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!

[Making Sawdust]

Dido to what Bunky said Jon is the man.

[Sam Byerly]

Blueridge BR-160 or BR-160A is a great choice. Find a dealer and play a few. I own the BR-160A with the Adirondack spruce top. This thing kicks butt and I use it instead of my Collings D-1A for camping and other rough and tumble jam situations. The Blueridges are well built and the best value right now in a dread for a flat picking enthusiast on a budget

Sammy From Chicago

PS: I have a two year old BR-2060 Lonsesome Pine Fiddler's limited edition model on sale for $850.00 including a deluxe arch top hard shell case. Google this model and check out the specs. This one was hand picked from a line up of three and it has amazing tone! Contact me at 630-518-5375 for more information if serious about purchasing this guitar. I can also email MP3 samples of flat picking and chording this guitar for evaluation.

[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.