Purchasing a guitar may be an intimidating process, particularly if you've never purchased one before. There are several components to take into account and so many guitars obtainable. Novices will certainly feel overwhelmed. Fear not - help is obtainable

What helps make one guitar unique from another? Is a guitar which costs $3,000 better than one that is $500 or $100? Naturally it is, but a far more elementary query to be asked is whether or not a novice needs a top-of-the-line guitar.
Each aspiring guitar player fantasizes about playing a classic Martin D28. Having said that, if the guitarist is a novice simply starting out I don’t propose spending any more than $500. It is an excellent strategy to first ascertain if the interest continues and the expertise is present before investing a large sum of money on a guitar like those played by the legends. All of the guitars detailed beneath are lower priced acoustic guitars. All however, present good value for their respective cost. You will be able to discover substantially discounted prices at The Best Guitar Shop at http://www.best-guitar-shop.com

1. Seagull S6 Acoustic Guitar

These Canadian-made guitars are terrific guitars - really highly regarded, both for their beautiful sound, and their superb value. The Seagull S6 acoustic guitar features a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. Although the cost may be slightly above what most may possibly be prepared to end up paying for a first guitar, it should be considered an investment.

2. Yamaha FG700S
Probably not in the same league as the Seagull, the FG700S remains a solid newbie instrument, and for the selling price (considerably less costly than the S6), it's a great value. The Yamaha FG700s features a solid sitka spruce top, with nato back and sides.

3. Takamine G-340
This beginner model Takamine guitar features a laminated spruce top. Although it clearly isn't on par with some of the higher end Takamine guitars, the general consensus is the G-340 offers a very good bang for the buck.

4. Fender CD-140S
This lower cost Fender acoustic offers a solid spruce top, with laminated mahogany back and sides. Less expensive Fender products have a tendency to be occasionally guilty of lackluster workmanship, but, considering the solid spruce top, this guitar could be desirable to newbies.

5. Epiphone DR-100
The DR-100 comes with a spruce top, with mahogany back and sides. This guitar can normally be seen at a rather inexpensive price, which can make it attractive to beginners. Many look at this strictly a newbie instrument; nevertheless, it may not be long before you'll need to trade up.

6. Fender CD-60
Desire features you'd anticipate in a significantly more costly instrument? The CD-60 is your guitar, with features including a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, die-cast tuners.

7. Ibanez AC30NT
The Ibanez AC30NT is another well-constructed instrument with solid Engelmann spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This mix creates a warm, bottom-end tone with bright highs.

8. Taylor Baby Taylor
The Taylor Baby Taylor is a 3/4 size dreadnought guitar, making it a great option for more youthful guitarists with smaller hands. Taylor has a reputation for becoming one of America's greatest guitar producers, and although they've cut a few corners here to meet a low-price point, the Taylor Baby Taylor acoustic guitar is still a solid instrument.

9. Martin LX1
One of the most highly esteemed guitar manufacturers has offered this 3/4 size guitar, designed for guitarists with modest hands and small pocketbooks. The LXI features a solid sapele top, back and sides. The Martin LX1 acoustic guitar is a very good guitar for a novice

A great place to begin your search for that first guitar is The Best Guitar Shop at http://www.best-guitar-shop.com. You will find the guitars discussed above as well as hundreds of others, all at substantially reduced prices.

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Seagull S6 "The Original" Acoustic Guitar Bundle w/Gator Hardshell Case and On-Stage Guitar Stand List Price: $651.99 Sale Price: $449.00 You save: $202.99 (31%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 1 new from $449.00

Description

Seagull Guitars, made in North America, are designed by Robert Godin. Limited Lifetime warranty. High quality players guitars at affordable prices.

Winner of several awards, the S6 is perhaps the instrument that best represents the Seagull philosophy. The S6 offers entry level players the opportunity to experience the great feel and superb sound provided by a hand finished neck, solid Cedar top and genuine lacquer finish.

Features

• Gator GC-Dread Acoustic Hardshell Case Included!
• On-stage XCG-4 Guitar Stand Included!
• Neck: Silver leaf maple
• Fingerboard: Indian rosewood
• Top: Solid Cedar top

Reviews

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Yamaha FG700S Folk Acoustic Guitar Bundle with Hard Case, Instructional DVD, Picks, Strap, Strings, Pick Card, and Polishing Cloth - Natural List Price: $369.99 Sale Price: $229.99 You save: $140.00 (38%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 2 new from $229.99

Description

Bundle includes Yamaha FG700S Folk Acoustic Guitar, Hard Case, Instructional DVD, Picks, Strap, Strings, Pick Card, and Polishing Cloth. TheYamaha FG700S Steel String Acoustic Guitar with Natural Finish is an entry level acoustic guitar with deluxe features. The heritage of Yamaha guitars begins with the FG line of acoustic guitars. An outstanding entry level acoustic guitar with deluxe features including die-cast tuners, solid sitka spruce top, and a rosewood fingerboard.

Features

• Solid sitka spruce top
• Nato back and sides
• Black-and-white body and neck binding, rosewood fingerboard
• Die-cast tuners
• Natural finish

Reviews

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Takamine G Series G340 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural List Price: $359.99 Sale Price: $249.00 You save: $110.99 (31%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 8 new from $249.00

Description

G Dreadnought Mahogany A

Features

• Body Shape: Dreadnought
• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Inlays: Abalone Dots

Reviews

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Fender CD-140S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $199.99 You save: $100.00 (33%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 11 new from $199.99  2 used from $165.79

Description

New and improved for 2011. The CD-140S dreadnought offers full, resonant sound and great value, with a natural-finish solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Upgrades include a new tortoise shell pickguard and mother-of-pearl rosette design, new compensated rosewood bridge design, aged bridge pins with black dots, mother-of-pearl Fender logo headstock inlay, and smaller (3 mm) dot fingerboard inlays. Features scalloped X bracing, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, dual-action truss rod, and die-cast tuners.

Features

• Solid Spruce Top, Laminated Mahogany Back and Sides
• Scalloped X Bracing
• Rosewood Bridge with Compensated Saddle and chrome die cast tuning keys
• Additional Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Tortoise Shell Pickguard, 3mm Dot Position Inlays, MOP Rosette, MOP Inlaid Headstock Logo, Rosewood Headstock Veneer and Aged Bridge Pins

Reviews

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Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar, Natural List Price: $182.00 Sale Price: $99.00 You save: $83.00 (46%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 6 new from $99.00  7 used from $90.00

Description

The DR-100 features a Select Spruce top; Mahogany back and sides; and Rosewood fingerboard and bridge.

The DR-100 dreadnaught is Epiphone's best selling acoustic. All the basic elements you want--traditional shape Mahogany back and sides, Select Spruce top, Rosewood fingerboard and bridge make this a great entry-level instrument. Epiphone's best selling acoustic. Mahogany body with Select Spruce top. Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays. Body Tonewoods The top of the DR-100 is made from select spruce, while the back and sides are constructed from mahogany, giving the DR-100 balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection. Rosewood Fingerboard with Dot Inlays The fingerboard of the DR-100 is constructed from rosewood. The resilience of this durable wood makes the fingerboard extremely balanced and stable, and gives each chord and note clarity and bite. Angled Headstock Unlike cheaper designs, all Epiphones feature a 14-degree headstock that gives you more pressure at the nut and so you get more sustain with less tuning hang-ups caused by "string-tree" gadgets. Specs Hardware: Chrome Scale: 25.5 inches Nut width: 1.68 inches Neck: Set, Mahogany Fretboard: Rosewood Inlays: Dot Body material: Mahogany Top: Select Spruce Finishes available: Ebony, Natural, Vintage Sunburst

Features

• Mahogany body
• Select Spruce top
• 25.5 scale

Reviews

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Fender CD-60 Acoustic Guitar with Case, Natural List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $199.99 You save: $100.00 (33%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 15 new from $199.99  3 used from $169.99

Description

New and improved for 2011. The CD-60 dreadnought boasts features you’d expect on much more expensive instruments, with a spruce top and choice of natural, sunburst and black finishes. Upgrades include a new black pickguard and mother-of-pearl acrylic rosette design, new compensated bridge design, white bridge pins with black dots and smaller (3 mm) dot fingerboard inlays. Features include scalloped X bracing, black body binding, 20-fret fingerboard, dual-action truss rod and die-cast tuners. Hard-shell case included.

Features

• Laminated Spruce Top, Laminated Nato back and sides
• Scalloped X Bracing
• Roseweood Bridge with Compensated Saddle and chrome die cast tuners
• Additional Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, 3mm Dot Position Inlays, Black Pickguard, White Bridge Pins, and Crushed Acrylic Rosette

Reviews

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Taylor Guitars Big Baby Taylor, BBT, Natural Acoustic Guitar with Planet Waves/GO-DPS 16 Pick Sampler (#PW-SAMPLER), NS Capo Lite, Snark Tuner, Ultra Stand, Planet Waves Humidifier, Planet Waves Polish, Taylor Polishing Cloth and Taylor Guitars T-Shirt, Beanie & Strap

Description

The Baby Taylor's big sibling, a 15/16-scale Dreadnought with a solid Sitka spruce top and sapele-laminate back and sides, boasts a surprisingly full voice, comes with a lightweight gig bag for easy portability, and makes a trusty companion wherever you go - even if it's just to the couch. Guitar Comes Standard with Elixir® Light Gauge Strings with NANOWEB® Coating & Taylor BBT Padded Gig-Bag. Includes: Planet Waves/GO-DPS 16 Pick Sampler (#PW-SAMPLER), Ultra Stand, NS Capo Lite, Snark Tuner, Planet Waves Humidifier, Planet Waves "Shine" Spray cleaner with Taylor polishing cloth, Taylor Guitars T-Shirt, Beanie & Strap.

Features

• Big Baby Taylor 6-String 15/16 Size Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar with Sitka Spruce Top & Sapele Laminate Back & Sides, Scale Length 25 1/2"
• Body Length 19 1/2" - Body Width 15" - Body Depth 4" - Overall Length 40 ¼"
• Tropical American Mahogany Neck with Ebony Fretboard, 20 Frets with Pearloid Dot Inlays - Nut Width 1 11/16" - Lexan Headstock Overlay
• Tusq Nut & Saddle - Enclosed, Die-Cast Chrome Plated Tuning Machines
• Includes: Planet Waves/GO-DPS 16 Pick Sampler (#PW-SAMPLER), Ultra Stand, NS Capo Lite, Snark Tuner, Planet Waves Humidifier
• Guitar Comes Standard with Elixir ® Light Gauge Strings with NANOWEB® Coating & Taylor BBT Padded Gig-Bag

Reviews

A Grand Performance from Martin's Performing Artist series with live performance friendly features such as the Fishman Aura F1 system

If Martin never introduced another new guitar, their place as a gold standard in studios and on stages everywhere would remain forever assured. But for all their heritage and iconic guitars that are already practically perfect, Martin hasn’t stopped innovating or building new guitars for new niches and evolving players.

The Performing Artist series is one of the most recent manifestations of that commitment. In this case, Martin is reaching out to the sizable chunk of the contemporary acoustic market that’s plugging in and turning up—not just for performance, but also for recording at home and in the studio. The GPCPA1 Grand Performance reviewed here addresses those needs by including a Fishman Aura imaging system, as well as enhanced-playability features like a slim-taper neck. But for all its concessions to the needs of new-world singer-songwriters and pickers, the GPCPA1 is a Martin through and through and a joy to play in any situation.

A Feast for the Eyes, Nose, and Ears
The first thing you notice about the Martin GPCPA1 is that it smells as good as ambrosia on a warm summer night. It’s beautiful to look at too, with a curvaceous Grand Performance body built around East Indian rosewood back and sides, and a solid Sitka top. The “select hardwood” neck (in Martin’s nomenclature) looks like mahogany or sapele and is shaped in the Performing Artist profile, which tapers gradually down its whole length. The nut, saddle, and endpins are Tusq, which always provides a certain oomph that’s a lot like you’d expect from bone.

Ornamentation is subtle and lovely, with simple arrow-and-square fretboard inlays, a striking pearl rosette surrounded by a black-accented double ring, and triple black purfling around the top. The pickguard deviates from the trademark Martin template and evokes a vague country-western look. My favorite feature, though, might be the ebony headplate with the old-fashioned C.F. Martin block letter logo in pearl descending the center. I’ve always preferred that bold, blocky look to the more common script logo, and it looks great with the gold Martin tuners. The satin-finished, 25.4"-scale neck has a fingerstyle-friendly 1 3/4" nut. The fretboard is bound in golden-tinged ovangkol that matches the body binding, and a peek inside the soundhole reveals a hybrid scalloped X-brace.

The Fishman F1 Aura system interface is placed familiarly enough on the upper bout. But rather than a clunky plastic frame-and-plate section for the controls, there are just two low-profile knobs and an LED indicator to tell you what options you have selected. The knob closest to the top controls Volume, and the knob closest to the player is used to select Aura settings. There are nine Aura images available that you can modify using a tap and a twist of the edit knob to adjust Treble, Mid, Bass, and Compression settings. The F1 Aura also has a tuner (unlike some onboard tuners, this works with any tuning) and a really slick 3-band anti-feedback system. Conveniently stashed at the endblock, the 9-volt battery that powers the FI Aura is easy to access and—according to the manual—will last up to 54 hours with a lithium battery and up to 27 hours with a standard alkaline cell.

Sweet Acoustic or Electrified Tones
The GPCPA1 has a truly intoxicating tone. The spruce and Indian rosewood pairing produces a beautiful combination of warmth and clarity, bursting with overtones that will keep your ears ecstatic for hours. Lower tunings like C–G–D–G–B–D and DADGAD, showcased the Martin’s impressive capacity for big bass sounds without overdriving the box or sounding tubby. In standard tuning the guitar has a sweet fingerstyle tone, but when you dig in with a flatpick, it can really bark with great definition.

A lot of folks don’t completely understand the principle behind the Fishman Aura systems. First of wall, it is not a modeling system. It does not make a bad guitar sound like a great guitar, nor will it make your Martin sound like a Telecaster or a Les Paul. Fundamentally, the Aura system emulates the sound of your guitar played through a microphone instead of through a pickup system. And by using an algorithm that emulates a microphone’s interaction with the warm, breathy, woody, open presence of a real acoustic, you can get studio-level clarity that can be turned up really loud. The microphone emulations in the Martin’s F1 Aura system include some very cool specimens too: the DAP 4011, Schoeps CMC64g, Earthworks QTC 30, AKG C414-B, Neumann KM 84, Soundelux E47, GT Velo 8, Shure SM57, and a Neumann U 87.

I had the chance to gig with the GPCPA1 with my rhythm section, which happened to be in a pretty rowdy mood the night of the gig. These musicians play a lot of classic rock, R&B, funk, and blues, so they like to get loud. And the Martin had the goods to help me hang tight in the mix.

Following Martin’s directions (which you can explore via an included DVD), my first step was to set the volume as high as possible without overdriving my amp. Then I turned the Edit knob to blend between the undersaddle pickup and the Aura image (Martin recommends a 65 percent pickup balance). I chose the microphone image by pressing the Edit knob, and then turning the knob to move between images. There is a clear difference between each image, so spending a little time getting to know them before trying to pick one out for a given situation is key.

For the solo section of my show, I chose the Schoeps CMC64g condenser microphone image, which gave me a awesome mix of dark, rich, and brilliant overtones when I plugged into my very transparent L.R. Baggs Core 1 amp. But while the Schoeps tone was beautifully balanced, I decided to tweak it further by dialing the bass back a touch and kicking the presence up just a hair, which made the already warm image that much more enveloping.

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Gary and Jack from Guitar Showcase in San Jose talk about things to look for in acoustic guitars. And briefly discuss the investment potential of vintage guitars

Guild F-47R
The Specs:Grand orchestra body. Solid Adirondack spruce top. Solid Indian rosewood back and sides. Dovetail neck joint. Three-piece mahogany and walnut neck. Indian rosewood fretboard and bridge. Scalloped Adirondack spruce X-bracing. 25.5-inch scale. 111/16-inch nut width. 21/8-inch string spacing at saddle. Bone nut and saddle. Gotoh tuners. High-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish. D’Addario EXP17 coated phosphor-bronze strings. Made in USA.

THOUGH GUILD GUITARS is not yet 60 years old, it is without question one of the great American guitar makers. High quality, relative affordability, and associations with iconic players such as Richie Havens and Paul Simon helped propel the company’s quick rise to prominence in the ’50s and ’60s. And in the years since, Guilds became faithful companions to John Renbourn, Nick Drake, and contemporary players like Ryan Adams.

There’s always been something a little special and unique about the look, feel, and sound of a Guild. And though the company that Al Dronge founded with the help of some former Epiphone employees in New York in 1952 has passed though the hands of several owners (since 1995, it’s been a division of Fender) and called six factories home (the latest is shared with Ovation and Hamer in New Hartford, Connecticut) the distinctions and intangibles that make a Guild guitar unique remain. They are certainly in evidence in the F-47R we received for review—a rosewood-and-spruce grand orchestra that has appeared sporadically in the company’s catalog since the early ’60s. It’s a handsome, sweet-playing specimen that’s more than worthy of the Guild legend.

Stylish and Well-Built
The styling of Guild’s fancier models, like the F-50, F-412, and F-47, always seemed to owe something to Guild’s history as a jazz archtop manufacturer and even the electric guitars of the day. It’s part of what has made these guitars stand out from the pack and is most evident in the pearl block inlay on the bound rosewood neck and the trademark Guild headstock—complete with Chesterfield inlay—the very picture of subdued art deco cool.

The pretty Adirondack spruce top has a sunny blond hue that takes on a warm, luxurious glow through the nitrocellulose finish. The Indian rosewood back and sides are beautiful pieces of wood, too, with grain that’s rich and deep, revealing chocolate and reddish shades under sunlight.

Guilds have generally been revered for their sturdy build quality. Here again, the F-47R is worthy of the legend. From headstock to endpin the construction is virtually flawless. The fretwork is immaculate, as is the binding on the neck and around the body, which contributes to the guitar’s upscale appearance without upsetting the tasteful and understated overall look.

Buttery and Robust TonesOver the several weeks I spent with the F-47R, I was repeatedly pleased with its versatility, much of which is attributable to how comfortable and familiar it feels. The C-shaped neck is substantial without feeling too big. It has some of the tactile feedback of a good vintage neck—solid and sturdy but conducive to moving around the fretboard as fast or as lazily as you need to.

It’s the kind of comfort that puts you at ease in any playing situation. The guitar seems to invite a try at tunes like Led Zeppelin’s “White Summer” or Pete Townshend’s acoustic-driven songs from Tommy—workouts that require a combination of heavily strummed power chords, gentler flatpicked arpeggio sections and legato runs, and even more delicate fingerpicking movements. In these settings, the comfortable neck shape and easy action make it all feel as natural as a first-position E chord.

The guitar is especially impressive in pedal-to-the-metal strumming situations, where the rosewood-and-spruce body kicks out remarkable volume without any appreciable compression or blurring of overtones. And while the F-47R isn’t exactly petite, with a 16-inch body width at the lower bout, it demonstrates projection more akin to a dread or jumbo, with a nice balance between bass and treble tones. That recipe also works in jazzier settings—where complex chords sound harmonically even and silky smooth—and exceptionally well for flatpicked BB King–style pentatonic blues melodies.

On the whole, the guitar’s tone tends toward the midrange. If the available sonic pallette has any deficiency, it’s a slight lack of bite and sustain in the trebles. While this is an issue that could correct itself as the spruce top seasons, it is somewhat surprising given the overall guitar’s balance and robust voice. It also makes it a little harder to imagine the guitar as an ideal fit for a pure fingerstylist.

A Timeless Flattop
The F-47R is a stylish, timeless-looking guitar that can wear a lot of hats. It would look and sound particularly great under the fingers of a rootsy songsmith or rock strummer. The consistency in quality in both the New Hartford–built D-40 (see the October 2009 review) and this F-47R suggests that Guild is on the right track in its new Connecticut home. And given the versatility, playability, and musical qualities of this guitar, Guild will likely be breeding yet another generation of dedicated players in the years to come.

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Buying a guitar can be an intimidating process, especially if you've never purchased one before. There are so many factors to consider, and so many guitars available, novices will surely feel overwhelmed. Fear not - help is available

What makes one guitar different from another? Is a guitar that costs $3,000 better than one that is $500 or $100? Of course it is, but a more basic question to be asked it whether a beginner needs a top-of-the-line guitar.

Every aspiring guitar player fantisizes about playing a classic Martin D28.  However, if the guitarist is a beginner just starting out I don’t recommend spending any more that $500. It is a good idea to first determine if the interest continues and the talent is present before spending a large sum of money on a guitar like those played by the legends. All of the guitars listed below are lower priced acoustic guitars all offer great value for their respective price tags. You will be able to find discounted prices at The Best Guitar Shop at http://www.best-guitar-shop.com

1. Seagull S6

These Canadian-made instruments are terrific guitars - very highly regarded, both for their beautiful sound, and their excellent value. The S6 features a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. Although the price may be slightly above what some might be willing to pay for a first guitar, it should be considered an investment.

 2. Yamaha FG700S

Perhaps not in the same league as the Seagull, the FG700S is still a solid beginner instrument, and for the price (significantly cheaper than the S6), it's a good value. Guitar features a solid sitka spruce top, with nato back and sides.

3. Takamine G-340

This beginner model Takamine guitar features a laminated spruce top. Although it clearly isn't on par with some of the higher end Takamine guitars, the general consensus is the G-340 offers a pretty good bang for the buck.

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Takamine G Series G340SC Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural List Price: $459.99 Sale Price: $227.95 You save: $232.04 (50%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 18 new from Too low to display

Description

Designed and built under the supervision of Takamine’s head luthiers, G-Series guitars are created to serve all players from the hobbyist to professional. The G340C dreadnought features a spruce top for extended dynamic range and a rich harmonic content. Mahogany back and sides enhance resonance. Gloss finish adds durability and enduring beauty.

Features

• One of the few acoustic cutaways on the market today
• Solid spruce top adds increased resonance and tone
• Dreadnought body size delivers a strong low end with plenty of volume
• Cutaway body design adds easy playability up to the highest fret
• Color: Natural

Reviews

4. Fender CD-140S

This lower cost Fender acoustic boasts a solid spruce top, with laminated mahogany back and sides. Cheaper Fender products tend to be occasionally guilty of lackluster workmanship, but, considering the solid spruce top, this guitar could be attractive to newbies.

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Fender CD-140S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $199.99 You save: $100.00 (33%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 1 new from $199.99

Description

Quality and value in a great dreadnought guitar is what the CD-140 S is all about, with a Fender- designed dreadnought body, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, gloss-finish body, satin-finish neck and die-cast tuners.

Features

• Solid Spruce Top, Laminated Mahogany Back and Sides
• Scalloped X Bracing
• Rosewood Bridge with Compensated Saddle and chrome die cast tuning keys
• Additional Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Tortoise Shell Pickguard, Scalloped X Bracing, Dot Position Inlays, Compensated Urea Saddle, Gold Silkscreen Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole and Body Edge
• Additional Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Tortoise Shell Pickguard, Scalloped X Bracing, Dot Position Inlays,
• Compensated Urea Saddle, Gold Silkscreen Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole and Body Edge
• Gold Silkscreen Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole and Body Edge
• Dot Position Inlays, Compensated Urea Saddle

Reviews

5. Epiphone DR-100

The DR-100 features a spruce top, with mahogany back and sides. This guitar can usually be found at a rather cheap price, which makes it attractive to beginners. Most consider this a strictly beginner instrument, however, so it may not be long before you'll want to trade up.

6. Fender CD-60

Want features you'd expect in a much more expensive instrument? The CD-60 is your guitar, with features including a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, die-cast tuners.

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Fender CD-60 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Sunburst List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $199.99 You save: $100.00 (33%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 4 new from $199.99  1 used from $169.99

Description

Want features you’d expect in a much more expensive instrument? The CD-60 is your guitar, with features including a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, die-cast tuners and an included hard-shell case. Available in Black, Natural and Sunburst. Specifications Body Body Back: Laminated Nato Back Body Sides: Laminated Nato Sides Body Top: Laminated Spruce Top Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane Finish Bracing: Scalloped X Bracing Rosette: Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole Rosette Body Depth: 3.94" (100mm) to 4.92" (125mm) Body Width Upper Bout: 2.25" (57 mm) Body Binding: Black Body Binding Neck Number of Frets: 20 Position Inlays: White Dot Position Inlays Fingerboard: Sonokeling Fretboard: Sonokeling Neck Material: Nato Nut Width: 1.69” (43 mm) Scale Length: 25.3" (64.3 cm) Truss Rods: Dual Action Truss Rod Hardware Hardware Finish: Chrome Bridge: Sonokeling with Compensated Saddle Bridge Pins: Black Bridge Pins w/ White Dots Tuning Machines: Die-Cast Tuners String Nut: Synthetic Bone Miscellaneous Strings: Fender® Dura-Tone® Coated 80/20 Bronze (.012-.052 Gauge) Unique Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Black Pickguard, Scalloped X Bracing, Dot Position Inlays, Compensated Urea Saddle, Gold Silkscreened Fender Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole Rosette, Black Body and Neck Binding, Black Bridge and End-pins Accessories Case Gig Bags: Hard Case Included (USA and Canada Only) Pickguard: 1-Ply Flat Black

Features

• Laminated Spruce Top, Laminated Nato back and sides
• Scalloped X Bracing
• Sonokeling Bridge with Compensated Saddle and chrome die cast tuners
• Additional Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Black Pickguard, Scalloped X Bracing, Dot Position Inlays, Compensated Urea Saddle, Gold Silkscreened Fender Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole Rosette, Black Body and Neck Binding, Black Bridge and End-pins

Reviews

7. Ibanez AC30NT

The Ibanez AC30NT is another well-constructed instrument with solid Engelmann spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This combination creates a warm, bottom-end tone with bright highs.

• Details
• Description
• Features
• Reviews

Ibanez AC30NT Acoustic Concert Size Guitar List Price: $342.84

Description

If you've played or even just listened to many acoustic guitars, you know the amazing difference a solid top makes. The Ibanez AC30NT ARTWOOD SERIES Acoustic Guitar features a solid top made of high quality Engelmann spruce. You'll hear warm lows and ringing highs in crisp detail, the way an acoustic is supposed to sound. The grand concert body style is particularly well suited for fingerpicking, but sounds great in any style. Mahogany back and sides, maple body and neck binding, and gold die-cast tuners with brown pearloid knobs are features you normally find on guitars costing far more. If you've been holding back on an acoustic guitar purchase because you haven't found the right features at the right price, your wait is over.

Features

• Acoustic Concert Size Guitar

Reviews

8. Taylor Baby Taylor

This is a 3/4 size dreadnought guitar, making it a good choice for younger guitarists with smaller hands. Taylor has a reputation for being one of America's greatest guitar makers, and although they've cut a few corners here to meet a low-price point, this is still a solid instrument.

9. Martin LX1

One of the most highly esteemed guitar makers has provided this 3/4 size guitar, designed for guitarists with small hands and small pocketbooks. The LXI features a solid sapele top, back and sides.

What is the soundboard?
The soundboard is the top of an acoustic guitar, and plays the most critical role in determining the overall tone and projection qualities of the instrument. Though there are many available materials suited to satisfy the structural requirements of a soundboard, none have been found to match the acoustic properties of wood.

How soundboards are built
Traditionally, soundboards have been made from high-quality, quarter-sawn spruce planks that have been carefully seasoned to remove moisture and ensure structural stability. Higher quality instruments use two 'book-matched' pieces of wood, butted together to avoid warping caused by differential shrinking.

On the back of soundboards is a pattern of struts and braces that provide stability to the soundboard, while allowing it to vibrate as uniformly as possible. The choice of wood used for these struts and braces is much less critical than it is for the soundboard. However, the bracing pattern can have a significant impact on the sound of the instrument. Guitar makers have tried many different bracing patterns in attempts to add distinctive tonal qualities to their instruments. In addition to bracing patterns, hardwood plates designed to add support to the bridge and soundhole areas are also commonly attached to the underside of soundboards. Though the acoustic impact of these plates are minor compared to the bracing patterns, their size, shape and wood type can also affect the tone of the guitar.

Best woods for soundboards
Spruce has historically been the wood of choice for acoustic flat-top guitar soundboards. However, Luthiers and other large guitar manufacturers very often choose more economical and readily available woods rather than top-quality spruce. Redwoods and cedar, for instance, are often used in soundboards by American guitar-makers to great effect. In some cases, two different woods are used together to give the guitar a distinctive appearance and tone.

The following is a summary of woods commonly used in soundboards, and the characteristics of each:
• Spruce: Crisp high end. Big bottom-end. Lots of volume.
• Cedar/Redwood: Brilliant, "bell-like" tone.
• Mahogany: Warm, sweet tone. Tends to make quieter guitars. Generally used in less expensive instruments.
• Koa: Soft, warm, sweet tone. Strong midrange.

Soundboards in cheap guitars
In low-end instruments laminated or plywood soundboards are often used. Although these materials often impart great strength and stability to the instrument, via layers of perpendicular grains, they do not vibrate the same way that natural wood does, generally producing an inferior tone with less amplification. Instruments with laminated or plywood soundboards should be avoided if possible.

In celebration of his dedication to the instrument, and his achievements in his field, Gibson Acoustic presents the Brad Paisley J-45 Model, a custom-appointed acoustic guitar from the luthiers of Bozeman, Montana. Constructed in the image of the beloved J-45 “round-shouldered” dreadnought with Paisley’s own preferences for a prized solid Adirondack Red Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and one-piece custom mahogany neck with “modified V” profile and 24 3/4”-scale rosewood fingerboard, it’s a sultry instrument on par with the best pre-War Gibson flat-tops, yet equipped as a top-flight performance machine for today’s professional.

Details such as original 1942-spec scalloped red spruce & hide glue X-bracing, a Fishman Ellipse Aura pickup and preamp system and a bone nut and saddle all work to ensure rich, resonant tones, either unplugged or fully amplified, while a hand-sprayed nitrocellulose a bright Cherry Sunburst finish, multi-ply top binding, double-ring rosette, tortoiseshell pickguard with paisley engraving, mother-of-pearl dot inlays with MoP paisleys at the 12th fret, and “Brad Paisley” signature engraved truss-rod cover all declare that this is a rare and exclusive instrument. Only 300 Brad Paisley Model guitars are being produced by Gibson Acoustic, and each one comes with a formfitting hardshell case with plush blue lining, an owner’s manual, Gibson’s Gold Warranty, label personally signed by Brad Paisley, and a Certificate of Authenticity.
This big-bodied, round-shouldered dreadnought is built in the image of the legendary 1942 J-45 Legend Model, from the classic tonewood combination of solid Adirondack Red Spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides. Its top is supported by original 1942-spec red spruce scalloped X-bracing bonded by hide glue, a structure and design known for its superior strength and resonance. To top it off, a hand-sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer custom early 1960’s style Cherry Sunburst finish, elegant multi-ply top binding and single-ply back binding, and a tortoiseshell pickguard with paisley engraving ensure the Brad Paisley Model looks just as sublime as it sounds.

The guitar’s neck and headstock are custom made much in the tradition of the original J-45, with the 24 3/4” scale length as featured on several classic Gibson flat-tops. Carved from a single piece of quarter-sawn mahogany to Brad Paisley’s preferred “modified V” profile, and topped with a rosewood fingerboard, the design incorporates Gibson’s lauded 17-degree back-angled headstock, which contributes greatly to the instrument’s resonance and sustain, and the narrower dimensions of 1.625” at the nut, as specified by Paisley himself. The headstock is adorned with the pre-War “Gibson” logo with the “banner” emblem across the center of its face. The Brad Paisley Model carries an up-market hardware set, including custom hand-made vintage-style nickel tuners with cream buttons, and belly-up rosewood bridge with traditional bridge pins and bone saddle. MSRP $5,158 USD

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These new models combine Martin's legendary tone and styling, while adding player comfort and on-stage performance capability. The DCPA1, OMCPA1 and the modern Grand Performance GPCPA1 all share the same aesthetic blend of contemporary and traditional features. Additionally, all Performing Artist Series guitars are equipped with Fishman's newly designed onboard sound reinforcement system, the F1 Aura®.

"A good percentage of the market wants to plug in their acoustic guitars, either for performance, studio or home recording," said Chris Martin IV, Chairman and CEO Martin Guitar. "As musical trends evolve, we will remain committed to providing the finest acoustic guitars available in both acoustic and acoustic/electric configuration."

Each model in the Performing Artist Series offers its own distinctive acoustic and plugged-in sound for the discerning player. The DCPA1 offers the powerful and resonant Martin Dreadnought tone. The OMCPA1 is well balanced, offering warm bass response with crisp clear trebles. The new GPCPA1 shares characteristics from the big rich sound of the Dreadnought and the clarity of the Orchestra model and combines them into a new sonic signature all of its own. All three guitars share the same well-known Martin construction including solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, a solid Sitka spruce soundboard with hybrid scalloped bracing, a genuine ebony headplate, fingerboard and bridge, and a patented mortise and tenon neck joint.

The Performing Artist Series features many firsts for the company, including a more parallel neck profile with a slimmer taper at the 12th fret, giving the guitar comfortable width in the first few frets plus a faster feel for lead-work as you move up the neck. The new smaller bridge design reduces mass and increases the soundboard's tonal response.

Striking new aesthetic features include a pearl Martin block-style logo inlaid into the ebony headplate. New fingerboard inlays use traditional squares in colorful blue paua, flanked by arrow designs adding to the guitar's sleek modern style. A newly-designed two ring rosette borders the soundhole with a stunning combination of blue paua and wood fiber inlays. Finely polished gloss lacquer highlights the body's beauty, while a durable satin finish on the guitar's neck adds to the quicker feel and player's comfort.

The new Fishman® F1 Aura® features the stunning realism of award-winning Aura Acoustic Imaging technology in a distinctive and easy to use onboard preamp system. State-of-the-art features include: digital chromatic tuner, volume and blend controls, independent 3-band EQ for both pickup and image signals, compressor, phase control and an automatic anti-feedback filter with up to 3 notches. The heart of the F1 Aura is its ability to replicate the sound of nine different world-class studio microphones. Fishman engineers have carefully captured images of the sound that these high-quality microphones "hear" and allow you to blend it in with the legendary Gold+Plus under saddle pickup. The preamp design utilizes low-noise components, 32-bit internal processing and 24-bit audio conversion for an incredibly clean and quiet output.

A Limited Lifetime Warranty covers all "Performing Artist Series" models purchased from authorized Martin dealers in the U.S. and Canada. To protect your investment, each guitar includes a brown hardshell case.

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The Gibson Acoustic Keb Mo Blues Master model honors the three-time Grammy Award winner. The guitar is a flat-top acoustic made in the tradition of the great small bodied Gibson blues boxes with the added versatility of a built-in L.R. Baggs Element pick up with sound hole mounted volume control. The Keb Mo Signature model is available in a limited edition of only 300. Gibson's "L" series acoustic guitars were there at the very birth of blues played by the great blues originator Robert Johnson, among others. This inspiration follows through with the Keb Mo Blues Master. The model packs all of the tonal nuance and sweetness you could hope for in a high-end, hand-crafted acoustic guitar while vintage specs include the 12th fret neck/body joint that positions the bridge right in the body's "sweet spot" for optimum resonance. The new model is reminiscent of the best of acoustic guitars from the 20s and early 30's. Finishes include Antique Natural or Vintage Sunburst with double antiquing. The guitar has a cream top, back and fingerboard binding, herringbone trim, mother of pearl inlays and double-ring soundhole rosettes. It comes with a Gibson hardshell case, a personally signed interior label by the artist Keb Mo himself, an owner's manual and Gibson Acoustic's Gold Warranty. MSRP is $3,868 USD.

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Renowned local singer/songwriter Jim Camacho, who recently earned the New Times’ "Best Songwriter" and "Best Acoustic Performer” Awards, interpreted Orbison’s greatest hits for an intimate gathering of fans, VIP’s and key players in the industry — such as EMI Music Publishing’s Director Andres Sandoval — all wearing Orbison-signature sunglasses.

Astonishing local model Denysse Carrillo wore superb latest creation by Carolina Boulton to emulate Orbison’s legendary Pretty Woman. EMI Music Publishing Latin America provided exclusive Roy Orbison content including “Oh Pretty Woman”, “Crying” and “Blue Bayou.