Depreciation of a high end guitar Vs. Brand new lesser known brands

[despondentn2]

Hey guys, was looking to get an acoustic electric below $1500. From my point of view, I could get a 2nd hand more reknowned guitar(say a taylor or a martin) or I could get a brand new high end less reknowned guitar(idk, maybe an alvarez or a maestro).

Pls don't take any offence when i use the phrase less reknowned, i know that expensive doesnt mean good. =)

I would also add that at that budget, the high end guitar would probably be 5-10 years old? so would it still be worth it to get a 2nd hand compared to a brand new?

Personal pref: stika/rosewood/dreadnought/cutaway


What would you guys recommend??

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Nope. Taylor lower ends fit your bill. Unfortunately, i don't think thye're full solid if that is a major concern.
Badens, Ayers, higher-end Waldens, Alvarez etc. are good...
And yes, most definitely. If i were you, i'd try to snap a Taylor 310/410 or Ayers 2nd hand, barring any major faults (e.g broken headstock, resonates poorly, hole in soundboard etc.). The guitar would have been 'broken in', especially if the owner has ahd it for a pretty long time.

 

[loldude333]

The higher end MIJ Takamines also fit the bill. I'd personally go for Alvarez if i were you. The Faith dreadnoughts at Luthermusic are worth checking out, just that they don't have pickups.

 

[lemonade93]

i would go for a Taylor probably 314ce?

 

[Godspeed64]

I'd say a Blueridge would be quite right. Or even a Masterbuilt Epiphone.

 

[relinquish69]

When it comes to acoustics, go 2nd hand. Acoustic guitars need quite a bit of time for the sound to really open up. There used to be a Martin & Co guitar at Guitar Connection that was made in 2008. It sounded great but it was missing the warm tone that an older guitar has. Since they have a few old and new guitars on the rack, it was easier to compare them side by side.

Of course to make a non biased judgment, you have to compare guitars with similar specs.

 

[distortion81]

Brands to me are to give an extra dejavu when playing... for solid body guitar, Gibson guitars gives me that dejavu feeling irregardless if its better or not that a less widely known brand. For acoustics, it will be martin (eric clapton signature in particular), dun have the money for one, so settle for a taylor gs mini now.

To answer to the TS's question, i think for acoustics i will recommend getting brand new as a solid wood acoustics are kinda difficult to maintain in good shape. unless you are buying it from an owner that stores his precious guitars in dehumidfier cabinet. Its worth the effort and money as the sound is much clearer if its maintained at the correct humidity level.

for solid bodies, although not so sensitive to humidity, i would also suggest getting brand new, cos unless its a vintage 1959 les in good condition that you wont get anywhere in the world, its kinda pointless to get a second hand just to save a couple of hundreds or 2k perhaps. Nothing beats the feeling of getting a brand new guitar, just like when you get the keys to a brand new car.

Forget about the value depreciation part and start enjoying the playing is the way that i do it.

Finally it boils down to which guitar sounds the best to your OWN ears?...this should be the guide that you should listen to. Not in the forum where there might be bias over some well know brands. WHat sounds good to you might not be for me or style of music.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

hey TS, this might sound rediculous, but not many people know about the FG92CEQ custom acoustic at city music. it's a full solid guitar, engleman spruce top, with solid rosewood back and sides going for $623 at their sale now. there's pickups inbuilt and features a cutaway.

I've tried it and personally, the tone sounded quite full, but i didn't like the defualt "safe" setup the display model had. Maybe if you're not too brand conscious, you could go down and try it out. the tone and feel might or might not work for you, but it's the same for all acousitc guitars at every range because they're all different. this particular mid-range priced guitar felt and sounded like a high end one though.