Opinion needed on cheap old Jap acoustics

[chap]

Hi Everyone,

I've been looking for a cheap but decent acoustic guitar ... one that I can bring say, camping and throw it in the fire if I get cold or something. I'm particularly looking at Japanese made acoustics ... I played some that are just plain garbage. But I've also played plenty (Yamaki, Sara, Mann) that are pretty damned sweet! (and cheap!)

Can anyone give me their thoughts on these listings:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/msg/1080092374.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/msg/1080099174.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/msg/1080102459.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/msg/1080105869.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/msg/1080110573.html

edit: add one more

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/msg/1081274301.html

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[serial]

I have an old early 80s Yamaha (I think it's an FG-335 or something like that). It sounds incredibly good. The guitar "opened up" about ten years ago or so and went from a good sounding guitar to a REALLY good sounding guitar. Never understood that, but I actually prefer the sound of it over one of my Gibsons, it just doesn't play as nicely.

[tomteriffic]

What Serial said. Mine was an early to mid-70's Yamaha FG-180 with a solid top that had a quality of sound that was way beyond the price range. It got stolen and all these years later, whenever I see an old Yammy in a pawnshop, I check to see if it's mine.

[straightblues]

Yes, the old Yamahas are cheap and very good. I would go try the one in the ad, it might be very good as well. But the Yamaha would be around the same price and have a much better name when it comes to resale.

[data187]

try an alvarez or washburn. i had an old washburn d10 and it was a great playing and sounding campfire guitar. it;s no martin or taylor, but at a little over $200, it is awesome.

[kurtsstuff]

Best Martin I ever owned was a Yamaha!!

[Jimbilly]

I'd stay away from anything with cheap/crappy tuners, you're going to need decent tuners on anything you're going to actually play. I've got an Ibanez Artwood (Korea) that's actually pretty nice, don't overlook some of those more recent Korean built acoustics.

[chap]

Thanks all, based on the advice, I think I'm going to check out that old Yamaha...

[Ethan]

i bet the yamaha sounds great

[prototype-fan]

I have a Terada J-200 copy that is awesome. Got it for a mere $50 back in the mid-80s. I believe the Terada factory is still making guitars for Epiphone, Gretsch and others. Highly recommended if you can find one.

[unfun75]

Classical guitarists "in-the-know" claim old Yam's are the best bang for the buck. But you know how those "in-the-know" people are.