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Hey zen masters,

I'm a classical dabbler, but I've been listening to a bunch of finger-style folk recently (Bert Jansch, Martin Simpson, usual suspects) and am feeling keen for a steel string. I think I'm after a wide-ish neck, smallish body guitar, probably bigger than parlour but smaller than a dread, so 000,OM size. Would prefer, but not die in a ditch over a paddle headstock rather than slotted.

What's the current good options for under $1000? I could possible swing a (used?) X series Martin, but am pretty suspicious of the cheap flooring-style back and sides. Recording King, Cort & Sigma look like they might have things that would work, any others?

Cheers

My previous experience with Cort and Sigma have been strummers with 1 11/16" nuts. They were very nice and great value. There's quite a range out there now. For finger-style check out the Godin family, i.e. Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, etc. They're great guitars. I tried a top end dreadnought Seagull once... the neck felt wide. Felt more like finger-style 1 3/4" nut. Sounded great!

Alvarez are great bang for buck sub $1000

Art & Lutherie (Godin) do a parlour guitar which looks cheap and plays beautifully.
From the same company, Seagulls can be great.

Sigma, Art & Luthiere, Seagull, some Cort models.

The cheaper Guild models for $800 are wicked value for money if you like a thin satin finish

Happy with my Walden which I 'traded-down' from a 300 series Taylor for. None the worse for it.

Check out guild. Their guitars are brilliant and cost nowhere near as much as they should.

Walden's are my favourite in that price range. Even $599 will get you s fantastic acoustic guitar.

Thanks all, I'll head down to the rock shop for a play of some Seagull and Guilds. Which model Walden should I be looking out for? I have a Walden classical that sounds much better than the $300 or so I paid for it, but I haven't seen them around new for years.

Anything with a solid top that feels nice in your hands. Might even get a solid back as well for that money.

I have a Cort bought 14 years ago, solid top and it keeps getting better , I pick it up every 6 months and it sounds great when I put new strings on it.....

yoggo wrote:Thanks all, I'll head down to the rock shop for a play of some Seagull and Guilds. Which model Walden should I be looking out for? I have a Walden classical that sounds much better than the $300 or so I paid for it, but I haven't seen them around new for years.

The 5 series are a safe bet. The 550 I played was really nice. I think the 7 series are all solid and priced very competitively.

My $600 Crafter is a great guitar.

sizzlingbadger wrote:My $600 Crafter is a great guitar.

Agreed. Crafter is a great brand.

I was a bit disappointed with the Alvarez acoustic bass I tried. The frets weren't finished very well, I actually wondered if I'd eventually cut myself.