Takamine, Fender, Yamaha, or Gibson?

Question

I play the typical rock(hard strumming), praise and worship, I also do classic finger picking and blues. I want something that doesn't ring, and plays clean and pronounced. First is a Takamine EG http://fresno.craigslist.org/msg/3222724967.html
Second is a Gibson Epiphone,
Third is a Fender SJ65S http://fresno.craigslist.org/msg/3168040088.html
What about a Yamaha acoustic? There is tons cheap used, and my gut tells me NOT TO LOOK. Have any other guitar Ideas? I just want to spend under $200 for a used one.
I learned guitar on a fender dg-8s and it was pretty good. I would like more together sound. (you can hear each string play separately, but I want something more together) Don't want something tiny either.

Also,
Whats high action and low action? What should I want?

Answer 1

Good action is when the strings are close enough to the fretboard that they're easy to play, but not so close that they buzz against the frets. Action is one of the things that will be adjusted when a guitar repairman does a "setup". What constitutes a good action for you depends on personal taste and playing style - if you do a lot of hard strumming, you'll need a higher action in order to avoid buzzing than a fingerpicker will, for example.



Yamaha is highly recommended in the entry-level range ($150-300 new). Their solid spruce-topped models like the FG-700S are extremely good for their modest price of about $200 new (for the FG-700S) - check the reviews on Amazon. Some of the older plywood models like the FG-160 are now quite sought after (although you have to watch out for repair issues with those )



Epiphone and Takamine are both decent makes. Both have mostly low- to mid-range models. Like most people here, I feel there are much better options for the money than Fender acoustics. But the SJ65S has some good reviews and has a solid spruce top.



Without knowing the model on the Epi, it's impossible to give an opinion.



The Takamine evidently has action problems and would need a trip to the repairman, which you should factor into your price. Or just avoid it entirely. It also looks a bit on the small side for what you want, although you could amplify it. They don't say which model or whether there's any solid wood in it (it's overpriced if it's plywood) but you could track that info down online with a little work.



Buying used can be very risky if you lack experience in evaluating guitars and diagnosing common repair problems and likely repair costs. I suggest you consider buying new or at least exercise a lot of caution.

Answer 2

Just recently checked out a sub $100 Fender and Gibson/Epiphone acoustic (both on July 4th sale) at GC and even the newbie I was with could tell the difference in action, the distance you have to press the strings down to the frets. The lower the action the nearer the strings are to the frets and the easier it is to play. The Gibby was considerably better than the Fender. Unlike an electric it's difficult if not impossible to adjust the action on an acoustic guitar. Takamines usually get good reviews. See http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/acoustic_guitars/takamine/index.html for reviews. Not sure which EG model the one you've linked is. Reviews of the other guitars you've listed are on the same site.

Answer 3

Low action is great on an electric guitar. You can only go so low on an acoustic without giving up tone. A little fret buzz (a side effect of very low action) is okay on an electric as long as it isn't loud enough to come through the amp. No fret buzz is acceptable on an acoustic as far as I'm concerned. Not sure why JCR got a thumbs down, he gave you a very good answer, so thumbs up from me. I also second the suggestion for the Yamaha FG700S.

Answer 4

The lower the action the closer the strings are to the fretboard therefore the easier it is to push the strings down making hammer ons easier. Low action is good for lead style playing especially among shredders. You should check out esps line of acoustics they have some real nice ones, stay away from Gibson and yamaha those guitars are garbage.

Answer 5

Action is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. Go for low action. Go to guitarcenter.com or call them and ask them any questions for specific answers

Answer 6

Siempre encuentro lo mejor en los sitios web, había comprado guitaras antes aquí y sabia que no me voy a llevar una decepción, la guitara que he comprado la ultima vez ha sido una guitara clásica para regalar, excelente transporte y producto, excelentes acabados y excelente sonido, el regalo perfecto.