New Acoustic Guitar?
 

I am a college student, and i live on a fairly tight budget. I was thinking of upgrading my acoustic guitar (a Yamaha starter) to either an Applause or an Ovation acoustic/electric. Should I go with the cheaper Applause model, or spend the extra $150 and get the Ovation model?

Applause AE148: $249 at Guitar Center, $259 at Sam Ash
http://images.guitarcenter.com/produ.../561291jpg.jpg

Ovation Celebrity CC44: $399 at both Sam Ash and Guitar Center
http://images.guitarcenter.com/produ.../321744jpg.jpg

I understand that the Applause model has a shallower back than the Ovation, but I have played both styles and it does not matter. I like both :confused:

If it has to be between those two, I'd go with the deeper bowl if you are planning to play it unplugged a lot as it will give you better tone. If you are only playing plugged in, the shallower bowl may be more comfortable and give you fewer feedback problems onstage.

Honest opinion? I hate Ovations and think you would be better off with just about anything else. They're impossible to play without a strap, sound pretty poor unplugged and sound tinny plugged in. Obviously just my opinion. :)

For that sort of money you could be getting a quality solid-top acoustic and putting a good pickup in it (or getting one with a pickup built in).

(as a reference point, my main acoustic now is a $3,000 handmade acoustic, but just last year I took my $150 solid-top Made-In-China acoustic on tour playing 20,000+ seater venues)

Are there any brands that you would recommend?

Go on - admit it, you're Steve Howe, aren't you?

Funnily enough, no. :lol:

What kind of playing do you do (fingerstyle / strumming etc, and what styles of music), and which guitarists do you like the sound of? Do you prefer a bigger body guitar or a slimmer body guitar? Can I assume your budget is $400 and below?
-----Added 3/11/2008 at 05 : 12 : 08-----
I did a little window-shopping on Musicians' Friend and found some interesting electro-acoustics for around $400:

Ibanez AC35ECENT ARTWOOD SERIES Acoustic-Electric Guitar ($349, classic look)

Wechter Pathmaker Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar ($395, modern look , versatile electronics)

Ibanez EW20ASE Exotic Wood Figured Ash Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar ($399, exotic look)

Alvarez AD60CK Artist Series Dao Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Cutaway ($429, exotic look)

Epiphone EJ-160E John Lennon ($499, a little over your budget but talk about retro cool, distinctive sound)

i'd go with the Epi..........i'm looking at buying this one myself but.......keep coming back to the Yamaha series for some reason......

this is a sweet playin' guitar and WELL worth the momey........get the Epi.



http://www.musiciansfriend.com/docum...518653&index=1

My $3,000 guitar is a handmade Yamaha. Some of the best craftsmanship and value for money I've ever seen.

damn fine instrument........but i've waaaaaay to much money wrapped up in guitars and basses,that i'm lookin' under $500 for an acoustic.........the wife told me so eh.:paranoid:



she asks what's wrong with the acoustics i have now?.............they just don't get it.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of Alvarez. They always have an awesome and unique design, and the sound makes me cream my pants.

I shouldn't have stumbled in here....

...god, I want that Epiphone....

/beatlemania

We've been very pleased with Seagull (3) & with Alvarez (4). Seagulls, not the Artist series, are affordable if you get one without electronics. Alvarez can get pricey as you move up the line, but I've found some great prices, about 60% under normal street price, on some of their factory seconds.