Caribbean Cowboy - Posted - 07/11/2020:  14:36:37

So looking for anyone's 2 cents. After coming back from a Guitar Store I played a Taylor Acoustic Electric, a Martin in the same class and within my $600. budget. Also played some Yamaha models around $350.

Feeling like I have outgrown my, $70.00,Jasmine S35...she got me where i am today! I am trying to decided if you really get that much more guitar play ability and better sound from a $600.00 than a $300.00. The more expensive ones were all Acoustic Electric BTW.  The Yamaha for $350 was not...So would I be paying for the "plug in factor" which I never would need as I am just a hobbyinst.  Am I missing something here? What should I be looking for? The Yamaha felt almost as nice as the Taylor and for 1/2 the price. Advice here?? Thnks yall

Edited by - Caribbean Cowboy on 07/11/2020 14:40:01

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/12/2020:  05:01:43

My suggestion: play each one, listen to how they sound, see how they feel to fret and pick. See how they fit you as a person; i.e., too little, too big or just right to be easy to play and practice on. If possible, have someone play them and you listen to each, that way you'll know how it sounds when you're behind it and what it sounds like out in front (yes, there's a difference). Then pick the one that you like the most.

I have 3 Martin guitars, a 00-16 and a 000-15 and an electric-acoustic B1E bass. Martins are my favorite because of the ease of fretting, ease of picking and the great sound they have both picking and listening. Of course, they may be out of your price range.

Caribbean Cowboy - Posted - 07/15/2020:  14:49:13

Thanks again Sherry,
I have been in Guitar Center and Sam Ash. Played 12 - 15 different models. I can go as high as $800 and did like a Taylor 10E and 12E Series for fretting and sound but the body on the under $1k Taylors are all small. Martin on the high end is amazing I am sure but the cheaper Martins I got more fret buzz out of unless I really hit the sweet spot in the frets. The Yamaha's I played did not have the bright sound range of the Taylor or Martin but were darn easy to play and larger sized bodies without being too wide. Kind of leaning towards Yamaha for now as I am still just hitting intermediate level. The easiest to fret for me was a Seagul...Wierd head stock though lol So darn I feel like I need to get my hands on a few more :)

kimmattis123 - Posted - 07/16/2020:  09:09:12

I have an ALVEREZ ARD 70- All real wood. Sounds good. NO electronics- Nice sound [ OK FOR $300 Its not a Martin or Taylor] - AND my daughter bought a used Taylor 100 model- with a pickup in Very good shape. $500.  Alverez has a line of well made CHINESE guitars for under $500=  many around $300+ case

Edited by - kimmattis123 on 07/16/2020 09:10:35

Dick Hauser - Posted - 08/05/2020:  07:53:24

If you have not already purchased an acoustic guitar, check out the Eastman E1D. Sells for about $500. There are demo videos for this guitar on Youtube.

I have owned different instruments from different makers. Eastman instruments give you more than your moneys worth.

duke13 - Posted - 01/09/2021:  11:59:24

I just bought a Martin dx1e from GC. They were on sale for $499. Great sound and feel. Good bluegrass guitar.

Hilly Strings - Posted - 01/24/2021:  10:17:06

Recording King

youtu.be/aybH7yIrK0U

These look like good value

J