Acoustic recommendation?

[Wireneck]

I primarily play electric guitar but am interested in picking up a new acoustic guitar. I have owned a few extremely cheap Alvarez, Yamaha acoustics through the years but the feel on them was pretty terrible. This will be for light recording duty and mostly playing around the house. I don't need any on board electronics and I definitely won't be gigging with it. A cut away would be cool but I don't see many in my price range. My price range is $500-$800. I don't really want to invest anymore money into an acoustic.
Has anyone played any of the Taylor's or Martin's in that price range? Is there something better. Both the Taylor 214 Grand and the Taylor 210 dreadnought fit in my budget. What is the main difference between a Grand and a Dreadnought? Is one better suited for recording? Most of my acoustic tracks will be mixed in with other instruments. No solo performance.

Thanks in advance

[Richard Monroe]

This is my favorite new acoustic I've played in that pricerange:

http://www.musician.com/product/Bree...tar?sku=512404

Grand concert is a smaller body than a dreadnought. Often favored by fingerstyle players, some prefer it for recording due to brighter trebles and less overwhelming bass output on the lower strings, reducing "boom". However, all the standard body types- dreadnought, grand concert, Auditorium, OM, 000, and even jumbos have been used to make great recordings by somebody. Grand Concerts and Dreadnoughts have been used for more sucessful recordings than any other types, and Jumbos and Dreadnoughts remain favorite stage guitars. Good Luck-Richie

[Daveg62]

I just played every guitar they had at my local guitar center in that price range. The only one I liked at all was a Martin. I think you need to play them yourself in order to find a good one. Sorry, but there's really no other way. I personally own a Larrivee D-3 all mahogony and a Takamine from the early 70's that sounds wonderful. The Larrivee's are defintely worth checking out. Might want to also try the Seagull's.

[pohaku]

You might look at the new Guilds as well. They have some in your price range and I've been impressed with them, even though they are now owned by Fender which never could do acoustic guitars well in the past (which is why they bought Guild).

[antichef]

Check out the Seagulls - I've never had one, but always have been impressed when I pick them up. I generally don't like new Martins in that price range, but again, have only fiddled with them (but my D-28 was in that price range in 1972, I think ).

I bought my son a new Guild 12 string for 7 or 8 hundred recently -- he needed one in a hurry for a gig, so we didn't have much time to research. Made in China, but with great wood and beautifully put together. Sounds and plays very nice, too, and we're both pretty happy with it. So I guess I'd check out the Guild 6 strings, too.

[tdukex]

I've always liked the Larrivee 03 series better than the Taylor or Martin offerings in the same price range. Very, very nice solid wood guits.

[guitar junkie]

I have read some awesome reviews of the Silver Creek guitars that Musicians Friend is selling, also look into Walden guitars as well as Blue Ridge.

Taylor is fine, but I have never liked the sound of them for more than a few minutes on end....

My advice would be to go to a good music store and play every blasted thing you can get a hang on, read about each model online and buy the one you like.

[muttley600]

I'l tell you what I've told every other poster that has asked the same question.

1. Ignore the name on the headstock.
2. Play as many as you can.
3. Take someone with you so you can hear them out front.
4. Buy the one you like the best.
5. Allow a few trips to get a day by day perspective, your preference may change.
6. Enjoy the process.

[tdukex]

Originally Posted by muttley600

I'l tell you what I've told every other poster that has asked the same question.

1. Ignore the name on the headstock.
2. Play as many as you can.
3. Take someone with you so you can hear them out front.
4. Buy the one you like the best.
5. Allow a few trips to get a day by day perspective, your preference may change.
6. Enjoy the process.

Point for point, this is the best advice you will ever receive. And it is exactly how in 2002 I ended up my Webber OM (which I was unfamiliar with at the time) instead of a Santa Cruz OM PW, Charles Fox SJ, or other guit in the same price range at the time. IMO the Webber was just better. I didn't want to buy it, but it insisted, and six years later I am still glad it did.

[Erockrazor]

Not to sound like a broken record but these guys are giving you what I think is the best advice for this situation. Do yourself the favor and go to the guitar store and see for yourself.

I bought my acoustic about a year ago. A Jumbo Parkwood for about 500 dollars. Played it twice before I bought it but amongst the others it still came out my favorite. This made me a lot happier when I came to purchase it. Though I don't think it's the acoustic guitar sound I would want now, I was in love with it when I had it. Playing before buying without regard to brand name was key to my happiness. Unfortunately I can't satisfy my ever changing taste in tone. But that's a whole other thread.

Good luck with any route you take, Eric

[Wireneck]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will definitely have to set aside some time to brave the guitar center's and Sam Ashe of Atlanta.

[Corndog]

I got my acoustic by defalt. It came in for repair and was never picked up....
that was 6 years ago!!!

A Yamaha CJ 818.

But yeah, play EVERYTHING you can get yer hands on, you'll thank yourself in the morning.

[ofajen]

One thing I would suggest is to try out some USA made Ovations before you buy anything. And make sure you listen out front, since the bowl doesn't resonate back as much into the player as a standard wood back.

Cheers,

Otto

[Monsterpop]

i bought my first ever acoustic guitar ( after almost 30 years;-)
in GC in Dallas a few months ago

its the cheapest Martin available,,and was $499

i think its excellent