What is the best Acoustic/Electric guitar you have played that sells for less than a grand?

Both plugged in and unplugged.
:nana_guitar

My Larrivee OM-03RE,  Englemann/IR with onboard Fishman unit.  But I bought it in 1998 when the Dolar was worth more.

(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m192/NVGdude/Guitars/Guitar009.jpg)

You won't find a new Larrivee in that price range with electronics.

Under $1000......?

For just under $1000 you can buy a Taylor 214-CE.  Great fingerstyle and anystyle OOO - comfy.  I have the non electric 214 full OOO model (no cutaway).

(http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/20N/214CE_body-front.jpg)

214-CE Link & Info (http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/214CE.htm)

For less than $750 you can buy a solid top 114-E and you won't have the cutaway - I don't care for cutaway acoustics.

(http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/20N/114E_body-front.jpg)

114-E Link & Info (http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/114E.htm)

If I had to start from scratch and buy a solid acoustic/electric gigging guitar that I was really going to work with and take places; I would buy a 114E.  I have yet to play a dud of a 114.   I like the simplicity and good sound from the simple electronics.  It's a lot of guitar for the money.

John

I've never played one I liked enough to buy,that said I have a Stagg A/E it serve's its purpose.I prefer playing thru a mic.One good thing about the Stagg I paid so little for it I can Frankinstien it.One day last week I got bored and mounted a soundhole Dean Markley on it that run to a standard volumn and tone mounted on the top and it has its own output jack.This lets me send the original acoustic/electric to my acoustic amp and the Markley to my electric amp.

It depends on what you call an 'Acoustic Electric'.  IMO, this means a guitar that has a legitimate acoustic sound unplugged or simulated, and can rock fairly hard when it's plugged in.

In that regard, one of the Line6 Variax guitars I played awhile back actually was pretty passable in the first department, and rocked in the 2nd department.  It just didn't feel right having no vibes going through my ribcage in the acoustic mode.

-Scott

Ok so you'll notice my love for cedar topped guitars - I'm not suggesting folks go out and buy them, but to at least play one when you see one!!
In order of preference: 1. Walden G3030CEQ in Cedar/Rosewood  :nice guitar:  http://www.waldenguitars.com/G3030CE.html
Sound clip: http://www.waldenguitars.com/artists_rossi.html

2. Walden G1070CEQ in Cedar/African Mahogany http://www.waldenguitars.com/G1070CEQ.html
Sound clip http://www.waldenguitars.com/artists_harkness.html

3. Takamine Natural series (more expensive than the others mentioned at around the $1k- mark http://www.takamine.com/?fa=series&sid=62

4. Tanglewood TW 45 NS http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/products/default.asp?cID=26463180&sID=26465095


I believe the new Maritime series Seagulls, and the Guild GAD series are very good too, but haven't actually played either of them plugged-in.

Seagull has some nice options. I've just sold my solid top cedar with rosewood ply back and sides that had a factory LR Baggs dual system in it. Very nice guitar both plugged and unplugged.

You can find used 03 series for  under a grand fairly regularly and throw a K&K PWM in yourself for less than a hundred bucks and have a nice gigging instrument for under a grand.

Quote from: Danny K on January 23, 2010, 05:32:27 PM
What is the best Acoustic/Electric guitar you have played that sells for less than a grand?

Both plugged in and unplugged.
:nana_guitar

I have an Alvarez MD60 (all-solid wood cedar/mahogany) listed in the FOR SALE section of this forum.  It does not have electronics, but a pickup could be easily added.  The MD60 is a great dreadnought.  I am the original owner and have had it only since May 2009.  Please check it out if you are interested.

Without a doubt my 2005 Tacoma DM28. Got it brand spanking new on a Musician's Friend blowout for $725. I don't think there is a new $725 guitar that could touch it.

(http://home.comcast.net/~tgfmo/dm2.jpg)

You didn't mention whether you needed a cutaway or not.  But, if you don't, I'd pony up the extra $90.00 or so and spring for a Larrivee L-03E (if you dig around on line, you can find them for about $1,090.00).  Top-end quality and playability and they sound great in any situation whether they're plugged in to an amp or DI'd into a PA or miked.  And, they sound as good as guitars costing four of five times as much unplugged.  The Baggs electronics are handy and convenient and can be tweeked to sound pretty good.  Put a feedback buster in the sound hole and you can even play them in a drums and bass combo with grenading.     

After my bad experience with the poor quality installation the Larrivee factory did on my L-03E, I would say - save your money and put in an iBeam yourself.  At least you won't have an ugly hole in the side like this one that Larrivee did on my L-03E:

(http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7074/lo3eholedr6.th.jpg) (http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lo3eholedr6.jpg)

You may be able to find a new Larrivee in that price range, maybe not?  Definitely you can find a used one for well under $1000.  Recording Kings and Blueridge are building a reputation as great sounding guitar for well under $1000, worth finding a local distributor and checking out.  These seem to be the most reliable Asian guitars, especially this one here that I would like to buy but they won't make a left-handed version.  It's well under 1k and has an adirondack top, they sound amazing.

http://www.acousticmusicworks.com/BR140A-2.html

Be patient and shop for a new L-03.  You should be able to get a brand new guitar (albeit without electronics) for under a grand without too much trouble.  Then have the electrics installed after you've played it for a while.  Still the best bargain in acoustic guitars . . . mid-range price and high-end quality.  Good luck.

Quote from: Danny K on January 23, 2010, 05:32:27 PM
What is the best Acoustic/Electric guitar you have played that sells for less than a grand?

Under 1K I'd still be looking for a Larrivee. I think they rule that price range. Some of the chinese stuff is decent like Epiphone Masterbilts.
I have to say...I personally do not consider less than a grand to be mid priced; this is also evidenced by there's no bottom to your price range.

Yamaha L series get my vote.  They are putting out great stuff.

Check out the Composite Acoustics in the $1000 range they are hard to beat

Just played a Martin that was surprisingly playing right on for around $1,000 new. Think it was the MG-DC1E (cutaway), but in this range I would hold out for a Larrivee.

That reminds me of a bluegrass show my band played where a couple of pickers came side stage asking me about my Martin Guitar, actually their first enlightment of a Larrivee D03 on the mic instead!!!!!!!!

:donut :donut2 :coffee :donut :donut2

Quote from: Danny K on January 23, 2010, 05:32:27 PM
What is the best Acoustic/Electric guitar you have played that sells for less than a grand?

Both plugged in and unplugged.
:nana_guitar

here's mine breedlove cr/crh,takamine ltd 90,& takamine eg 12string

(http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/soberdave09/guitars/breedlove001.jpg)
(http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/soberdave09/guitars/guitars002.jpg)
(http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/soberdave09/guitars/guitars001.jpg)