FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

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Question:
I would like to spend about $1200 on a new [or used] acoustic guitar. I would like to buy an ovation. What do you guys/gals recommend?

Answer:
You didn't mention needing it to be electric/acoustic... so I would say go listen to a Taylor…the 310 sells for around 800.00 and I think they sound a hell of a lot better than the plastic guitars. For 1200.00 you could get an even better Taylor than the 300 series, certainly better than any ovation I ever heard. Play a lot of guitars. I like Ovations and play them. For the money you are looking to spend, you should think about an Adamas SMT (the Guitar Centers have them for about that amount -- list is about $1700). It's a great guitar acoustic or plugged in.  However, I also like Larivee's and the inexpensive Martins. It's all personal preference, and you have to go where your ear leads you. I bought my Ovation from a friend and have been playing it for the last 6 yrs(with a few cookie breaks). I am one of the few people who play on it that doesn't have at least one complaint. A lot don't like the round back, say it falls off their leg. I like the back round cause when I slouch back on my couch the guitar is very comfortable sitting on my lap.  Some don't like the tone, which is a personal type preference. I would suggest playing several and find the one that suits you,Taylor, Guild, make some great sounding guitars too. I have read posts which imply Ovations have problems when exposed to big temp/ humidity changes because of the fake material on back. I have not endured any grief with mine.  Stays in tune much better than my Strat and my Epiphone. Put your $1,200 in a real guitar and buy a used but clean Martin. I've seen them on E-bay as well as other places. You'll get 3 times the guitar than buying an Ovation or most others.