acoustic help

[sept09]

Hi friends,
I'm looking for an acoustic guitar with budget of around S$700. I have not had the time to go down to any shop to try the guitar so all the search are done online.
Here are the guitar I like based on their look:
1) Cort Earth 200
2) Ibanez AW140QM
3) Ibanez AW40
4) Fender GC23S
What do you guys think? Which would be better? Anyone using any or tried any of these guitar please give comment.
If you think there are better choice of around the same price, please let me know.

Thanks

 

[Breen]

For 700 you shouldn't be looking based on looks in my humble opinion. You can get decent sounding stuff for that. Takamines or Baby Taylor for a lil more could be good for you in the long run in your musical journey.

Cant help you on those models I'm afraid.

 

[lightice]

The cort 200 is much better than a baby taylor from my testing.
Solid top and back and it sounds good.

 

[relinquish69]

700 is quite a big budget for an acoustic guitar. have you considered the 2nd hand market? look through the soft buy/sell forum or just spend a little time walking around the basement of peninsular plaza to seek good deals.

in my opinion, get those with solid tops. tone is more important than looks.

 

[van_halen]

ovation

 

[sept09]

I do not have the time to go ard and try yet thats why I base on look for now. Of course I will try it out before getting one. But I need to know what others think of this choices

 

[9000]

Takamine G series.with that budget u can get a acoustic/electric.

 

[Breen]

I think softies need to direct TS where to go for a guitar of his budget and what model to look out for so when he has the time he can zoom in on the appropriate stuff.

We all know nice/cool looking acoustic are best hung at Hard Rock Cafe.

 

[sept09]

Finally found time to try out the guitars. So far tried the Yamaha LL6, Ibanes AW 10, Cort Earth 200, Maestro SD 3 and EJ 1. The Yamaha was the most ex However when compared with cheaper the SD 3, I think I prefer the SD 3 feel and sound. The Ibanes and Cort was so so. Now its left with the SD3 and the EJ1. But I will still be looking around so keep the recommendation in. And also feedback on the 2 Maestro guitar if you have them.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

I think Maestros are really sweet. Definitely recommended, and they're very bang-for-buck too.

Also, I wouldn't recommend the Baby Taylor because it is a travel guitar and won't give you full-bodied tone. If you want a travel guitar the BT would serve, though. The Big Baby is a different matter, it is just slightly smaller than a full-sized dreadnought and gives really good tone, with a solid-top to boot, but I doubt it'll be within $700.

 

[sept09]

I think Maestros are really sweet. Definitely recommended, and they're very bang-for-buck too.

Also, I wouldn't recommend the Baby Taylor because it is a travel guitar and won't give you full-bodied tone. If you want a travel guitar the BT would serve, though. The Big Baby is a different matter, it is just slightly smaller than a full-sized dreadnought and gives really good tone, with a solid-top to boot, but I doubt it'll be within $700.

Yup, from what I tried earlier today, I really think that Maestro have good quality. And best of all both the SD3 & EJ1 are in my budget. But too bad EJ series are matt finish.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Haha, actually I prefer the matt finish, but that's a general preference for me, not just with Maestro. Just wanna add, the lower-end Blueridges paled in comparison. I had the chance to play a Maestro followed by a Blueridge, with mostly the same specs and same price range. The Maestro won hands down, quality of build included.

I didn't dare to touch the higher-end Blueridges though, but the service there was so good, they'd have let me if I had asked.

 

[sept09]

Haha, actually I prefer the matt finish, but that's a general preference for me, not just with Maestro. Just wanna add, the lower-end Blueridges paled in comparison. I had the chance to play a Maestro followed by a Blueridge, with mostly the same specs and same price range. The Maestro won hands down, quality of build included.

I didn't dare to touch the higher-end Blueridges though, but the service there was so good, they'd have let me if I had asked.

Agreed their service are good. And they have friendly staff. Did not try the Blueridge as all I saw was above my budget. Btw do matt finish and gloss finish affect the guitar sound?

 

[yucki8aby]

if it's of the same quality then no difference, if it's on a full laminate then not much diff.

 

[marlonmm]

wow, 700 bucks for a budget...

I'll try to go for higher end series of yamaha DW or L series.... A takamine probably... An ovation maybe...

 

[sept09]

wow, 700 bucks for a budget...

I'll try to go for higher end series of yamaha DW or L series.... A takamine probably... An ovation maybe...

I tried the $900+ Yamaha LL6. It was ok at first. Then I tried the $299 SD3 and I think the cheaper SD3 feel better and also have good sound for its price (just my opinion). Never tried Takamine or Ovation yet.

 

[Lifehouse]

Hi, I have no affiliation to these sellers, but it's worth taking a look if you are willing to pay $200 - $300 more to get an all solid guitar.

http://guitar4christ.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=28040

http://guitar4christ.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=27342

In regards to matte vs gloss, it's easier to clean a gloss than a matte. In terms of the finishing, the finish they applied are the same. It's just the final steps that differentiate them. The finishing doesn't affect the sound as much as you'd think. The bracing, neck joint design as well as the resonance of the wood plays a much larger part.

In UST (Under saddle transducer?) equipped acoustic, the UST in matte guitars tend to pick up more sound from contact with the guitar body. In gloss guitar, it's not so obvious.

 

[sept09]

Hi, I have no affiliation to these sellers, but it's worth taking a look if you are willing to pay $200 - $300 more to get an all solid guitar.

http://guitar4christ.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=28040

http://guitar4christ.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=27342

In regards to matte vs gloss, it's easier to clean a gloss than a matte. In terms of the finishing, the finish they applied are the same. It's just the final steps that differentiate them. The finishing doesn't affect the sound as much as you'd think. The bracing, neck joint design as well as the resonance of the wood plays a much larger part.

In UST (Under saddle transducer?) equipped acoustic, the UST in matte guitars tend to pick up more sound from contact with the guitar body. In gloss guitar, it's not so obvious.

Thanks bro. But I think its too much for me.