Cheap and reliable acoustic guitar

[WorldWithoutE]

Hi all,

I am on the lookout for a cheap and reliable acoustic guitar below $200 (rigid budget) so it will be laminate top and I have done some research and shortlisted some.

1. Swing $199 one, I am sure this would be high on the list.
2. Custom Acoustics FG710
3. Yamaha F310

Do you guys have any other recommendations? I don't like Maestro guitars so can skip that, but I heard Crafter and Walden are not bad from Ranking. Do those brands have anything decent at my price range? How about Fina and Takamine or anything from Davis? I am looking to get something as cheap as possible, so I just require playability and reliability and not so much tone for practice.

I am looking at Dreadnought size, laminate top, comes with gig bag, bought from a place that sets up the guitar and if at all possible bone nut and saddle. Of course, I will try them out before buying, just wanna gather more info.

Thanks!

 

[Fresh Ben]

go for a Takamine! but i doubt is within your price range =\

 

[EugeneSmasher]

I personally love the Yamaha F310. It really sounds and plays wonderfully for the low price it costs. It's also reliable. I've got an old F310 that has had its share of abuse. And it's still going very strong.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Solid tops under that price is possible, unless you're explicitly looking for a full laminate? I think Fina at Davis fits the bill. Crafter and Walden is definitely out of your price range, while personally i wouldn't get a low-end Taka. J&D has some economical offerings as well.

 

[fgl]

MY KEYBOARDIST HAS A VERY VERY OLD & QUITE BEAT UP yAMAHA APX ACCOUSTIC THAT ALTHOUGH COSMETICALLY IS CRAP LOOKING, STILL SOUNDS & PLAYS BEAUTIFULLY ... HE MITE LEGO FOR AROUND $200 OR SO ....

Yamaha apx are th smaller bodied, with cutaway guitars complete with built in EQ and piezo pick up system.


http://sg.images.search.yahoo.com/i...&sigr=11kp4dlfo&sigi=11k3r3jv0&sigb=12g5mgfq9
this pix taken off the nett shows what its like ..... if it was new ...

 

[EugeneSmasher]

If you want something reliable but you're not particular about tone, a laminate top suits the bill. A solid-top still needs some care because the top is solid wood. But a laminate top will be much more resistant to the environment - at the expense of some tone.

I'm not a big fan of low-end Takamine either. But that's just me.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Bro fgl, how old is the Yamaha? APX Acoustics are good stuff...

 

[loldude333]

Yeah i agree, but being a big-ass guy, i look like i engulf the guitar whenever i strap 'em on. Don't like the tone very much though, only .13 gauge strings make them sound anywhere near the full tone i like.