I have a Richwood electro acoustic guitar at the moment - it was very cheap but plays very well. However, I'm needing a second guitar, for big shows (especially Isle of Wight Fest next month).

This is for playing country rock music at gigs at least a few every month. The budget is up to about £500 (about 760USD, but of course, guitars are often much cheaper in the States than in the UK).

The ones I have been looking at are:

Ibanez Montage (a hybrid guitar, seems to have some great reviews and cool features, but I don't know!)
Ibanez EW series (Olive Ash Burl acoustic)
Epiphone Inspired By 1964 Texan

If anyone can shed some light on these, that'd be great. Also, any suggestions for others (electro-acoustic!) are welcome.

Thanks!

I don't know about the others but I had an
Epiphone electro- acoustic a few years back and for the money it was really good with an easy action. The one you mention also has some good reviews.
Vic

I play an Epiphone electric/acoustic and like it very much.

BUT...
Just play 'em. Whatever feels and sounds good to you, that's the one!

Lex,

It is hard to advise specifics on a forum......there are SO many brands and models out there. Most brands offer a wide range from cheapos to top of the line so the name does not mean much by itself.

A few things to think about....

1. How big are you and your hands? Many smaller women are better off with a guitar smaller than a dreadnought size (I think the Texan is dreadnought sized). Think about a concert or 000 size. The dreadnought has a bigger sound unplugged, but mostly you will be plugged in on stage so it does not matter.

2. The thickness and shape of the neck. Some acoustics have much thinner necks than others and some are vee shaped and others are like a baseball bat. You need to find one that feels good in your hands.

3. Action can be adjusted. Some say that an acoustic sounds better with higher action and thicker strings. But when they are plugged in, that really is not the case. Low action and extra light (.010) strings work fine for me. If you buy the guitar at a decent store, they should include a setup which includes adjusting the string height (that means taking out the bridge saddle and sanding down the back of it, a fairly big job).

4. Buy one that comes with a decent pickup already in it. Don't let the store talk you into an acoustic and a pickup that they will install. You want it to work properly and you want to hear it in the store plugged in before you buy it.

5. Get one with a built in tuner. You will be glad you did.

6. Be sure to try a Taylor. Even the cheapest ones sound good and play well. I have never heard a bad Taylor, Gibson or Guild. Martins are nearly all good except the cheapest. Other brands such as Epiphone and Ibanez vary a lot from bad to great so be careful.

Have fun.

I would stay away from the Ibanez Montage. I had a Danelectro with effects built in and while they sounded ok...ok is the best description, you can do better with mid level boxes.

Rather than pre select a make and model I would suggest you spend a day at a music store and go through the guitars there. Years ago I went to a music store to buy a Les Paul and after checking out every guitar in a line-up of Les Pauls I picked a really sweet sounding one...The problem was it wasn't a Les Paul but an Ibanez PF200, the guitar Gibson sued Ibanez in order to get them to stop making it ...because it sounded better then the LP's they were making at the time. If I had decided beforehand I might have missed trying out that guitar (which I still have dacades later).

Keep an open mind and buy for sound and not the cool factor (todays cool is tomorrows old fashioned)

The Epiphone is the best of these. They have others that are the hummingbird replica, that play well, stay in tune, and will deliver a high quality sound. I've played guitar over 40 years, Epiphone is the best value for the dollar or pound......

This guitar is cheap cheap but the sound is awesome.

http://www.teamintlco.com/Sx/Produc...oductSub2Type_ID=140&Product_ID=1003

You may need to order it. The SX dealer in the US is here.
http://www.rondomusic.com/

I do not see any in stock. SX is, IMO, bar none, the absolute best value in guitars these days. They are (mostly) hand made in China. I have a few of these and they are all exceptional value for sound. This is the dealer. Easy to work with and very experienced dealing over the internet






IF you are willing to go a bit higher than your budget, then these Canadian made beauties are for you.

http://www.macmarr.com/store/dionisio

I have one of these and it really is a beautiful instrument. They will also ship to the UK, and you might even ask if they will give you a discount if you "flog their wares" in the UK.




Finally, once again Canadian, Seagull is an awesome guitar for the money

http://www.seagullguitars.com/

Once again, don't be afraid to ask them for a discount to be out there seen playing their instruments.

Good luck!

Have a Seagull Cameo Artist model. Lovely guitar and stays in tune like nobody's business......

I have too many guitars if that's possible. I have 2 Taks, 3 Alvarez, an Anvsry Ovation, a Guild, a BreedLove, a Tacoma, a Sierra and I love them all. They all are for different things. For a gigging guitar, you can't hardly beat a GOOD Takamine for the price. Just don't get the Korean ones or one made in Taiwan. Try to find one made in Japan. My old Guild is by far the one I play the most and it's my ugliest guitar, until you play it! Just goes to show you can't go by looks or name alone or you might miss something great! Play them all and which ever one you can't put down.. (and is in your price range) buy!
-S