Guitar for Flatpicking - £1k Budget

dhaywood67

Hi all,

I'm off to the Birmingham Guitar Show on Sunday and would like some opinions on what recommendations you may have for a guitar suitable for flatpicking/bluegrass for around £1k. I've just watched Beato's interview with Billy Strings (what an amazing down to earth guy Billy is) and it's got my juices flowing for trying something new. I currently have a PRS SE Angelus A50EVS which is a lovely guitar but doesn't quite have that percussive(?) attack when using a stiff pick - it still sounds too polite, if that makes sense.
A quick Google is bringing up plenty of Martin D18 recommendations but they're somewhat out of my price range at the moment. Although, if I bought 2nd hand I would be fairly safe of not losing money if I subsequently decided to sell. I'd still need to find an additional £1k to add to my existing budget

I'm hoping that some of you with far more acoustic experience than me might be able to recommend something within my budget?

Thanks in advance

Lewy

The reasonably priced guitars you see being toted consistently at bluegrass festivals tend to be Blueridge (the BR-160 is popular) and more recently Eastmans. Occasionally Furch. All dreadnoughts, obviously.

Personally my pick around that price for a flatpicking/grass guitar would be an Eastman E6D. 

TheMadMick

PM'd

Tannin

Look for a second-hand guitar of real quality from a maker not so well known as the obvious ones. In the UK, you have an excellent chance of picking a top-class used guitar from a first-tier manufacturer for around half of what it's worth if you keep an eye out for the lesser-known gems. Some examples - all of them very well-known and respected in other markets but not  household names in the UK are Lakewood, Larivee, Maton, Cole Clark, Breedlove (probably too expensive for the real thing, watch out for the Chinese ones). Doubtless there are various others, but you get the idea. 

Vinny

Guild are underrated compared to other American brands, and even the Chinese made GAD variants are very good, particularly the original ones with two digit model designation, eg GAD 50.

RickLucas

If you want a cheaper D18, try the D16GT, which is still mahogany, but has a satin finish on the back and sides. Or go for the Blueridge Chinese equivalent, the BR140. I have a BR160, the D28 copy, and it's brilliant.  

rustneversleeps

Vinny said:

Guild are underrated compared to other American brands, and even the Chinese made GAD variants are very good, particularly the original ones with two digit model designation, eg GAD 50.

^^^^^^^^ Agreed.

dhaywood67

Thanks for all the replies. Definitely some things to look it for and consider. Hopefully there will be a decent selection of second hand acoustics at the show on Sunday.

MikeP

Definitely doesn't have to be a dread but number one if you want to try playing that fast is be minding the setup and neck profile more than anything else! I don't associate Martin dreads with percussive tone, I'd imagine that's more the fast response of a great vintage guitar and Billy's heavy right hand. 

TheMadMick

Have you tired changing the strings on your PRS. Changing your pick can also change tone quite a bit. Both much cheaper than a £1k guitar and lots of fun and frustration.

rossi

Harmony Sovereign.I used one for years flatpicking .My 64  is too worn out now.

mgaw

I recently bought an Eastman D 20 MR TC for around £1100 2nd hand.  

Adi too, Madagascan rosewood back and sides.

it sounds great, plays very well and is opening up and getting louder by the day.
I can’t believe how much guitar it is for the money I paid, full price is near £2k and it’s still a good buy at that

mgaw

Edit

dhaywood67

Well, I didn't see anything that took my fancy. I bought some 13s to go up from my strummy 10s, and bought a square edged pick. Hopefully these will get me towards the sound I'm looking for. 

What I couldn't believe was that there was no Martin, Taylor or Eastman presence at the show. I appreciate they are well established brands but I thought someone would have had something. 

Anyway, I'll push on practicing and keep my eyes and ears open for something more traditionally associated with the style compared to my PRS Se with a cutaway.

Again thanks for the comments and suggestions. 

Finally, dies anyone have any book or lesson suggestions for bluegrass or flatpicking ideas?

Octavio

There's some new Bryan Sutton courses on Truefire. I haven't taken them yet, but he's a killer player who played with some of the greats. If you do, I'd be keen to hear how you get on.

dhaywood67

Octavio said:

There's some new Bryan Sutton courses on Truefire. I haven't taken them yet, but he's a killer player who played with some of the greats. If you do, I'd be keen to hear how you get on.

As there was an offer of the year for £99, so I've subscribed and will give it a go. Plus there are are quite a few other lessons for flatpicking. I'll let you know how I get on with it all. Thanks for the heads up :-)

Octavio

@dhaywood67 did you get any use of those courses? There's a Trey Hensley one too that I was thinking of buying outright.

MSedg

I’m thinking of the Trey Hensley one too, report back if you get it!

dhaywood67

I've done my usual thing of buying and then not doing much with it!, although I did watch quite a lot of the video tutorials. There's sure as hell is a LOT to go at on there. I almost don't know where to start. As soon as I get my life in order I'll let you know how it goes.

dhaywood67

And for those of you that commented on my query about a guitar choice, I ended up picking up a Martin D16-RGT for £850 which seemed an ok price. After a new saddle, strings and truss rod adjustment it's resulted in an incredibly playable guitar. Also sounds pretty ok too

Octavio

Yeah that's the problem with the annual subscription. It's overwhelming. That's why I buy individual. 

I'm just keen to know which is the more beginner course between Byran and Trey.

Congrats on the new guitar!