WTB Decent Acoustic Electric

[mmcquain]

I just sold 3 guitars, including my Taylor T5 (had to pay some bills since being laid off).
However, I am now in need of a decent acoustic/electric for those times when I'm called
on to play acoustic guitar.

* I need something with a fuller size body than the T5 had since (although it was a
great guitar) it didn't project very well (due to the thinline body) when not plugged in.

* As I am mainly an electric player (and was spoiled by the T5) I want something that
can handle lighter guage strings and has a lower action than many acoustics you see.

* I play twice a month (unplugged at a nursing home) and go direct when playing at
church, so it needs to have a nice sound both plugged in and unplugged.

* I do not need a built-in tuner (although that would be ok) since I can run it thru
a pedal when plugging in.

* I do not want an Ovation since the round back doesn't work well with my round front

* I'm thinking used to keep the price in the $1000 range. I'm looking at something like
the Larrivee LV-03RE but would consider something like a Breedlove, Alvarez, etc. So
please let me know what you've got.

PM or email me (see signature below) if you've got something that would fit the bill. Thanks...

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I've got a carvin AC-375... I can get you some pics if you like.

[djwilbanks]

mine isn't for sale, but I would definitely recommend:

Ibanez AW35RECENT ARTWOOD SERIES Acoustic-Electric Guitar and more 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitars at GuitarCenter.com.

Mine is amazing, slim neck, low action, I have Ernie Ball Acoustic Slinkys on it atm. Fantastic guitar.

[mmcquain]

Thanks for the responses and PMs. I spent most of today playing guitars and price shopping (after doing a lot of research last night on the Internet). I almost got a Larrivee LV-03E (really liked the action, tone, etc.) but ended up find a great deal on a Breedlove AD25/SR PLUS that I really liked. It has the Fishman Classic 4T pickup system with onboard tuner. I also like the solid neck and the neck profile better than the Taylor I played on (I was thinking of another Taylor since I had a T5 before). The Taylors tend to have more of a V-shaped neck and this neck is closer to a C or D shape (which feels better to me since I mainly play Les Pauls). I have also never been crazy about the idea of a separate headstock like the Taylors (although I've never actually heard of any problems with the Taylor design).

The action is as low as the Larrivee and I ended up saving a few hundred bucks compared to the best price I'd found the LV (very nice since being laid off). Unplugged the guitar has a nice warm tone that isn't too bright and yet not too bassy. I'll be playing it twice per month with a church group at a local nursing home and it should project much better than my Taylor T5 ever did (thanks to the full body). The rest of the time I'll use it going direct to the FOH mixer at church. I tested it through a Crate acoustic amp with the amp's EQ set flat. Using only the 3-band EQ and Brilliance controls on the guitar, I was able to get some very nice sounds out of it. I still have to see how it sounds in the 800 seat room at church but I feel sure it will meet my needs just fine.

So that's my Day 1 report on the new acoustic/electric. Sure I tried a few nicer guitars, but for no more than I play acoustic, I can't see spending over $2000 vs. well under $1000 for a very nice guitar that will be just fine for all of my needs. If you're in the market for a good acoustic/electric then I highly recommend you check out both the Larrivee and Breedlove lines... both are great guitars!

Here's a few pics...










Oh, please consider this thread closed since I've found a winner!!!

[djwilbanks]

Good choice on the Breedlove, a friend of mine plays one.

[needlespauls]

Yeah man, I played a Parkwood ac/el. and a Seagull ac/el. also this past weekend, and overall the Breedlove sounded the overall best to me as well. Good choice man!

[JimmyAce2006]

I would have gone for this one:

GUILD F-50 JUMBO ACOUSTIC - eBay (item 140251636343 end time Jul-28-08 14:56:43 PDT)