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[Deputy Moonman]

Hey all. I'm looking into buying an acoustic electric guitar and was wondering if any of you had suggestions. I'm not looking to buy anything really expensive or super fancy, Something in the 300-500 dollar price range, preferably. I've looked at the inexpensive brands like Washburn, to the mid-range priced guitars from Seagull (which I kind of like). I also want to check out Ovation just to see what they're like.

I'm not a pro, but I've played off and on for many years with a cheap Yamaha guitar that has taken quite a beating. I've got smaller hands, so I'd prefer a small nut width 1.68-1.72 maybe and fairly playable neck?

Guitars that I'm considering (low-end models):

• Seagull Entourage Rustic Dreadnought Cutaway
• Washburn WD30SCE/ WD15SCE/ WG25SCE
• Ibanez AW300 Series
• Ovation Celebrity
• Takamine G340SC/ EG260C

Thoughts?

 

[Pilgor]

The Seagull is the highest quality guitar on that list. Go for it.

Edit: Seagull guitars may have a wider neck than you are looking for. Their sister brand Simon & Patrick will have similar features and prices, but may be a better fit for you.

 

[Deputy Moonman]

The Seagull is the highest quality guitar on that list. Go for it.

Edit: Seagull guitars may have a wider neck than you are looking for. Their sister brand Simon & Patrick will have similar features and prices, but may be a better fit for you.

From what I've read and heard from other people, Seagull guitars are very reputable. I'm kind of leaning toward that brand. I tried out a couple at the guitar store in town and they had a nice feel, too. They're slightly more expensive than everything else I listed, but spending a little more for a quality guitar that I'll really enjoy is probably worth it in the long run.

 

[J-Rzez]

I play on Ovations. You really can't go wrong with them, though I will admit I never put much time behind a Seagull. Ovations have some incredible projection, and a unique in a good way sound though due to their sculpted backs and sound-hole configurations on the soundboard. Great quality too, never had to do any adjustments to mine, and the electric pickups are fantastic.

 

[bill0527]

I have an Ovation Celebrity CC057. Same color and style as the one Charlie used in the TV show LOST.

I absolutely despise it. I constantly find myself fighting the instrument if I try to play sitting down. The plastic rounded back is the main problem. It slides around all over the place if I try to play sitting down. Last time I tried to play it in front of people was a disaster. I was playing at my 2nd grade daughter's school Christmas program and they had me sitting on a stool. The entire time I fought against the guitar sliding off my knee or sliding away from my chest. Its a very thin guitar and has no bulk to rest against your body if you are sitting, plus the fact that the back is rounded means that its hard to keep it resting at one point if you move at all.

That's just my personal experience though. I'd be happy to sell you mine if you live anywhere near southern Indiana, for what I paid for it. $250.00 used with the official Ovation hard shell case, and I'll put new strings on it for you and polish it.

 

[Mistle]

Seagull is a good choice. I have an Art & Lutherie, also from the Godin brand, and it's fantastic.

 

[Mr. Hyde]

I'm thinking of starting with this: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-FG700S-Folk-Acoustic-Guitar-103114252-i1149962.gc.

 

[Deputy Moonman]

I have an Ovation Celebrity CC057. Same color and style as the one Charlie used in the TV show LOST.

I absolutely despise it. I constantly find myself fighting the instrument if I try to play sitting down. The plastic rounded back is the main problem. It slides around all over the place if I try to play sitting down. Last time I tried to play it in front of people was a disaster. I was playing at my 2nd grade daughter's school Christmas program and they had me sitting on a stool. The entire time I fought against the guitar sliding off my knee or sliding away from my chest. Its a very thin guitar and has no bulk to rest against your body if you are sitting, plus the fact that the back is rounded means that its hard to keep it resting at one point if you move at all.

That's just my personal experience though. I'd be happy to sell you mine if you live anywhere near southern Indiana, for what I paid for it. $250.00 used with the official Ovation hard shell case, and I'll put new strings on it for you and polish it.

I think there are pads you can put on the back of them to help with the sliding, but i'm not positive. I've never actually played on one, so I'd like to go test a couple models first. But right now I think I'm leaning toward getting a Seagull.

I appreciate all of your feedback. Getting a new guitar is kind of overwhelming. You can look up reviews on certain brands and half the people will say it's great, while the other half don't care for it at all. I just don't want to pay for a dud and regret it.

 

[JumpingTheGun]

Love my Ovation so that'd be my pick. Put some Elixirs on there and it's bliss.

 

[Fusebox]

Thoughts?

Go the guitar shop and play as many as possible. You may be surprised to find yourself preferring the sound and feel of something you didn't expect.

 

[PumpkinPie]

Seagull is a good choice. I have an Art & Litherie, also from the Godin brand, and it's fantastic.

+1. I have the Art & Lutherie Folk and it's great, they're really underrated and sadly, mostly unheard of guitars. The action on mine is fantastic.

 

[Learn2read]

Go with the Seagull, (thought the tip to go with a Simon and Patrick for smaller neck is good) best bang for the buck in guitars IMO.

 

[Deputy Moonman]

Thanks, everyone, for the input. I think it's time to go test out some more guitars.

 

[J-Rzez]

Love my Ovation so that'd be my pick. Put some Elixirs on there and it's bliss.

Same strings I use on mine. Those, or some Alchemy.

As far as the sliding thing goes, I haven't had that issue. I think it all boils down to your preference of how you sit and hold them. When playing out though, I'd always have a strap, just in case, plus I'd always sit/stand cycle due to my bad back.

 

[Of All Trades]

Do you not want another Yamaha? They have a good selection of acoustic-electrics in the 3-500 range, although I'm not sure if the neck would be an issue.

I did not care for the Takamine or the Ibanez in that price range when I was shopping a couple months ago, although I'm used to playing on dreadnoughts and the Takamines were like the opposite of that. I did not like how the Ibanez felt and the sound was eh.

The only Seagull I had access to was a bit out of my price range but I did like it.