What acoustic electric to buy?

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abandonedbrain

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I can spend 3-400 dollars. I have heard very few acoustic electrics that didn't have that rediculosly bright sound (which I would rather avoid). Any suggestions?
 
I was looking at this one.
Link
edit: Is this for beginners? Just noticed something about it in the description.
 
yeah just test em all out...i just recently bought a Mitchell for $200 bucks....never heard of the brand, but I played it and it was what i was looking for.....a cheap, nice sounding acoustic to just beat on and bring places, with the cutout so i can reach the lower frets, nice binding, nice lil inlay around the soundhole, and its electric-acoustic...i got it at GC, heres the link at musicians freind

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...t-Cutaway-Electric-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518971
 
Thanks. I'm checking the Mitchell out now.
I meant to mention that it's more important that the sound is good unplugged. I'm more interested in recording with it miked. Just thought it would be nice to have the electric option.
 
In that price range, you really have to try them all. Guitars will vary greatly, even those of the same model.

I'd suggest getting a Seagull S6 and putting a pickup in it. I've had some decent luck with the Fender A/Es, too.
 
Those Seagulls look nice. How much would it cost to put a pickup in one?
I'm leaning toward the Alvarez in the link above. They make okay guitars I guess? Yorke used to play them, not sure if he still does.
 
I guess my main question now is: What should I consider when deciding between a standard acoustic electric like a fender or alvarez, or go for something like a seagull? Thanks.
 
In your price range, I would not be concerned with the name on the guitar. If you are to concerned with the brand name, you may miss out on a nice no-name guitar. Stop by a store that has a wide selection and just spend some time with them. Listen to how they sound, how they play, how they are set-up and pick one that fits your needs. If you play in a band and ever think you will play out sometime, choose the acoustic-electric option. Plug it into an amp and play and see how it sounds. And last, once you have narrowed your choices down, have someone else play the guitar and sit in front so you can really "hear" how the guitar sounds.

The "bright" sounds you are refering to are often caused by laminated wood, not solid wood. In your price range, be prepared to by the laminated, however you may find one with a solid top.
 
cnix said:
In your price range, I would not be concerned with the name on the guitar. If you are to concerned with the brand name, you may miss out on a nice no-name guitar. Stop by a store that has a wide selection and just spend some time with them. Listen to how they sound, how they play, how they are set-up and pick one that fits your needs. If you play in a band and ever think you will play out sometime, choose the acoustic-electric option. Plug it into an amp and play and see how it sounds. And last, once you have narrowed your choices down, have someone else play the guitar and sit in front so you can really "hear" how the guitar sounds.

The "bright" sounds you are refering to are often caused by laminated wood, not solid wood. In your price range, be prepared to by the laminated, however you may find one with a solid top.
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Very helpful. Thanks alot.
 
abandonedbrain said:
I guess my main question now is: What should I consider when deciding between a standard acoustic electric like a fender or alvarez, or go for something like a seagull? Thanks.
Click to expand...
The Seagull is on the same level as the others we mentioned, also has solid wood top
 
Since you mentioned that your main intention was to use the guitar for recording with microphones, I would suggest you get the best sounding guitar you can afford, regardless of whether or not it has electronics. You can always buy a cheap pickup, or get it retrofitted with electronics if you want to use it live. Unless you're willing to drop some serious change, the pickups/electronics in most acoustic/electrics are not going to sound good amplified, anyway.
 
scrubs said:
Since you mentioned that your main intention was to use the guitar for recording with microphones, I would suggest you get the best sounding guitar you can afford, regardless of whether or not it has electronics. You can always buy a cheap pickup, or get it retrofitted with electronics if you want to use it live. Unless you're willing to drop some serious change, the pickups/electronics in most acoustic/electrics are not going to sound good amplified, anyway.
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I agree with Scrubs, I think the last two things to consider when buying a guitar are whther it ahs a cutaway and whether it has electronics. Buy a nice acoustic and a few weeksmonths down the line throw a ncie fishman into it.
 
The Seagull S6 Cedar plays and sounds very good, especially considering the price. I've seen a few locally for around $350. I remember seeing a really good review for the Washburn D10 but every one I played sounded like an average cheapo guitar.

Oh yea, forget the electronics in this price range. You'll end up with a really crappy guitar with crappy electronics.
 
Alvarez

I bought the Alvarez AD60SC a couple months ago and love it. Very similar to the one in the link....mine has a solid spruce top. I love the built in tuner, even though mine is rock solid when it comes to tuning. it was a little tinny when i first got it, but it came with a free setup and in the store the guy had two identical ones, one he said just wasnt setup as nice. there was 100 dollars difference and i bought the cheaper one and got it fixed up for 20 bucks.

it sounds great to me. beautiful inlay work. i tried out some seagulls while looking aswell. also very nice guitars. everything in the Godin Family brand (seagull, art and lutherie, la patrie) is awesome. made in canada and alot of them have solid tops. i didnt find a good fender in my price range, they were all very bad in terms of tone, setup, looks (lol) and electronics. i think the Alvarez electronics system in my guitar is pretty good for the money. ive used it for recording (mixed with a mic) and live through a large pa system. sounds pretty good.

i would strongly advise against buying an acoustic guitar (or any guitar for that matter) online. you really really need to play everything you can and buy the one that feels best to you.


Adam
 
marshall409 said:
i would strongly advise against buying an acoustic guitar (or any guitar for that matter) online. you really really need to play everything you can and buy the one that feels best to you.
Click to expand...

Good advice. 3 or 4 guitars of the exact same model can vary pretty widely in sound.
 
At that budget, you will be looking for a solid top import.... find a local Alvarez, Ibanez and Yamaha dealer and just play as many as you can.

Even better if you can have a buddy who also plays, so you can have him blind demo them while you listen. Just close your eyes and have him randomly change quitars while you listen. Also, make sure you check the condition of the strings between the guitboxes you are demoing, as an inferior guitar with newish or coated strings will often sound better than a better guitar w/ ragged strings.

Another trick I like to do, is to have someone else play while I put my hand on the top in different locations to feel the difference in vibrations..... not an exact science, but if you have 2 identical guitars and the upper bouts on one feels bigger vibrations than the other, it is probably braced more efficiantly or has a better quality top.

Bottom line? Let YOUR ears decide, not the joker who write the MF catalog!
 
Thanks to all of you for your prompt and competent responses. I bought a Seagull S6 Slim for $350 and can't see that I'll regret it. The guy also recommended some $300 Alvarez as an option but there was no contest. I'll drop a couple hundred on some electronics when I have saved some cash. I'm so glad I didn't go for an acoustic electric in this price range. Thanks again-gotta go play.
 
CONGRATS MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Play the hell out of it!!

IMHO you were smart not worrying about the electronics. You can drop a nice piezo in there on the cheap..... preamp it with something nice, and you're leaps and bounds ahead of all of the fancy onboard pre's w/ built in tuners that come on all the Imports.
Good luck brah.
 
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