Author Topic: What is the best acoustic 6 string guitar for under $400 (Read 355 times)

12stringwilson · « **on:** December 15, 2009, 04:41:41 PM »

To all guitar players...my boss wants to get his 12 yr old an acoustic 6 string for Xmas. I was thinking Takamine or Alvarez...but surely there are others.... Looking for the best bang for the buck

elwoodblue · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2009, 04:55:52 PM »

I bought a new Alvarez a couple years ago for around 250, still satisfied with the purchase.
There were a couple other Alvarez on the wall that didn't sound as good as the one I bought ,
so it would be worthwhile to play a few briefly to get the best one available.

I have had a couple Michael Kelly instruments
(both online purchases), and they are well made also.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2009, 05:30:22 PM »

I would check out whatever Breedlove, Taylor, or Larivee have in that price range. They all make really nice production models. I never fail to get compliments on my Larivee (which cost about $900, to be fair).

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2009, 06:05:05 PM »

In that price range I wouldn't be too concerned about any particular brand. There are some very good (for the price) instruments coming out of China and Korea these days. I'd look for something that sounds decent, has decent intonation, and low action. Nothing discourages a new player as much as high action.

Bill, tgo

crobbins · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2009, 07:22:38 PM »

Taylor Big Baby.

bigredbass · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2009, 11:41:55 PM »

Lots of choices for under $400, amazing how many.

Back in the day, you either spent big money or wound up with a horrid little 'Spanish Geetar' from the stamp catalog. I wonder how many careers started with the little Silvertone electric with the accompanying case with the amp built in?

I'd REALLY agree it needs to have good action.

After that I'm always torn between buying something heavier since it's gonna get beat up vs. buying something nicer so you can get some of your money back when he decides he wants to play sports instead.

Plus you have to ride that line where you can get something he thinks is cool vs. the one you bring it home and he just rolls his eyes and wouldn't dare show what YOU picked out to his friends !

OK, go with nicer. Big Baby's certainly a safe bet. A 'starter' Larrivee for under $400 would be a gas, maybe one of the Mexican Martins. People still start on Yamaha boxes, a black F335, $149, all laminate, or the solid top, rosewood back and sides FG730S thru Musician's friend or local retailer is hard to beat for $299. But there's lots out there for a $400 budget.

J o e y

2400wattman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2009, 07:20:18 AM »

I would check out Seagull. Made in Canada,are very nice actually and could stick around as a serious player in the future. I'll second Joey on Yamaha's ( The Peavey of Japan). It seems everything they do is always of good quality and low cost to the consumer. Probably the best bang for your buck!

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2009, 07:22:13 AM »

A quick search of Musician's Friend shows 152 accoustic guitars between $100-400; another 80 are big honkin' guitar - I'm 5'11 & I find them a bit of a reach; a twelve-y-o might be overwhelmed (likewise beware of Jumbo & Super Jumbo). Look at what Martin would call a 000 or smaller; other terms to look for are folk, concert, grand concert, orchestra, or parlor.

Peter

12stringwilson · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2009, 07:47:28 AM »

Thanks guys for all of your suggestions! This is a huge help. Ever sicne I picked up the bass 15 years ago, I never again really played guitar. All this has sparked my interest to re-learn myself. LOL I will forward this info. to my boss and let you know what he decided on.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2009, 09:23:11 AM »

they're probably all made in the same 3 or 4 factories

Funny you say that, I think I read once that Larivee, Breedlove, and Taylor share some production facilities, or did at one time. I certainly wouldn't shop just for a name, but these three builders have a good reputation (and make quite handsome instruments, IMHO). I tried several Gibson acoustics before I bought my Larivee, and even though they frequently cost more than twice as much, I would take my Larivee any day. For reference, I typically play bluegrass or alt-country when I play acoustic.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2009, 09:26:47 AM »

I would look at Seagull.

spose · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2009, 12:29:21 PM »

+1 on the Seagull

jet_powers · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2009, 02:09:08 PM »

I have Seagull #938 and it still plays nice and sounds better every year... worth every penny of the $200 or so I paid for it around 1982.

pace · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2009, 03:55:29 PM »

Never thought I'd ever hear Martin, Taylor, Breedlove, or Larivee in the same breath as $400.... lol....

With that said, all the solid-top Yamaha's I've ever owned have aged gracefully. A student of mine bought an Avalon a couple of years ago which was a solid guitar at this price-point. I also got the chance to play a beautiful Recording King 00 yesterday which sounded amazing for $450...... The list goes on, as long as your boss' son takes good care of an instrument in this price range it should last him a good while.

brb9911 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2009, 05:27:47 PM »

+3 on the Seagull!