Cheap Guitar Recomendations?

[Paul]

I lust for a hd28 but my accountant and financial advisor (wife) says it cant happen for a long time. Anything close under a grand? I want a nice spruce top and rosewood back and sides and would love a ebony fretboard with nice large frets. The closest thing I have found is the Taylor 210 it is a bit brighter than a d28. It's the closest one so far.
Thanks from the new guy!

[Stefan Jadefjord]

It is hard to find the real HD-28 tone if you´re on a budget. I have been very impressed with this brand though: http://www.furch.cz/ and these are also great if you want a good, cheap guitar: Blueridge

[Tom Voessing]

I don't know furch guitars, but I agree on "blueridge"...
Tom

[Ray Fairbanks]

I have owned a Blueridge BR-180 for several years, and agree that they are well worth the money. I have heard some great things about the Furch and Stanford guitars, but haven't come across one to play yet. I also have a Taylor 810 and love it (great for finderpicking, flatpicking and recording, or very small groups), but in a bluegrass jam it just can't overcome the Martins, etc., where the Blueridge cuts right through.

Ray

[Paul]

So the Blueridge will hold its on in a jam setting? I am specifically looking the BR60

[Ray Fairbanks]

I can't comment on the BR60 or other laminates from the line, although I've heard good things, but the solid body styles (BR-1XX) I have played all had a good loud voice - and my BR180 can definitely hold its own.

[Monty Smith]

My neighbor has a BR-160 that is great. Sounds good, feels good, and looks good. Hard for me to imagine a better guitar for the money he paid.

I've also played a few other Blueridge model in stores, and they've all been nice instruments.

[GhostPicker]

I'll second Monty's thoughts. I have a Blueridge BR-160 and a BG-160. Both are as loud as my 16 year old Martin HD 28. The BR has a Martin look/feel/sound while the BG has a Gibson look/feel/sound. While close in volume, the Martin's tone is a step above but for the difference in price, the Blueridges are an outstanding value at a fraction of the cost.

[Chitz Creek]

Get the poor mans D-28... A Martin DM. Can be found used for between $5-600. And it'll hold it's own in any contest! ;)

And if ya budget is uber tight... Try out a Yamaha FG-720, 730, 735 or 750. Lotta boom for the buck there.

[Dave Engel]

Hey Paul,

For $600-$800, you can get an Epiphone Masterbuilt Dred. I own one and it was my mainstay until I saved up and got my D-18. Now, does the Masterbuilt hold up to the D-18, no. However, it is far superior in my eyes and ears than most any music store guitar in the same price range. However all that being said, spend some time at the stores and try em out. You just may find one that grabs you and the price tag may be OK.

Dave

[Paul]

I already own a custom shop Martin, but it is a mahogany back and sides. It's a boomer and a cannon. I was just wanting a rosewood side and back to kind of offset and take to jams.

[Paul]

Thanks everyone for the posts and opinions. I just went ahead and pulled the trigger and got another Martin Custom D. I got the rosewood back and sides this time. I have owned a Custom D mahagony for about a year and it has been my main guitar. For the money, all solid woods and they are both cannons with a clear clean tone. I will still one day have my HD though.....

[Ty]

Hey Paul,

In the future you might want to do what I did....buy a used guitar.
A little while back...I bought a used TF360S BG Takamine and let me tell you
that thing is an absolute cannon! and it is really easy playin' too!
To my mind it is easily the best sounding guitar under $3000.
I got mine in excellent condition with a 'cool tube' preamp for $1000 which would have just fit
your budget.

Ty