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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Aug 7, 2014 7:28:57 GMT -7
I have a Martin D16 and a Larrivee LV-03. They live in their cases and are properly humidified when not being played. i want to get something I can leave on a stand in the living room, something smaller than a dread but bigger than a parlor. This would be a guitar for me or my girlfriend or anyone visiting to just grab and play. $200 budget. I fully realize that even inexpensive guitars, even laminate, can benefit from humidification, but this one's gonna stay out of the case. Heck, it'll even make for some nice room decor . I've yet to play anything in a shop but so far I'm seeing/reading good things about the Yamaha FS700s and the Recording King Dirty Thirty. Both have solid tops, and both get good reviews. Does anyone here have experience with either of these? Thoughts? Recommendations for alternatives? What do you use for a beater/grab 'n play?
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Aug 7, 2014 7:54:48 GMT -7
I've seriously had my eye on the Taylor GS Mini for a while now. I swear I'm gonna pick one up when I get around to it (or I see it on sale). Definitely a better "family/living room" guitar than the Martin HD-28, especially with 4-year-old hands around.
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Post by greenblues58 on Aug 7, 2014 8:52:49 GMT -7
I have a Larrivee OM02 as my goto acoustic but I have tried and been very impressed with a couple of the lower end Sigmas,especially the mahogany OM, and Washburns with solid top and laminate back and sides. Both well priced in the UK around £150 to £200. There is always the second hand market that will get you more guitar for you money.
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Aug 7, 2014 9:43:47 GMT -7
Good stuff guys.
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Post by BritInvasion on Aug 7, 2014 9:50:14 GMT -7
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Aug 7, 2014 9:51:53 GMT -7
Look into Seagulls. Lots of bang for the buck at low price points.
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Post by zpilot on Aug 8, 2014 23:13:24 GMT -7
At the price point you suggested there is going to be more variation from guitar to guitar than higher-end models so I'd go to several stores and play everything in your price range. A lot of those guitars are made in the same Korean factories so don't get hung up on labels. I'd definitely go with something used that maybe has a few nicks and dings. A good set-up can work wonders on cheap guitars. Check very closely for high frets; even on new guitars in that price range.
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Post by simpleton on Aug 9, 2014 0:26:11 GMT -7
Those Dirty 30's Feel good from Recording King. The Lawsuit TAkamines from the 70's that were Martin copies are awesome and cheap. I've had my Martin d15 for like 17 years or something like that and traveled all over the country with it. In and out of every kind of climate and though it bears the marks, it's still my #1 to grab and go. Martin keeps fixing the braces that have come loss over the years, the warranty has been amazing.
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Post by BradPaisleyFan (Pat) on Aug 9, 2014 19:10:52 GMT -7
200 bucks won't get you a whole lot even used.
I second the GS Mini. I've had 3 of them. Don't know why I never kept the last one which was a rosewood one
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Post by jimiata on Aug 10, 2014 7:03:16 GMT -7
Besides" Seagull" Godin makes '' Art and Luthier" and " Norman" brand guitars. Really good value for the money and great playing instruments. They show up on my local Kijiji sites in the $200.00 to $400.00 Cdn range. Check them out.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 10, 2014 7:03:21 GMT -7
One more for the GS Mini - wonderful player, sounds great, and it is right here next to me at all times. Took mine to Mexico last year too - great on the beach!
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Post by jimmysmith on Aug 28, 2014 12:45:14 GMT -7
I've seriously had my eye on the Taylor GS Mini for a while now. I swear I'm gonna pick one up when I get around to it (or I see it on sale). Definitely a better "family/living room" guitar than the Martin HD-28, especially with 4-year-old hands around. man, you will love the gs mini, i have put my martin and larrivee in the closet, i snatched one with the est system, had to shave a bit off the bridge as the action was way too high,(i think they come like that so you can adust to your specs,,), but, man put a capo on these and it is just a sweet playing little dream. they have put out about 50 k of these, made in mexico but every good as quality as the fender tex mex series, etc,, i cannot put the thing down,, and i have really never said that about a geetar,, but it is true.....oh, mine is mahogany, they say the other models are brighter but i like mahogany
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Aug 31, 2014 6:59:25 GMT -7
I found my cheapie! And I couldn't be happier - it sounds, plays, and feels like it costs a good bit more than it did. It's an Ibanez, of all things! Yeah, I bet your reaction at seeing that brand was the same as mine. It's not a brand I would have even thought about considering. I don't think it's unfair to say that Ibanez is not known to produce good acoustic guitars, but they got something right with this one. I did some scouring around on the forums and this guitar is mentioned a lot as a real sleeper. Without getting into a lot of detail, I will say that I'm astounded at the tone, playability, and quality of this little thing. It won't replace my Martin or Larrivee, but man - it's a LOT of guitar for the money and it doesn't sound or feel like something that costs more than $1000 less than my other guitars. As I said in my original post, I wanted a guitar I could leave out on a stand and something I wouldn't have to keep in the case humidified, etc. This little thing is way nicer than anything I expected to find in this price range, and it's so decent that I might throw a K&K in it and use it for certain gigs. Seriously. Here's a link to it at Sweetwater but Guitar Center is selling them this weekend on sale for $249. Pretty amazing. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AC240OPNIf you're looking for a very decent acoustic for low dough I would recommend checking this one out. Lots of kudos for it on the Acoustic Guitar Forum and the Gear Page. Time for another cup of coffee and a little more playing time!
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Post by digs57 on Aug 31, 2014 7:31:20 GMT -7
nice score...you get a lot for your money these days...it looks like it will be perfect
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Post by John on Aug 31, 2014 9:31:14 GMT -7
I completely missed this thread....I would have given my vote for Seagull. I have several.
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Post by zpilot on Aug 31, 2014 10:09:19 GMT -7
I found my cheapie! And I couldn't be happier - it sounds, plays, and feels like it costs a good bit more than it did. It's an Ibanez, of all things! Yeah, I bet your reaction at seeing that brand was the same as mine. It's not a brand I would have even thought about considering. I don't think it's unfair to say that Ibanez is not known to produce good acoustic guitars, but they got something right with this one. I did some scouring around on the forums and this guitar is mentioned a lot as a real sleeper. Without getting into a lot of detail, I will say that I'm astounded at the tone, playability, and quality of this little thing. It won't replace my Martin or Larrivee, but man - it's a LOT of guitar for the money and it doesn't sound or feel like something that costs more than $1000 less than my other guitars. As I said in my original post, I wanted a guitar I could leave out on a stand and something I wouldn't have to keep in the case humidified, etc. This little thing is way nicer than anything I expected to find in this price range, and it's so decent that I might throw a K&K in it and use it for certain gigs. Seriously. Here's a link to it at Sweetwater but Guitar Center is selling them this weekend on sale for $249. Pretty amazing. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AC240OPNIf you're looking for a very decent acoustic for low dough I would recommend checking this one out. Lots of kudos for it on the Acoustic Guitar Forum and the Gear Page. Time for another cup of coffee and a little more playing time! I'm going to quote myself here. "Don't get hung up on labels"
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