Steel String Acoustic Recommendations - $500 +/-

[chromium]

My son is looking to add a steel string acoustic to the mix, and with me not being close to the acoustic world I wondered if folks here might have some advice on good options.

He is a lefty, and it is hard finding used stuff as a result... but I've landed him a couple of nice/affordable lefty MIJ electrics in the past - Ibanez AR-100 Artist, and a 90s Jackson Dinky.

I'd love to help him find something comparable to those quality-wise - used or new - and country of origin is not an issue. He would like to try to stay in the $500 range.

Based on this, if anyone has suggestions on brands/models to seek out it would be much appreciated!

Thank you.

[killerteddybear]

This is in your neighborhood and well under budget: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/d/tempe-yamaha-apx-6la-elect-guitar/7100842510.html

[killerteddybear]

Also, I continue to promote Eastman guitars (from China). These guys know their stuff.

https://www.jerrysleftyguitars.com/left-handed-acoustic-guitars-15.html
https://www.jerrysleftyguitars.com/lefty-guitars-specs-2020-jan/eastman-e2d-cd-dread-414-ac.html

You might also search for Seagull.

[ArnieZ]

You. Might check out Orangewood guitars

arniez

[fractal]

Seagull guitars

[hamerhead]

Ovation. They play great and take a pounding.

[Steve Haynie]

Yes, Ovation is good.  I was going to suggest looking for a used Takamine.  In the 90s Ovation and Takamine were the top two acoustic-electrics.

[hamerhead]

I also had an Alvarez Yairi that was an absolute cannon. Sounded amazing and was the loudest acoustic I'd ever played. Those can be had for around $300 (righty).

[JGravelin]

+1 on those inexpensive Yamahas and Alvarez! I was on gig with fellas that had them for the acoustic numbers, ran sound, dialed in channel-specific settings: good stuff on the cheap here! $400 or less!

[scottcald]

Another plus for the Ovations.  I have a Korean made one from about 15 years or so ago.  Sounds great.  

[JohnnyB]

There is a store in Houston that claims over 900 lefty guitars in stock at pretty much any time:

Southpaw Guitars.

7 hours ago, Steve Haynie said:

Yes, Ovation is good.  I was going to suggest looking for a used Takamine.  In the 90s Ovation and Takamine were the top two acoustic-electrics.

o

 

 

[chromium]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions! This has been really helpful.

@killerteddybear - nice local find! Might go after it... He's paying for this one, though, and so it all depends on him scraping his cash together

Cheers

[chromium]

On 4/21/2020 at 1:26 PM, killerteddybear said:

This is in your neighborhood and well under budget: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/d/tempe-yamaha-apx-6la-elect-guitar/7100842510.html

 

Waited it out a bit, and he got a nice deal on that one... Happy 17 year old.

Thanks again!

[Gino]

Try to find a used Fender Paramount Series guitar. They're made of all massive woods and are an incredible bang for the buck. I Have a Ltd. Edition dreadnaught - PM 1 I think - Adirondack top, East Indian RW back and sides, mahagony neck with ebony fingerboard and Fishman electronics. Basically a poor man's D-28. Bought it new over Amazon from the UK for under 800 EUR. Plays and sounds fantastic!

[HamerCustomEr]

On 4/21/2020 at 7:05 PM, fractal said:

Seagull guitars

Simon & Patrick is another great choice (same parent company as Seagull).