Best Acoustic under $500

[kidbsides]

My vote is for the Martin 000X1 Auditorium. Its a little lacking in low end but more than makes up for it in character and playability. I just got one after falling in love with it in a Guitar Center showroom. I've always felt that acoustics should feel like a good hunk of wood, not too fancy, not over polished -- just right. Solid, earthy and warm with great playability.

Until now I've been f'n around with cheapo $200 - $300 Yamahas and other kickaround guitars, but the 000X1 is special. The action is low, but doesn't buzz -- its almost like playing an electic in terms of feel. Great natural sound and a joy to record. Are there bigger, sweeter sounding acoustics out there? Yes. But not for $500. The 000X1 is a Martin, its made in the US and its guaranteed for life. Just curious if anyone has a guitar out there that compares at this price point. If so, I certainly haven't found it till now. So, for any newbies out there, don't get a cheap guitar until you've tried the 000X1. Its worth every penny. And this is coming from somebody who's never reccommended an acoustic before. Anybody else have this experience or similar with a sub $500 acoustic?

[tdukex]

Larrivee parlors are very nice. Solid wood throughout.

[kidbsides]

Yeah, I've read great things about Larivee. What model are you referring to? Cost? I really like the Taylor 414 our music director has, but its $1300. For me, its all about quality for the money -- I'm blown away that I own a beautiful-sounding Martin for less than $500.

[tdukex]

It is the Larrivee Parlor guitar, small bodied but great, articulate sound. The new versions have glossy finish, the older have satin finish. They sell for around $400.

http://www.larrivee.com/data/products/products_main.htm

You will find a lot of discussion about them (and other acoustics) here:
http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi

You might also check out the Breedlove Atlas series and the Carvin acoustics. I don't know much about them, though.

Good luck with the search.

[mrbowes]

I really like my Tacoma Roadking, Solid wood, made in the US. I got mine used for $350-400 IIRC.

[HI WHAT?]

Takamines or their little sister Jasmine.Low action and beautiful finishing and quality materials.I think the takamines are mahogany and the Jasmines are nato.

[Treeline]

Probably the best bang for the buck in this range is the Seagull line, built in Canada by the same company that builds Godin. These are no-frills designs built of acoustically high grade solid woods and they are pretty impressive. Really high build quality, very low on the frills department.