help... guitar shopping

  • Thread starter Thread starter sodapopinski
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sodapopinski

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Well... I have played guitar for a number of years now, and own a fairly nice Strat... but my acoustic isn't exactly what I'm looking for. It's an Epiphone PR 350. Not a bad guitar, but I want something more. I've just got back from guitar center having spent 2 hours looking for a new acoustic, and am a little depressed. Ok, I can't spend more than $900.00, and I would prefer to stay around $500.00. Yes, I'm a poor grad student. I want an Acoustic/Electric, and am looking for some advice.

I have looked at the Takamine G series guitars, and liked them but they seemed a little "boomy" when not plugged in. Plugged in their fine because I can control the eq. I'm thinking different strings might help this too.

I am also looking at a couple Ovation Celebrity series guitars. These sound great plugged in, but lack a little when unplugged. So, any suggestions? I really am looking for a good, crisp, clean sounding guitar with decent electronics.

Also, I plan on doing a lot of recording with it (using 2 paired mxl 603's). So, I want something that sounds good here as well, although I'm more concerned about live performance (sometimes unplugged, sometimes amped). Finally, my Epiphone really does have a nice sound, so if I wanted I could just go for an acoustic that sounds good plugged in, and maybe not so good unplugged.

What do you think? Please, when you reply, keep my $ issue in mind as I really can't afford more than $900.00.

Soda
 
Take a look at the lower line of Martin or upper line Sigma. You can have a really nice pickup installed and still be within that $900 range. And it will sound fantastic unplugged too. I think Sigma has a D45 looking model for about $500, but I can't remember the exact price offhand. It is gorgeous though.
 
Another thought...

Anyone here used the L.R. Baggs iBeam active pickup? It might be interesting to put it in my Epiphone until I can afford a little better guitar. What do you know about this pickup?
 
My first guitar was a sigma from a pawn shop that has incredible sound. I was playing some Tacoma's at Guitar center and they play fantastically. I have a bid on one on Ebay now. Check them out
 
If you want an electro-acoustic look at the Yamaha range. At any price level they are very competetive. I have had 4 Yamaha acoustics and I have never had a bad one. At the moment I have an APX-4 sycamore top electro, and I love it. The APX and CPX range are very popular in my area and sound good plugged or unplugged.
 
Thanks everyone. I found a Takamine that I really like. It's a little out of my price range, so I put it on lay away. I should have it paid of in a few months.
 
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