I have been looking at several acoustic-electric guitars on Musician's Friend. I need some suggestions on what to get with $300 budget, maybe a little more. I have been learning how to play guitar for only a month or so. Also, what are the best brands to look at in this price range?
I have been looking at the Yamaha APX500 thinline cutaway and the Ibanez AEG10E cutaway as some options.
Three answers:
OnTheRock
2011-04-25 09:03:46 UTC
Under $300 I think Yamaha, Takamine or Ovation would be your best bets. Try to get a solid wood top. While I love Ibanez electric guitars and basses, I don't find their acoustic guitars very inspiring. Yamaha, on the other hand, makes some very nice sounding acoustic guitars for the money (although I don't really care for the thinline ones if you plan on playing unplugged much). If you can find a store that sells them, Walden guitars are an exceptional value as well.
I do agree with Mikey that $300 won't get you a very good acoustic electric guitar but I don't think you necessarily need to make the jump to a $1600 Taylor 314ce or the even more expensive Martin either! There are some very good quality acoustic electrics right around $500. I love the Taylor 314ce, but I've been playing guitar for 38 years and play in church every Sunday on my $500 Guild and it plays and sounds just fine. Try out a Walden G740CE for $550 and see if it doesn't play and sound as nice as a $800 Taylor 114ce. Sure, when you go pro get whatever you want but you'll probably make a few upgrades over you lifetime as your skills progress.