Looking for a New Guitar (Page 1 of 2)

I assume you're talking about an acoustic...I have a Takamine G Series 6 string electric acoustic that I love. It plays as well as anything I've tried. But to each their own. Just try not to get caught up in the name game. Buy the guitar that feels the best for YOU regardless of what the head stock says.

Yes, acoustic.  I have been checking out Takamine also.  And yes, I won't order one without trying it.  That's what I did with my Fender and I am not as happy with it as I thought.  I was just wondering if an expensive lowend would be better than a cheaper highend.  I guess I know the answer to that also, but I'd like to hear some opinions.  Thanks for the replies so far.

Bensonp, 

The tak's are nice but as mentioned by jerome you have you have to play them all. The high end low end does not fly my reasoning being that I have played $125.00 washburns that played better than the ibanez's,ephipones, fenders and ovations on the wall that had a higher price tag.

Good luck.

Bootlegger.

Yeah, it all depends on your style too.  I play mostly fingerpick.  I want a guitar that is bright and has volume.  I've got kind of long, bony fingers, so I also kind of like a little bit wider neck.  It allows me to be a liiiiiiittle bit sloppy with my left hand finger placement and not mute other notes.  My fingers are long enough to handle that.  Also, I've tried finger picks and hate them.  So, when I say fingerstyle, I mean FINGER style, not fingers with picks on them style.  I've tried a lot of different brands and have been consistently suprised.  I'll try three guitars going up a line's price points and find that I love the top and the bottom but hate the middle one.  It's not all about brands.  OK, I'm just rambling on now.  You've got the point.

- Zurf

Hi Bensonp,

   I'm not sure if you've made your mind up or not about your next guitar, but you mentioned a Takamine. You mentioned you wanted to spend around $500.00 Most online sites list the Takamine EG530SSC for around $599.00 "list price over $800.00. I'm not sure if I should mention the site on here, not sure thats allowed, but if you email me, I'll send you a link to the site that has that guitar for $399.95, it's a great deal for a really great sounding guitar, a friend of mine has one it I love it, I hope to get myself one before that price goes off. If you email me, I'll send you a link to that site, please put in the header that your from Chordie so I don't delete it, or if the administraters say it's ok, I'll post the link here!

          Cam

Ok TopDown,

   I tried to copy the link but for what ever the reason it won't let me..so here it is just type it in

www.worldmusicsupply.com  once you get to that site, theres a search bar, type in EG530SSC
hit search, and there it is. I love this guitar, although I should say it's an acoustic/electric, not sure if Bensonp was looking for just an acoustic or not, but either way, it's a great deal, at least I think so, and no, just for the record, I'm not affilated with them. I should also say that I've never dealt with them but maybe someone else here has and could give any remarks good or bad as to their service.

     Cam

Takamine has a lot of fans.  I have one signed by Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart).  It was my first guitar.  But I love my Washburn D10 nearly as much as my Taylor 314CE.  The Washburn at over fifteen hundred less holds it's own very well.  If you'll study the differences you can help make your mind.  THe Tak is narrow neck with bright tones.  The Washburn with thick body booms and has nice spacing between the strings.  The Taylor is in the middle with sweet tones from top to bottom, but does tend to be more treble at times than I like.  Don't buy one without playing it and play a lot of them and you'll be very attached to the one you pick.  In your price range I'd take a look at what Washburn offers.

Yeah, two nice ladies.  The mgr at the show took it and got them to sign.  Pretty sweet.   He called me as they went onstage to tell me they just signed it.

I was confused about which guitar to buy (acoustic) I ended up buying a Brunswick.... and no regrets at all it sounds and feels great

Hey Bensonp,

My guitar shop doesn't sell Martins because of the way they are manufactured and shipped.  They can't get them in the winter time at all because it's too cold and they could be damaged in shipping.  From what I've been told they don't season the wood like Taylor does.  Taylor dries it's wood a long time before they even make a guitar.  So they're more durable against climatic changes.  BUT if you do buy a Martin or any other acoustic guitar a humidifier is a must, especially if you live in a dry climate, like I do.  I have one that fits inside the sound hole.  It's got a sponge inside that you get wet, squeeze out the excess, wipe any water off the outside and stick it in.  It also works in high humidity places, leave it dry and it wicks the moisture away.  Good luck!

I am going to keep the Fender, but I am pretty set on a new Martin. I am not in a big herry.  I am saving money on the side for my new purchase.  I didn't know about winter shipping for Martin.  I suppose I can wait until spring at least.  Half of my excitement is looking forward to the new guitar so I take my time and read all I can on them and play as many as I can.  I'm really pumped up on this.

Hi Bensonp,

good luck with your search.  Here's my two cents:

Just over two years ago, I, too, wanted to upgrade from my Fender acoustic.  I, too, live in a low humidity area (Colorado).  I, too, wanted a Martin or a Taylor.  I played many guitars - at least 15 or so (three different shops).  A few Martins, several Taylors, a few "other" brands.  I shopped and played for about a month and a half.  I found that the Martins and Taylors that I really liked (played well, good highs, good lows, good volume, etc.) were waaayyy out of my price range.  I needed to stay under $1,000.  I ended up buying a Parkwood.  It's ALL solid wood, made by Cort - in Korea, I think, though the final set up and quality check is done in the US.  I absolutely LOVE this guitar.  Mine is the PW370M - Grand Concert cutaway.  It was about $700.  The onboard Fishman sounds fantastic!  The only mild downer is that it's exclusive to Guitar Center, so if you don't have one around you will have a hard time getting your hands on one.  Just try a couple of these side by side with similarly priced "big names."  You might like it - I bought it ON THE SPOT!  In our arid climate, it's best to keep it in the case with a humidifier in the instrument.  You can get one for 10 or 12 bucks.

Please let us know what you decide.