Hi,

Please Help. I'm buying as a present my boyfriends first electric acoustic guitar. He plays electric at the moment pretty seriously but has been talking about expanding. Where should I start? What brands? Is it possible to buy a decent guitar for less than $500?

Thanks!

Hi Mikala..

At the price range you noted, I would check out the Ovation Celebrity line. They are a sharp looking acoustic/electric with a rounded back and built in electronics.

Here's a couple reviews of the CC 057 model, which I think is around $300-$400 actually:

http://www.musicgearreview.com/reviews.p...rity%20CC%20057

Good luck!

Buying a guitar is a very personal choice -- kinda like buying shoes -- so rather than having you go out and buy a guitar for your boyfriend and hand it to him, I'd rather see you get him a gift certificate and allow him to go pick one out for himself. Even though quality control is pretty good nowadays, there's always the chance that you'll wind up with a dud, so it's best to let the player try it out. I know that's not as much fun as laying a guitar case with a bow on him, but he will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

If he finds a guitar that he likes, most reputable dealers will do a setup if needed (string height, neck adjustment, etc.) as part of the package. That said, I've found that the Washburn D10 Acoustic Electric series is a good value in the price range you mention. They make several models, all with a cutaway and in a variety of colors, including a couple of very pretty quilt top models. The D10SCE is a good choice, especially because it has a solid spruce top. A solid top is desirable in that it is one piece of wood that vibrates more efficiently than a top that is made from tow separate pieces of wood, and that makes for better sound. Your purchase price range probably won't include a case, but cases usually run anywhere from $25 for a chipboard to $50+ for a padded gigbag or $130 0r so for a hardshell case. Good luck!

The ovation celebrity line is a good line. The most important theing you are looking for is a spruce top. Most of the back and sides in the lower end guitars of this range have laminate back and sides. If you are looking at an all wood guitar and the grain looks really good, you are probably looking at a lamanate. The ovation has a spruce top and composite plastic back and sides. If your boyfriend is playing mostly plugged in, then the ovation is great. One complaint that alot of ovation users have is the rounded back, it is tough to play without a strap because of the rounded back. I have become used to mine. There are many other options to consider, Art and Lutherie, Seagul, or Breedlove Atlas series. Whatever you decide, make sure there is a money back period in case he doesn't like it.

Good luck!