Recommend me an acoustic under $1000!

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muttley600 said:
Go out there, play them all. Don't look at the name on the label, instead listen for the sound you want. Take someone along who can play them for you so you can hear them out front both close up and a few yards away. Get him or her to play them hard and soft. Take your time don't be hassled and enjoy.
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That's so true. Going by yourself is kind of a waste of time. Guitars can sound so much different from the players perspective than the listener's. And if you're recording (and of course playing live), the listener's perspective is the most important.

I've put guitars aside that didn't sound that great, and then realized how good they did sound when I had someone else play it.

If you can't bring someone with you then one of the salesmen should be happy to pick it up and play something...
 
You should look up Norman guitars. They're handcrafted by Godin, the same company that makes Seagulls; it's just a different label.

All of their guitar are under $1000. A lot of people recommend them for their rich tone. A lot of people compare them with the rich bass of Martins and the crisp highs of Taylors. Nearly all of them say they're as good if not better than guitars that should cost $1500 plus. Definitely check out the ST68, which'll probably run you about $850. Harmony Central Reviews average is 9.9, plus it's regarded as Norman's best.

Definitely find a place where you can try out a Norman. They receive really consistent reviews. Not just consistent though, effusive too.
 
Recommend an acoustic under a $1000, I can't.

It takes over a $1,000 to make the "quantum leap" in sound, there is NO WAY around it. Guys can talk all day along about how their $600 whatever the fuck sounds as good as a $1300 "insert brand" but at the end of the day it's a $600 guitar and if you have any inkling of trained ears you WILL notice the difference.

That said, I would look at used guitars. You can find used quantum leap acoustics for under $1000 and you will be happier with the sound quality you get.

Richie linked you to a $1000 Breedlove. I would think that's the entry point to a quantum leap instrument.
 
Plus the older the acoustic the better it sounds sooo used is a good option for sure.
 
therage! said:
Recommend an acoustic under a $1000, I can't.

It takes over a $1,000 to make the "quantum leap" in sound, there is NO WAY around it.
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Worst advice ever!!!! I can find a nice old USA Guild for $300-$800 that kills most of the so called upper end boxes.

BTW while you are ignoring the name on the headstock, don't look at the price tag either, just see what speaks to ya. Also, take note of the condition of the strings, as a shitty guit w/ new strings sometimes sounds better that a supperior one w/ dead strings.
 
muttley600 said:
Come to think of it what are you doing up???
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Oh, I was multi-tasking; watching tv, playing my classical and writing an essay all at the same time.

I think all three activities suffered because of a lack of undivided attention.

Sorry to hear about the chicken pox - the time I had them easily ranks as the wost week of my childhood.

On the subject of new acoustics - I have my eye on a 000-15 during the Chistmas sales. I love the 15 series Martins for the money.
 
Washburn D46S

I've tried the Washburn D46S at a local store a couple of times and absolutely love it, you can find it for about $420 on the internet. The cutaway edition is generally about $100 more and has a pickup, I've never tried it.
http://washburn.com/products/acoustics/dreadnoughts/sw.aspx

I have relatively long, thin fingers, so I'm not sure if you'll get into it much, but it's an awesome sounding guitar and I really hope to get a hold of one.
 
Flamin Lip said:
Worst advice ever!!!! I can find a nice old USA Guild for $300-$800 that kills most of the so called upper end boxes.

BTW while you are ignoring the name on the headstock, don't look at the price tag either, just see what speaks to ya. Also, take note of the condition of the strings, as a shitty guit w/ new strings sometimes sounds better that a supperior one w/ dead strings.
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I agree. Worst advice ever.
 
Flamin Lip said:
Worst advice ever!!!! I can find a nice old USA Guild for $300-$800 that kills most of the so called upper end boxes.

BTW while you are ignoring the name on the headstock, don't look at the price tag either, just see what speaks to ya. Also, take note of the condition of the strings, as a shitty guit w/ new strings sometimes sounds better that a supperior one w/ dead strings.
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Read my post again !!!!!!!!!!!!

I said....LOOK FOR USED INSTRUMENTS!!:rolleyes:
 
therage! said:
Read my post again !!!!!!!!!!!!

I said....LOOK FOR USED INSTRUMENTS!!:rolleyes:
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You also said this
It takes over a $1,000 to make the "quantum leap" in sound, there is NO WAY around it. Guys can talk all day along about how their $600 whatever the fuck sounds as good as a $1300 "insert brand" but at the end of the day it's a $600 guitar and if you have any inkling of trained ears you WILL notice the difference.
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I think thats what everyone is taking issue with because.... well it's just bollox really isn't it!? :rolleyes:
 
muttley600 said:
I think thats what everyone is taking issue with because.... well it's just bollox really isn't it!? :rolleyes:
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I thought he was taking the piss. Although I do love the terminology he uses: "Quantum leap in sound." It sounds like somehing you'd read in a guitar catalogue -

"Introducing the new Taylor 600 series. It should cost around 700 bucks, but we priced it at 1,350 just to ensure that it made the famous QUANTUM LEAP IN SOUND!!!

In-depth acoustotronic research by the leading experts in auro-soundology has shown that if two guitars of the exact same specifications are placed side-by-side, then the one that has been artificially inflated in price will sound better. As the price gets nearer to the thousand dollar mark, the sound will become gradually more pleasing. Finally, when we set the price at just over one thousand dollars, A QUANTUM LEAP occurred. Suddenly, the guitar was richer in harmonious melodicity, and it resonated at the most ergonomically and didactically efficient frequencies.

So, are you the tye of man who hands out bad advice on a forum? Are you led by your wallet instead of common sense? Are you a sucker for branding, marketing and the name on a headstock? If so, the new Taylor 600 is for you. Remember, our guitars make a QUANTUM LEAP so that you can make a leap* in your playing too."

*Your playing may or may not improve. The adjective quantum may or may not be applicable to your playing after buying this guitar. You're a dumb bastard if you believe any of this.
 
I'll have to try some similar marketing techniques with some of mine.

"Don't be fooled by the £999.99p price tag. We charge the full £1000.00p .

We go that extra penny to give you that famous Quantum acoustic experience. All those extra pennies are invested in quantum acoustic research. Let us spend a penny for you. we take the piss so you don't have to.

We spend that penny wisely." :D
 
32-20-Blues said:
I thought he was taking the piss. Although I do love the terminology he uses: "Quantum leap in sound." It sounds like somehing you'd read in a guitar catalogue -

"Introducing the new Taylor 600 series. It should cost around 700 bucks, but we priced it at 1,350 just to ensure that it made the famous QUANTUM LEAP IN SOUND!!!

In-depth acoustotronic research by the leading experts in auro-soundology has shown that if two guitars of the exact same specifications are placed side-by-side, then the one that has been artificially inflated in price will sound better. As the price gets nearer to the thousand dollar mark, the sound will become gradually more pleasing. Finally, when we set the price at just over one thousand dollars, A QUANTUM LEAP occurred. Suddenly, the guitar was richer in harmonious melodicity, and it resonated at the most ergonomically and didactically efficient frequencies.

So, are you the tye of man who hands out bad advice on a forum? Are you led by your wallet instead of common sense? Are you a sucker for branding, marketing and the name on a headstock? If so, the new Taylor 600 is for you. Remember, our guitars make a QUANTUM LEAP so that you can make a leap* in your playing too."

*Your playing may or may not improve. The adjective quantum may or may not be applicable to your playing after buying this guitar. You're a dumb bastard if you believe any of this.
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Quntum leap is something I stole from someone decades ago. I always liked it.

You guy’s can talk all the shit you want about cheap guitars but lets get down to it.

Name some models that cost lets say $700 that sound every bit as good as a guitar at $1300. Talk is fucking cheap…NAME the models. Richie suggested the $1000 Breedlove. I wished to hell I could get $1300 sound for $700….WHERE IS IT? If you can then a whole slew of guitar builders might be in trouble. Why doesn’t Larivee sell there –5 series for $700? Just because of their name? Bullshit.

You want $1300 sound for $700 the only place your gonna get it is the used market. So give me the make and models and I’m real interested in purchasing $1300 sound for $700 on a new instrument. I’m waiting.

I’ve got a $300 Yamaha that I like and play it all the time for practice. But when I record I grab my 400 series Taylor all Koa because there is quite a difference. BTW, I got that Taylor used for less than $600, but I knew the guy. You can find some great deals in the used market.
 
therage! said:
I wished to hell I could get $1300 sound for $700….WHERE IS IT? If you can then a whole slew of guitar builders might be in trouble. Why doesn’t Larivee sell there –5 series for $700? Just because of their name? Bullshit.
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This one isn't....I KNOW what it costs to make a Larivee or any guitar for that matter. I also know what I can sell them for so do other makers big and small.

I also know what makes a good guitar and what makes an average guitar. They are there in both price brackets, good bad, and average. Thats why I gave the advice I did.
 
muttley600 said:
This one isn't....I KNOW what it costs to make a Larivee or any guitar for that matter. I also know what I can sell them for so do other makers big and small.

I also know what makes a good guitar and what makes an average guitar. They are there in both price brackets, good bad, and average. Thats why I gave the advice I did.
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I've heard a lot about those Carvin acoustics. Have you played one? It's not like I can run down to the guitar store and try one out though.
 
My Yairi DY-40 sounds real nice and is easy to play. just barely under $1000 so it fits your criteria.
 
therage! said:
I've heard a lot about those Carvin acoustics. Have you played one? It's not like I can run down to the guitar store and try one out though.
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No I haven't seen many so I haven't got an opinion on them. They don't seem to be as readily available in Europe as the in the US.

At around $600 for the cobalt I would assume you would need two to get kick ass quantum sound...

Just kidding.....;).

Seriously I've only seen a few and they didn't make a huge impression on me, but I get to see a lot of guitars so it doesn't mean they are not good. I'm sure they are perfect for a lot of folks and thats good enough for me. As I said to start off in this thread. Try em all, get some one to play them for you and pick the one thats right for you.

Choosing a guitar is not a life changing decision so if you get it wrong you can always back up and do it again another day. Just enjoy the process and don't be too hung up on brand, price, snob value etc. No one guitar can do everything, try and pick one that does what you want most and does it well.
 
therage! said:
Quntum leap is something I stole from someone decades ago. I always liked it.

You guy’s can talk all the shit you want about cheap guitars but lets get down to it.

Name some models that cost lets say $700 that sound every bit as good as a guitar at $1300. Talk is fucking cheap…NAME the models. Richie suggested the $1000 Breedlove. I wished to hell I could get $1300 sound for $700….WHERE IS IT? If you can then a whole slew of guitar builders might be in trouble. Why doesn’t Larivee sell there –5 series for $700? Just because of their name? Bullshit.

You want $1300 sound for $700 the only place your gonna get it is the used market. So give me the make and models and I’m real interested in purchasing $1300 sound for $700 on a new instrument. I’m waiting.
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Quantum Leap was an awesome TV show. My guitar retails for $1250, but I paid the equivalent of $1600 by the time it reached our shores, which is kinda shitty when you think about it. It's pretty good but I dunno if it's in another league to say, a Takamine G Series.
 
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