If you had ~$800 for an Acoustic Electric Guitar what would you get

Buy used. But, if you could put 200 more bucks with that, one of the Epiphone Slash signature j-45s Might be a good one to go with. They are indonesian made solid mahogany back and sides, solid spruce top sunburst finish. I had 1 of the Epiphone masterbuilts that was similar and it was a really good guitar. I wish I had it back, but I traded it for something I thought I wanted more.
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A friend of mine has a really nice used Japan made Takamine Dreadnaught for sale in his shop for about that price.

Readily available bang for buck values in that price range on the new market IMHO are Seagull, Eastman and Yamaha. All three brands typically punch a few weight classes above price comps in regard to overall wood and electronics quality and overall craftsmanship.

On the used market in that price range, I'd be looking at MIJ Takamine. Stellar wood and luthiery, their proprietary on-board electronics are phenomenal and they are built in a bulletproof fashion.

IMPORTANT!!: I advise people to buy used when they can to really turn value, but I STRONGLY, STRONGLY advise people who are shopping used acoustics to buy in person or through a seller who offers a return policy or right of refusal. Get a warranty either through the seller or through a third-party objective mediator such as eBay or Reverb.

The used market is a clearinghouse for acoustics with SERIOUS issues. People don't realize underhumidification, overhumidification, frying guitars in car trunks, etc., is bad often until it is too late. They come to a guy like me, find out the $$$ it will take to fix their mishaps, and their next move it to turn it like a lemon used car.

So so often, I have guys bring me "deals" they scored on used acoustics that suffer from a plethora of structural deficiencies that will be expensive to repair. I warn buyers, sellers are savvy and very often unscrupulous. If that guitar you are eyeing is a grand below market value, even if it appears clean in photos, don't be surprised if you have to pay a guy like me a grand to make it play or sound as it should.

In short, no return policy, no warranty, and "too good to be true" often becomes a recipe for disaster. I see it too frequently, don't fall victim.

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Readily available bang for buck values in that price range on the new market IMHO are Seagull, Eastman and Yamaha. All three brands typically punch a few weight classes above price comps in regard to overall wood and electronics quality and overall craftsmanship.

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Agree.

I own an Eastman that I like better than the 5 Martins I've owned.

Would own a Seagull but just hate the look of the headstock, it's a dealbreaker for me.

OP, what types of guitars do you like? What types of music do you play? This will help with recommendations.

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Epiphone has some great player guitars

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They really do.

I've bought upwards of 10 accoustics over the years off of reverb and all played as they should. Most of the reputable sellers on there give you 14 day return policy.

People tend to sleep on Breedlove guitars, but I think they are up there with Martin and Taylor for sound/tone quality. You can get the Breedlove Pursuit for $650 right now at GC, on sale from $750. That’s my recommendation…

At least go play one and see for yourself.

Went to the store to try and get to play a few. They didn't have any of the A Series, but they had a Red Label FGX5. Loved the bottom end in it. Sounds substantially fuller than any other acoustic I have owned. They worked with me on price to split the difference between that and the A3r. So paid more than the OP asked for but ended up really happy

Oh, man, that's a nice guitar. I love those old red label Yamaha guitars.