Best guitar out of these?

[steveostyle]

I am an intermediate player looking to upgrade from my Ibanez PF acoustic guitar. I am looking for something in the 500 dollar price range. I've tried a few of these guitars already, but I'm looking for more opinions. Sound is first priority, with playability second. Ideally I would like something that looks good and has a cutaway as well.

As far as acoustic-electrics go, I would prefer something to plug in rather than a regular acoustic, as I plan to play live in a few months. But if the overall quality of a regular acoustic is better, I can add electronics later I guess. But overall I'd prefer an AE.

So I've been looking at these, but please give me other options to check out as well, and maybe explain why you chose which guitar. Thanks a lot guys!

[sunglassesatnight]

I voted for the Takamine EG523SC. I have it. I love everything about it, barring the fact that the endpin jack is tempermental. I have played most of the others, as I was in your same boat only a couple years ago. The other Tak was my second choice. But it is all up to you. It depends on how you play and how like each guitar's sound. The EG523SC was best for me.

Oh, and if you haven't looked at it in person, the stock photos on the internet do it NO justice.

[Sciaracastro]

the one that sounds better to you

[steveostyle]

I've also wondered this: what's the main difference, besides size, from a regular and jumbo guitar?

[GSR]

My vote doesn't count, i don't play guitar.

[filmdude100cms]

ive got the tak eg544ssc, if the 540 is anything like it its the way to go.

[Kahn]

The Takamines are good for the $500 price range, but honestly, I woul save an extra $100 or $150 dollars and get a Larrivee 3 series. All solid wood, amazing Larrivee tone, hand-built. I think you should check them out.

[Grachi]

gonna have to go with the big A here.

Alvarez baby

[Tranman66]

whatever you get, just dont get the martin or ibanez.

[Trippin Hillbilly]

The Takamines are good for the $500 price range, but honestly, I woul save an extra $100 or $150 dollars and get a Larrivee 3 series. All solid wood, amazing Larrivee tone, hand-built. I think you should check them out.

I've read some really good reviews about the 03 rosewoods.

[hcole]

Larrivee's aren't hand built guitars. They are great guitars, I love them and have two of them but they aren't hand built. They are built in a factory.

That said, I agree with Kahn save a little more cash and get a Larrivee, or look at the used market and you should be able to find one in your price range. Unlike Martin and Taylor, Larrivee's bottom of the line is on par with it's top of the line in terms of the quality of materials they use. The top of the line gets more aesthetic features (inlay, gloss finish and sometimes nicer looking wood), but I've heard it directly from Matthew Larrivee that in general the bottom of the line is tonally equal to the top of the line.

[steveostyle]

I'm still wondering about the difference with jumbo guitars, and how would I know if the instrument is all solid wood? I hear if it's all solid wood the tone gets better with age?

[hcole]

The difference between jumbo's and other guitars are the size, they will generally have a larger lower bout than a dread and a smaller waist.

If you wondering if a specific model is all solid wood look at the specs on their website. If it doesn't say it's solid wood then it's not. Sometimes you'll see it like "solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides" which means the top is solid and the back and sides are laminate.

[EnFuego]

i'm also in the group saying to save a little bit more and go for an 03 larrivee. solid wood guitar that sounds great for a good price. You can't go wrong with larrivee.

I play an OM-o5 mahogony top. It sounds absolutely amazing.

-Mark

[Tranman66]

takamines are solid too