5 Acoustic Guitars Under $1000 We Would Buy Right Now
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
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Guitars Featured in this video:
Guild D-120 Acoustic Guitar: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyMDjx
Alvarez MD60BG Masterworks 60 Dreadnought: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gvr53
Taylor GS Mini Rosewood Acoustic Guitar: sweetwater.sjv.io/eKLz1X
Taylor Limited-edition 114ce: sweetwater.sjv.io/AWvZPN
Yamaha Red Label FS3: sweetwater.sjv.io/JzMnK7
Eastman ac222ce: www.eastmanguitars.com/ac222ce
Yamaha FSX830C: sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQMa6g
Yamaha LL16 ARE Original Jumbo: sweetwater.sjv.io/zNoMxW
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D'Addario Bulk Acoustic Strings: stewmac.sjv.io/e4WkOj
D'Addario Bulk Electric Strings: stewmac.sjv.io/a1XrBZ
Stewmac 2 in 1 Straightedges: stewmac.sjv.io/JrNRga Stewmac String Action Gauge: stewmac.sjv.io/gbEavB
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Hey, great video, guys! A little over a year ago I was looking for a new guitar, and after much looking, comparing, and prayer I decided on the Yamaha LL16. Beautiful guitar! My dealer was out of stock, so I had to special order with them. After nearly a year of anxious waiting--and reevaluating--I decided instead to buy a burst Yamaha LS16 folk body guitar that they had in stock. Wow, for 899.00, it is incredible! I couldn't believe the sound and playability the first time I played it! I seriously couldn't recommend it more.
Those Taylor GS Mini guitars are incredible value for the sound and look you get from them. Being a travel guitar it makes it pretty versatile as well. I do agree that the Sitka spruce and Rosewood combo is great but I bought a used Koa deluxe model with burst design and Expression system that had a solid top. Gorgeous guitar and sounds amazing to me. Just wanted something different to pair with my Taylor 814ce Builder Edition that came with Adirondack spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides.
As for Alvarez guitars… I am a huge fan and so glad someone else appreciates them and that made the list. Alvarez will be the next guitar I would buy. Wish I could find them locally where I live. You really can’t go wrong with an Alvarez. Quality, craftsmanship, value, and sound for an incredible price! One of my favorite guitars I ever owned was an Alvarez!
Great video, thank you guys. Hoping you will do more of these. There's a couple of interesting price ranges above 1000 too which I'd love to get your gist on. You could even differentiate in videos between body types or scale length because many people (like myself) are shopping a specific bracket like that.
Guys, a nice job on the video. I enjoyed listening to the rational for each choice.
Great advice and choices I think. Somebody mentioned they wanted to see the 1-2 grand range or similar videos I would check out too for sure
Very informative. Thank you. Liked and subscribed.
Excellent review guys !
Great video, very good information 👏🏼
Fantastic info gentlemen! I would love to see your breakdown of electric guitars under $1,000. There are so many choices out there.
Recording King also has some very nice, all solid wood, guitars for under $1,000.00 too. I've got the RD-328 and love it. It's designed after the 40's Martin guitar with Adirondacks spruce tops and your choice of either mahogany or rosewood for the back and sides (again, all solid wood). And it has scalloped bracing that's done well. I've made a couple videos on this guitar myself. The deep V shape of the neck took me a bit to get used to but I'm loving it now. It will do just fine until I can afford a Martin HD-28.
I have the Alvarez MD60BG, opted for the non electronic, mahogany sides and back model. It was $600, it sounds incredible and it’s beautiful. I put a beveled Martin pickguard on it and some bone bridge pins. It’s light, loud, Rings like a bell, and cuts through like a knife. All I ever wanted in a Dread.
Great content, guys!
I'd really love to see you go into depth on some of the high end stuff too. If you end up doing a video on those, or if you end up cutting another guitar in half again, may I make a request?
You did the LL16D and I can definitely see why the LL16 made it to this list. However, apparently the LL26, 36, and 56 (made in Japan) take it quite a few steps further. Apparently, they're handcrafted by a single craftsman and include something like voicing (that they call tap tuning) -- I'm really curious to see just how handcrafted these really are, and how they compare to something a master luthier, such as yourself, would make. Moreover, I'd love to hear how you think they compare to similarly priced options from Breedlove, Taylor, Martin, etc.
Oooh, a factory tour reaction would be cool too
Wow! I was thing about the Yamaha FS-820/830 when I was looking for my first guitar as pandemic pause 2020 began, and I no longer was driving to school (K-5)in the mornings as volunteer crossing guard and Friday ALP Math help. Instead my first guitar came from a GC used but excellent (advertised as a 12e, so the managers first back to work packed several extras in the box) Taylor Academy 12 (produced on Dad's 90th birthday) for the then-new price of $500. Shortly after, a 12e appeared from a music store clearing out inventory at $360, then a Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert E- Sitka/Koa $500 (added a Gator Cases 000 hard case). My first all-solid wood guitar (and last to leave me) was a Cole Clark Angel 2 Redwood/Blackwood ($1834 in summer 2022 from AMS in NJ). I gave a B-stock Breedlove European spruce/mahogany all-solid guitar to my son-in-law, which has a thinner than semi-gloss finish and some small patches where the finish didn't bond to the plastic binding, which sounds incredibly warm and open for $350 via Reverb. A daughter is taking care of the similar B-stock Jeff Bridges signature concert (Reverb and Sweetwater had these at the same price, so I ordered from my Sales Engineer's Associate) at $425, the embroidered gig bag likely accounting for the additional cost. Gloss finish needs to open up to add the warmth of the non-sig version, but they're all good and appreciated. We bought that daughter a Yamaha FG-730S a couple decades ago, but that felt too big for my learning experience, and guitar collecting (ROFL). My SIL asked me last year, "Did you buy any new guitars?" I truthfully replied, "No, I bought a new banjo." (Gold Tone B-stock AC-5 with bag, to which I added an armrest and a set of better tuners for a future install. Better than the low-end Rogue that I was given by 'Johnny Guitar' of KCHU before I retired from Alaska...)
I have the older MD70CE.
It is a stellar guitar.
I mostly buy used. But my best new guitar purchase was from a store that was going out of business, unfortunately. He sold me a brand new Takamine P3DC for under $1k.
I love that guitar.
I have the Alvarez MD70 (rosewood dread) and it is absolutely one of my favourite guitars at the moment!! Basically an HD-28!! Normally I play Lowdens but it's perfect for when I want that American tone!!
Good choices. I happen to own two Taylor’s: the first GS Mini on the market, with Spruce top. It’s better for strumming than my 1980s era Taylor 412ce, which is better for finger style and writing. And I have a Yamaha FG 720S, with a cherry burst top. All are great guitars. Thanks for your reviews.
Great, informative video! I also think the Taylor Academy 20e (walnut) really should be considered at this price point.
I found you guys after you appeared on Rhett's channel. Love your work. Fuunny you mention the Yamaha Red Label, my first guitar is 1968 Yamaha FG-300 that I inherited from my dad. It was his main and only guitar for 20 years before he passed. When you say "cannon" you aren't kidding, it kills it in the low end and though it is fully laminate it is a great guitar. I have a video of an acoustic gig where my buddy is playing a Martin OM, and it completely takes over the mix. It is the only guitar I will never part with. Recently had some maintenance done by a local tech (one fallen brace, bridge plate re-build, full setup and unfreezing the truss rod) and it has new life.
I bought a Yamaha FG-300 in 1970 while on R&R in Tokyo ($85 American with case), shopping on the Ginza (Godzilla was there in Godzilla Minus One last year). It still plays good after over 50 years it has lasted while past my fingers. Has that darn compensating bridge which I set 50 years ago with the 6 E string above the A string as we played Johnny Cash songs all the time in the Barracks and I used the hell out of the top 4 strings doing the Luther Perking/ Bob Wootton one note at a time thing on an acoustic
I picked up an M-120 Guild a couple years ago, and I love it. I went in to the store to look at some Alvarez models, but the Guild blew me away. It's also one of the few instruments I've bought that impressed my wife (she's a tough customer).
Admittedly, in my 50s, I'm a bit of a guitar store kid. I love to go play just for fun. I tried a $500ish Guild one day and didn't want to put it down.
I saw your breakdown of the Taylor Academy 12e and put it on my list to track, it's a very nice guitar for the money. I was leaning to the Yamaha's you mention here but when the Taylor showed up locally used I pounced, I am very happy with the Taylor.
I love watching you guys. Your depth and knowledge really helps me as an so so self taught guitar player. I bought an Ibanez performance guitar back in the 90s because that was all I could afford at the time. I mainly played electric but as I’m getting older I find myself playing acoustic more. My father-in-law had a Martin 000d-28. Which sounds awesome but I’ve played Taylor’s at the local shops and feel like I pull toward them more. I see in here you mentioned the Taylor 114. Do you think the 214ce is also a good bang for the buck? I almost bought a Taylor 814ce used for 2700.00 but the wife would have killed me. Anyway love your content and just wondered about your thought about the 214ce. Keep up the awesome content. You are like the Bible for guitar knowledge. 😉
Recent gift of a Yamaha AC3M gave me an appreciation of the quantity I was ignorant & somewhat biased. Loved my Tailor Martin Eastman acoustics but this Yamaha for the money has em tapping out. Thx for review.
New to the channel, loved this vid and the simple guitar hack on improving tone via slotted bridge! Really interested to hear your sub $2000 list!
Hey guys, enjoyed this video. Quick question, the Yamaha LL16D that you reviewed in a separate video is a higher end guitar than the LL16 ARE mentioned in this video. Is the LL16 ARE still your recommendation? From what I can tell it only has cosmetic differences to the LL16D (abalone binding, hardshell case, abalone fingerboard inlays)
Thanks for another fun video!
A few favorite all solid woods that fit this quest:
Guild m-120 love it!.. guild m-140 is also very nice and one might pick up the pair for near the 1k mark street price
Guild f-150 impressive clarity, playability, projection with picking, heavy strum, even fingerstyle
Alaverez Masterworks Elite 70 Folk - surprisingly exceptional experience
Epiphone inspired by Gibson line: J45, J200, Hummingbird… spent quite a bit of time with these and impressive though haven’t won me over… lots of folks love them.
I have a Yamaha AC3M like a dark sunburst colour.
Changed the nut and saddle to bone and got it set up.
This thing literally belts the sound out, with loads of midrange .
Around £750 here roughly 1000 usd with a solid wood body. Absolutely love it.
I love my Yamaha Red Label FS5, but it was a bit over $1K. I tried some Taylor and Martin guitars first, but that Red Label sound got me.
Hi there, love your videos even though I'm not into luthier-ing or wood work because you sound genuine.
I started my life long dream to learn guitar and music theory 6-months back.
It'd be appreciable if you can make a video on best full size cutaway acoustic-electric guitars one can buy around $1000 if possible.
Keep up the good work!
I've owned the Yamaha FSX830C natural for several years now. Over time I've done a few upgrades: ditched the undersaddle piezo pickup for a K&K pure mini (K&K tech support explained how to connect it to the existing onboard preamp) , installed a Graphtech nut, bone saddle, Stewmac ivoroid bridge pins, and gold Grover tuners. The guitar responds very well to upgrades - they made a huge difference in tone and looks, very happy with this guitar.
Can you send me exactly what you got guitar wise and where to buy it please and Do you know what else I’d need to buy Mike daws style
acoustic electric guitar (Yamaha ) and to get similar microphones and pickups INSIDE and anywhere else I’d need to get a similar sound around the entire guitar? Can you please guide me?
I'd really like to know how to ditch a piezo and do that myself! Did it require soldering?
Seagull. I have the S6 flame maple with the LR Baggs system. Fabulous sound, both plugged in and acoustic.
Love the Norman Blake reference, he lives just down the road from me. I have one of his 1963 OO16c's. It is such a cool guitar.
I have an fg3. It sounds great. It did need a setup. nut was pretty high, changed out the saddle for a graphtec. Ebony pins. Love it.
This was encouraging to see. I recently played two Yamaha guitars, the Transacoustic model with a cutaway at the $679 price point, and an LL16. Those things just exploded..talk about cannons! I'm now shopping for a Yamaha!
Great information! I would definitely like to see a similar video for electrics.
Hi
I would definitely look at the Orangwood guitars. I just bought a Sage Torrified Spruce Live on sale for around $750. That guise id over $1000 normally. I bought that guitar based on your breakdown video
Great video for sure very informative lol. Loved seeing some Yamaha features but I honestly can’t get behind them yet haha some day maybe lol. I wanted to say that the jab at the gs mini Koa was unexpected haha. I have a mini Koa and I absolutely love it and it’s tone is great. It has become my go to Acoustic in my collection lol.
Takamine makes great guitars under $1000. I went to my local store with a friend who's never played before and we tried a bunch of guitars and he connected with an all solid sapele Takamine NEX which is their grand auditorium cutaway guitar for $449 without a case. $600 plus tax for everything and it's a great guitar for those who like the all sapele/mahogany tones. Would love to see a breakdown on a Takamine. Thanks for the great content guys!
I played one of those a few years ago and couldn’t believe how great to sounded. Felt nice too.
Totally agree. I have 2 Tak guitars. First one I bought new in 1982, still have it, refretted it a few years ago and it still plays amazing. I think I paid $350 in 1982, with a built in pick up.
Bought a modern one, cutaway, with built in tuner, preamp etc that was $1200 (I think) new. I bought this to have while the older Tak was getting new frets. I play them both all the time. The newer one has slightly better action but the older on has a much beefier sound (probably because the wood is now more seasoned and is not a cutaway).
Takamine makes amazing guitars, and I’d take my Taks over any Taylor that I’ve ever played. I prefer the Tak necks better than Taylor necks too.
I´ve been searching for months now for a new westernguitar. Takamine is on the top list so far and i love japan build guitars:) But doing a lot of research about all the different woods out there, i found a couple of them on the red list. Sapele is one of them coming from the rainforest in west and central africa. It does belong to the mahogany family but it is not real mahogany. Thats why it is cheaper (plus coming from a poor country). Sure, getting a used guitar with red listed wood is fine but for me i would not get a new one. But this just my opinion and everybody is free to buy what ever she or he wants:)
Is a Stewmac kit worth it if you want to see if it's something you want to do, or is that not a legitimate step towards building a custom guitar?
I love my Seagull S6.
It has actually a Cedar top so I would have loved to hear your opinion on it!
It's made in Canada from endemic wood and just beautiful
Taylot 114ce. Do you prefer natural sapele or do you think the others would sound good too?
I got Recording King RD328 for ~700 bucks and I am very impressed. All solid, basically Martin guitar for a fraction of a price, you cannot go wrong with this one. I did some upgrades myself, like install K&K in it, bone bridge pins, slotted the bridge pin holes, better compensation on the saddle, etc. After a month or so of playing this guitar rings like a bell, I can imagine stripping the poly finish and apply some nitro would help even more.
Steve Earle’s son, Justin Townes Earle played Recorder King almost exclusively. They def make some gems.
It's a Martin style guitar... But it's got it's own character.... Not saying it's a worse sounding instrument, but why do people also have to say it's basically another guitar.... For one thingi believe that recording king uses forward shifting bracing in their dreads, which Martin switched away from a long time ago.... It's a bit of a different sound. No doubt recording King is a guitar that offers a whole lot of bang for buck.... I hear they need a setup and that the tuners are frustratingly not sensitive enough and could use replacing
I have a Yamaha LL16, a Red Label FSX5 (the slightly more expensive Japanese cousin of the Chinese FS3, with a pick-up), and a Taylor GS Mini (the version with the lam quilted sapele back and sides). I understand that there are those who wouldn't touch Yamaha, but I have always gone for what sounded the best to me within a certain price range. I thoroughly enjoy playing all of them, but especially love the Red Label, as you mentioned, for the sound. An amazing instrument.
People are idiots about Yamaha.... Great
Pedigree.... Once you get into their solid wood guitars.... They are world class.... And their hand-built bench stuff is just as good as the custom shop stuff from the big three. Much better bang for buck.
...big fan of your channel. I bought a "new" Yamaha LLTA last month after watching your breakdown video on the LL16. I assume that they are essentially the same guitar other than the TA system. I got the sunburst and I love it. Thanks for saving me about $500 - I was looking at an Eastman E20OM-TC...also a very nice guitar, but I just didn't want to spend the extra cash. a side note - I own an Eastman E8D-TC, (I feel like you were referring to this guitar when speaking about Eastman's just over $1K price point) it is an exceptional instrument. To your point about good guitar's on the used market - I found a 97ish Yamaha LS-400VT for about $1K and I wouldn't sell it for twice that. Don't pass over solid wood Yamaha's (not just the red labels) - they will likely be hanging on the affordable side of your local guitar store's acoustic room.
Love my Alvarez. Had another one that I bought ten years ago and the top started lifting behind the bridge. Sent it back for repair but they couldn’t fix it so they called me back and said pick out another guitar on us. I forgot they had a lifetime warranty. Good company, great polite people, too. Highly recommend them.
This is a fantastic video. Definitely appreciate the insights. One thing I'll say though is that playability often gets overlooked when people are sizing up guitar options. The best way to find your guitar is to go to a shop, hold the instrument in your hands, and play it. There is nothing more valuable than having the experience of actually playing a guitar to know if it is the one for you. If you can find the guitar that allows you to play your best, it will beat out any $5000 dollar instrument that isn't comfortable or enjoyable to play, even at sub $1000 price points. Definitely consider purchasing any one of these great guitars, but go out and play them all. Your experience with each one will tell you which one was made for you.
Glad to see eastman on there and they should be. I have a 00 and it's awesome. This was a very good topic. Well done
Another gem that is incredible value is the Simon and Patrick Woodland Pro Folk, well under a thousand, made in Canada and all solid. A great compliment to my Yamaha Ll16D as excels in different ways. What are your thoughts on StewMac kits, just got one but more as a way to learn to build, curious how good the finished project will end up.
Great video guys. I have played some $500 Eastman e2d guitars with phenomenal sound that have cedar tops. Solid top and sides.
i own e2om, for that price you can't beat it
Hear a lot of good things about Eastman but can’t find anyone selling them near me to try out. Breedlove I have been told are great but haven’t had same experience as others I guess.
I own the E2OM and couldn’t be happier. Great sound
Question,, do you think the Yamaha LL16 is worth the extra cash to get the deluxe model? What is the up grades for the deluxe? Thanks,,love watching your videos,, I too didn’t want you to cut the LL16d
I'm glad the GS Mini made the list.
I've had a mahogany top version for 10 years and it just plain works every time I pick it up. I stuck a Fishman Rare Earth in it, threw some smoked nickel Taylor tuners on it, and a graphite saddle.
W o O w! Nothing like blowing your own horns (careful of neck pain here) (laughing). Great video guys. You gave the shoppers the information they need while looking for that beginner guitar. I settled on the Recording King acoustic-electric 9 series 000 body (white poplar back, rosewood board, and sitka spruce sound box) for my beginner guitar. I got it for 125 bucks (390 dollar retail) from B inventory with fret sprouts, dry fretboard, high string height, loose saddle bone (trough cut too wide) and a small smudge on the underside of the body. I did the research and spent 80 dollars on various luthier tools and did a complete set up. I wedged the saddle, oiled the board, filed and polished the fret ends (35 degrees), tweaked the truss for a lower string height and added some 11 - 46 silk n steel strings. It's been 3 weeks and I am in love with the clear and smooth sound of this guitar. Thanks for giving me the information and confidence I needed to look for that perfect pick.
All good choices. Spot on concerning the gs-mini Koa
Amen! Yamaha and Alvarez Masterworks are the best!!! Thanks for the great video.
I’m not surprised you guys pulled so many Yamahas. They’re so good
Ive had a Yamaha FG730S for over a decade now and love it. Definitely need to play it more!
I own and ride a 2008 Yamaha FJR1300A that I bought brand new. they definitely make great motorcycles!
Im jumping back into playing after a 7 year break for my grandson, i am having a problem i never had before...
Most of these guitars im lookikg at are 1.69 nut, its not string spacing but these distance from the high E to edge of neck is super crucial or ill unintentionally fat/skin/old man palm/skin fold ( can you tell im frustrated) mute the high E on C-F ect...
I played a mid to intermediate level Takamine for 13 years unfortunately it was stolen by family at 52, i don't want to adjust grip much any opinions? Can i just measure some of these? Get a copy with the high E inboard more? Get luthier to cut a nut that way? Im leaning towards those gibsons and takamine i had were 1.75 nut?
Any guidance is appreciated...really enjoy these videos
I bought a Yamaha LS-TA 1,129 $, solid rosewood back and sides and solid spruce
Thanks, useful overview. Any recommends for OM or OO/OOO size acoustics? And yes on electric guitars review on a budget..
Yamaha makes the L series in an OM size... The LS-16 and LS-16M (mahogany) both beautiful solid wood guitars for under $1000.
I used to have a blueridge 000 and I loved it! I was considering getting another one but I want to make the perfect choice. This will be my only acoustic for a while
I have the D-120 Guild and have nothing but good things to say about , I'm surprised the D140 didn't make your list. I just purchased the 150 in the F series it is just over 1000 , really like the Guilds!
I love my taylor 214 I bought it used with minor stratches. I added the LR Bragg pickup. It sounds amazing. I bought new the Guild F-250ce , just cause I wanted a epiphone ej-200, and I wasn't ready to buy the Gibson sj-200. The Guild has the Jumbo tone I love and does the job. Guild also has amazing pickup on it. I would buy most guitar used with minor scratches Just cause you dont feel back if it bumps the wall.
Seagull maritime cutaway. Seagull doesn't get the love they deserve. Beautiful craftsmanship, beautiful tayloresque sound, amazingly playable. I love mine! Got the one with electronics (new its over $1000) used for 500. Without the electronics though you are in under $1000 and comes with a very nice gig bag
I own two seagul guitars and love them. One of the few guitamrs that still have bridge grooves, which hugely improve sustain.
Godin products seldom get the love they deserve....the people who snub them, well it's their loss.
I got a Seagull S6 10 years ago in heavily used but soundwise perfect condition for 150€
I love that guitar and have recorded it a ton. Will never give it away :)
I just watched a video about Seagull guitars: th-cam.com/video/rQpqFNVffPM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=VBbZKrjwSeTkEZEb
Many of us do not like the Taylor sound.
The LL and the LS 16 are such good value guitars.
I bought an Eastman ac222ce for my 50th birthday. I love the damn thing. Such a beautiful guitar. and the tone on it is spectacular.
I would pick Yamaha AC3M over FSX800. All solid wood, great pickup with impulse response simulator and auto feedback suppress on board.
Long time believer of Yamaha and Eastman in this price range. Love what they’re putting out! Also, yes to the electric list!
I have a Guild acoustic 12 string, love it!
I 100% agree with the Yamaha picks, I had a LS6 A.R.E and for the price, it was amazing. Piezo mic, classic looks, a smaller size more suitable for me and so on. Really saddened I had to sell it, but on the upside, I'm building something similar at the moment to replace it based on a Lakewood A32 :)
For a workhorse / gigging guitar, I'm a big fan of Ibanez' Talman acoustics. They can take a bating, are pretty inexpensive, don't sound too bad and are pretty consistent across the range. Not your home centerpiece, but a decent gigging guitar.
What do you think of the Taylor GT (or 11 series or whatever they call it now)?
I have an old Yamaha LA-8 I bought for not much money ages ago (must be 20 years?). I had no clue then, and am no expert of flat-top guitars now but do I know that I love the way it plays, sounds, and looks. I mostly play acoustic arch tops but when the need for a flat-top arises, I'm always glad to take her off her stand. Out of your list, I think I'd pick the FS3. Who needs a cutaway anyway ;D?
I have a Yamaha LJ16, I have also owned the LL16, they are fantastic guitars.
I surfed onto this briefly thinking it would be a wank...but you proved me wrong, very informative. Thanks.
Need some advice looking for my next guitar, I’ve been playing for just under a year looking to stay right at $1,000. Looking for a Sitka top and mahogany back and sides. . I’m eyeing the Yamaha FG3 and Eastman AC322ce. Thoughts on those two and other options. Tbanks
Great video I got lucky about a week ago and scored a new Yamaha ll16m for 500 bucks regular price 799. It’s the mahogany all solid wood version of the original ll16 and yeah by far the best 500 bucks I ever spent on any guitar hell even at regular price I would of still bought it over anything I heard or played at the shop. It sounds and plays better than acoustics I played costing 2 grand some costing 3 grand that’s a fact and 2 weeks later it still blows my mind. Very punchy clear thick woodsy mahogany spruce acoustic with sweet smooth beautiful highs and solid smooth slightly growly clear lows and I’d say balanced mids that sound great in the blend when strumming. It’s practically a perfect strummer way better than my Eastman e6dtc that’s for sure
Nice video. Looks are nice, but like they say about horses, “what’s the best color? - Fast!”
Have you ever thought about cutting open a Zager guitar? There are gobs (at least for me) ads popping up for them. However, information on them seems very controlled by the Zager machine. I’m not sure what gives.
Anyway, thank you for all your input here on the web.
I’ve owned 2 Yamahas and they sound unbelievable for the money. Great list guys
Takamine GN93CE NEX might have been on my list...I have the small "New Yorker" version and it is a beauty :))
I have guild OM 150ce, a bit over 1000 bucks but I love it. What are your thoughts about it’s construction? Thanks!
I am kind of surprised that you didn't have an Orangewood on your list! Also, can you do a breakdown of a Breedlove? Thanks guys!!
My picks would be the Yamaha FS3 too. Then for more of a loud / raw tone, the Furch Blue OM. In Europe you can just about pick these up for roughly $1000; they're a very similar price to the FS3 over here. Then the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45. I've always liked the J-45 sound, and general vibe; they work well musically and play well in non solo guitar settings. I had an older Blueridge steel string, which had a lovely tone, volume and projection until it bellied (overly thin top or light bracing?). Or maybe the Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird, if you can get it under $1000. Then the Guild OM-120, I find it more in the pocket than the D-120 and OM in all mahogany sounds very sweet; sort of like a budget Martin 000-M.
Since you guys are with me on Yamaha, might I suggest the AC3M. Solid mahogany back and sides, Solid sitka top with their ARE treatment, electronics, and it's about 1/2" deeper than the FSX830 so you get a bit more lower mids. Yamaha build quality, very classy appointments, all solids, coming in at just under a grand, it's hard to beat.
AC3M sounded a bit too mid boomy to me.
A3R was my favorite within the lineup. I never thought dreads could have such a transparent and sparkly yet spacey mid/highs
I absolutely share your love for Yamaha (my first beginner guitar which I still love to play), crimally under appreciated brand imo. But I would replace that Eastman with a Epiphone IBG Hummingbird. I own one and it is badass. All solid mahogany construction, sounds big and clear, and the neck is so nice to play on. The fit and finish is incredible and its just a stunner to look at. Ive had it over a year and it still is eye candy to me when I look at my guitars.
Or the Epiphone Texan. Pretty sure they go for under 1k.
So glad to hear you guys mention Eastman! Still waiting for a good review (guitart breakdown) of one of their higher end Eastmans! I'd personally, I love to see the E200M-MR-TC, E400M-TC, E400M, E200M-TC, AC522CE, AC622CE, AC722CE or AC822CE reviewed!
Lucky winner of what!?!?
yes please do electrics the Yamaha Revstar Pro version is my dream guitar but i would e happy with any of the three versions . Yamaha acoustic and electrics do not get enough love i have been a fan of Yamaha's for 40+ years even the ones made out side of Japan have the same quality control
Would almost certainly go for the Yamaha or the Eastman Ovangkol instruments. But the Guild is a high contender as well. I like all mahogany guitars.
I own an Ovangkol OMC16e and it is my favorite of 10 acoustics, including a D35. The combo of size and warm balanced tone with a beautiful wood and a rare-for-Martin sunburst top makes it happen. A bit over the price range here but used about $1400-1500, less if you find a deal. Also all solid wood made in USA. If this one were lost I would buy another without hesitation or delay.
PRS AE50 and AE60 ... excellent workmanship and wood choices!
I paid $199 for my Takamine tnv-360: Nashville bear claw spruce top w abalone . It was a wwii veterans made in Japan. He passed and I got it at an estate sale. Also my 75' Yamaha f7-335 my goodness it sounds good. Thank you Goodwill
Great informative Video! keep going up in price increments please.
Interesting list. I was looking at a Taylor nylon string guitar a few months back for about $750. Hard to beat for the price and it had an arm bevel.
Yamaha makes some great instruments. I wanted one of their silent guitars but decided against it. I would love to pick up one of their pro level tenor saxophones. I still have my Yamaha alto sax my dad gave me 40 years ago... It needs a good rebuild, just like I do, and it'd be good to go for another 40 years.
Got 600 dollar Yamaha trans acoustic and I’m sure it’s based on a cheaper guitar with the electronics but man it plays and sounds great dry or when you turn on the reverb and chorus. I just love it.
Good list. Thx
I wish yall would have done this video a few months ago. What do you think about a Martin 000-15sm?
Great video! And thanks for not being gear snobs. I'm impressed with Yamaha acoustics as well.
I love Yamaha and Alvarez Guitars. You can't beat them.
I like seagulls, just because the cedar tops have their own warmth.
you have to test a "duke" guitar. Its a brand from the founders of the german guitar brand "Hanika". They r made in China and got finished in Germany. I work in a local guitar store and test all of our instruments regularly, but those made me overthink my decision for my taylor 114ce haha. It is literally the best sounding AND best builded guitar I've ever seen so far for around 700$. If u can try one. Especially the Duke GA-PF or D-PF also with Satin finish. Breathtaking and definitely worth to be on the list! Its a very young company but every of the guitar I sold and played by myself was like perfect. Absolut wow. Could imagine that they just produce for the european market so far.
As someone else mentioned, some of the takamine guitars are awesome. I've purchased mant taylor guitars and martin and I never could find one that sounded really good plugged in and straight acoustic. Ive still got a taylor 514ce fmltd which sounds great straight acoustic but hate the es2 sound. I found a takamine ef340sbg on marketplace and toom my amp to try it out. This thing sounds amazing and the Palathetic pickup actually sounds very natural and Id love to have that pickup in my taylor.
I have a GS mini that i love and a Masterworks Alverez. Both great