OpenTube

5 POPULAR Acoustic Guitars Luthiers Say You Should NEVER Buy (Here's Why)

One Tone

7,102 views

5 POPULAR Acoustic Guitars Luthiers Say You Should NEVER Buy (Here's Why)

Some of the best-selling acoustic guitars in the world hide their biggest compromise in one line of the spec sheet. In this video, we count down five popular acoustics you should skip, and the specific model to buy instead for the same money or less.

We cover the Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Pack and why the CD-60S pack at the same price is the smarter starter guitar. We look at the Martin Backpacker's missing truss rod and awkward shape, and why the Little Martin LX1 fixes it. We explain what the Ovation Celebrity CS24's Lyrachord bowl really does to your tone, and why the Takamine GD30CE is the better stage-and-couch guitar. Then we dig into the Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood's layered back and short scale against the all-solid Martin 000 Jr E Sapele, and the Taylor 214ce Plus's rosewood-poplar-rosewood back against the all-solid Yamaha AC3R ARE.

If you're shopping for a new acoustic guitar, whether it's your first or your next, this is the spec-sheet check to do before you pay.

Which popular acoustic surprised you most? Tell us in the comments.

#acousticguitar #guitar #guitarist #guitargear #fender #martin #taylor #yamaha #takamineguitars #ovation #guitarbuyingguide #beginnerguitar

9 Comments

@ledhedded6393 4 hours ago

So cool to hear the alternate choice of the Yamaha A3R over the Taylor. I'd been thinking Yamaha for several years, but wasn't aware of the range in quality and pricing. The Taylors were all secured to their racks, requiring assistance to access them, and they were priced slightly higher than I wanted to pay--especially for a guitar I had no knowledge of. I was quite surprised to hear of the use of laminates by Taylor!
Anyway, I'm quite happy with my choice of a Yamaha. If purchasers are new to the guitar world, they should investigate and research what Yamaha has to offer.

@kenrussell1093 7 hours ago

I found a Fender acoustic in dumpster at my apartment. The head stock was broken, but I thought I might be able to harvest a few usable parts. When I looked at the parts, they were nothing but crap, so I took it back to the dumpster. I decided I would play rock star while throwing it away, so I gave the dumpster a few hard hits and busted the body up. The top of the body, I was amazed to find, was a sheet of some plastic laminate that had a nice wood grain. While I can appreciate a company trying to save a buck, but a plastic sheet imprinted with wood grain is impossible to believe!

@steveavant9727 20 hours ago

I have a GS mini mahogany and the lower strings resonate very nicely. It’s one of the first things I noticed about the guitar. I have a Taylor 214 rosewood as well, I love both. The mini is a fun little guitar that sounds amazing.

@americanstreamer1910 1 day ago

Always choose a solid top on an acoustic guitar, because the top acts as the main speaker cone of the instrument,. It vibrates freely to produce a richer, louder, and more resonant sound than a layered laminate top.

@kevinmahan7980 8 hours ago

I have a GS mini Solid Sitka spruce top. I've play a few. Their tones vary a lot! Mine, thankfully kicks ass and cuts through in a bluegrass jam. I have also played the koa GS mini, and they suck. I'm not a fan of koa

@volkiruski1221 1 day ago

I miss Lakewood, Lowden, Smiger and Luxars

@KenTeel 6 hours ago

40 mintues south of their factory? 40 minutes? Is that by skateboard, bicycle, car, or Lear Jet?

@d.j.williams-hello 1 day ago

Just tons of nonsenses in here.

@mikecorey8370 10 hours ago (edited)

I've had my Yamaha for over 30 years. Paid around $500. I have the Mexican Taylor CE. It's good, but I'll take my Yamaha. It's better than any medium priced acoustic I've played. Ever.