Guitar players: Looking for a new acoustic guitar

I'd be leaning towards Seagull personally if I'm looking for quality and value. And you'll double the latter attribute if you shop used, meaning you get just as good for about half the new price or about twice as good if your used investment matches current street prices.

Yamaha always packs value in their various price points. Breedlove's import series acoustics are pretty nice and more importantly, they have slightly smaller models in their line that would likely fit an adolescent's frame and hands well while maintaining a full, authoritative voice.

Whatever you get, budget a little extra to have a reputable tech set it up properly, regardless of if you buy new or used. Even new guitars typically benefit significantly with a fresh set-up that takes into consideration its owner's preferences and tastes.

He also needs to be able to plug up and use for recitals/concerts if need be. The price point goes up a bit I know. I’m rather green in this area, I’m just an old simple-chord plucker myself. I’d like for this to be his go-to acoustic for 4-5 years - to carry him through school.

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to be his go-to acoustic for 4-5 years - to carry him through school.

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Definitely needs to be something that he will like to play.A guitar that fits.

Cool for him to play/study Guitar.And you to support it($).

I've never played an Ovation.

I have played a Seagull($299 I think)and really liked the neck,and the guitar.So I would be curious and would love to play a $500 Seagull.

I just got my guitar.A Martin D-28.3 months ago.It plays beautifully;even with me driving it.

I'd like to play one.

I think they're interesting.The multiple sound holes.

I've heard someone making beautiful music with an Ovation.It was plugged in.

I'd love to play some.

I am an Ovation fan, gigged them for a couple decades. That being said ...

Most Ovations are nothing special unplugged. They tend to be truly lackluster a/b'ed to most any reputable traditionally-built acoustic made of traditional tonewoods. But that's okay, let's discuss their intention, purpose, niche ...

They were designed intentionally to be stage performance acoustics that were comfortable strapped to you standing up and that felt more like electrics than acoustics against your ribs and under your fingertips. When properly set-up and cared for, they tend to have huge frets and liquid low action with a great set-up. They are impervious to feedback at stage volumes. And they are practically bulletproof for touring transport thanks to the lyrachord back bowl, a composite that literally has more in common with military helicopter rotors than mahogany or rosewood. Read Ovation's history on Wiki.

As it pertains to the original post, an Ovation is NOT the answer. Don't blur this post getting off subject. An Ovation is the answer when our 12-15 year old gets good enough that he or she is on a stage, amplified, regularly, in a band and old enough to be in a club venue legally and loud enough the he or she is competing with a drum kit and PA. And where pure, true unplugged acoustic guitar tone is pretty much irrelevant. I can assure you those many, many famous artists who perform with Ovations don't actually record with them in most cases.

And if Ovations are going to be included in this discussion, clarification needs to be made that

** for simplicity's sake, import/Celebrity series and Applause or any other clone Ovations need not be included. With the exception of modern, high-end Celebrities, the knockoffs use inferior knock-off woods and composites and are generally horrid compared to the true USA-made Ovations. I have little positive to say about them, sorry. And

** if you are buying a used USA Ovation and it has high action, get it assessed by a reputable tech prior to purchase if at all possible. Neck alignment issues are common in older Ovations and the average cost of the proper neck reset needed to correct that common neck alignment problem exceeds the value of probably 90 percent of the used Ovations in the current market. Yes, the lion's share of used Ovations that come to me with high action issues are deemed unfixable due to cost vs. value and will not be worked on and will become wall art. They will simply be replaced with another Ovation that is still an operable tool. Or the owner will have to tolerate very high action. Not advisable for a 12- to 15-year old, or any player for that matter.

Now, if you want the best Ovation USA ever made in my opinion, as a guy who has both repaired guitars and gigged guitars for over 30 years, get a (now discontinued I think) Ovation USA 1778 T Elite. You want the T Elite, the USA version with ebony fingerboard and bridge, not the TX import with rosewood fingerboard and bridge. If you can't tell the difference between ebony and rosewood, get a friend involved who can distinguish.

The 1778 T Elite is hideous looking. Its spruce top is shot with a thin layer of lyrachord bowl material, and the guitar looks like someone burned a potato baking it and stuck a neck on it. But it is the best sounding, best tone generating, and best playing Ovation they've made in their 40-plus year history in my opinion. I had one, sold it to the upteenth client of mine who begged me to sell it to him, and I have kicked myself for selling it since. These really, really sound good, like a more traditional acoustic. Mine played itself the action was so low and consistent up and down. And the OEM electronics package, ghost-built by Fishman, was simply stellar at capturing the instrument's acoustic vibe.

I'm all in on Martins.I purchased a D-28 Standard 3 months ago.

The sound and projection that comes from my Martin is something to behold.

A Martin may be a guitar that will be his guitar for years.

It's an investment but the quality is unmatched.

thanks

Had always wondered what the fascination was all about. Never appreciated them, but haven't plugged one in before, just always heard there was such a thing as a good/great one. Will try and give one another look - some knowledge of what your looking for is key.