New Acoustic Guitar

[qjamesfloyd]

A question for the guitar players on here. I am in the market for a new guitar, in fact my wife told me to buy one What I am looking for is one for fingerstyle playing, as that is what I do, thanks to you know who so, I want to be able to play Knopfler songs, and Mike Oldfield style, but the acoustic side of his music, I would also like a guitar where I can comfortably stuff Floyd, The Beatles etc. I have a budget of about £300 with wiggle room for the right guitar. I have been looking at the Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, has anyone played it? (I haven't) or any other suggestions?

[dustyvalentino]

Love my Fender electrics but I wouldn't buy a Fender acoustic personally.

Are you going to be plugging it in, ie do you need the cutaway and electronics?

If not I would advise a non cutaway, and for fingerstyle maybe a smaller bodied guitar.

I find it hard to look past Yamaha at that end of the market, maybe something like this?

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/200218356035008--yamaha-fs800-ntii-natural

[qjamesfloyd]

Thanks for your advice. I probably won't plug it in, but, I was not sure really, that is why I though the option is there with the Fender, the cutaway thing is because a lot of Oldfield's acoustic stuff is high up the neck. But, I do like the Yamaha, I will have to look for a store near Southampton for me to try it.

[Knopflerfan]

From experience its a no no to Fender Acoustics, had one years ago and hated it. I must at some point look at an acoustic but I love my Strats too much

[Silvertown]

Yamaha might a good choice indeed. If you can find Martin replica Sigma, they are pretty good ones. I am now temporarily abroad and have only 49 euros travel size Harley Benton with smaller scale with me and find it also surprisingly good, although the sound is quite dark.

[qjamesfloyd]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The Fender I mentioned above was on a site recommending fingerstyle guitars for different budgets, but, I prefer to take the advice from people on here who have played these things.

[dustyvalentino]

I should qualify my remarks by saying that I have never actually played that particular model so I am generalising about all Fender acoustics. It could be that one is a fine guitar.

What I would say is there can be big differences even within the same model when you are dealing at this more budget friendly end of the market so worth getting to a guitar shop and trying a few, even if it costs you a bit more than buying online.

[stratmad]

Don't know about the Fenders, really... I tried some a few years ago, but I just didn't like the sound of them somehow.
Maybe you could get your hands on a used Taylor Mini?
Another brand that surprised me completely is Harley Benton. The newer ones sound and look awesome, both the acoustics and the electric ones or even archtops. I read that they are fabricated in Indonesia, which makes them a lot cheaper than the competition, but they seem to be really well built.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/steel_string_acoustic_guitars.html

[Banjo99uk]

Hope its ok to piggy back this thread but my teenage daughter has asked me to teach her guitar (completely out of the blue). I can get around one but not very well. I have been looking for an easy to play low action nylon acoustic for her to learn on. Can’t have too thick a fretboard as she has small hands. I can’t play with pick so can only teach her finger picking so don’t want electric. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Knopflerfan]

Hope its ok to piggy back this thread but my teenage daughter has asked me to teach her guitar (completely out of the blue). I can get around one but not very well. I have been looking for an easy to play low action nylon acoustic for her to learn on. Can’t have too thick a fretboard as she has small hands. I can’t play with pick so can only teach her finger picking so don’t want electric. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Morning, this lovely Fender model was for sale in my local guitar shop - only 5 mins away. Looked pretty good...may be of help?

https://www.guitarmania.co.uk/product/fender-esc80-3-4-classical/

[Knopflerfan]

I should qualify my remarks by saying that I have never actually played that particular model so I am generalising about all Fender acoustics. It could be that one is a fine guitar.

What I would say is there can be big differences even within the same model when you are dealing at this more budget friendly end of the market so worth getting to a guitar shop and trying a few, even if it costs you a bit more than buying online.

Yeah, I agree Dusty I'd rather pay more for a guitar in a guitar shop rather than just ordering one. It's the feel, the sound etc

[stratmad]

Yeah, of course it has too feel right!
If you order a new one from a dealer, you can always send it back if you don't like it, of course :-)

[qjamesfloyd]

I would always without doubt play one in store, you could hand me a lovely Strat, but if it doesn't feel right in my hands I won't but it. Who knows, I might find a brand I hadn't considered, I guess it depends what's in the store.

[Knopflerfan]

I would always without doubt play one in store, you could hand me a lovely Strat, but if it doesn't feel right in my hands I won't but it. Who knows, I might find a brand I hadn't considered, I guess it depends what's in the store.

Good luck in your venture....keep us posted

[qjamesfloyd]

I would always without doubt play one in store, you could hand me a lovely Strat, but if it doesn't feel right in my hands I won't but it. Who knows, I might find a brand I hadn't considered, I guess it depends what's in the store.

Good luck in your venture....keep us posted