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  • Cheap new acoustic or second-hand Takamine?

I already have a Washburn acoustic which I love to death but I'm after an electric acoustic for recording and effects purposes, and I have a couple options in mind:

1. Fork out for a new one. I don't want to spend more than R5k though so my budget might limit me here.

2. Cough up for a second-hand one. I haven't looked at prices, but a mate of mine is selling his Takamine (which he bought second-hand for R5k a couple years ago) so I'm thinking about making an offer on that.

Which would be the better option? Any other ideas?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.
    I'd say go for the Takamine...but I'm pretty sure you are going to find a bunch of guys on here telling you to look for a Cort.
      Have to agree with Explorerlover.. Buying a cheapish new acoustic will only frustrate you. Specially if you wanna use it for recording purposes. Takamine all the way
        unless the tack's nackered Id snap it up.
          RustPuppet wrote: Which would be the better option? Any other ideas?

          Any guidance would be much appreciated.
          If the Takamine is superior to anything I could buy new for R5K and is in good shape then I'd go for that. But maybe check with a couple of shops and see if they have anything on consigment or second hand for a similar price.
            Yup - the Takamines are great guitars and a second-hand one for the same price as a new guitar will in all likelihood blow the new guitar away. So if there is nothing wrong with the Tak and you like it - go for it.
              Shot for all the help guys.

              I see Cort has a fair number of supporters here. Out of interest, how would a new one compare to the Takamine?
                but I'm after an electric acoustic for recording and effects
                Recording the piezo pickup sound?
                You'll get better results when recording an acoustic guitar with a mic.

                What do you record with at the moment? mic, soundcard?
                  RustPuppet wrote: I see Cort has a fair number of supporters here. Out of interest, how would a new one compare to the Takamine?
                  I got a very nice(looking) Cort Semi acoustic, but, unfortunately, I get a horrible tone out of it when plugged in. It plays very well and got nice action though. My personal opinion, it doesn't come close Takamine.
                    Manfred Klose wrote:
                    but I'm after an electric acoustic for recording and effects
                    You'll get better results when recording an acoustic guitar with a mic.
                    That's true, when recording an acoustic, rather mic it up than plugging it in. Its the most "real" sound you'll propably get.
                      Manfred Klose wrote:What do you record with at the moment? mic, soundcard?
                      Yup, just using an el cheapo mic going into my notebook.

                      I'm not after professional level recording, it's mostly just to record some stuff I've written.
                        Then a piezo pickup will get the job done.

                        Have you made an offer for the guitar yet?
                        Post some pics
                          No offers yet, I'm still deciding what would be fair.

                          Any ballpark figures? I have no idea how old it is, but it's already second-hand as it is and hasn't had a service in at least three years or so. Comes with a proper Tack hardshell too.

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                            • Post #14
                            Go try a Tanglewood at Andy Mcgibbons, a friend of mine recently bought one and when he told me what he paid for it I was stunned.

                            I have played the Premier series parlour before and was really impressed, if im not mistaken it was around the 5k mark.

                            Go have a look.
                              I was under the impression that Tanglewood's were budget guitars.

                              Shows how much I know ?
                                Rust

                                Have a look at the Takamine first and then decide, seeing that it's up for sale. The Takamine should be the better guitar(But I am biased). I bought mine for about 5k and in the "Guitarist" at that time they were 1400 pounds.

                                Then try the Tanglewoods and Cort's etc. ?
                                  Taks are mostly medium- to upper-range guitars. Jasmine are their budget line. The Corts, etc. are brilliant for the money and generally, nothing touches them in the lower price ranges. However, their upper market guitars don't compare to the Martins, Taylors and Takamines of the world. And of those three, the Taks are the best value for money.

                                  Having said that, if you spend the time looking and know what you are looking for, it is possible to find some amazing examples in the lower price brackets. You can also find some duds in the upmarket stuff, but not as many.
                                    Seems the Tak is the way forward. Although I see from a quick bit of dipstick research that the Tanglewoods are quite popular; reckon it might be worth testing one or two before I fork out for the Tak.

                                    Or I could try nick a Larrivee from Andy's when no one's looking. Hmmm.

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                                      • Post #19
                                      I thought the Tanglewoods where below budget guitars. Then i sat there oneday and just decided to pick it up and play... mmmmm i was impressed. They have solid backs and tops, laminate sides which would explain the "budget" guitar.

                                      Just do yourself a favour, go to as many guitar shops as possible and play as many guitars you can find! You have to live with it so pick the one that feels the best (remember they can also set it up if you need minor changes) Larrivees' are still my favorite ?. Wish Andy Mcgibbons just had more than one there :'(
                                        They only have ONE?

                                        Geez, they plug them so hectically on their site you'd expect them to be lining the rafters with Larrivees.