Budget acoustic recommendation for the electric player.

[ragingplatypi]

I grew up playing Martin dreadnoughts and still have one. But over the past decade I’ve developed a lot on electric to the point where my approach is quite different than before. I’ve also developed some chronic pain issues in my hands and arms, which I manage with stretching and the aforementioned change in approach.

Now I’m being asked to play more acoustic for some gigs, and I’m finding I don’t enjoy playing the Martin, and it causes more pain flare ups. I’d imagine the Fender Acoustisonic would do the trick (assuming the neck is strat-like), but I don’t have that kind of cash. I’m looking more around the $500 price point.

I’m not sure exactly where to focus, but I’m thinking a narrower neck will be part of the solution.

 

[Byrdman]

I grew up playing Martin dreadnoughts and still have one. But over the past decade I’ve developed a lot on electric to the point where my approach is quite different than before. I’ve also developed some chronic pain issues in my hands and arms, which I manage with stretching and the aforementioned change in approach.

Now I’m being asked to play more acoustic for some gigs, and I’m finding I don’t enjoy playing the Martin, and it causes more pain flare ups. I’d imagine the Fender Acoustisonic would do the trick (assuming the neck is strat-like), but I don’t have that kind of cash. I’m looking more around the $500 price point.

I’m not sure exactly where to focus, but I’m thinking a narrower neck will be part of the solution.

I pickup a used Takamine Nashville series about 15 years ago and it has been a great guitar. Same guitar Kenny Chesney used on tour before he got a sig model. I think payed around $800. I liked it because the neck is wide, but they do make decent ones with narrower necks. I have not had any issues with it over the years and I have beat on it pretty good. For a production guitar, it is pretty good and still plays great. My old guitar teacher was having issues with his Taylor and asked to use it on one of his gigs so that was more support that it was a good guitar to me.

Another option to look at is a Taylor 214ce. That acoustic electric that is around $1000 new, and it played great. My sons friend down the street has one and I couldnt find anything other than the skinny neck that turned me off. It really sounded great, good action, and played well I did not plug it in, so I have no idea how the electronics sound amplified, but since it is a Taylor I'm sure its pretty good.

Good luck with what you decide!

 

[Eagle]

Ibanez makes some respectable budget acoustics. At this price point it is more about the setup than anything else. You need something that can handle a reasonably low action and 11 s . At this price you have to play them first because they will be all different even the same model.

 

[gonzoknife]

IMHO the best value in acoustics are used Yamahas. You can get good playing and sounding Yamahas for cheap. Don't bother with all solid either. As long as it's a solid top the sound difference between their laminate bodies and all solid are extremely small. I've tested side by side and a respected player friend had the same experience. Both sound excellent.