Hi guys, I've played guitar for more than a decade now and I've been using cheapo acoustic guitar all these while. The most expensive acoustic guitar I own was rm400. I've finally decided to buy a decent acoustic guitar for myself. But I have no idea which to choose. My budget is below rm3000.

Ok, I know this is what I want

1. Grand auditorium
2. preferably solid top, if not full solid.
3. With pickup
4. Standard size, no baby or travel size

My list of choices would be

1. Martin 000x1AE - solid top, laminated mahogany side and back - rm2999
2. Taylor 114ce - laminated top, side and back (if not mistaken) - around rm3000

Or I'll go for not so famous brands but full solid

3. Farida R-52e - solid spruce top, solid mahogany side and back - the non electric version is priced at rm2080 so I assume the electric version would be around rm2800
4. L.luthier - solid spruce top, solid mahogany side and back - rm2800

My question is, is brand really that important? Should I go for a branded entry level or a not so branded but with high specs...
Any suggestion would be much appreciated. Thanks

Go for Taylor, I have GsMini its pretty small, but gotta say I'm satisfied,,

Yamaha is not in the list ?

Don't u think that the Taylor 114ce a bit over price for its non solid specs?

I never try Yamaha high end acoustic b4. Only tried those cheapo ones and I don't really like it. What Yamaha model do u suggest? I can google it out.

check out yamaha first

those are all good. ultimately only you can make the decision. martin, taylor, yamaha, blueridge, all good sounding guitar and high quality

TS, its better for you to just go to the shop and test stuff out first. U might actually even end up with a more affordable no-name guitar that sounds and feels great. Even if the guitar you like playing turns out to be above ur price range, thats knowledge under your belt - you can learn what it is about the guitar that is nice for you, and try find similar specs in other builds. Go experiment!

Thanks guys. Yea, will do... I'll go test it out this weekend. Btw, another question. Is brand a factor for u guy? My friend adviced me to go for brands such as Martin or Taylor coz they r more reliable and they r within my price range. It'll be valuable if I keep it long. Who knows, I might wanna sell it in the future. What I guys think?

for me , brand is a factor.....

Hmm.. So u'll go for Martin or Taylor in this case?

any well known brand

yamaha made in japan, excellent. it's your choice. they all sound different

just don't buy a brand which no one has heard of , ya know what i mean

True that... Any specific Yamaha model? Can't find much spec info from their website.

yamaha APX1200 or YAMAHA AC3R for example

or check out www.blueridge.com.my for their "historic" series

all so different. blueridge has that nashville sound, yamaha has that sparkling brightness. just prepare your money, go to a shop with most guitar selection and buy the one that makes your heart melt

Thank.. Never heard of blueridge. I'll check em out..

Try considering Breedlove.
Between the two I'd go for Taylor. However the price is really steep for its spec.
I've tried some really amazing Farida guitars thatll beat the 114ce

between ur 1st 2 choices...
i'll choose martin...tho its still over-priced.
but not as grossly over-priced as the taylor.

Really? Do u know the model?

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Added on July 11, 2012, 2:44 pmDo u mean over price for only a solid top? For l.luthier, I can get solid top for only rm1090.

This post has been edited by hey_there: Jul 11 2012, 02:44 PM

cant remember the model
gotta try it out yourself

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Added on July 11, 2012, 2:51 pmits better u try it out yourself. Guitars vary from each other. with China made products, QA might vary even more.


This post has been edited by echobrainproject: Jul 11 2012, 02:51 PM

Yeah, will do. Will make up my mind once I try them. Thanks merlvyn....

Go to bentley shop, try every acoustic there,, they wont bother u either,, u can try taylor, fender, martin, some Malaysian made guitar (my opinion the guitar is nice),, but they dont have yamaha

Oh, they have Martin? I thought I saw Martin in guitar collection.. Guess I'll have to shop around...

Sorry, not sure about martin though,, I think they have Ibanez,,

What about epiphone j200,, looks like gibson sj200,, My friend got it and the design for me is pretty,,

Considered a Maton?

Uh Taylor guitars do not use laminated tops. They're all solid tops as far as I can remember. The 114ce should have a solid spruce top with laminated sides.

If you want that extra bass in your strumming, then Martins are the way to go.
Taylors are traditionally known for their bright, fingerpicked sound.

That being said, I own an OM-1 (Solid top, solid sapele sides/back) and my god the mids are crazy clear. Absolutely a match for the Taylors.
I got it for around RM2000 brand new on eBay. Best deal I've done in my life.

thats super cheap bro, very good deal

and to ts, if u don't mind a slightly lower resale value , u can try MATON or FARIDA. These both are good acoustic brand as well just that its not really popular in Malaysia and many ppl dunno bout these brand. I tried Farida D62E before. One of the best acoustic i ever tested compared to Taylor 214CE. I tested only these 2 high end guitar myself and i loves the neck feel on the FARIDA and the warm tone rather than Taylor bright tone (could be string differences), if u r worried bout resale value then u better get TAYLOR

This post has been edited by intel_centrino: Jul 11 2012, 11:44 PM

I've heard rave reviews for Farida guitars, but i'm still not buying them xP

Matons are crazy good guitars, too bad they're damn expensive, even in Australia. I stay less than 20km from their factory but their prices are still hiked up to match the Martins and Taylors.
I REALLY REALLY like the Maton EM325C, but it's too expensive for its specs IMO.

MATONs are not really well known in Malaysia, ppl scare to buy MATONs here. In Malaysia, preferable brand are more towards Taylor. Many church players that i know said TAYLOR is the best, They never heard of MARTIN also. Even in forum, 2nd Taylor is easier for sales due to the famous brand.

Where Can I get maton in Malaysia? Never heard of them. Oh so Taylor is bright sounding and Martin is more bassy? I'm looking for bright tone actually.

But looking at it again, I think Taylor is way too expensive. Coz Martin's price is only rm2999 (retail) solid top and 114ce is rm3300 (discounted) solid top also.

Brand wise, I like Martin more than Taylor.

I've narrow down my choice to Martin 000x1ae and l.luthier bayou. I'll check out farida and Yamaha as well.

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Added on July 12, 2012, 1:58 amSince u own a full solid guitar, do u mind telling me the difference in solid top and full solid guitars? Are there any big differences? Thanks

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Added on July 12, 2012, 2:03 amSorry guys, one more question. Which part of the guitar determine the tone of a guitar? Top or back and sides? I notice most guitars uses spruce top but various side n back. The well known ones are mahogany, rosewood, sapele, and maple. Anyone knows the tone of those woods?

This post has been edited by hey_there: Jul 12 2012, 02:03 AM

basically, the whole part of the guitar determine the tone for it. Normally ppl will said Mahogany sounds warm, Maple sounds bright

didnt know bentley carries martin.
also, taylor is solid top

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Added on July 12, 2012, 11:15 amJee, search Taylor. I remmber they had a very comprehensive pdf file that compares all the body shapes and explains quite well. Also comparison for wood type (for each part) and how it affects tone. Sure its generic but enough for you to compare pro and cons of body shapes and wood used if diff places. applicable for any guitar.

am at work so cant access my home computer for that file.

This post has been edited by echobrainproject: Jul 12 2012, 11:15 AM

Thanks will do

Feel free to try out Cort guitars too,
tested one AS-M4 that day, damn they
are underrated

Hi OP, if you are curious about woods, this article might be useful...

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Feat...wood-0401-2011/

I just noticed that the Martin 000x1ae uses richlite for fretboard. Hmm....it's not wood.

I cant really tell you the exact difference as I only own one full solid top guitar in my Martin and my other solid top is a Cort so it's not really fair to compare.
But I'll tell you the difference my two guitars have.

My Martin like I've mentioned before is bright and has very sweet mids. Before playing an OM sized guitar I never really knew why fingerpickers preferred OM bodies, but now that I have, it's clear to see (or hear) why. The mids and highs are just not as muddled as dreadnoughts. As an example, I've a friend with a Martin DCX1E dreadnought. While it's a great guitar to strum, even he agrees that for fingerpicking my guitar wins.

My Cort doesnt have such clear mids and highs, but it has that extra bass that I always enjoy after playing on my Martin for a long time. I wont be getting rid of my Cort anytime soon though, it's my first guitar and will always have a place in my heart xD

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Added on July 14, 2012, 6:20 amDont worry too much about that, it still sounds great. Unless you're a die hard wood-or-nothing person

This post has been edited by joyyy: Jul 14 2012, 06:20 AM

Thanks for sharing. Guess I have to go test it out.

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Added on July 15, 2012, 11:06 pmI just came back from Bentley and guitar collection

I tried the Mexico made Taylor 210ce priced at rm4100. Feel wise, it's nice and comfy. The guitar sounded very sharp and nothing impressive. The sound is not much different with rm700 guitars I've tried.

So I went on to try the US made 416ce priced rm7890. It sound much like an expensive guitar. I can hear the mid and bass clearly. Kinda like it.

Then I go to guitar collection, try out a US made Martin om-1 priced rm4600. The sales person said it is a full solid. And it's much warmer compare to 416. Both with their own unique sound.

I prefer the om-1 due to its warm and natural sound. Not too bright and 'twank' sounding. The pickup version is priced at rm5580 which is rm2300 difference compare to Taylor 416ce.

This post has been edited by hey_there: Jul 16 2012, 09:02 PM

good research, it shows that u really know what u wan already, to me, its easy to find a bright full sounding guitar but its never easy to find a warm but not muddy sounding guitar

I agree.

Wish i can own a martin guitar i heard tat they have no competitors in US, the only competitors is their own vintage guitars

This post has been edited by eyang_sl: Jul 17 2012, 12:23 PM

id say, Taylor is a lot more high-end than martin.

anyway, strings play important role too.

so not much diff in terms of sound from either two guitars,

u shud use Elixir strings.

bro, i second ur statement that taylor is a lot more high-end than martin, they both are around the same level but taylor is more widely sponsored or used by celebrity. And there are very big diff in terms of sound from that both guitar. I've been hearing bad review from a lot of ppl regarding the tone sucXing from the elixir...heheehe

I agree. Martin is more well known in the states and they r longer in history. U can only see newer artist uses taylor. Elvis Prestley been using Martin. If u try both Taylor and Martin b4, u can see the difference very obvious.

Erm, fact is they're both high end guitar manufacturers. They both have their own players. Take for example Martin, John Mayer almost exclusively uses Martin for his acoustics, so much so that Martin even made a limited edition guitar in his name.
I can go on and on about which artist uses what but there's no point.
Elixir strings are great, but I find that their coating muddles up the tone on certain guitars.
My Martin loves uncoated strings

oh ya kaa.. I didnt know about taylor used lot by celeb only (well, i do know taylor swift using it )

well, if not for the sound, I'd still vote for taylor for its resell value

but strings.. hmm.. I myself never use elixir really but my frens use em and they like it.

stunned
even as a Taylor fan, u leave me stunned at that statement

This post has been edited by echobrainproject: Jul 19 2012, 09:25 AM

Same here dude. Martin fan here haha

EDIT: I meant Martin user ;P

This post has been edited by joyyy: Jul 19 2012, 10:50 AM

martin got their own coated strings too..i think it's better than elixir

Hmm.. Elixir strings that bad huh

They're not bad, they're just not suited for certain guitars I personally feel.

i feel alright with elixir strings actually in terms of tone, i can't really differentiate that some ppl said that the tone suxking strings n all. All i can feel is that the coating of the elixier is a little sticky kind of feel or maybe feel like a thick layer of coat is on the string which i find it uncomfortable to me

Yeah me too kinda not liking too much on elixir strings, for me the strings is quite thick.

My taylor that I bought come with elixir strings but I changed it later,,

or u can try the nanos, the poly feels abit thicker i think

Where can I get nanos strings? And how much?

same price..gc carrying elixir

Oh nanos is series of elixir? Ic

Yeap they have polyweb and nanoweb strings,nanos have thinner coating and can last as long as the polys

Ic.. I never try elixir b4. Coz I've been using cheapo guitars. So no need to buy expensive strings. I usually use 10 bucks strings

My god and you're upgrading to a Martin straight away. Naisss

martin for warmer sound, taylor for brighter sound... IMO only the higher end taylor sounds nice :/ those 400 series and above... personally prefer martin due to personal reason

oh btw, my elixir lasted me a year and a half.. upgraded from d'addario, never looked back since

hehe.. Like I said. Been playing for more than a decade on cheapo guitars. It's time to upgrade.

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Added on July 22, 2012, 11:52 amOwh, I don't like d'addario strings. I personally think that 10 bucks cheapo strings feel and sound better.



This post has been edited by hey_there: Jul 22 2012, 11:55 AM

Actually you can get Martin strings for a lowly RM17 around KL/PJ

i vote for yamaha and martin

try yamaha

As much as I respect Yamaha guitars, they are no Martins or Taylors.
Sure, Yamaha has very respectable entry/midrange level guitars, but when it comes to high end guitars, there's just something different to those American guitars compared to their Japanese counterparts.

This post has been edited by joyyy: Jul 22 2012, 09:32 PM

i couldn't agree more with you bro ,actually i only used a yamaha acoustic guitar,never tried others

I tried Martin strings... Not that impressive. But at least better than d'addario

I've played on Yamaha guitars before, from the F310P to the FG720S.
I really didn't like the F310P, there was something lacking in its sound, like it lacked body. Imagine a guy with a whiny voice, something like that.
The FG720S I liked A LOT. Sounded very similar to my Cort Earth 60, which also has a solid top.
The tone was much fuller, much more satisfying to strum.

I was poisoned by my friend to start learning guitar with a solid top guitar, and I shall do the same to other people now
Where possible I always tell people to get themselves a solid top guitar, that way they'll always love the sound and always have the inspiration to play

Why no one mentions Larrivee?

Larrivee is a good guitar too but no one carries it in Malaysia.

U guys are so cute . Buying guitars as though like buying car comparing specs and brands . Are u guys guitarist or just guitar collectors ? 2nd hand prices some more . Are u guys interested in tone and whethe rthe guitar fits your playing styles

If u have budget try cole Clark's . Jessylee is using them . there is a model called angel
Solid bunya wood with solid Australian black wood
Matons are very good . The guitar store have it .

USA brand
Breedlove passport series : very good as well
Gibsons .

Bot of these above are Australian guitars


Yamaha : try ll16 or lox 16 for preamp version
Solid engleman with solid maghogany

I personally have a fgx720 sca . Bright sounding guitar with solid Sitka top and NATO laminated back and sides .

Try playing a high end guitars like Maton farida Taylor's and then slowly work through your budget series to get the sound you like . Spare some for a good case and some strings and picks . If budget still got a good acoustic amp

This post has been edited by chickenriceboy: Jul 23 2012, 03:33 PM

My votes will go to either Taylor or Takamine.

takamine's EQ damn canggih and nice..expecially their cooltube pickup !!

Sure have to compare 2nd price ma. Who knows I might sell it in the future to upgrade leh? so far, I've only tried Martin and Taylor. And I like Martin. Not sure about Breedlove etc. cars are definitely going to depreciate. But good guitars might appreciate. Heheh..

if you guys are still shopping and trying out acoustics which are value for your money, do check out Seagull S6, which is the upper end of Art & Lutherie; Simon & Patrick. They have solid tops and is bangs for your bucks. A decent sounding model is less than 2K.

Seagull will blow Martin and Taylor modesl in the same price range. Check it out and let your ears be the judge! You'll be surprised!

Last but not least -
1. Guitar in a showroom always sound better than in the house
2. No point to test drive a guitar with deteriorated strings
3. No one commented on the neck comfort?
4. No one commented on the intonation of the guitar tested?

i personally feel seagull guitar a very price for its spec and tone that i've tested. so to me its not a bangs for my bucks..hahaha

based on ur opinion
1. Why izit guitar in a showroom always sound better? guitars in showroom always scratch badly i saw and its place on fully aircond area. The guitar should sound bad instead of good mah?
2. Sometimes no choice, sometimes only that particular shop have that particular model
3. Neck comfort? hard to tell over the net since its preferences
4. Intonation? normally new guitar plus its acoustic not electric..most likely the intonation are quite alright.

True that, I think intonation/action can send for settings. Unlinke electric, where we can do it ourselves. Neck feel? Of course It is important but didn't mention means its ok lor.

Btw, who carries seagull yeah? I shall give it a try.

1. Showroom guitars IN THEORY should sound better as they are regularly played. But then again if they have crappy or old strings it won't sound nice anyways.

2.
3.

4. Intonation can be adjusted by a guitar tech. Not the most important thing to consider when buying.

And yeah, I've played a Seagull S6 cedar top before. It's a very nice guitar, very mellow sounding, but once again, it doesn't come close to Martins. I'm not being biased here, I'm letting my ears do the choosing here.

guitar collection carry seagull/ simon patrick / martin / takamine / tanglewood / art lutherie /
mostly acoustic brand.

Ooh ic

Owned a Seagull S6 Cedar. I really love the mellow tone and the wide fretboard.

But the headstock is super ugly hence I sold it away LOL.

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Added on July 24, 2012, 1:43 amAlso Martins.

I don't see Simon Patrick there though. Simon Patrick can be found at SMX Times Square. Their full solid acoustic cost approx RM2.5k only.

Quite decent guitar for that price I would say.

This post has been edited by Lucidus: Jul 24 2012, 01:43 AM

actually the Action part, you really need to find one with just within your acceptable range.. I bought a Fender acoustic previously and the action quite high, but i told myself maybe the technician could fix it,

but ,

only to a certain extend, the action is still high, but is now in my acceptable range, and i change to a lighter gauge strings.. still, i prefer lower action.. haha but no regret la, i pretty much will still pick Fender cuz i'm a sucker for it. T.T

i'll vote for taylor... quite decent sound you'll get from it.. but for martin, never tried it once...

It's the setup.

String action depends on;

1. Saddle height

2. Nut height

3. Bridge height

4. Truss rod allignment

yea bro, string action depends on all but sometimes
is like u take a waja n convert to evo 7, can convert but surely something is lacking..and there is a limitation. Same goes to the action of a guitar, some ppl buy rm500 guitar and they expect the action can be modified n adjusted as low n no buzzy as a rm6k martin guitar. Just my 2cent opinion

It can be done, like how I've done to my cheapo acoustic I've bought for RM200.

The action can be adjusted with many variables, is not just on the brand/materials/workmanship.

Cheaper guitars = massly produced = lack QC

Hence more uneven frets, higher saddle n nut, etc etc.

The only drawback is even with complete setup, still have to adjust truss rod more regularly than better built guitars with better material.

so impossible u take ur rm200 guitar go n do refret? sometimes fret wire problem? if do refret n recrown...at least also rm500-rm600?

I've the taylor 114ce for normal song writing and playing at home.
if possible, look for Ayers or Taylor 300 series and above.
Brands something is too overrated.

I did not send it anywhere.

Man you say brand is something too overrated but then you ask people to go for Taylor's 300 series and above

I brought to TGS for that technician to help me reduce the action, but they say is the best they can do before the guitar hums.. so i guess there's a limit?

Hums? You mean buzz? There's a limit, and the limit depends on your playing style / how hard you pluck / strum.

ya i think he meant cannot be lowered anymore.. like the max you can lowered on a guitar?

to me, i always feel there is a limit..but some ppl i know tell me before that once setting surely can done

ya maybe he meant some decent guitar after setup can have even better feel, but some below average guitar can't do much to it gua? my one is the solid top version of fender. dunno which series dy..

if decent guitar then should not be a problem, and even if need modification of cutting woods n all, its worth it...but to those below rm1k..not worth it..the modification will cause easily 50% at least of the guitar value

haha my guitar cost 1.2k.. but i seriously think if i get the takamine same price as this , just without the plug-ins will sound better and playability is better. =P