I posted this on another Thread, about a month ago. Hopefully it will help you, as you look into a new Acoustic guitar:
I would recommend these brands to check out:
Blueridge, Simon & Patrick, Alvarez, Larrivee (used), Yamaha, Epiphone Masterbuilt Series.
Look for a Solid Top. This is the "Sound Board", and is the most important piece of wood. A Solid Back is also nice, but definately secondary. Don't worry about the Sides. Laminated Sides can be a big plus, as they provide a stiffer support to the Top's vibrations.
When you go to check out guitars, take $20.00, some Picks, your own Strap, and your own Electronic Tuner.
When you first pick a guitar up, how does it feel? Is it comfortable? Does the Neck feel good? What is the overall "Vibe" you get from it? Any sharp Fret Ends, etc.? Does the Action feel good?
Also, very important: Is the guitar already in Tune? I find that guitars that are already in Tune after hanging in a Music Store with a lot of different people having already played them, is a great way to see if a particular Guitar will stay in Tune for me. Some Guitars just stay in Tune better. Some always seem to find a way to go "Out" of Tune.
Next, Tune the Guitar yourself. With your own Electronic Tuner. How does the Action feel now? Still feel good, up on the higher Frets? Are the Strings still close to the Fretboard, but with no Buzzing? Is the Guitar in Tune at the Open Strings, AND at the 5th. Fret? How about at the 12th. Fret? It should be VERY close at all 3 Positions. Check it with your Electronic Tuner. Your Ears can trick you.
(Sometimes an unscroupulous Store may tune a Guitar to Eb or even D, just so it plays better at the Store. When you get home and tune it to Standard Pitch, all the sudden the Guitar is Stiff and hard to play).
Try playing sitting in a good Chair or Stool. Then while standing, with your own Strap. Comfortable both ways?
Make sure all 6 Strings ring at an even volume. You don't want any Strings booming out louder than the others. And you don't want any weak sounding Strings, either.
Play up and down every Note, on every String. Listen for good, solid Notes. No weak Notes, or Buzzing.
Having a nice, even Volume and Tone from String-To-String, will help yield a Richer, more Pleasing Sound. Not too Bassy, with a weak High End? Not too Thin and Trebly, with no Bass response? Not Shrill? Not too Dark and "Woofy"? Etc.
So, Feel, Vibe, Action, Intonation, Comfort, Looks (Yep, it's also important!), and overall Fit & Finish.
Now, Tone is one of the BIG aspects. And, everyone hears things differently. But, be aware of the fact that each maker has a "Family Sound". Almost all Alvarez' will have a certain sound. There is a basic "Taylor Sound", that all Taylors share. A Martin Sound, and a Gibson Sound, etc. So, you may quickly narrow your search, when you find one maker has too Trebly a Tone. Or, maybe too Dark sounding? That type of thing.
Of course, there is a lot of variation between each and every Guitar. 6 different Epiphones of the same Model, WILL all feel and sound differently. You've got to play them all.
Spruce, Mahogany or Cedar Top? Mahogany, Rosewood, Koa, or Cherry Wood Back and Sides? There are many more options nowadays. And, you need to try a few of every type you can lay your hands on.
If you have a guitar playing Friend, take them to see your "Finalists", and have them give you their impressions of each. How does it sound to them, when they are listening from 10 Feet away? How does each sound to you from 10 Feet away, as your Friend plays each guitar?
If you find a couple of "Winners", use the $20.00 to have the Shop put new Strings of your liking onto the Guitars. See how they feel with your preferred Brand and Gauges.
Whenever you listen to Music that has a beautiful Tone to it, set your new Prize on a Guitar Stand next to your stereo speakers. Let it soak up the good Vibrations and Tones. It'll "Break-In" quicker, and sound richer.
Try to keep it in Tune as much as possible, for at least the whole first Year. Once the Guitar gets used to the Tension of being "In Tune", it will want to set-up and stay that way. So, it'll be more In-Tune over the rest of it's life.
I hope this helps.
Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30 or Custom 4 X 6v6 Head or Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats.
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner
If I keep it, it'll be forever known as the acoustic I bought the day MJ died; and I don't know if that is really cool, or really terrible...
