Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!

Subject: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Ron
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 06:02 PM

I'm looking to buy a new acoustic guitar in the 300 to 600 dollar price range. Want something with a small body, good action, great sound, that will hold up over time. What brands can people recommend and where might I purchase a guitar in the New York metropolitan area? Thanks!

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Banjer
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 06:06 PM

Hi Ron, I would suggest reading the thread, Which Guitar Should I Play? It has a lot of information by folks much more knowledgeable than I. Of course, that don't take much!!

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: DonMeixner
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 06:06 PM

Mandolin Bros. sells new and used stuff in your price range. Guild F-30 fits your size requirements as do some Martinsand Taylors. Your price for those instruments may limit you to used guitars and then its a matter of condition. Something new, look at Seagulls and Takomas maybe even Takamines. Take someone along who has played along time and don't buy the first guitar you play. Try LOTS OF THEM!

Don

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 06:47 PM

Please come to the "which guitar should I buy" thread. I promise you, We'll make it worth your while!!

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Tucker
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 07:35 PM

I am so out of it Ron. I found my life-friend guitar looking at D45 Martins in 1963. I picked up a little Gibson, then $149.00(ok a few bucks more now if you can even find this beutiful little guitar, mine is never going to be for sale). Oh I still love Martins but my little Gib is my pride and joy. Message here. Find what you can make music with, good action, comfortable, looks, something like picking out a life mate.......hey mine has outlasted a wife and several girlfriends. Tuck, good luck

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 08:41 PM

You can find info on various brands on threads where we collected Mudcatter's thoughts on Martin,Guild, Gibson,Alvarez, Epiphone,Seagull,Ovation,Takemine,Yamaha, Washburn and others. Trace these threads in the forum. Also, as has been suggested, check the latest thread on "Which Guitar Should I Play." Elderly Instruments in Lansing Michigan generally has the best pricing and are great people to deal with.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Mumbles
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 08:53 PM

Have a 30 year Gibson LG 1 that I love.....

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 10:45 PM

Hey Tucker,
What model of Guild is that little guitar of yours?
I have a Guild M20 (very small, all mahogany) that sold for under $100 new in '62. Lots of folks who've tried it have tried to buy it from me. Wondered if yours is a similar model.

Mark

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 11 Apr 99 - 11:44 PM

I think the lowest priced double O Martin isn't much more than $600 at Guitar Center: no purty inlays but very playable with a sweet sound. But definitely check the other thread. --seed

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 02:46 AM

c'mon give us a break, go to the other thread. We were just gettin' warmed up there.

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 03:08 AM

I dunno' Rick......Paw and Cletus along with the Reg boys are openin' up again on a part-time basis (update coming soon) and I like these boys passing on information about their guitars. And if you dedicate Pretty Boy or Jesse to Big Mick's band tonight, think of the boys too......Was in a gray, oblong case huh?

catspaw (Who now is getting a finder's fee from the boys)

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Bert
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 01:01 PM

In our area "Sam Ash" seems to have about the best prices with a vast selection.

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Guitar Dan
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 03:51 PM

I was in the market for a long time and finally decided to spring for a more expensive guitar; but contemplating your price range, I would seriously consider the best Yamaha I could afford. The new LL is only around $600.

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Walt B.
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 09:44 PM

I suggest that you don't overlook the Sigma line from Martin. After about 20 years with a Madeira (an old Guild subsidiary)12-string, I purchased Sigma's version of the Martin D-41 last year for less than $600. It may not be what a "pro" would get but when equipped with silk and steel strings, it sounds very sweet, full and deep when used for folk tunes. Unfortunately, I don't know if they currently carry any Martin small body versions.

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From:
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 11:52 PM

Lots of good advice out there.

I have have found a one year model from Takamine.

Produced in 1990 the LTD 90 is a Koa wood steel with exceptional sound and action. It is even all across the strings with mellow sound. It sold new in 90 for about $650. I have been offered alot more for one of mine. The guitar is clone of the Taylor cutaway with virtually the same characteristics.

I have recently seen a couple in music store for around 500 and others at 2500.

At the low end its a steal of a steel.

Lew

Subject: RE: Need Advice On Buying New Guitar!
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 07:56 PM

Jeezzzzzzzz
Don't buy a new one.. i.e. anything made in the last 20 years.. for one thing they're not made to anything like the spec they were, secondly the timber is of inferior quality and above all else.. why pay loads of wanga for a "new" model why you can pick up a second hand box 1,000 times the quality for a quarter of the price, especially from so called music shops that know diddly squat about guitars. And above all else.. buy the most expensive second hand guitar you can afford rather than a new one.. you will never be disappointed.. until you hear someone playing a pre 1975 Martin that is..
Mick