need some suggestions

[topgun17]

this is considering a quality non-starter guitar. here's the situation i'm finishing up my freshman year of highschool and i'm looking for a guitar to last me through the end of highschool and through college. also seeing as how i wouldn't be buying this guitar the range is gonna vary on how much i beg, it's probably gonna be from $300 to $550, hopefully. so there's really two questions i have to ask.
1) if i saw a good conditioned nice sounding guitar in a pawnshop do i get it?
2)what are good quality guitars for this amount of money?

thanks

oh, a last thing to add is i'm looking for a A/E

[Brock]

okay, a couple of things. with regards to 1), maybe be careful if it's a pawnshop, but if you see a used that's what you'd like and it's in good condition in a guitar store or elsewhere, do it. used guitars are a good value if they're taken care of. and the second, take a look at taks, alvarezes, lower-end larivees. I personally wouldn't look for a guitar with A/E, as good electronics tend to cost quite a bit and would actually take a good portion of your budget. so, in this situation, you would either get a decent guitar with shitty electronics or a shitty guitar with decent electronics. my advice would be to look at standard guitars in your price range, and then add electronics yourself later (i did this to my guitar, we can help if you need it). this will let you spend your budget on a good guitar and then later on you can upgrade it once you've got the money.

good post, by the way clear and concise.

[topgun17]

thanks for the compliment by the way. as for your comment about putting electronics in it later, part of the reason i want an A/E is for the cutaway, because for the jamming i do with friends i like to go up high. someone on aim suggested a martin A/E for around $650, that he himself owned and i told my aunt(who is my legal guardian) and she said that might be a consideration so hopefully i can get that, are martin electronics good?

oh and bbatsell mind if i hit you up on aim?

[Davey45]

They use Fishman electronics, I believe. Im not sure what kind exacty, it probably depends on the model. But i definitely think you should look for guitar first, and then electronics, if thats an option. That way, you know you can buy a decent acoustic and then get whatever electrics you want when you have the money.

[filmdude100cms]

hmm $350 thatll last another 8 years and stay consistant hard to say. my tak was just under 6 and itll last me awhile, but im gonna try to get a high end taylor or martin just before i graduate. (you and i are the same age) so look at taks and alvarez's if your wanting life of the guitar and sound dont get one without a solid top, it goes a long way.

[guitardmb]

Don't get low-end martins. They sound like crap IMO. I would suggest a Takamine G-series. I know two people that have those. One has had his for about 4 years and it is still working perfect.

[sk8r]

Don't get low-end martins. They sound like crap IMO. I would suggest a Takamine G-series. I know two people that have those. One has had his for about 4 years and it is still working perfect.

yea honestly. i own a pretty crappy guitar at the moment but i have gone out and played alot of guitars trying to find one i love and i really dont like the low end martins at all. i think its more of the name with those cause the sound isnt great at all and the feel is pretty shitty too. I hear great things about the cheaper tak's though.

[filmdude100cms]

i dont recomend epiphone guitars for serious playing, BUT they have something new, a new line actually, called the epiphone masterbuilt series. solid tops, satin finish, good woods for the laminate, for your price its up there with the taks. um, play them, dont just take my word, i wasnt even toooo impressed with them, but they were nice for the pricerange, and i would have liked them more, had i not just played the guitar i did buy that day. decent sound, just play them, theyre faily new i think but are a good direction for epiphone i think, seems to be going in a direction thats not gibson and trying to make high quality guitars.

hit me up on aim, ive been lookin awhile in similar ranges, and i can tell you who to avoid, but i do recomend saving a little more.\




EDIT: some of the masterbuilts have laminate back and sides, some are soid.

[mangold]

the choice of guitar is all opinion, il just say that takamines seem to last forever in that price range.

as for the pawnshop: i see no problem in buying from a pawn shop as long as you are an informed buyer. you should check the neck and soundboard to make sure there is no radial warping. up and down warping on the nech can be fixed but if one side is higher than the other you;re screwed. also, make sure the brigde is firmly in place as many pawn shop guitars are not tuned and thus can have a weak bridge and you wouldnt know it. I would also buy a well known brand, just because they have more staying power and people are more comfortable fixing them.

good luck

[topgun17]

thanks

[topgun17]

just to let everyone know, i found a beautiful takamine with awesome sound and good electronics for $650 with hardshell case, i didnt really find it i bought it. it's so nice wow i love it, if your wondering what make it is, it's a G series EG531SC.

[filmdude100cms]

pics please

[Kahn]

pics please

Post pictures

[DRMusic]

my buddy got a Takamine from a used guitar shop about 3 months ago. it set him back about $300. it's a sweet guitar with a killer sound and its very fun to play.

here's a pic of him playing it:

[topgun17]

how exactly do i post pics?