I have a nice Yamaha LL500 but since starting to play electric guitars a year ago, the dreadnought shape is just too big (or maybe it's a Jumbo size). Anyway, I can barely get my arm over the thing and am completely lost in terms of picking hand position now.
I'm looking at a thinner body version or something around that quality level, with or without cutaway. I do like Yamaha but their range confuses me! Another brand is Taylor recommended by another forum member.
Budgets about £1000 second hand or a new guitar in offer. Electro acoustic considered as well.
Any advice appreciated as I miss playing the acoustic sometimes.
Comments
They only make US GCs, so the entry point into the range is the 312ce (with Sapele back and sides) at £1300 +.
You may well get a used one for under £1000.
My favourite is the 512ce (cedar top with mahogany back and sides). It's very much a finger-style guitar - rather than a 'strummer' - but they are really well balanced, with the hallmark Taylor clarity underpinned by a lovely warmth.
They are a lot more expensive but if you get to play one, you may well decide it's worth saving up for one.
I need to research what all the model codes actually mean!
I assume that yamaha don't do a posh version of the APX line?
The 1000, a great guit, was available for £600 recently. However, it is at its best amplified.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
You'll get one second hand for under a grand since they don't seem to hold their value well compared to some other brands. They do a variety of body styles including OM and parlour sizes, with or without cutaways and/or electrics, have that more modern bright/clear tone and the quality is above even Taylor and the better Yamahas in my opinion.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson
I've had a few smaller bodied guitars as well, including a Brook Taw and Larrivee OM. I've settled on a Stanford OM (made in the Czech Republic by Furch).
I'm surprised that you are restricting yourself to so few makers as there are some great guitars out there. A friend has just bought a cracking new Eastman OM (adirondack top IIRC) for about £800.
Keep an eye out for used bargains in anything Furch build, either in their own name or as Stonebridge or the higher-end Stanford models.