Buying a new guitar this summer... advice?

gr0n · Post by **gr0n** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:20 pm

Hi, I've been playing guitar for about a year now and want to buy a new one this summer to take to college with me next year. I got my guitar used last summer and everyone that plays it says it's the hardest guitar they've ever played (the strings are really far from the fretboard. it's a yamaha fg-355). I'm looking to spend about $500-1000 on a good acoustic guitar, with a nice sound that will also sound good when hooked up to an amp. Thanks for any advice.

matttherevelator41 · Post by **matttherevelator41** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:38 pm

i'd say get a Martin D16rgt, but thats only cuz ive been droolin over one for about 5 months....great sound, all solid wood, rosewood back/sides, but you cant plug it in unless you install a pick up....

juineaux · Post by **juineaux** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 3:31 pm

ive heard really good things about larrivees, i think you can find one for about $700

pearljammer · Post by **pearljammer** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 4:27 pm

Martin D-15

mlee · Post by **mlee** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 6:19 pm

matttherevelator41 wrote:i'd say get a Martin D16rgt, but thats only cuz ive been droolin over one for about 5 months....great sound, all solid wood, rosewood back/sides, but you cant plug it in unless you install a pick up....

Yes I want one of those too.

matttherevelator41 · Post by **matttherevelator41** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 6:42 pm

yes, someone who shares my obsession!

mlee · Post by **mlee** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 8:39 am

I forget who it was but someone on these boards has a D-16RGT...I remember them raving about it.

EnFuego · Post by **EnFuego** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 2:16 pm

I'm getting a nwe one this summer too. So far I'm leaning towards Larrivee right now. Great guitars and they aren't crazy expensive.

Ry_ · Post by **Ry_** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:18 pm

You know what, buddy... Since you're just getting a guitar to bring to college and you've only been playing for a year, I recommend you bring in your Yamaha for a tune-up instead of footing out cash for a new one. Bring your guitar in to a guitar store, and ask them to lower the action on your guitar and install light guage strings. The guitar will feel and sound MUCH better, and it'll be alot easier to play!! (I should know, I just got these mods done myself = P) I think this solution is much better than buying a new guitar!! And tune up's are only about 40$ CDN, which is alot cheaper than 500$ = )

Brock · Post by **Brock** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:24 pm

mlee wrote:I forget who it was but someone on these boards has a D-16RGT...I remember them raving about it.

Kanter

6stringsamurai has one as well.

ericwormann · Post by **ericwormann** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 12:22 am

I'll echo everyone else and say go for a solid Martin or a Larivee. I've had nothing but good experiences with both brands. Larivees seem to be hard to come by, depending on where you live.

Devils08 · Post by **Devils08** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 11:38 am

I second Ry's comment for a different reason...I got all excited about bringing my guitar to school but to be honest all i got out of it was a few gigs, some attention from girls (obviously) and a huge fricken slash on the back of my guitar because my drunk roomate all of a sudden decided to try to learn guitar one night. Don't bring a brand new guitar to school - my advice to everyone...unless of course you're going for that beat-up look...

gr0n · Post by **gr0n** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 12:09 pm

thanks for all your help. i think i'll go ahead and get my guitar tuned up... although im already using extra lights (elixers). i guess ill ask em to lower the action and see how well that works, and after that consider a new guitar. oh btw i know my roommate already and hes pretty cool so i shouldnt have to worry about that (and his parents are rich so if he messes it up getting a new one or getting it fixed is no problem). enough rambling... as for now... getting the action lowered. thanks all.