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!

[Larry]

Get a Silver Creek D-170. No idea how they will hold up after 20 years, but my friend owns a 20 year old HD-28 and
they sound close enough that blind folded we neither one can tell a difference. And the cost less than $400.

[John Samples]

I highly rerecomend Eastman either the AC320 or AC420B outstanding guitars in every way ,the one i am playing is the AC420B solid adirondack top,solid east indian rosewood back and sides. sounds and plays like a dream for around 850.00 or the AC320B mahogany for around 750.00.

[Edward McKenzie]

I have had a Blueridge 160A now for over a year. I have owned some wonderful guitars in my life - some Martins from from the 60's and an HD28 and an HD35 from the 80's. I have joined the Franciscan Order and no longer have those instruments - I have taken a vow of poverty - but in it's wake and void I have bought the Blueridge. But - I am convinced that it is one of the best instruments I have ever played!!! The sound just keeps getting better and better each time I pick it up! It is unbelievable! I paid $600 and got a hardshell case with the deal. It is a sweet deal! The action is so nice I only have to "coax" it a little and it plays by itself! Some of those Martins might have been better (some definitely were not!) - the the difference is negligible - in my opinion! Don't be afraid of Blueridge. Once you have it professionally set up it will outperform most guitars on the market today!

[John Samples]

I agree Blueridge makes some outstanding guitars sound wise .I have owned several 160A BR70 three of the 160A blueridges souded awesome , but rhe setup is pretty bad on most of them i noticed the string spacing is off really bad , but this can be corrected. theat is one thing about the Eastman bluegrass series the string spacing and the whole setup is on the money and the sound quality is very hard to beat and there all pretty consistent , the over all quality setup ,appearance ,sound are unmatched . but for the money either way you cant go wrong

[John Samples]

A little more attention to the setup ,especialy the string spacing and string action would make a huge differance . cant understand why they slack off when it comes to the this

[Edward McKenzie]

Mine was not too bad off the shelf. It needed some tweaking, though. I had the nut raised .012 (I think) and had a Tusk bridge, nut and ebony pins installed. I had the bridge compensated on the B string. The action is low - which is what I like - but it takes a hammering when I want it to without buzzing. I really do love mine - even though I almost "sat" on it the other day (stupid me)!

I have noticed that it particularly sensitive to low humidity and needs humidification more that other guitars I have owned in the pat.
Peace

[Edward McKenzie]

What you are saying does not "ring" true to me. I have always had fine results with Tusk. I play finger style and have tried other materials - but I think it provides a richer overtone and I like the harmonics I can get out of a guitar with it. My guitar has a great sustain and great bass. The guitar is bright and "alive" with this set up and I do not want to change what works for me. It is actually a denser material than bone by far. You may be right about all those "other" guitar players - but I am dedicated to Tusk. It works for me.