement my collection?
i have an EG523SC Tak and it's wonderful.
it sounds better plugged in then it does unamplified but still sounds great either way.(no black paint on mine)
i would suggest trying individual guitars on their own merits rather than letting yourself be persuaded into spending more than you need to.
all makes have lemons and jewels depending on lots of factors.
anyway i would put my Tak up against many guitars costing hundreds more. i bought it from Annie Allman in Savannah Ga. they set it up and i couldn't be more happy with it the way it came right out of the case.
#4491....
