The Battle of the Affordable Dreadnaughts

[alphatabs]

Hey all, I've been looking non stop to find the greatest possible dreadnaught for under $500 dollars. After much deliberation, I have narrowed it down to these two based on wood, features, and affordability.

The Washburn D30S
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=h ... id/515929/

The Ibanez AW300NT
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=g ... e_id/59119

Based on these two alone, can you tell which one you would get and your reasons behind it? I am having a hard time distinguishing the differances! I've played the Artwood and loved it and I really need an outside opinion on the Washburn or either one! You guys rock so I know you know your dreadnaughts! Thanks.

[jsgksu]

Have you looked at Alvarezs? Or even a Marting D-15? You could find a nice Alvarez dread for your price range and you could find a D-15 for around $500 if you do some searching. Both would come with a hard shell case and Id imagine would be a lot better than those two. Just a thought.

[alphatabs]

Have you looked at Alvarezs? Or even a Marting D-15? You could find a nice Alvarez dread for your price range and you could find a D-15 for around $500 if you do some searching. Both would come with a hard shell case and Id imagine would be a lot better than those two. Just a thought.

I have played some Alvarezezez and they don't have the right feel for me. I really do love the Artwood series by Ibanez because they sound great and also because they resemble a Martin to me in many ways.

[jsgksu]

its your guitar man, just make sure you try all the ones out in your price range and buy what you like, those are just suggestions

[mangold]

i would go with the washburn, i HATE ibanez acoustics.
but in that price range id go with an michael kelly

[Tranman66]

eh, ibanez acoustic aint bad. I got an aef here, well built and not bad of a sound with some polyweb.

[alphatabs]

eh, ibanez acoustic aint bad. I got an aef here, well built and not bad of a sound with some polyweb.

yeah, aef's look amazing! i'd get one but i'm looking for a natural dreadnaught. i have a talman and it's decent. i don't like the ibanez electronics it has on it but most other guitars have fishman's. If i got a cutaway it would come with a fishman but i want a full dreadnaught and i'll probably put a fishman on whatever i get.

[filmdude100cms]

dont look at those, you must play many alvarezs to know you hate them... micheal kellys are amazing.....

[alphatabs]

i would get an artwood in a second, but everywhere i go somebody has something awful to say about them. on almost all reviews artwoods get ratings of 9-10 and are praised for having astonishing sound and beautiful appearance. it's a freaking paradox! lol! i'm swaying back in forth so much here i'm about to tip over! but i can understand because there is a lot of great competition here.

[mangold]

i would get an artwood in a second, but everywhere i go somebody has something awful to say about them. on almost all reviews artwoods get ratings of 9-10 and are praised for having astonishing sound and beautiful appearance. it's a freaking paradox! lol! i'm swaying back in forth so much here i'm about to tip over! but i can understand because there is a lot of great competition here.

let me ask you honestly... and ill give an example... what is it specifically that you like about the ibanez, mostly in the area of playablity?

ill give you and example of one of my favorite acoustics: Martin Sapele D-15
http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/cho ... g=h&m=D-15
i like this guitar for many reasons:
1) i like the way it looks, most people dont but i think its nice and conservative
2) i like the way it sounds, it has a very clean, clear tone with plenty of volume
3) i love the way it plays: it seems to have a very thin neck, the satin finish is fast and easy to move your hand along smoothly, the unfinished fretboard is raw and gives you a good sense of where you fingers fall.

the reason iask what you like about the ibanez is because when i played that and similar models i found the neck thick, clunky, and with that gloss finish, harder to move my hand along. plus i got a very dull feeling from the frets as though i had to push down extra hard to make them sound decent. This is all qualitative, so your opinions may be different, im just curious as to what you see in the ibanez!

[alphatabs]

i would get an artwood in a second, but everywhere i go somebody has something awful to say about them. on almost all reviews artwoods get ratings of 9-10 and are praised for having astonishing sound and beautiful appearance. it's a freaking paradox! lol! i'm swaying back in forth so much here i'm about to tip over! but i can understand because there is a lot of great competition here.

let me ask you honestly... and ill give an example... what is it specifically that you like about the ibanez, mostly in the area of playablity?

ill give you and example of one of my favorite acoustics: Martin Sapele D-15
http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/cho ... g=h&m=D-15
i like this guitar for many reasons:
1) i like the way it looks, most people dont but i think its nice and conservative
2) i like the way it sounds, it has a very clean, clear tone with plenty of volume
3) i love the way it plays: it seems to have a very thin neck, the satin finish is fast and easy to move your hand along smoothly, the unfinished fretboard is raw and gives you a good sense of where you fingers fall.

the reason iask what you like about the ibanez is because when i played that and similar models i found the neck thick, clunky, and with that gloss finish, harder to move my hand along. plus i got a very dull feeling from the frets as though i had to push down extra hard to make them sound decent. This is all qualitative, so your opinions may be different, im just curious as to what you see in the ibanez!

Ibanez Artwood AW300NT (I'll hit the high points)
http://ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=AW300NT

1) Many dreadnaught are either way to skimpy or almost like a spanish guitar. The artwood is the perfect size.

2) The solid top spruce along with bubinga wood makes for a tone that no other acoustic guitar can accomplish. The bubinga create an amazing bass while still sustaining great highs.

3) I find it has perfect action with no fret buzz and plays just like an acoustic is supposed to play.

AND on top of all this I played a store model with some nasty strings. They really must have played the hell out of this thing and even with all the abuse, the thing looked stunning. (Notice the wing inlay on the 12 fret along with an amazing finish. I've NEVER seen a prettier guitar.)

[Tranman66]

i think you got your mind made up, no need for us lol

[alphatabs]

i think you got your mind made up, no need for us lol

lol, you guys fooled me into it! that's not fair. oh well, i guess i've been thinking about the artwood in the back of my head a lot lately. i do have my reasons for getting one so unless i can find something spur of the moment, i'll be gettin it. btw, i've seen some AMAZING deals on guitars that have been marked used from the company. does any1 have expirence with these and is it that big a deal? from my understanding they are new but have been discontinued in someway.

[mangold]

i think you got your mind made up, no need for us lol

lol, you guys fooled me into it! that's not fair. oh well, i guess i've been thinking about the artwood in the back of my head a lot lately. i do have my reasons for getting one so unless i can find something spur of the moment, i'll be gettin it. btw, i've seen some AMAZING deals on guitars that have been marked used from the company. does any1 have expirence with these and is it that big a deal? from my understanding they are new but have been discontinued in someway.

i say used is better as long as you've played it. if it has no real flaws than the fretboard is better because its worn in and the neck is a little faster because its been played. plus you save some green

[alphatabs]

i think you got your mind made up, no need for us lol

lol, you guys fooled me into it! that's not fair. oh well, i guess i've been thinking about the artwood in the back of my head a lot lately. i do have my reasons for getting one so unless i can find something spur of the moment, i'll be gettin it. btw, i've seen some AMAZING deals on guitars that have been marked used from the company. does any1 have expirence with these and is it that big a deal? from my understanding they are new but have been discontinued in someway.

i say used is better as long as you've played it. if it has no real flaws than the fretboard is better because its worn in and the neck is a little faster because its been played. plus you save some green

Yea, that's true. The dude selling it acually told me that they are not used in fact, except him restringing it and making adjustments. That kinda blows me away cause it's at least $300 bucks off AND comes with a hardshell case. But after reading his feedback the man knows his business and obviously cares for what he sells. It's gonna be sweet! OHHHHHH, i love savings!