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I am trying to get a Acoustic Guitar for my girlfriend. She is a dang good player on it so she knows a lot about them. I don't know a thing about the things besides I know I can't play it. I don't want to get her a cheap one but I ain't paying more for a guitar than what I do duck hunting. So my question is "What brand is a good guitar and not cheaply made?." I don't mind spending 300-500 for guitar. So if you have some experience in this subject please reply or DM me.

Thanks in advance

Takamine

Alvarez

Ideally you want a guitar made with solid tone woods. You arent gonna impress her much with a yamaha but they really do make some of the best playing acustic guitars in the price range you menioned. Plus they have solid sitka tops. Bigger name guitars like Martin, taylor ect. in the $500 price range are gonna be lesser quality than a similar priced yamaha, your just paying for a cool name. You have to pay in the gibson price range to get a decent Takamine or ovation. Stay away from moderen epihones, deans, and the like as they are mostly chinese junk. If your budget will allow step it up to a Martin d-15 or d-16 they will run you in the 1k neighborhood but are so much better than any guitar you spend $500 on. Instead of being twice as good they are more like 10 times as good. Plus they are made in america and your girl will love it.

What does she have now? Brand and model? If she has been playing a while and is pretty good, chances are she is already playing something in the $3-500 range, if not more.

Her guitar would be more comparable to your shotgun. So how much would you spend on a shotgun for duck hunting? $300-$500?

kb7722 wrote:Her guitar would be more comparable to your shotgun. So how much would you spend on a shotgun for duck hunting? $300-$500?

+1

(Of course, there's a price range where it doesn't really matter much, it's just for show when it comes to how well it actually plays/shoots).

Drakeshead wrote:Takamine

A good choice...

Guitars are kinda like shotuns....she needs that one that fits her. Try your local pawn shop and music store for a used one

Big Baby Taylor

As a plus, they fit women well.

And I agree, a yamaha in the same price range as the others is of much better quality.

What kind of music does she like to play? I really like Larrivee guitars for fingerstyle and light flatpicking. If she's into bluegrass, an older pre-Fender roundhole Tacoma dread is one of the best values in music anywhere.

But, take a look at Voyage-Air. I have a Voyage-Air OM-04, which is a solid top guitar with excellent fit, finish and tone. Every player that picks it up loves the neck and playability. And the cool thing is, the neck hinges and folds up so it fits in a backpack case that will go in airplane overhead. This is not some cheapy travel guitar, it's a real guitar with big sound and high quality construction. The -04 series is under 5 bills. Fantastic value.

Also, I build cigar box guitars

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT BUY A FENDER ACOUSTIC GUITAR..They are pieces of crap. The electric's are bad to the bone though

three11 wrote:What does she have now? Brand and model? If she has been playing a while and is pretty good, chances are she is already playing something in the $3-500 range, if not more.

^^^
This....I'd find out what she's playing now and then see what it would take to make a decent upgrade from it. You wouldn't want to give her one that's lower quality that what she's already playing. Next, as already mentioned before, go to some music stores and let her see what fits her well. Good acoustic guitars ain't cheap but some deals can be found in pawn shops or on consignment in music stores. You should also be able to get a little better bang for your buck if you go with pure acoustic. (unless she's wanting something she can plug in too.)

tobydawg wrote:
some deals can be found in pawn shops or on consignment in music stores.

Absolutely true. The problem is you need to be able tell if the guitar plays well, e.g., "in tune" through a range of chords. If you don't play yourself, you won't be able to figure this out unless you bring someone with you who plays.

take a look at Blue Ridge guitars they are often refered to as the poor mans Martin. I play one and they are awsome and i have owned yamhas and fender and they beat them hands down IMHO good luck