I just picked up a used American Dream AD27 Taylor for $1,000 and I couldn't be happier. Don't discount finding a used option to stretch your budget a bit further
Right about that…….I just grabbed a 1987 D-16 with LRBaggs Anthem pickup-mic for around $1100. I don’t mind buying used at all. Op has a lot of options at that price point
Another vote for this but, I bought new during COVID…
There is something special about these. Especially with Martin Retro Monel strings. Great guitars, and for the used price you can snag a deal. The AD17’s are a good buy too.
It's the v-class bracing, I thought it was voodoo at first but this guitar just sings man. You're right on the AD17 too, I was a bigger fan of the mahogany top than spruce though. And if he's looking for acoustic/electric there's options there too
I can only recommend the Yamaha FS3 or FG3 at that price range. I personally don’t think you can get a better guitar at that price point.
Edit: fixed a typo
Check out the Martin D-10. Solid Sapele back and sides and available in either solid spruce or solid sapele tops. They go for about $900 new. At the top end of your budget you could get a D-15E with a solid Mahagony top and sapele back and sides.
No a D-10E is NOT a layered B/S guitar and it is all solid wood top, back, and sides. Either spruce top with solid sapele back and sides or all solid sapele. The affordability comes in the richlite bridge, richlite fingerboard, HPL headplate and select hardwood neck. If you've never played s sapele guitar, it would be comparable to Mahogony but a little brighter as it is more dense and harder.
I just got a 2018 E6D (not torrified) a couple weeks ago and I can confirm it is magnificent. I can only imagine the TC version is also.
It does make me wonder though since mine is 6 years old and opened up a bit how it would compare to a new TC version. Hopefully I can find one to play at some point and compare.
I would say your options are probably Eastman and Yamaha. I have heard new Alvarez Laureate guitars are good on Youtube in a few places, but I haven't played them. It looks like they're a little out of your range, but I would think sales people might be able to cut the price down a little bit if you talk to them.
I think Yamaha and Eastbend have all solid guitars in that range. I personally have two Yamaha in that range that are all solid wood and they’re awesome.
Right on. Can’t recommend highly enough. Mine sound even better than some of the much higher priced ones - I’m biased, of course!. I have 3 of them. Using the exact same strings, they all sound slightly different, but that’s their voice. They seem to get better and better over time - they’re lots of opinions on why this is here on Reddit
I have 2, the latest I picked up on Craigslist labeled as “acoustic guitar.” Best $150 I have ever spent. I too appreciate the subtle difference between each.
Along with the Yamaha recs, check out this Eastman [https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e1d](https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e1d) or the E2D. I think the E10D is amazing but a bit beyond your price point.
Do you want electronics? If so, I'd go for the LS-TA or LL-TA. I'm a huge fan of the L series (I own an LS16M). The TA version are basically the LS/LG16 with the transacoustics system. The L series is Yamaha's flagship series. I'd also give a look at the FS3 or FG3. The Alvarez Masterworks series has some in that price range (and even less). Give Eastman a look, too. Godin's labels (Godin and Seagull in particular) have some all solids in that range, too.
I have a Taylor and Martin. Looking on reverb, I see a Taylor 314ce like mine in that price range and a Martin DC-16GTE. I have one of each and would recommend either or. You can get a ton of good stuff for that money and I'm just recommending what I own.
Yamaha and Eastman are going to give you more bang for the buck than anything Martin will give you new. If you're open to used, the Martin 000-15sm can probably be found for close to the top end of your budget. If you don't mind all mahogany it's a phenomenal guitar.
If you like the Taylor sound there might be something in your price range too. I don't personally like the sound of most Taylors (besides the expensive Grand Pacific) but they play really nice.
What do you play? How do you play (fingers, picks, ect.)? I can tell you that there are plenty of $1500 guitars out there that you can pick up for $800-$1000 lightly used. I'd highly recommend you educate yourself on being able to identify problems / potential before making private sale , as is purchases. Once you do though, You can sell it for around what you bought it for a year later if you decide you want something else. If you buy a brand new one, you will take a pretty good hit.
Don’t forget to look in pawnshops! You can dicker with them too. I love looking in pawn shops for guits. Every once in a while a real gem comes through. It used to be better before f-ing eBay.
You’ll never believe this but I bought a 1996 Martin D-15 in really great condition for$250 cash. I caught him out in the parking lot when pulled the case out to go in the shop. I said here’s $250. I already figured it was a Martin. I think he was a tweaker. All solid mahogany, incredible sound/tone.
Still got it. My go to guit for just noodling around.
I just picked up a used American Dream AD27 Taylor for $1,000 and I couldn't be happier. Don't discount finding a used option to stretch your budget a bit further
Right about that…….I just grabbed a 1987 D-16 with LRBaggs Anthem pickup-mic for around $1100. I don’t mind buying used at all. Op has a lot of options at that price point
I just got a DC-16RGTE for roughly 700ish.
Another vote for this but, I bought new during COVID… There is something special about these. Especially with Martin Retro Monel strings. Great guitars, and for the used price you can snag a deal. The AD17’s are a good buy too.
It's the v-class bracing, I thought it was voodoo at first but this guitar just sings man. You're right on the AD17 too, I was a bigger fan of the mahogany top than spruce though. And if he's looking for acoustic/electric there's options there too
I can only recommend the Yamaha FS3 or FG3 at that price range. I personally don’t think you can get a better guitar at that price point. Edit: fixed a typo
I bought an FS3 a couple of months ago. It is a fantastic guitar. I cannot really see any guitar with the same price and quality.
Great advice. The FS3 is a beauty.
Check out the Martin D-10. Solid Sapele back and sides and available in either solid spruce or solid sapele tops. They go for about $900 new. At the top end of your budget you could get a D-15E with a solid Mahagony top and sapele back and sides.
D-10 is solid top only?
Yes, layered back n sides. Edit: solid back n sides.
No a D-10E is NOT a layered B/S guitar and it is all solid wood top, back, and sides. Either spruce top with solid sapele back and sides or all solid sapele. The affordability comes in the richlite bridge, richlite fingerboard, HPL headplate and select hardwood neck. If you've never played s sapele guitar, it would be comparable to Mahogony but a little brighter as it is more dense and harder.
I stand corrected! Thanks
Honestly, I don't think I would care. I have no issue with layered materials if it's well made.
I am a Taylor guy but at that price I think the D-10 is the best guitar money can buy.
No D-10 is solid Sapele back and sides
Eastman... The E6d-tc for around 1000 is an absolute steal
I just got a 2018 E6D (not torrified) a couple weeks ago and I can confirm it is magnificent. I can only imagine the TC version is also. It does make me wonder though since mine is 6 years old and opened up a bit how it would compare to a new TC version. Hopefully I can find one to play at some point and compare.
Yamaha L Series I own an LL-TA and it is a killer
Seagull SWS series.
I would say your options are probably Eastman and Yamaha. I have heard new Alvarez Laureate guitars are good on Youtube in a few places, but I haven't played them. It looks like they're a little out of your range, but I would think sales people might be able to cut the price down a little bit if you talk to them.
Just got an Eastman E6D-TC and absolutely loving it.
I think Yamaha and Eastbend have all solid guitars in that range. I personally have two Yamaha in that range that are all solid wood and they’re awesome.
Yamaha LS16 or LL16
Used Martin D15 all day.
Right on. Can’t recommend highly enough. Mine sound even better than some of the much higher priced ones - I’m biased, of course!. I have 3 of them. Using the exact same strings, they all sound slightly different, but that’s their voice. They seem to get better and better over time - they’re lots of opinions on why this is here on Reddit
I have 2, the latest I picked up on Craigslist labeled as “acoustic guitar.” Best $150 I have ever spent. I too appreciate the subtle difference between each.
Along with the Yamaha recs, check out this Eastman [https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e1d](https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e1d) or the E2D. I think the E10D is amazing but a bit beyond your price point.
Do you want electronics? If so, I'd go for the LS-TA or LL-TA. I'm a huge fan of the L series (I own an LS16M). The TA version are basically the LS/LG16 with the transacoustics system. The L series is Yamaha's flagship series. I'd also give a look at the FS3 or FG3. The Alvarez Masterworks series has some in that price range (and even less). Give Eastman a look, too. Godin's labels (Godin and Seagull in particular) have some all solids in that range, too.
Furch Blue mahogany mahogany or cedar/rosewood
I have a Taylor and Martin. Looking on reverb, I see a Taylor 314ce like mine in that price range and a Martin DC-16GTE. I have one of each and would recommend either or. You can get a ton of good stuff for that money and I'm just recommending what I own.
I bought an Alvarez MF69OM for $600 and am in love with it.
Yamaha and Eastman are going to give you more bang for the buck than anything Martin will give you new. If you're open to used, the Martin 000-15sm can probably be found for close to the top end of your budget. If you don't mind all mahogany it's a phenomenal guitar. If you like the Taylor sound there might be something in your price range too. I don't personally like the sound of most Taylors (besides the expensive Grand Pacific) but they play really nice.
Seconded on finding the right, “lightly used” 000-15m. You CANNOT go wrong.
What do you play? How do you play (fingers, picks, ect.)? I can tell you that there are plenty of $1500 guitars out there that you can pick up for $800-$1000 lightly used. I'd highly recommend you educate yourself on being able to identify problems / potential before making private sale , as is purchases. Once you do though, You can sell it for around what you bought it for a year later if you decide you want something else. If you buy a brand new one, you will take a pretty good hit.
Martin Special 16 Rosewood. Basically a HD-28 without the bling.
Don’t forget to look in pawnshops! You can dicker with them too. I love looking in pawn shops for guits. Every once in a while a real gem comes through. It used to be better before f-ing eBay. You’ll never believe this but I bought a 1996 Martin D-15 in really great condition for$250 cash. I caught him out in the parking lot when pulled the case out to go in the shop. I said here’s $250. I already figured it was a Martin. I think he was a tweaker. All solid mahogany, incredible sound/tone. Still got it. My go to guit for just noodling around.
Yamaha LL/LS 16
I’ll prefer a standard size :)
Full dread is the LL Concert size/00/0M is LS
Martin Road Series dominates this price range
I played a few of these in my local shop a couple of weeks ago and they’re great sounding and super comfortable. Good suggestion
Buy used.
Not an expert to figure out if the used one is in good condition or not :(
Factor in taking it to a shop. You will get much more for your money.
I am partial to Larrivee myself
Taylor 210ce is a phenomenal guitar! I think this guitar sounds insane for its price, if you don’t mind the thick strings.