Best acoustic guitar for around 400 dollars?

0Dannyboy · February 2007

Riddle me this my fellow guitar crazies :twisted: ...whats the best acoustic out there for around 400. I need one for light giging and home studio work.

I looked at the Variax acoustic steel...I cant find one thats not all torn up so quality kinda stinks on those.

I played an Ibanez that was pretty kool 8) Hmmmm...any sugjestions?

motowncoop · February 2007

Taylor Big Baby Dreadnought. $400 on the nose and worth every penny

ACWild · February 2007

For an extra hundred, I know of an Ovation Elite for sale...

0Dannyboy · February 2007

I tried out a Taylor \"big baby\" ...what a great acoustic guitar!!
Ibanez has some great acoustics for the price too I was very surprised by that...
However I found a used POD XTLIVE and it has a Variax connection on it I might get that for cheap and use a variax for acoustics and sitars or whatever texture effetcs stuff I might want on a tune. Waddaya think :?:

Thereas also a GNX3000 there too I could get, but I dont know if my RP250 would cover most of the sounds it has so perhaps the POD GNX combination would give me a greater variety of sounds ...hmmm

:? Waddaya think :?:

iliace · February 2007

How about the Variax Acoustic? If you can bump it up to $600...

0Dannyboy · February 2007

\iliace\ wrote:

How about the Variax Acoustic? If you can bump it up to $600...

I went to GC in ALB NM to check the variax 300 acoustic out...It was so trashed :?
The plate was coming off the back it was scratched to heck and the action was a full inch off the fretboard...you could not even make an informed desision it was so torn up ...when I asked the \"new manager if he was going to get another one in he said I would have to give him a deposit to ship one in from another store to try out :!: :shock: :x ...WTF over :!:

I have to pay you to see a guitar you are supposed to sell and support for line 6 and what if I desided i didnt want it ...I dont get my deposit back...thats so wrong man and I told him so. :evil:
a buddy of mine works there and came up and said he called 3 stores and theres were trashed too...
his advise was if it cant hold up to demos at the store its gonna break on you too :shock: dodged a bullet I guess...thought the electric might be better made...also im not gonna shell out big bucks for a variax 700 I wanna keep this whole thing within a budget...so I thought the electric version of it might be better made and since it models acoustics too might sound just as good and with more variation of strats and sitars and such.

Buy the way as I left the store he came back to say he would order get one if I was REALLY intrested ... :x F#$% off man :!:

iliace · February 2007

That's craziness.

ACWild · February 2007

I had a similar experience with the expensive Variax acoustic at my GC. The two models had wear on them and no other store around carried those guitars. It didn't sound as good as a real acoustic plugged in, but there were some unique instrument sounds that I thought I could work with, so I bargained the price a little. When I asked for the gig bag that is supposed to come with it, he produced one that looked like it was dragged through dirt. He told me that I was lucky that he could even find one. :evil:
Since when is someone lucky to get a \"new\" guitar that's basically a used one with a beat up gig bag that's supposed to be included? I walked out and bought a Taylor 314CE at another store.

For a new acoustic in that price range, the Takamine EG series is pretty good.

0Dannyboy · February 2007

\ACWild\ wrote:

For a new acoustic in that price range, the Takamine EG series is pretty good.

There prices are pretty good but GC better wise up trying to sell beatup guitars for new prices and then act like there doing YOU some kinda favor...thats IS Crazieness :roll: I long for the days of MOM and POP guitar shops I used to just hangout with my buds who usually worked at one of our favorite shops .

Its all WALMART now. :roll:

ACWild · February 2007

\0Dannyboy\ wrote:

\ACWild\ wrote:

For a new acoustic in that price range, the Takamine EG series is pretty good.

There prices are pretty good but GC better wise up trying to sell beatup guitars for new prices and then act like there doing YOU some kinda favor...thats IS Crazieness :roll: I long for the days of MOM and POP guitar shops I used to just hangout with my buds who usually worked at one of our favorite shops . Its all WALMART now. :roll:

The store that I bought my Taylor from is a Mom and Pop shop. They beat prices and offer a free setup. Not only that, but the case was included with the guitar. GC always tries to squeeze that extra $$$ from you.
I forgot, the strings on the Variax were all rusty too. I asked the salesman if they would throw in a set of strings. He did. And charged me for it. I'm glad I walked.

motowncoop · February 2007

\0Dannyboy\ wrote:

\ACWild\ wrote:

For a new acoustic in that price range, the Takamine EG series is pretty good.

There prices are pretty good but GC better wise up trying to sell beatup guitars for new prices and then act like there doing YOU some kinda favor...thats IS Crazieness :roll: I long for the days of MOM and POP guitar shops I used to just hangout with my buds who usually worked at one of our favorite shops . Its all WALMART now. :roll:

I totally agree. Last fall, I was looking to buy a new Gibson SG standard. So I call around to a few GC's to see if they had any \"new\" ones in stock. They all said yes, and one even quoted me a price on one at $1000 out the door! I jumped at the chance. So I drive to this location, sit down and play for a few and it was great, I loved it! So I go to pull out my credit card, and the sales guy rings it up at nearly $1300!!! I told him that he quoted me $1000 over the phone. He totally denied it, got all the other sales peole and manager and they all denied it. After agrguing for 30 minutes, I got my guitar for the price quoted. After that ordeal I'll never go back exept for maybe strings or something, but these guys lied, were rude and just awful to deal with. Mom and Pop shops are the only way to go for me now when it comes to buying guitars.

0Dannyboy · February 2007

I paid $1050.00 for my Gibson SG Standard...with the case @ GC last year.
They went up in price this year. I think by a couple hundred bucks.
I love a guitar that Appreciates in value a year after you buy it. that rawks :twisted: ...all my other cheap fiddle arent worth anything after you takem outta the store.

But I still lovem just as much :roll:

motowncoop · February 2007

I noticed they went up in price too recently. Actually, I've noticed some other price changes in certain Gibson guitars. The faded flying V was recently priced at $579, now its back up close to $700

iliace · February 2007

Honestly, I don't think I'd ever buy a guitar from GC. Anything like amps, speakers, keyboards, computer audio... sure. But not such a delicate instrument.

motowncoop · February 2007

\iliace\ wrote:

Honestly, I don't think I'd ever buy a guitar from GC. Anything like amps, speakers, keyboards, computer audio... sure. But not such a delicate instrument.

I sure learned my lesson

ACWild · February 2007

\iliace\ wrote:

Honestly, I don't think I'd ever buy a guitar from GC. Anything like amps, speakers, keyboards, computer audio... sure. But not such a delicate instrument.

It depends. They got my strat out of the back room straight out of the box. If you get the right salesman, you're golden. If not, it's better to take your business elsewhere just on principle. I have seen some great used gear there for excellent prices too. The reason that I don't exclude them is because of their huge inventory. When you sit down and play so many different guitars, you can find your \"Holy Grail.\" Without a good salesman, it's a waste of time.

iliace · February 2007

Yeah, brand new in box - the one they took off the display, wiped down, and boxed up the night before. I don't trust those people.

ACWild · February 2007

\iliace\ wrote:

Yeah, brand new in box - the one they took off the display, wiped down, and boxed up the night before. I don't trust those people.

Ha ha, I can understand why you're so cynical, but the dude took out a sealed box from the back room and opened it in front of me. If you think it's a rewrap, they did one heck of a convincing job! They also gave me a great deal on it too. 8)

iliace · February 2007

Check this out:

http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=CBNE

0Dannyboy · February 2007

8) Yea I always liked Carvin... those look affordable too. oh yea this PODXT Live Im playin with tonight ...aint givin me the warm fuzzys at all... :oops: Kinda disapointed at the quality of Amps I always hear a crakling high end in the patches it has now....course it is just one night but I liked my RP right away it had great sounds right outta the box. This things gonna take some work to shape back up the guy who had it musta been freekin clueless and wrote crap over every patch is all F'ed up, maybe it has a factory reset like my GNX. :x Thats what happens when I try out new equipment it usually has a hard time measuring up to what I already have...But that Tonelab se was very Kool I should try that one out tommorrow.... ok i just updated the pod now it sounds way better.

grathan · February 2007

tonelab is crap one-trick pony. Check out the Seagull s6 or any guitar made by the canadian company. http://www.lasido.com/

0Dannyboy · February 2007

I checked a seagull out at GC cool headstock all skinny 8)
excellent craftmanship I thought but GC doesnt set there stuff up very well so they all had pretty high action...I hate that when you know the guitar is capable of so much better play.

shredd · February 2007

Not that it's the finest instrument anywhere, but I love my Dean el/ac. Good action, nice sound, quality electronics, well built/appointed, and under 4 bills...

0Dannyboy · February 2007

Thanks for all the cool sugjestion guys! I went to music stores all around town and Played Every single thing youguys sugjested.... I dug the Taylor \"big Baby\" the most for 400. 8) butt... decided on another solution. Since I am always looking for new sounds I decided on a modling approach for acoustic guitars sitars strats pauls all the stuff I constantly want but unlike Tal I can afford to purchase all these classic instruments

...not to mention at my level of playing I probably dont deserve them anyway :oops:

Just for studio work and to complement my Digitech stuff I purchased a MFX pedal that I am going to dedicate just to a Variax 300. Sort of an effects corner of my studio you know. After you lay down your solid guitar parts you always need a little somethin diffrent to shine. got the pedal used for a great price ...I am now saving for the axe so I should get one under the wifes radar by May

ACWild · February 2007

Don't forget to check E-Bay. 8)

ne1roc · February 2007

nothing beats the real thing and it also nice to just pick up the acoustic whenever you feel like playing and not have to worry about plugging it in. 8)

ACWild · February 2007

\ne1roc\ wrote:

...nothing beats the real thing and it also nice to just pick up the acoustic whenever you feel like playing and not have to worry about plugging it in. 8)

My sentiments exactly! Great for yard playing and impromptu get-togethers. 8)

Tyrant · February 2007

I was in GC last week and they had a Martin D9 for 600usd.
I was there to pick up my RG770 that had some fretwork done. I pull it out of the case and it has a huge 3/16\" deep gash right on the edge of the body near where your forearm might rest. I'm like, \"What the......\" and the luthier says it was like that. I told him BS, I've had this for 16 years and it only has 1 small chip in the paint the size of 1/2 a tictac. What a joke. The only reason I shop there is because they carry Mesa. I told him he wasn't getting paid and he flips out. They didn't want to let me leave. After a meeting of the minds(6 employees) they decided to let me walk.

I will shop elsewhere.

motowncoop · February 2007

\Tyrant\ wrote:

I was in GC last week and they had a Martin D9 for 600usd.
I was there to pick up my RG770 that had some fretwork done. I pull it out of the case and it has a huge 3/16\" deep gash right on the edge of the body near where your forearm might rest. I'm like, \"What the......\" and the luthier says it was like that. I told him BS, I've had this for 16 years and it only has 1 small chip in the paint the size of 1/2 a tictac. What a joke. The only reason I shop there is because they carry Mesa. I told him he wasn't getting paid and he flips out. They didn't want to let me leave. After a meeting of the minds(6 employees) they decided to let me walk.

I will shop elsewhere.

Oh god, I cant imagine leaving any of my guitars with GC especially if i need work done on it! I feel for you, man

0Dannyboy · February 2007

Thats a Nightmare story bud...what a drag. GC is really starting to loose its luster with me I mean they are very large so the prices are pretty low sometimes...but wiegh that in against the overall value of a good shop that stands behind there product and it turns out there not such a good choice most of the time. :evil:

You are so right :!: My GAS got the better of me and I got a bit off track in what i started out shopping for I am such a GASSER these days :oops: :oops: I am looking to get the \"real thing\" maybe that Taylor Big Baby. I just love it I love that plugged into nothing but a beer and a good vibe just jammin and singin on an acoustic.

although I bet you could mike that with my behringer B-1 and sound pretty cool too. :idea:

I got the pedal for so cheap that the variax solution that I always entertained for fun was a possiblity so it will just be a studio thing.

Tyrant · February 2007

Yeah...live and learn. \
Good call on that Taylor. I'm gonna go check one ooot.

8)

Best acoustic guitar for around 400 dollars?

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