Buying an acoustic.

[Will Bozarth]

well thats weird

 

[Reminiscence]

Lollerskates!

Here is the original message:

How do I tell whether a guitar is a quality model or whether it's a rip off? What subtleties, what intricacies, should I look for (or avoid)?

 

[Will Bozarth]

play it, if you think it sounds good, then it's a good quality. typically, Ovation make amazing acoustics... Martin make good ones, as well... but alot more expensive.

 

[Reminiscence]

I was hoping for a more detailed set of tips. Like, fret wear or whatever.

 

[Will Bozarth]

beats me. if it sounds good and is comfortable, its good.

 

[Chromatose]

ovation

 

[unknown]

I prefer Acoustics with cutaways...access to higher frets is a nice advantage. My personal favorite is a Martin 12 string...sounds gorgeous

 

[Enemy242]

I don't have an accoustic or never really played on all that much but i'd say just go play some and if you really like it its probably the best choice.

 

[Shpongled]

Taylor

 

[Karmic]

mmm, Ovation. Purty.

 

[Reminiscence]

I'm hoping they have a lot of these brands. I haven't been to this store's acoustic section in years.

 

[Supravital Knight]

These guys don't play or feel like LP's but sound so nice
at the right time. Since I'm into odd shapes, I dig my custom Yammy!
Now here's a "cut away"...

 

[Super Mahrio]

ovation

Oh yes..
Or Takamine! those rule too!

 

[SirDidymus127]

Ovation is nice... but if you're not looking to spend too much or whatever... i have a really good quality ibanez acoustic/electric... sounds great, plays great... and was only like $200

 

[metalkingdom]

Ovations sound pretty crappy when they aren't plugged in. Their main use is as an electric/acoustic. If you're looking to save money, go for some of the lower priced Fenders. I don't know if they're still around, but Alvarez makes some really nice guitars considering the price is under $200. I have one, and I've gotten many compliments on it's sound, looks, and playability.

Don't buy a used acoustic, especially a cheap one. The wood is probably warped, or at the very least, the neck has been broken in by someone else's hand.

One of the main things to look for in a quality acoustic guitar would be it's top. You want what's called a "solid top". Look at the soundhole edges and if it looks like one piece of wood, then it's a solid top. If it looks like layers of wood stacked on top of each other, run away because it's plywood.

 

[Mike]

my acoustic is over 30 years old and it still sounds good.

My girlfriend has a Takamine, either a G or an E series, I forget now, but I love it. I think she said its around 500-600 which isn't too bad when compared to like Martins and Taylors. And the quality, IMO is better than Fender and Ibanez. So with acoustic guitars, its a huge price vs quality battle.

Like everyone's saying, go to Gutiar center and play with some, compare sounds, feel, price, style. Find one you like.

 

[flu boy]

i got a $500 fender(old) from some guy who sold it to me for $10...pretty weird...i think he might have had mental problems...

 

[Kvlt Wench]

Fender acoustics suck. Get a Martin or a Gibson.

 

[Mike]

Fender acoustics suck. Get a Martin or a Gibson.

Yeah, make sure you spend no less than $1,200 on a guitar

 

[Kvlt Wench]

It's worth it.