hmmm... what to buy? HELP !?

tman

Hey guys !

I bought my first el-cheapo acoustic guitar in January and Its time to upgrade !
I have been excessive reading online & going to music shops in the PTA area to learn as much as I can !

This is where im currently at:
Im not really concerned about pickups or any electronics as I dont think i will use it? (will rather use that money to just invest in a better guitar)

Im looking for a guitar with a narrow neck, and the snares must be close to the body of the guitar.
I have been looking at this Ibanez guitar: http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/14972230/Ibanez_Acoustic_Electric_Guitar_with_Preamp_and_Tuner_V72ECE_Brand_New.html
It looks like its pretty good value for money, and although im not concerned bout the electronic stuff, it has it, kinda a extra added bonus. I have been reading on some online sites that Ibanez isnt really that good on acoustic guitars? would I be better of buying something else for that kind of cash? What would you guys recommend for around that price?

Also, should I consider buying second hand?

aja

Welcome to GFSA!

Have you had a look at Cort guitars?
What area are you in?
Finally what is your budget?

The height of the strings above the fretboard, also called the action, can be adjusted relatively easily assuming that the guitar is well made. Although, if you lower the action (too much) you will lose volume and tone in most cases.

EDIT - I would seriously suggest going to music shops and trying out different guitars. A thin neck may be difficult to play on an acoustic if you are using higher gauge strings like 12's. Just my opinion

tman

aja wrote Welcome to GFSA!

Have you had a look at Cort guitars?
What area are you in?
Finally what is your budget?

The height of the strings above the fretboard, also called the action, can be adjusted relatively easily assuming that the guitar is well made. Although, if you lower the action you will lose volume and tone in most cases.

EDIT - I would seriously suggest going to music shops and trying out different guitars. A thin neck may be difficult to play on an acoustic if you are using higher gauge strings like 12's. Just my opinion

Thanks for the speedy reply. Like i mentioned in my first post, im in the Pretoria area.
I have been to a few music shops, and the thin neck & lower action is my preference.

I was at Music Mate in Fairie glen yesterday, saw a nice Cord there for around the same price as the Ibanez on the link to my first post (-+ R1600)
My budget is around R1500 maybe less maybe a bit more, it all depends what I can find ?

Can anyone recommend a good music shop in the Pretoria area?

inflames

Welcome to the forum tman!

Unless you are going to spend R5k+ on a Ibanez acoustic I would have a look at the Cort range.
I think in the lower price range the Corts will beat the Ibanez guitars (only my opinion).

_-L-_

aja

Okay in that case get a thin neck hehe.

I would still get a Cort. Every Ibanez in that range I have tried has sounded a little thin. The Cort just had much better sustain on the 5th and 6th strings. However I didn't look at the necks in particular.

Buying second hand is always a good idea especially if you are on a tight budget. However, especially with acoustics, the damage might be difficult to see. It pays to take a friend along for a second opinion.

dee

tman wrote Can anyone recommend a good music shop in the Pretoria area?

* Oosthavens Music in Zambezi Road going west towards the Kolonade coming from the N1.
* Music Mate, also in Zambezi, although going east coming from the N1.
* Music Mate in Fearie Glen.
* Music Boyz in Moreletta Park.
* Musica Instruments in Atterbury Value Mart in Fearie Glen.

tman

dee wrote
tman wrote Can anyone recommend a good music shop in the Pretoria area?
* Oosthavens Music in Zambezi Road going west towards the Kolonade coming from the N1.
* Music Mate, also in Zambezi, although going east coming from the N1.
* Music Mate in Fearie Glen.
* Music Boyz in Moreletta Park.
* Musica Instruments in Atterbury Value Mart in Fearie Glen.

Thanks ?
will definitely be visiting these shops in the future !
I will also consider the advice on the Cort, sounds like its the best bang for the buck guitar in this price range?

TomCat

BTW if you are able to buy up a bit the Takamine G series is worth considering.

They can be a bit hot/cold in consistency so shop around though for a good one.

mattayou

From my experience I would definately go for Cort in that price range. IMO the Corts at that level have a fuller sound...

tman

MusicMadness.co.za wrote From my experience I would definately go for Cort in that price range. IMO the Corts at that level have a fuller sound...

cool, thanks, so between these 2 the cort is DEF the better buy?

cort: http://www.247guitar.com/detail.php?StockCode=AD850CE

Ibanez: http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/15035875/Ibanez_Acoustic_Electric_Guitar_with_Preamp_and_Tuner_V72ECE_Brand_New.html

[deleted]

I would also have a look at Tanglewoods (IMO even better bang for the buck than the Corts)

Musicboyz @ the Moreleta Plaza stock quite a few of those. And all the others that you are looking at.

All I can add is you know now what to ask for. So go to the shops, tell them what you looking for. play all the guitars you can lay your hands on. And listen to them, sit back and be played for too.

Take the one that grabs you and feels and sounds good to your ears... you have to live with it ?

chris77

Yip. I agree with Brentcgp. You are in the fortunate position to have a helluva lot of options to choose from, so use it. Try as many as possible and see which one steals your hart, irrespective of brand. Try different guitars of the same model as well. (You'll be suprised in how different they sometines are) If its the R1500 guitar you like, then good on you. If its the R2500 instrument, well, then rather save up a bit more and get that one. Playability will mean more than tone to you right now, because it will make it easier to play up the fretboard and try new stuff. So get one that plays the easiest, not neccessarily the one that sounds best. By this time next year you will probably be gassing for something new anyway...

govendl3

I bought a Ibanez EW from TOMS for about 2k
Not a bad axe in my opinion

tman

Thanks for all the replies guys ! ?

So i stopped by at Musica instruments in Attebury after work & tried to gain some knowledge... this is what i came up with...

After playing with the Cort 850 series & the Ibanez V72ECE in the shop the Cort is the clear winner for me. it just felt so much more comfortable, and the sound was also better IMO.

The shop assistant mentioned something about a laminate front and back on both the models, and suggested that i maybe consider upping my budget just a bit and getting a 'solid' wood front and back. He said that it will sound even better ! I also realized (once again) that im not interested in the built in pickups AT all, so ill much rather use that cash and get this solid back & front.
any opinions on this? should I consider this, or am i wasting time?

mattayou

If you do not have to have a pickup I would definately look at the Ibanez AW40. This is the model i feel Ibanez comes into its own with!

This is a KILLER guitar and it looks awesome! Pic below

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/AW40NT-2025ee32b67bf9bf264999dfbabacba7.jpg

Sean

tman wrote I also realized (once again) that im not interested in the built in pickups AT all...

This might not always be the case, situations change. Sometime in the future you might find yourself jamming with other people, or joining a band. Something to consider ?

TomCat

We have an AW1000 and it is an awesome acoustic.

You can't go wrong with the AW's

Bob-Dubery

A pickups can always be added later if you decide you need it, though at the price range you're looking at a pickup and fitting could get close to the price of the guitar if you go for something good like a Baggs.

I'd second the comments about Tanglewoods. They are another very good option at the lower end of the price range.

You also said that you wanted the strings close to the neck - by which I assume you mean you want a low action. A good shop would be able to do a set up for you, which would give you the low action, but at the sort of price you are looking at they might not do too much without charging extra.

The solid wood top will sound better. It will also require a little more care, but it's not rocket science or expensive and you will have a better instrument.

Widen your search to include 2nd hand instruments. A good, well cared for 2nd hand axe can give you more guitar for your money than a new instrument - though obviously it is not new and will not get the same back up from the shop.