I really want to buy my first acoustic guitar

RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
edited September 2016 in Guitar Chat
Hello everyone! Its my first post!

I am on budget and I really want to buy my first acoustic guitar (I have been playing for a couple of years but I only owned electric guitars previously).

I am left handed, and I can't decide which one of the fallowing guitars would be the best option (just the best out of those 4). I am really unable to play on those guitars in real life and to listen to them, as it is my first acoustic I don't really know if its better to go with a cedar top or spruce top, I am used to slim necks in guitars so it would also help to know which one of those has the slimmest or at least slim neck.

I will be mostly playing acoustic rock and pop songs + singing, blues rhythm and lead, stuff like acoustic led zeppelin and guns n roses.

Here are the guitars:

Crafter Lite T/CD
Crafter D8
Crafter D7
Washburn D10S

The price differences doesn't matter for me, just want to know which one of those four is in your opinion the best and why?

Thanks! Have a great weekend!

Comments

  • LotusLotus Posts: 332Member
    Rarss,

    I think I understand your reluctance to play these guitars “live", but that really is the best.

    No one can really tell you what is best for you. You need to hold the guitar, have it on your knee, check out the build quality, the frets, etc. Just because I like Crafter, and might speak highly of them (I actually like Cort, but they're not in your list) that doesn't mean they'll sit on your lap as comfortably as they may sit on mine.

    If you don't want to play 'em in the shop, at least go in, pick 'em up, sit 'em on your knee and have a good nosey. There really is no substitute.

    Graham
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Thanks for reply, its not that I don't want to play them in the shop, I just basically cant - the reason: In my town there is no music store, and I don't drive, I am a student and can't even recently afford money for the bus as I saved it all for this acoustic guitar lol laugh also, there is usually not a lot of acoustic left handed guitars in the shops in cities close to my town, so chances that I could try this models of Crafters or Washburn are very low laugh

    However, since it will be my first acoustic, I will probably get used to it anyway, its just I like slim necks and don't know which one would have the slimmest, also, I can't decide between spruce top and cedar top, which one would sound better for stuff like stairway to heaven? I've heard Jimmy Page recorded that on 12 string acoustic Washburn, but I am not aware of the top his guitar had, was it cedar or spruce?

    Also, I've just found out Crafter LITE-TE CD/N used for £60 but with crack on the top and generally below average visual condition, would any of you consider buying this model cracked for £60?

    Heres the picture of the crack/split -

    Theres also few more "shavings" around this guitar.


    Thanks!
  • Pete_BPete_B Posts: 563Member
    Most like an electric to play? Yamaha APX.
    There is no Mojo!
  • AlidoreAlidore Posts: 528Member
    Most like an electric to play? Yamaha APX.
    Pete.

    “There are 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't.”
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Looks great but unfortunately way over my budget frown did you check my previous post after I edited it? I found Crafter Lite TE CD/N with a crack/split for £60, what you guys think? I don't have any experience with acoustics hence any advices will be more than welcome smile
  • JockoJocko Posts: 7,107Member, Moderator
    I bought my grandson a Washburn D10 and I think it is a lovely guitar. No experience of the others though, so I can't help you there.
  • zoglugzoglug Posts: 314Member
    Personally I would never buy an acoustic which is cracked/split! The sound/tone comes from the body and any imperfection would affect it.
  • JockoJocko Posts: 7,107Member, Moderator
    I agree with you zoglug. Mind you,try telling that to Willie Nelson!
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Thanks for advice guys, I found another guitar I would be interested in however it is electro acoustic, its a Vintage VEC500N (or VLH500N as left handed). Is there a difference between electro acoustic and acoustic when play unplugged?

    Thanks again
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    None whatsoever. smile
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Thanks, so basically I am stuck between:

    Crafter D8
    Crafter D7
    Washburn D10S
    Vintage VEC500

    Richard, which one will be the best in your opinion for playing stuff like led zeppelin and general acoustic strumming and picking?
  • LotusLotus Posts: 332Member
    Probably doesn't help your decision making, but my son has a Crafter SuperLite Dreadnaught.

    Build quality seems very good. A tuning head has snapped but I think that was down to him dropping it.

    The sound/tone is lovely. I struggle with the Dreadnaught size and shape though,which is why I went for a slim body electro-acoustic instead.

    I'm sure Richard will be able to help you.

    Graham
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Thank you very much Graham, how can I contact Richard and ask him about it? Or do I just wait for him to reply here?

    Thanks again
  • LotusLotus Posts: 332Member
    His phone number is at the top of this page and his web address is top left and bottom right (rguitars.co.uk)

    Good luck,

    Graham
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Thanks,

    How does Simon & Patrick Sp6 compete to previously listed guitars?

    As I've seen it is much more expensive new than Crafter D8, D7 and Washburn D10S, is it like few steps better acoustic guitar? I did read that they have specific necks but I would get used to it. If someone offered you used but in good condition SP6 for £150 would it be a bargain comparing to offered Crafter D8 for £116?

    Thanks
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    S&P guitars are invariably wonderful. At that price if it is in good condition run like the wind and give them the money. It will be a wonderful guitar.
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    Oh, and I'd always choose a goof condition used acoustic over new if possible. They've had time to breath and forget they used to be a tree. smile
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Its in very good condition, only couple of small marks, and a bit of wear/scratch on the back of the neck near headstock.

    Is SP6 ahead of previously listed guitars? As it costs £480-600 new, comparning to £260 new Crafters

    Thanks
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    So far ahead it's on another planet (I rate them highly). If you don't buy it I will!
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Just bought Simon & Patrick SP6 Cedar in good condition for £135 + £7.99 laugh

    Can't wait for it to arrive laugh
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    That's a steal.
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Really can't wait until it will arrive laugh I hope I will like the neck everyone is talking about, it is apparently "different" - does it mean its thick? thin?
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    Slightly thicker but I prefer that too. It makes fingerstyle easier.
  • BUDSY1BUDSY1 Posts: 138Member
    Nice guitars ive heard S&P come from the Godin family
    in which also are the Seagull guitars
    as well as another make of guitar which names left me for now but all nice sounding guitars from the Godin family
    which is Canadian > a nice bargain there ..

    Personally i bought the Crafter D8 2 yrs ago which was Englemann top
    and although was a nice looker i sent it back right away
    as sounded to tinny > a bit like Taylor guitars
    i found to be tinny and so i then sent
    for a Yamaha FG 730S Spruce top guitar in replacement
    with a little more money
    at the time but not much more in replacement and havent looked back ..
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    The Godin family includes S&P, Seagull and Norman and Art & Lutherie. smile
  • BUDSY1BUDSY1 Posts: 138Member
    The 23rd man,

    Cheers thats the others thanks as was doing ma head in. smile
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    Thanks for info mates, glad I didn't buy Crafter D8, I could buy used one for £116 (old version just D8 with old bridge) or D8/N for £135, however SP6 Cedar for £135 + £7.99 postage seemed like a best deal. Condition is good from what I've seen, of course couple of marks on the top as its Cedar so its less durable than spruce as I'm aware of, the back of the neck near the headstock has some kind of wear off/scratches (at last thats what I've seen on the picture) but thats only cosmetics and I don't care about it at all.

    Guitar will be send tomorrow morning and I really can't wait to see it laugh

    Btw, I've showed pics of SP6 to my friend, and he said that the body shape doesn't really look like dreadnought, he said that upper isn't wide enough, what do you think about this statement? razz

    Thanks
  • MikeNMikeN Posts: 3Member
    Originally Posted By: Jocko
    I agree with you zoglug. Mind you,try telling that to Willie Nelson!


    Willie gets that guitar rebuilt by the factory on a regular basis. They even make the bridge to accommodate the undulations in the body. smile
  • The23rdmanThe23rdman Posts: 1,560Member
    So how is the guitar??
  • RarssRarss Posts: 19Member
    It's not here yet, it has been sent this morning, I hope I will have it tomorrow morning so I will post some updates laugh Can't wait
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