cheap guitars just keep getting better

[Mr_LV19E]

With all this Seagull talk "here" is a link to their spec's page.

This is the Maritime Mini Jumbo

All Mariitime series are all solid.

[ducktrapper]

With all this Seagull talk "here" is a link to their spec's page.

This is the Maritime Mini Jumbo

All Mariitime series are all solid.

I work down at the harbour, here in Thunder Bay, and it's not seagull "talk" that we are usually concerned with. 

[drmar35mm]

There are some great values out there these days. For just entry level acoustics you have good-sounding, reliable models readily available from $200-300, from Yamaha and Cort and Alvarez and Walden & the lower-end Godins. Many solid top. I happen to have lucked into another entrant at this price level, from the LAG brand--a French guitar company just entering the US market (imported by Korg). I won one of their entry-level dreads online, an all laminate, street price c. $200. Doesn't say where it's made, but I'm betting not France. I was actually wanting a decent all laminate, to simplify winter playing. The upper strings sound nicely bright up the fretboard, a bit Tayloresque; the lower strings a bit plonky, but not unpleasantly so. A nice, comfy mahogany neck. Poly finish, but not excessively thick. Pinless bridge. Elixir 11s. Does it compete with my Larry and Avalon? Of course not. But it's been a pleasant surprise.

[Sandro]

I played a brand new Washburn Parlor model guitar a few weeks ago.  Aside from the fact that it was embarrassingly "distressed" it played and sounded quite good.  Has a "V" style neck which takes a little getting used to.  And the case was incredible...more like a tiny coffin than a guitar case.

All for around $450.

Jim

I bought a used Washburn parlor last week. It's really a nice small guitar, all solid wood. I love the wide nut (48mm) and the "V" neck too.
And I agree with you, the case is really cool !
The action is a bit high, so I will have it setup, maybe replace the TUSQ saddle with a bone one.

[Digdog]

     I really like my A&L Ami . $265 US. Solid cedar top 3ply lam cherry b&s .Hard to beat ... I put a Bill Lawrence A300 sound-hole mag pu and it's got that great Elmore James thing happenin.Just wish I could play the slide thing AS WELL AS HE.