Acoustic Guitars

#1
Mini Me

Mini Me

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Dec 14, 2009
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#1
I have been looking at a few acoustic guitars. I have never played before and I may start taking lessons this summer. I didn't want to spend more than $200 on it and I have researched some guitars and narrowed it down to the following:

Alvarez AD222

Yamaha FG700S

Fender DG-S8

They are all in the same price range. Does anyone have any experience or advice on these or any other recommendations? Any help/advice is appreciated.
 
#2
#2
I've always loved my fender dg with elixer strings. its been my favorite guitar. unfortunately, its developed a buzz on the third fret of the high E string. may want to keep that in mind, but also keep in mind that i've traveled with that guitar to the humid beach and also damp nights around bonfires. i haven't played the others, but i can say the fender sounds good and has a low action which i like.
 
#3
#3
flyfishinvol said:
I've always loved my fender dg with elixer strings. its been my favorite guitar. unfortunately, its developed a buzz on the third fret of the high E string. may want to keep that in mind, but also keep in mind that i've traveled with that guitar to the humid beach and also damp nights around bonfires. i haven't played the others, but i can say the fender sounds good and has a low action which i like.
Click to expand...

You are the second person to mention the buzz on the third fret. Did you have to lower the action or did it come set up with like that?
 
#4
#4
I have a takamine GS-300. I love it for sentimental reasons... Other than that, I wouldn't really care for it. The bridge is starting to lift. I'd save up and buy a Taylor...
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#6
#6
pantone151 said:
I have a takamine GS-300. I love it for sentimental reasons... Other than that, I wouldn't really care for it. The bridge is starting to lift. I'd save up and buy a Taylor...
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

Read my mind.
 
#7
#7
I have played the Fender and Yamaha and my vote is for the Yamaha. Fuller sound, stays in tune better, better action, and pretty much the better value for what you pay. Granted, I've only played them once each, but that's my personal opinion. I love my Takamine EG560C, but if I was forced to buy a replacement today, my budget would push me toward the Yamaha.
 
#8
#8
Play em all and see what feels best to you.

You might also have a friend that can play - play them all for you so you can see how they sound to others.

I picked mine based on hearing a guy play in the store. He played all the ones I was considering and the one he bought (and I bought) sounded the best. (they were all the same brand but it was not the model I went in to buy)
 
#9
#9
Breedloves are the best guitars for the money right now...but all are far out of your price range. 5 years ago I would have suggested a Taylor as well.....but lately I've played more so so taylors than ones that really spoke to me.

I would look for an older seagul guitar, you might be able to find one in your price range.
 
#10
#10
Anyone buy a guitar at Ciderville in Powell (Clinton Hwy)?

I bought my Martin there and it was a great deal.
 
#11
#11
Depends on what sound your looking for...I personally wouldn't spend as much coin as Taylor wants for a guitar, you can find guitars that sound great for much less...I would suggest going into your local music store and spend a couple hours playing until you find the right one.
 
#12
#12
volinbham said:
Play em all and see what feels best to you.
Click to expand...

^this is the best advice.

for a good cheap starter I would recommend a Washburn D10S. it has a solid wood top for around $199

I recently just got a Blueridge and I am very happy with it. It is very comparable to a Martin for way less cash.

Good Luck and let us know what you get.
 
#14
#14
you might want to try another forum that i've been on longer than volnation has been around. acouticguitarforum.com
 
#15
#15
Mini Me said:
I have been looking at a few acoustic guitars. I have never played before and I may start taking lessons this summer. I didn't want to spend more than $200 on it and I have researched some guitars and narrowed it down to the following:

Alvarez AD222

Yamaha FG700S

Fender DG-S8

They are all in the same price range. Does anyone have any experience or advice on these or any other recommendations? Any help/advice is appreciated.
Click to expand...

I just came from Guitar Center. They didn't have any in stock that is on your list. First, I've been playing for quite some time. I've owned a number of guitars. Probably 30-40 in all. Nothing really expensive. Probably the most expensive one was a Gibson J-40 that was somewhere around $1800 when I bought it. I kept it for a month and traded it. I just didn't care for the way it played or sounded. The only reason I'm mentioning it is to show that a guitars worth can't always be measured by it's price. Fender is my guitar of choice for electrics. I have a Strat that I bought 20 something years ago that I wouldn't part with. I, personally, have never played a Fender Acoustic that I liked. So, here, you see, guitars really are a personal choice. I could go on forever, but here's what I found at Guitar Center today. I played everything they had from $600 down. I'm not in the market for one, but out of all of them, I would pick the Ibanez V70CE. It played well and sounded great. Harmonics were exactly perfect. Really nicely finished guitar. It's a cutaway, which is nice. And, it's electric, too. The electric sound probably compares with a few I played in the $400-$600 range. The price is $199.99 at Guitar Center. I played different types of music and was pleased with the sound for each. A little bluegrass, Pink Floyd, Dylan, etc. Again, personal choice. Another thing that someone mentioned is strings. Again, I've used about every brand out there and personally like Silver Bullets for my electrics and Dean Markley for most of my acoustics. Recently, I strung one acoustic with Elixir Strings. They are really nice. Smooth. Here's why I'm mentioning them again. When you first start playing guitar, your fingertips will really be sore. Trust me on that one. These strings are easily fingered and fretted. You'll be able to practice more with less discomfort. And, they last a lot longer. Here's a link for the Ibanez-

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...519468&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26044909

I've owned 3 guitars made by Ibanez in the past and was happy with them. And, I have a 36 year old Yahaha 6 string that I will have until the day I die. Oh, by the way, I like Yamaha but I played one today ($600) that I didn't care for. So, a lot more confusing stuff for you. Good luck on your purchase and playing.:good!:
 
#16
#16
Thanks to all for the information. I went ahead and got the Alvarez AD222:

Alvarez Guitars : Product Information

Also purchased some Elixir Medium Gauge Strings. I really liked the sound and feel of the Alvarez. The action was nice and the guitar felt/looked right for me. As I start to play around with it, I will give a further review and opinion of the guitar. As I was looking around, I played two other Alvarez's, the Yamaha , Ibanez V50MJP-NT-2Y-02, and a Washburn D100DL.

I got the Alvarez AD222 (with a set of Elixir Med Strings) for $212 out the door.

Thanks for all the help!
 
#18
#18
Fact is at under $200 you're not going to get a very high-quality acoustic.

Just play the three, see what feels best. Don't worry about fret buzz too much, usually you can have the shop you're buying from do work on the saddle to help eliminate that.

Get whatever feels best, play it, learn it, take care of it. Keep the intonation in check, clean it very thoroughly every few months, sanitize your hands before you play, find strings you like and change them out after every few dozen sessions. Be nice to your guitar and it will be nice to you.

Then, once your better, consider going out and buying something for around a grand that will keep you happy for the rest of your life, like a Martin or a Gibson.
 
#19
#19
If you're getting a beginner, then don't get a Taylor or Martin... otherwise I'd say save and get one. Taylor's sound like sex and Martin's aren't far behind imo.
 
#20
#20
Taylors are also great.

But if you're spending $200 on a guitar, you're a few years away from spending real money on one, so don't worry about it.
 
#21
#21
Yeah, I ended up with a Alvarez. I have seen some for sale used and they seem to retain their value and sale pretty good. I figured when the time came and I was serious/dedicated about playing I would sale and then upgrade to a better option.
 
#22
#22
Why sell? is it your first? I could never part with my first guitar. haha

Squire Stratocaster that I tinkered with, sticker'd, hot-rodded, etc. Still sitting in my closet. Had it almost a decade now.
 
#23
#23
I know the OP has made his decision, but just wanted to voice my two cents worth. I think the Washburn is the best buy considering quality, sound and price. A friend who is an exceptional player who makes a living playing guitar uses a Washburn for all his recording sessions. He uses a Taylor on stage because of the impression, but goes to the Washburn when quality of sound matters.
 
#24
#24
Could be strictly playability. The fastest electric I've ever played is a Samick I bought for about $800, right up there with PRS's IMO. "Studio sound" doesn't really matter a whole lot if you've got some skilled editing going on. Live, on the other hand, is a different story.
 
#25
#25
dickens821 said:
If you're getting a beginner, then don't get a Taylor or Martin... otherwise I'd say save and get one. Taylor's sound like sex and Martin's aren't far behind imo.
Click to expand...

You will also have to sell a limb or vital organ to get one.
 
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