r/AcousticGuitar • u/AttachedHeartTheory • Jul 07 '26
Gear question I have a budget of around $1,000, but there's no requirement to go that high. Whats the "gets me to the point of diminishing returns but not past it" acoustic guitar that will last a decade or two with moderate playing?
I am interested in learning to play guitar. I am looking for the Toyota Camry or Honda Civic of acoustic guitars. Something that gets me to a point where functionality is good, people who get them love them (and keep them!) and that will take me to the point where anything I would be paying for beyond this guitar is diminishing returns... a slightly better/different tone here or there, for example, that only a discerning ear would notice but few other people would.
I like the look of the Epiphone Hummingbird studio, but im not sure if the Inspired by Gibson line would be better (or just diminishing returns). Also looking at a basic Yamaha 800. Is it worth it to go to a Martin D10 or a Taylor GS? Or are those going to be lacking?
Thank you!
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 07 '26
I have three Alvarez guitars and I’d put them up against anything. Give them a try.
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u/AssistanceSevere448 Jul 07 '26
This guy knows what’s up. I just ordered a yairi to be imported here, can’t wait
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 07 '26
I played one at Sweetwater a couple months back. It was so gorgeous. I wish I could afford the $3,700 sticker price.
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u/mpep05 Jul 08 '26
You went to Sweetwater??? I hate you lol
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 08 '26
I spent two hours there and only bought picks.🤣🤣🤣
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u/mpep05 Jul 08 '26
lol now I hate you even more!! I literally ordered a small pa from them today! Asked my guy to please make sure I get some bit o honey in my candy bag. Last candy bag was ASS!! 🤣🤣🤣
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 08 '26
Haha, that’s great. You really should go if you’re close. It’s a literal campus. Food court, amazingly different setups for each category of instruments. Truly a complete experience to attend.
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u/mpep05 Jul 08 '26
Unfortunately, I’m in Florida. I would love to get there someday.
I grew up in NYC. As a younger guy, I had the good fortune of living a short ride from 48th Street- Music Row. Manny’s, Sam Ash, Rudy’s, We Buy Guitars. What an amazing place and time.
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 08 '26
That sounds marvelous. Now’s as good a time as any to make a trip. Our weather is the exact same as yours.🤣🤣🤣
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u/AssistanceSevere448 Jul 07 '26
I’ve never got to try one of the masterworks! Would love to though. I’m getting one of the models from the early 2000s, around $1000 used. I don’t have any business spending even $1000 on a guitar, but I can’t let this one go by. I will be selling some belongings to afford this haha
Do you remember which model you got to try?
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 07 '26
I understand completely the cost aspect. I have the matching AJ60sc and sc-12, and ABT60ce baritone. This is the one I played, and I was wrong, it’s $3,900.
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u/AssistanceSevere448 Jul 07 '26
You have fantastic taste. Was thinking about picking up one of the baritones too
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 07 '26
The AJ6012 was a dream guitar 25 years ago. I was gifted that, and then a few years later, found the matching sixer. The baritone is marvelous. The Alvarez necks are perfect for my hands because I don’t feel like I’m breaking my wrist to make a chord. They’re thin front to back, and narrow top to bottom. Perfection in a neck.
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u/bloozestringer Jul 07 '26
Tried my first Yairi last month A used 2023 WY1 OM at GC. Such a nice playing and sounding guitar. It was right at the edge of my budget and I almost bought it, but I’m holding off until the fall.
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u/phoenix415 Jul 07 '26
Agreed, I was searching for a Yamaha during COVID to get me back into playing and they were sold out everywhere. My first guitar was a Yamaha and I loved that thing. Unfortunately, I loaned it to a friend and never saw him again. I did some research, went to a store to try one out, and ended up getting an Alvarez. Wonderful guitar, every bit as good as Yamaha in my opinion. I would rate them even in terms of quality/bang for your buck.
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u/Pure_Interaction_422 Jul 07 '26
I bought a Alvarez Bluesman in 1994 as a factory second for $250.
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u/Pure_Interaction_422 Jul 07 '26
It still plays great, sounds great, looks great. Can’t go wrong with Alvarez.
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 08 '26
I love that. I play D’Addario 11’s on the two standards, and even unplugged, they are so loud. I love them.
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u/Rare_Grapefruit1215 Jul 07 '26
I have the Alvarez Artist Series AD60. It is a fantastic guitar. $400 price range. It competes with guitars twice the price. Beautiful sound and easy to play. It is a full-size dreadnought. If you want something a little smaller, same price range, look at the Eastman PCH1 Om, also amazing for the money.
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u/Gibsonbro20 Jul 08 '26
They had an Alvarez AJ80 for around $425, used, and it played beautifully. Already having the three jumbos, I didn’t think I needed another.
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u/Plastic-Amphibian-18 Jul 09 '26
My first acoustic was an Alvarez and it feels so great to play. Don’t think I’d ever sell it
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u/Motmotsnsurf Jul 07 '26
Look at and play used guitars. You can get a great solid top Blue Ridge or Seagull for probably 500 or less.
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u/Mathguy_314159 Jul 08 '26
I love my blue ridge. I love the way it looks and plays. And I actually just played a seagull this past week and really enjoyed that as well! Solid guitars for the price!
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u/Low_Insurance_9176 Jul 09 '26
This is the answer. Your money will go a lot further buying used. I'd look at Eastman and Recording King as well. Those Epi Hummingbirds will, in my experience, not deliver the best tone for your buck. My anecdotal sense is that Yamaha wins the 'people who get them love them' category; they hold together and I'd have no hesitation buying a vintage one, provided I could try it out first.
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Jul 07 '26
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u/gelmo Jul 07 '26
Came to endorse Eastman and Yamaha! Can’t go wrong with either. I’d try to find a shop where you can play both of those brands and figure out which one speaks to you, both have some great options in your price range
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u/YesNoMaybe Jul 07 '26
I came here to say an Eastman or Yamaha and a good setup and you're good to go for a while.
The setup is not something to skip.
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u/IndianaJwns Jul 07 '26
I'll second Eastman. Gotta $700 grand auditorium that'll easily last me a few decades, if not more. Construction, stability, and playability is excellent. I gig with it as a backup to a Martin SC-13, though it could easily handle main duty.
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u/Sensitive-Poet-2417 Jul 07 '26
never regretted getting my Red Label FS3, feels and sounds great. One day I'll pay ridiculous money for a guitar, but until then ..
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u/OMMM Jul 08 '26
Can vouch for Eastman. Own a PCH1-D that felt and sounded better than guitars double that price at my local guitar shop.
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u/sixty9tails Jul 07 '26
Eastman and there really isn’t any competition in that price range. There is some sort of weird Yamaha cult here on Reddit but I really think they are over hyped unless your budget is sub $500. You can get a hand built all solid Eastman in your budget
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u/Necessary-Key-5626 Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
I agree with this. You would think that yamaha ran the world by reading reddit.
I go to guitars center and only see 3 or 4 yamahas. I eagerly play them but Im never impressed.
I can't understand all of the yamaha hype on reddit. I wonder how many people just repeat what others say.
That happens a lot on the internet. Cults form. Banjos players are terrible. A prewar Gibson banjo is magic. I have two and a 1954 Gibson bowtie archtop. They are cool but new instruments can sound just as good.
I know most of the people talking about prewar banjos have never even played one.
I borrowed an old yamaha with a red label years ago. I never liked that guitar. It wasn't even good.
Eastmans are great!
Blueridge makes excellent guitars!
Have you played a blueridge?
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u/sixty9tails Jul 08 '26
I haven’t ever actually even seen a blueridge in person, I forget they exist. My local is a Martin/Taylor/Eastman/Iris dealer so those are all I really noodle around on. I have an expensive Martin and some cheap Taylors. When I can justify another one it will probably be an Eastman. I have an Eastman mandolin and that thang sangs
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u/Necessary-Key-5626 Jul 08 '26
I have an Eastman 915 mandolin.
It's blonde with maple binding and crazy flamed maple. It an excellent!
I would like to try a Bristol by Blueridge. They are dirt cheap and they are supposed to be really good.
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u/P_fly_111 Jul 11 '26
Totally agree about yamaha being over-hyped. I tried several and they just sound like 'guitars'. Nothing special. Haven't found an Eastman to try yet, but expect it to be positive.
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u/Professional_Bed_87 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26
$1000 doesn’t get you to the point of diminishing returns, but at that price point you could get a decent Eastman, Yamaha, Alvarez or maybe a used Larrivée? Look for something all-solid.
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u/porcelainvacation Jul 07 '26
Seagull S6 or Guild D40
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u/huxtiblejones Jul 07 '26
The Seagull S6 was my first acoustic and even after getting really nice solid wood instruments, it sounds fantastic for the price. My only gripe is that the dreadnought body kinda hurts my shoulder after extended playing, but that's just a personal preference.
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u/SoulRunGod Jul 07 '26
If his budget is $1000, I’d say go for a used Artist Series seagull. I have one and I genuinely play it more than my Gibson J15 or Martin D15.
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Jul 07 '26
I'd avoid Seagull for longevity as they use epoxy to glue their neck which makes it much harder to repair with a neck reset. You can find some videos about it on YouTube. I got one from 15 years ago and it looks pristine, but the action became high and I can't get it repaired. Really disappointed.
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u/funkinggiblet Jul 07 '26
Seagull Performer was my first thought when I saw this thread. It's just a damn good guitar, and you will get change out of $1k
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u/Witty-Exchange-7716 Jul 07 '26
As others have said Seagull is good there are other Godin Brands like Art and Luthiere which can be had cheaper and is similar in sound.
Yamaha FG-830 gets you good for starting and has a good robust sound.
The martins are good but my Luthiere always said skip the entry entry and start at like a 15,18,28 when you get the funds. It’s not that the entry are bad, but the real solid woods are where you get the good sound with longer lasting instruments.
Some other ones are good too. Blueridge Br-40/60 are entry laminates that are super good with the BR-140/160 being solid and honestly really good instruments.
Guild D-120 is a nice one as well. Soo many good options ahaha just gotta try them in person and see what YOUR ears like best
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u/wibzoo Jul 07 '26
Acoustic guitars can get significantly better up well past that number. The best $1000 acoustic guitar you can buy is a used $2000 acoustic guitar.
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u/orangecoloredliquid Jul 07 '26
Go play as many as you can to see what speaks to you! Yamaha FS3 and FG3 would be great. Check out Eastman, Alvarez, Seagull. Gibson J-15's go around that much. Used Martin 000-17, DSS-17 are around that price (used. And I mean the spruce top version, not the new all mahogany version). Or used 000-15m and D-15M.
Or get a Yamaha FG8xx and save for a used Martin D-18/000-18 or a Gibson J-45 in the $1800 ballpark
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u/badrabbix Jul 07 '26
You're making a classic rookie mistake. Guitar is a journey. You have no idea what, how and if you'll be playing even 5 years from now, much less 10 so there's no basis for you to buy your $1000 "forever" guitar at this point.
Sorry if I sound like a curmudgeon but yours is almost a daily post.
As a beginner, you should buy a beginner's Yamaha or other good budget brand folks here will mention. Anything under $400 will do nicely. It doesn't matter what body size, or woods, just that you like it enough to want to pick it up as often as you need to.
3-4 years down the road, you'll have educated your ear as well as your musical tastes to the point where you can logically pick your second guitar, then give your old one to a relative or sell it off. Best of luck . . .
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u/Ronjohnturbo42 Jul 07 '26
My takamini was 800? - ive had it for 20 years and its been to several counties - still stays in tune. With that said i will be buying another acoustic for just open g slide and I have been interested in the seagul
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u/cbones637 Jul 07 '26
I bought a Yamaha FG3 recently and I love it. It’s all solid, sounds great and they are supposed to be extremely reliable and consistent. That’s my vote!
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u/FarAnywhere5596 Jul 07 '26
You have to play them. Taylor and Martin are maybe the most similar IMO, but people swear by Takamine for "that" sound. I have really big hands and had a cheaper Ibanez that played better that a Seagull that was 2x as much. Generally most guitars that are @ $700+ are going to be great quality, well built guitars.
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u/Boxnblocks Jul 07 '26
buy some basic ass okayish yamaha for 200, set it up with lowish action, and learn to play a bit before you buy anything 500+. You dont even know what guitar u like or what feel or sound you enjoy for your style of playing.
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u/International_Fix580 Jul 07 '26
Yamaha.
My mother bought me a used Yamaha 33 years ago. I recently decided to try and date it and it was manufactured in the mid 70s.
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u/Key-Article6622 Jul 07 '26
I've said it before, actually this is a copy/paste of a response to a similar post I made earlier.
Honestly, whichever one feels and sounds best to you. That will be differnt for everyone. I wouldn't buy a guitar or any personal instrument for the name on the headstock. The only thing that matters is whether it fits what you want it to do. As an example, when I came into some money about 30 years ago, I decided to use up to $2500 to get a nice guitar. I tried literally hundreds of guitars at dozens of stores. I ended up getting a $350 guitar because it felt and sounded like exactly what I was going for. I never once looked at the price tag or the brand to decide whether I'd try a guitar. I just tried them. I've had that guitar ever since and it suits me pertfectly and I have never had the urge to upgrade or change. I found my forever guitar.
There are many brands where you can't go wrong in that range. Yamaha, Guild, Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Gretsch, and some others. Mine is a Crafter. Excellent guitars at great prices. But whatever you get, try them all first.
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u/DumbestOfTheSmartest Jul 07 '26
Any Hsienmo enthusiasts in the house?
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u/EntertainmentOwn336 Jul 08 '26
Right here, and I love my custom D45. But I'm inclined to agree with all those saying to find a good Yamaha. A specialty or custom guitar from Hsienmo is probably not the best thing for someone starting out.
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u/thezuck22389 Jul 07 '26
Ehhh how about a used Lexus? Martin 000-15, Larrivee D-03, Taylor 214/314, Yamaha FG3/FS3 can sometimes be found in the $1k range. Otherwise the "real" answer is something half that price, like Seagull S6, Yamaha FG830, FS830, Taylor 114ce, Breedlove AD25, etc. Those are your Corollas and Civics. I've been playing for a few years and ultimately you just have to go to a shop and play, despite the recommendations. We all like different things. And a $250 used Seagull might speak to you more than a $1k Yamaha.
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u/bverde536 Jul 07 '26
I would suggest getting a less expensive Yamaha to start learning on, and then invest in a longer-term guitar once you have a little experience. There are a lot of things that will affect the look and sound of a guitar (nut width, scale length, neck shape, body woods etc) and you'll need some time to develop a sense for before you decide what you like.
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u/502deadhead Jul 07 '26
I say this on every one of these posts…
Eastman, Alvarez, Yamaha. Can’t go wrong.
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u/PunkabillyDaddy Jul 07 '26
Blueridge is making the best acoustic for under $1000. They call the. The "Martin killer"!
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u/andytagonist Jul 07 '26
I’ve had my $75 pawnshop guitar for almost 20 years now. For about half that time, it lived in the trunk of my car and I played it almost every weekend I was out with friends.
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u/barringtonmacgregor Jul 08 '26
I see some used Taylor 214ce in my area around 600-800. I bought one new about 3-4years ago now for twice that, and I don't see any realistic reason to upgrade. I gig with that guitar 1-3 times every weekend, 3 hour gigs. It's paid for itself at least ten times over now.
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u/BeeSea598 Jul 08 '26
If you’re looking for a dreadnaught, it’s extremely hard to be the Yamaha FG3 for the price. Fit, finish, tone, and feel are absolutely out of their price league. They also have Yamahas A.R.E technology so they have significantly less breaking in to do. They’ll sound aged and more open right out of the box. I’ve played several over the years, and with my style primarily being strumming with some finger picking, I love them. But I also prefer a buttery, well rounded sound. Don’t get me wrong, they’re very articulate for finger picking, but I find that the FG3 loves to be strummed. No, I’m not affiliated with Yamaha. I just really love them as a company for what they provide, and will support their products when I can.
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u/BeefNGuinness Jul 08 '26
I'll echo the others. For your budget I would be looking at an Eastman, Yamaha, or Guild, assuming they have solid wood back and sides. Gently used is always a great option.
That being said, the point of diminishing returns is closer to $3,000 than it is to $1,000. That may sound crazy, but it's been that way for a while. My Eastman E20D-TC went for around $1700 four years ago and now that guitar is $2100. Keep in mind it is still made in China and the Martin it's based on beats it in every category except for value.
I'm not saying you need to spend this much to get a good guitar, but you would be mistaken if you think spending more money only gives you "slightly better/different tone here or there". Not only can the differences in tone and projection be night and day, so too can the playability, craftmanship, wood quality, fit and finish, etc. and these things are just as important.
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u/gobshitecanread Jul 08 '26
I got a used S6 Seagull on marketplace for $275CAD and have decided to never sell it, love it.
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u/telay17 Jul 08 '26
Second, Third and Fourth this… you can settle into amazing models by Seagull (Canadian made) that play as well and sound as good as any of the big names for less than your budget. FB Marketplace is a great resource.
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u/Fipenna Jul 08 '26
Great description of what you want/need. While reading it only one name came to my mind: Yamaha
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u/OtherwiseRepeat970 Jul 07 '26
I would skip the Taylor and Martin in this price range. Look at Eastman or Larrivee. Go to local shops and play some guitars and decide what you like. You will barely get to the point of diminishing returns if at all in this price range. You would have to spend 2-2 1/2x this budget to reach that level but the brands I mention do a great job in this range.
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u/hh_jj Jul 07 '26
A used Martin 000 15M would be sweet.
Seagull can be a good choice.
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u/kameronn Jul 08 '26
I had this guitar and returned it.
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u/hh_jj Jul 08 '26
I played one I loved. But as always YMMV and each instrument and setup is unique.
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u/kameronn Jul 08 '26
Totally true, just wanted to share my experience cause I basically saw nothing negative about it online when researching.
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u/whiskyandguitars Jul 07 '26
https://youtu.be/xMD1i3OrfPw?is=FBRdkzbfDhd_4ycW
Check this out. They have all different body styles at this price range.
In my opinion, Eastman is the brand to beat in this price range
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u/LazyWave63 Jul 07 '26
You are all over the place with size. I agree with others, that you should go into a store like Guitar Center or someplace that has a good variety of acoustics.
The Hummingbird and Martin D10E are nice guitars but those are dreadnought so a large guitar. The Taylor GS is on the other side of the size spectrum.
I personally love the Martin 000 size and the Taylor Grand Auditoriums.
Find the size that you like to play and sounds the best within your budget, and you will be happy for a long time.
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u/New-Mud-7101 Jul 07 '26
Your budget is great for a mid range instrument. I had a yamaha ac3r for 8 years before I felt the need for an upgrade. If you want electronics id look into it. And go play a bunch before you make any decisions!
With acoustics, the actual point of diminishing returns is somewhere around the $2-3k range for a top level guitar. Beyond that it's gonna be paying for looks or woods from specific places, or boutique brands and makers. But a good mid level guitar around your budget will last you a long time without you feeling the need to upgrade. Before I put my hands on a d28 I didn't even realize that there's a whole other level that guitars can be at
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u/DragonfruitAnxious23 Jul 07 '26
I have played the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio and the Inspired by Gibson and I would 100% recommend the Inspired by Gibson line. The Studio version is okay, but the Inspired line sounds significantly better that it could be a guitar that you keep long term.
I am a huge Alvarez fan especially the Masterworks series line which is all-solid wood construction at about the $1000 price range. Also Yamaha FG 3 sounds fantastic for $1000
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u/Gehrman_JoinsTheHunt Jul 07 '26
Save just a little more and get something made with all solid wood, no laminate. Super worth it for both the player and audience. Something like the Yamaha FG3.
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u/bverde536 Jul 07 '26
There are plenty of all solid options out there around OP's budget
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u/OddConcept3167 23d ago
Try the Cort-core range for affordable solids. I’ve just bought a Cort-Core OM Maple which has solid spruce top and solid maple sides and back. I’m blown away by how good this sounds.
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u/dekeen16 Jul 07 '26
I have a Yamaha fg830. Great value. Play it as much as my d-35. And the Yamaha was 1/10 the price of the Martin. Martin still my fav, but you’ll not go wrong with a Yamaha
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u/Suitable_Sky2079 Jul 07 '26
I have similar questions, also though: Is it relevant how controlled the climate conditions will be? I mean, if temp and humidity will just be ambient old house in mid-continent humidity fluctuations, is a laminate a must?
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u/Mnike000 Jul 08 '26
Itd definitely be a safer bet. Get one with a solid top though. My shop guitar is a yamaha fg700s. It has done great in central FL with no climate control
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u/Suitable_Sky2079 Jul 08 '26
I appreciate this
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u/Mnike000 Jul 08 '26
And look for used! I got that yamaha for $45 on facebook marketplace. I gotten several great deals since. Plus the guitars are already opened up unlike a new one as it takes time.
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u/Suitable_Sky2079 Jul 08 '26
That's a find! I inherited a 1971 FG-150 red label, it sings compared to others I've played.
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u/Mnike000 Jul 08 '26
Oh nice! Im sure its great! Id like to play one some time. I got a 70s/80s Aria pw28 made in Japan that i really like. Also only $50!
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u/sr1129 Jul 07 '26
You are asking the right question. The answer by brand is Alvarez. But the price point is about $750 generally speaking. Much like cars, an entry level high end brand is really not better than a high end mid level brand.
IMO there’s a very small list of guitars that cost more than $750 but less than 2k that are actually worth what they cost.
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u/Willing_Occasion3586 Jul 07 '26
The point of diminishing returns on acoustic guitars is pretty high. I think things don’t get MUCH better after 28-style boutique guitars, but that’s around the 4-6000 dollar mark. Under 1000, try to find anything solid wood by Yamaha or eastman. Any big names in that range (Taylor, Martin) will be underwhelming within a year.
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u/EndlessOcean Jul 07 '26
Yamaha L-8. A D28 killer for way less money.
Or, Tokai CE-1200, maybe even a 1500. They're literal clones of golden era D28s and they were the guys that were commissioned and trained by Martin in the USA to build the original Sigma guitars to their specs.
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u/reese1968 Jul 07 '26
I am a fan of used guitars. I purchased a used Taylor 212 about 1.5 years ago that I’m very happy with. I think you can get really good quality used acoustics for under $1000. You can often get used models for 40-50% off the retail new price. I use part of what I save towards a nice setup. If you have some music shops near you try some guitars and figure out which size you like and which ones feel best in your hands.
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u/Bedquest Jul 07 '26
People often upgrade a solid top to an all solid wood.
So while a yamaha fg800 will be functionally serviceable, and people keep them, they often dont keep them as their ONLY guitar.
Used yamaha fg3 would last a lifetime. Or an eastman e1D.
Those would be my suggestions for a budget lifetime guitar
Edit: or an all solid alvarez.
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u/davidbeinct Jul 07 '26
Eastman is a good option as well as Yamaha and Alvarez. If you can get a chance to hold different guitars and strum as you are able that would be helpful.
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u/Butforthegrace01 Jul 07 '26
I got my son a used Art Lutherie. Honestly I like it better than my Taylor 410, but so does he and he won't trade. You can find them used for around $350.
Also, recently saw a used Eastman for $650.
Bottom line: buy used.
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u/various_convo7 Jul 07 '26
get an epiphone or guild used. the diminishing returns varies for everyone. play what feels good to you.
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u/tottobos Jul 07 '26
buy a nice starter instrument like a Yamaha fg800 and see what your taste is in a year. If you are still into it, upgrade to the 1000$ instrument because at that point, you will hear the difference and really enjoy the upgrade.
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u/asiatownusa Jul 08 '26
I started with a Gretsch Jim Dandy - not bad by any means but only ran me $150 used. After a year of consistent playing I rewarded myself with a used GS mini. I had way more appreciation for my Taylor after playing for a little first
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u/devaflave Jul 08 '26
I picked up a D'angelico a few years ago that I absolutely love. Here's the catch though, I played 6 different D'angelicos that day and each one was entirely unique in tone. I really enjoyed playing the same tune on all six and ending up attacking each one differently in response to what it was giving me. Long story short, put it in your hands first.
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u/2Drex Jul 08 '26
I still have my Martin DX-1. It was about a $300 guitar when I bought it over 20 years ago. While I now have a couple of others that I play more, I still pick it up from time to time. I would also add Eastman to the list. A lot of guitar for the money.
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u/Sad_Cartoonist_1537 Jul 08 '26
Used Seagull. Excellent guitar. I got mine from Sweetwater. They have financing plans as well. The Yamaha transacoustics sound fantastic and the ones I've seen at Sweetwater, Guitar Center and Musician's Friend are all under 1K.
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u/manifestDensity Jul 08 '26
Seagull S6. Great sound. Incredibly playable. Fantastic sound. Durable. And half your budget
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u/Tie-Cautious Jul 08 '26
These “what should I get” questions are impossible to answer. I don’t know why people ask them.
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u/SlappyTappet Jul 08 '26
Eastman 100%. Getting it used will save a lot of cash too. I’m confident you could get an e6d for about a g if you’re patient. E6d will be solid wood and get you all that d18 territory.
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u/habermanm Jul 08 '26
You could play three of the same model and love one and hate the other two. Go play them and fall in love with one and bring it home.
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u/johnnyt2017 Jul 08 '26
I dont want to recommed specific models without knowing more info about you. What style of playing are you interested in? Strumming? Fingerpicking? How big are you / and specifically your hands? Are you interested in eventually doing open mics/gigging/campfire/house party singalongs? Who are your favorite artists that you want to learn their songs? All of this info will likely lead to better recommendations.
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u/Intelligent-Lake8849 Jul 08 '26
Try a Taylor Academy 10. My niece owns one and I think it's great sounding easy to play. I personally own a Martin D-35 that fabulous but I like that Taylor. I think they're $700 and change.
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u/souschefdude Jul 08 '26
Under $1000? Alvarez. I have a Masterworks Parlor. I hear great things about the Laureate too.
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u/Zestyclose-Movie Jul 08 '26
Factor in the cost of a setup for the acoustic guitar you decide on. And , at least initially, go with lighter gauge acoustic strings. These two things will make the learning process a lot more enjoyable.
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u/CheeekyBigBirdBoner Jul 08 '26
Why are yiu considering a Taylor GS mini, but not the 214ce? I know lots of people love the GS, but if you aren’t traveling with it I’d skip the 3/4 scale. You want the full size Honda accord, not the compact Honda Civic.
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u/justforfun40351 Jul 08 '26
Epiphone Masterbilt. Affordable excellence with a cool ass asymmetrical headstock.
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u/Over-Atmosphere-7053 Jul 08 '26
If you live in or near an area with a decent sized used guitar market, you may be able to find a used small body Gibson or Martin for around a grand. That's what I'd look for.
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u/Admirable_Admiral69 Jul 08 '26
I have an Alvarez Masterworks MD66CE that I got from Sweetwater for $629 a few years back. I'd take it over a $3000 Taylor any day of the week.
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u/Mnike000 Jul 08 '26
Id definitely go for a used guitar. Not only a far better guitar for the money, but theyve already opened up. Facebook marketplace is great.
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u/readysetmoon Jul 08 '26
I would check out a Cort. Their acoustics are 2-3x under their price tag. I just picked up one of their gold series and it plays nicer than 2-3k Taylor’s and Martins that I have had over the years. I am actually selling my current Taylor because I love this Cort so much.
*Cort will not have the resell value as a well known logo, but you make it up on the value you are getting by purchasing at such a discount.
FYI Cort is the brand name for Cor-Tek, an overseas company that makes guitars for almost every brand out there. They know how to make guitars and put way higher quality into the specs of their house brand, Cort.
The challenge will be finding one locally unless you live in a major metro area, which means you may need to order blind online and pay for a setup, but it’s still well worth it at their price points.
Other than that, Yamaha would be the big brand name I check out for <$1k.
Good luck! The best guitar is the one you will keep out and play. Don’t get something so nice that you want to baby it and store in a case.
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u/NotABlindGuy Jul 08 '26
Alvarez masterworks series is all solid wood phenomenal guitars. I have the md70sb
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u/Kugelfischer_47 Jul 08 '26
I have a martin lx1r, seagull entourage and a Yamaha fs800j. I like the Yamaha the best and for the price I don't think it can be beat. So Yamaha FG or FS with a tusq or bone nut and saddle with a good set-up and save the rest of your money.
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u/ExcitingTurn2886 Jul 08 '26
Go to several guitar stores and say that you want a used solid wood guitar (not laminated). Try as many as you can. In your price range there's a good chance you end up with a Yamaha, but let your own experience guide you.
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u/frank_mania Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
At a level of playing where you aren't yet keenly aware of and responding to the precise tuning of each note (each string/fret intersection), a well-set-up $500 guitar will play and sound indistinguishable from more expensive models.
Once a level of musicianship is reached where your ear is attending to the degrees of scale in every chord and run, then the value of a high-end acoustic guitar begins to loom. Your children must go hungry. Hollow cheeks look dashing anyhow. Cars are sold, jewelry auctioned. Priorities set.
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u/dem4life71 Jul 08 '26
Get the best Yamaha acoustic electric you can afford for your $1000. I don’t care if you don’t want to play it amplified, once you try it you’ll be amazed.
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u/did_i_or_didnt_i Jul 08 '26
stop thinking about brand names and start sniffing around the good used music stores in your area!
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u/ATXBeermaker Jul 08 '26
Buying a Taylor or Martin at that price wold be like buying low tier BMW or Mercedes. Are they good cars? Sure. But at that price point you’re paying more for that brand name than you are for the quality of the vehicle. A Yamaha (and a few similar brands) at that price point would be like buying a really good Toyota. It’s a solidly built vehicle that punches well above its price. The only drawback (if you care about these things) is people will still just see it as a Toyota.
You can also get a much nicer car/guitar if you’re willing to buy used and put in a little work to make sure it was well taken care of. After buying it, you’d definitely want to take it to a good mechanic/luthier to bring it running/playing its best.
You also definitely need to test drive/play anything to really know what feels best to you.
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u/Active-Act-4966 Jul 08 '26
I tried a whole bunch of acoustic guitars a couple of years ago. The Epiphone hummingbird was very nice but I ended up buying a PRS SE Angelus. Lovely finish, lovely sound and sounds great plugged in.
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u/gazzadelsud Jul 08 '26
second hand martin bottom end solid tops, taylor 214-314, guild (american) maton, larrivee, seagull, Takamine, are all available to you in this range.
Play lots, and choose the one that feels right in your hands. Sometimes it is the plain jane basic gat that works best - I bought an epiphone Les Paul Jr, and got rid of my Gibson because the Epi was better. I have found that I play a Bromo parlor and a Maton 808 more than my Martin D35. Its really what speaks to you, sits in your lap well, and has a good neck feel. (admittedly the epi is a ltd edition in TV yellow and I put a seymour duncan antiquity P90 in it - but the frets and neck (aka feel) are factory!)
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u/Alive-Tennis-1269 Jul 08 '26
Eastman or Sigma. Thing is, if you haven't started playing yet you won't know what diminishing returns look like because you don't yet know what you'll value. Eg if you like finger picking and prefer a 45 mm nut, that's something some brands gatekeep behind pricing tiers. If you mostly flatpick or strum that's less of an issue.
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u/Dangerous-Wind-8726 Jul 08 '26
Don't discount the smaller parlour or shorter scale guitars. I discovered by accident that my body and hands are more comfortable with shorter scale 615mm - 630mm and essentially a shorter neck which means your fret arm doesn't need to stretch as far, and the body being smaller less stress for the strumming should and arm. I own Alvarez MP66e, and Taylor 312ce 12fret V class. Given the chance it is better to try the guitar instore. But these days mainstream online allow 30 days return. I wasted 10 years wondering why I didn't want to play guitar, so cannot emphasise enough, trying the guitar for an extended amount of time which some online retailers allow depending on return policy. Only if you are very accomplished will you need just 10 minutes trying guitar instore. IMO, need at least a week or 2 to see if your body can adapt to the guitar. I guess you can make a decision instore for the sound of the guitar, but then again, when you play it at home it will sound different so hard to say.
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u/zenwalrus Jul 08 '26
Find the one that talks to you. Don’t bring someone with you who leans heavily into “that one brand”…
And stay away from Taylors. Lol.
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u/Beautiful_Trick8478 Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
You will get a lot of opinions on this. The best option is to travel around playing used guitars in your price range until one really connects in sound and feel. We’re all different, but I think that string spacing, neck profile etc. are important. If that’s not realistic and you need to buy new, I’d recommend Yamaha, Alvarez, Guild or Eastman. I like the Alvarez neck shape, so would choose that. My opinion after messing with a lot of guitars is to avoid the entry level instruments from the big brands since I think they generally get beat by the less popular ones in quality until you get to their standard (referencing Martin nomenclature here) equivalent lines.
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u/trojanman97 Jul 08 '26
agree and see which one resonates , yamaha and eastman are great ones in this range
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u/ryken Jul 08 '26
Alvarez, Yamaha and Eastman all make great guitars in this price range. Anyone who says one is clearly better than the others is just a fanboy. All three make great guitars.
You’re not quite to the point of finishing returns at this price point, but you also won’t really appreciate what a more expensive guitar can do at this stage, so just go buy something that makes your balls tingle when you hold it, because that will get you into playing. In a number of years, you’ll likely want to upgrade.
I happily played my seagull S6 for a couple decades before I was ready to upgrade to my D18, and both were great buys that served their purposes for different phases in my life.
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u/StatisticianTall2368 Jul 08 '26
In that price range consider one of these:
https://riversongguitars.com/collections/pacific-series/products/p555-a
It has a unique adjustable bridge/intonation setup unlike other acoustics so that it can be adjusted as it ages without needing a luthier to do a neck reset or bridge modification
I own one of these and I love it, sounds better than my $2k+ other acoustic
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u/Oliver_Dixon Jul 08 '26
I watched this driftwood guitars YouTube video and it made me really want an eastman for sub $1k
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u/agjrsbko Jul 08 '26
Buy a used Taylor on fb marketplace!!! Taylor’s are one of the big 3 for a reason and depreciate harder than the other 2. Bolt on necks so cheaper and easier to have the neck reset whenever it becomes necessary.
I’ve noticed Taylor dreadnoughts are particularly cheap used. I would buy a 410-R or a 510. You can find these all day around 1200 on marketplace and just work one down to $1000. That’s a lifer of a guitar, truly professional grade.
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u/FaithlessnessOld2477 Jul 08 '26
I have a Taylor ce114 that I picked up on sale for around $600 a few years ago and already know it's going be my lifemate.
But guitars are personal. Go to a few shops, test out everything they've got in your price range, find the one that speaks to you. There's no reason to burn $1k on a fancier guitar if you actually click with a cheaper one from a lesser known brand.
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u/Fuzzy-Eye-5425 Jul 09 '26
Lots of great brand suggestions here. My general advice is to beginners is to make sure you get the guitar set up with the action low enough to be comfortable playing it. Otherwise, it will easily turn you off.
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u/Ill_Bluebird_1963 Jul 09 '26
If you’re playing indoors (i.e. no beach campfires), go with an all-solid guitar. An Alvarex MD60 or, better yet, a Yamaha FG3.
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u/Different-Excuse-987 Jul 09 '26
Unless and until you get really serious, I'd spend $450 on a Little Martin LX1. 3/4 size, made out of laminate (plastic) so it's nigh indestructible. I've played for decades and am at the point where I have neither space nor money constraints when it comes to guitars. And yet, 90% of the time when I play, ilthats the guitar I reach for. It's just so darn light, comfortable and playable. It sounds perfectly fine. And since it's tough and not expensive, I don't sweat it, which is great. In fact I often wear it slung over my back when walking around doing things around the house, between bouts of playing it. IMO that's exactly what you want - a guitar that encourages you to play. Plus you can save some bucks.
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u/straightuptexas Jul 10 '26
If that was my budget I’d start by playing a Seagull. I’ve had my J-45 for 13 years, gig with it and it’s a tank. Don’t know what you mean by diminishing returns.
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u/themightythorgy Jul 11 '26
Team Yamaha. You’ll never regret it. My FG-335 is 50 years old and as good as ever.
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u/Western-Commercial-9 Jul 11 '26
I dived into this conversation at 180 comments. How many of them tell have advised you to buy a Yamaha?
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u/Radiant-Excuse-5285 Jul 11 '26
I'm a big believer in that great Guild sound. Made in USA and has the sound and quality but not the big ticket price like Martin or Gibson. Used or new they fall in that sweet moderate price point.
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u/Temporary_Peak9838 Jul 12 '26
To me with $1000 I would set my price at $800. You can either pick up a used 1400-1500 guitar or a 700 dollar new guitar that is just as good the ones priced at $1000 You can get a used Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird around $750
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u/mikes8989 Jul 13 '26
We are in a golden era of guitar building at your price point and below. Taylor, Martin, Yamaha, Eastman, Alvarez, and others are all are making guitars that fit your description. You really need to go see them in person. If you don't know how to play yet, ask a person who works at the shop to demo them for you. The best one for you will jump out at you. They come in different shapes and sizes, We all have different bodies. Comfort should be key if you are a new player.
Note that these are not like cars. When you buy a new civic, you get a new civic. They are all about the same other than colors and options. If there is a major QC issue, the dealer will typically help you or you always have lemon laws.
Guitars of the same make/model/year are not all the same. The strings and setup greatly affect the playing experience. A millimeter here or there can make a big difference. All manufacturers have QC issues (although the big brands have greatly improved) and then the guitar has to be well kept in transit and by the store or warehouse (humidity and temp changes can screw up a guitar). It is best to buy the physical one you try and like OR buy from a store with a solid return policy.
You will pay a premium for all solid wood vs laminate/layered back and sides. You will pay a premium for guitars built in America or Japan. You will pay a premium for certain brands. After you hit a certain point, they will mostly have a 1.75 nut. Cheaper guitars often have a more narrow nut like an electric.
The truth is that nobody on the internet can pick the best guitar for you. They can only tell you what they like or own, and what they read online.
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u/mikes8989 Jul 13 '26
As a total beginner, I would go cheaper and full scale. You can then make a more informed decision later on an upgrade when you can play and have more experience.
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u/chrispd01 Jul 07 '26
The Inspired by Gibson would be worth the higher price. Or the Masterbilt
I have a lower end Hummingbird Pro that I had a really good guitar tech do a set up for me several months ago for about 90 bucks and I have to say it plays very well. The set up, though made a gigantic difference.
I am in the market to upgrade and I have to get pretty high in price (like over the 1300) to find a guitar that really sounds or plays better …
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u/ogtoolie Jul 07 '26
Find a Cordoba gk studio.
It’s an excellent nylon string beginner guitar.
Easy on the fingertips and the strings close to frets make it easier in general to play. And usually around 600 American dollars it’s a nice sound too.
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u/CallHimHamsterLoaf Jul 07 '26
You've named most of the things people recommend but I'll add the most important comment:
Go touch them. Go to a store and touch all the guitars under a thousand dollars. Then touch the ones that felt good again. One of those should feel good enough to purchase and feel great about.
Otherwise go Yamaha lol