anybody can help me decide whether to get a new solid top or a 2nd hand solid top?

[hadix]

Hi guys

I'm contemplating whether to buy a new solid top custom acoustic Fg70 or a second hand custom acoustic solid top with pickup Fg206e which is 2 years old alr.

I duno which one to buy hmmmmmmm.

Can anybody give me recommendations and why. Really hope u guys can help me out as im quite a beginner in guitars.

 

[relinquish69]

Don't focus too much on one brand. try other guitars. Solid top does not equate to good tone. you need solid backs and sides too to complete that equation. In some cases (Old Yamaha guitars especially), the laminate top guitars can own any modern day China made solid top guitar.

My advice is, find a used acoustic guitar with solid top, back and sides. My suggestion? well that depends on your budget .

 

[Dongara]

Relinquish69 is right. Tone is a much more important factor.

It is easier to get a clear, full tone from a fully laminated guitar (Top/Back/Sides) than it is for the same in solid wood. So if the guitar is cheap and offers a solid top, chances are that the tone will be poor.

Fully solid guitars below !,000 are not a good idea and if you are sold on a solid top, then an older guitar will be better for the same cost as a new one at that cost. Meaning that a second hand guitar at $500 would be equivalent to a new guitar at $800 or so.

Also my favourite reason for buying older guitars is that they have settled and whatever will go wrong, probably already has!

Hope this helps.

cheers,

Mark.

 

[shioks76]

i'd suggest going down with a friend who plays to try various guitars at the shops. Doesn't matter whether its used or new . Main thing to look out for is whether the neck is straight and the distance from the strings to the playing surface is low. Is it comfortable to play? The size of the guitar also matters to some. These things matter more than tone at this point, especially so if you're new to playing and don't have a big spending budget.

Also with a friend he can play various guitars for u and you can hear the differences in the tone of the guitars.