What acoustic guitar (make and model) would you go for, and why?

If I was going to buy I new guitar with $2000, I would look at Crafter or Breedlove. I think for this price range I would stay away from Martin and Taylor. Crafter and Breedlove make better instruments at this price range. If I was going to buy a used guitar, (which I would;) I would look at some Martins that are Ten years old or older. Maybe an M-36 or a 000-28. Larivee also makes some stellar guitars and you may find a used one for considerably less than $2000. I would also look at some Taylors, also ten years or older because they seem to be better than what Martin and Taylor are making now. I think the best sounding Taylor is the 714ce, it has a Red Cedar top which I believe be sounds better than Taylors Spruce tops. Gibson would be another brand to look at. The problem with Gibson is that there are so many fakes that you may be paying cheap copy that says Gibson. The best thing to do is to not focus on the brand and only use your ear. I have a friend with an old Yamaha guitar that will stand next to any D-28 Martin and he only paid $200 for it. Most guitars can play well with a good set-up as long as the neck is not warped.

If I had $2000 to spend, I'd spend $100 on a used Yamaha, and put the other $1900 toward a car. =)

Ahh, the reality of the economic crisis...

Imagine my surprise when, in trying to determine what kind of price categories are out there for acoustics, I found it ranges from $42K to $149. I can't imagine that any guitar would be good enough to pay $42K, but Martin, Gibson, Alvarez Yairi, Taylor and Guild all have guitars in the $2K range that bear looking into. Guild acoustic guitars used to be quite nice, and I have several friends who love their pro model Gibsons. However, I think I'd look first at Martin.

There are some very expensive guitars out there. I have a custom made acoustic that I paid 10K for. It is by far the best acoustic I have ever played. I have played 30K Martins and Gibsons. You pay a lot for "vintage." It is true that a vintage sound does sound different than that of a new guitar with new wood, but come on... 250K for a pre-war Martin D-45?? Shackman's post is actually good advice, I have played many 70's Yamahas that sound better than any 2,000 martin. Good Luck!

I also know several guys who love their Washburn acoustics, and none cost more than $500. With Washburn, I think it depends on luck of the draw, and they don't seem to react well to temperature and humidity changes. I guess the truly lucky players are ones who inherited Martins and Gibsons made in the 40s and 50s from a family member.

Hahaha, I specifically meant my dad's old Yamaha acoustic that he gave to me when I was just a young'n. It probably wouldn't go for more than $200 today, but it's a fine piece of machinery for being 20 years old or so. Which is odd because I think my dad said he turned 21 last October. Must have started early I guess.

I don't care for higher end acoustics myself, but then, I don't have the experience to really know what I'm looking for. Sure, some of them have a nicer action and a smoother tone to them, but I don't think the difference is really that vast from my dad's old Yamaha or the handmade one my grandparents got me from Sebu (when they were on a cruise). But that's just me.

Washburns are very hit or miss. I would say to definitely stay away from any Washburn with the oval sound hole. They are overly bright and have no bottom end. They are however, well made and are a relatively good value. I would never buy one over the internet. If you wanted one you would need to play several and choose the best one because even guitars that are the exact same model will sound very different. I suppose this is true with most brands but I think Washburn is even worse.

Shackman is close to my view: For $2000, find a new or used Blueridge BR140 or BR160 for about $600-800 new. Then take lessons and use DR Sunbeam strings. With the saved money you can take a lot of lessons.

The Guild GAD line are good and Eastman now makes acoustics in the 700 dollar range (new). Martins and Gibsons and most Taylors are overpriced and do not have a lot of tone for the $. To get a good sounding one, you ned $1500 and more and the Taylor alone play well off the rack.

BlueRidge and Guild GAD line are a much better value and sound really fine.

Very true. As long as you play the guitars first, you can usually find a fabulous guitar from Blueridge, Carvin, Crafter, Breedlove Atlas, Seagul, Guild, Eastman, and even Dean for $1000 or less.