I am in the market for a new acoustic, here are my three choices. I have played all three and all three are high quality and put out great tone.

Choices:
1. Epiphone Masterbuilt DR-500R
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?Pro ... ctionID=15

2. Guild Dv-6 USA Tacoma
http://guildguitars.com/instruments/sea ... 3830060821

3. Yamaha FG700s
http://www.yamaha.com/guitars/products/ ... CT,00.html

Does anyone have experience with these Epi Masterbuilts? I played one today at a local store and was really impressed. It was a DR-500 with a nice inlay on the neck and a solid Sitka top. It has nice reviews on Harmony Central and they are asking $450 for it since it is a barely used display model. It is well within my price range and would leave me with $200 extra to pocket or us for bills/other expenses. Any thoughts or has anyone else owned one?

I had my mind set on a Guild DV-6 that was made in Tacoma because I really like this model and wanted an American made acoustic. It would cost me between $700-800 and is a little out of my price range but an acoustic i would be able to keep for a long time and play until it fell apart. I could see splurging and paying a little extra since this is the acoustic I have wanted and would be keeping for a long time.

The Yamaha FG700s is an unbelievable guitar for only $200. It was my first acoustic which I sold to a friend 6 months back for the same price I paid for it. I know it is solid since I have owned one and this time I would get the sandburst color. Getting this one would allow me to pocket an extra $400-$500 OR buy some Kinman Broadcaster pups for my Telecaster and still pocket $250.

SO what do you guys think? Any info will be appreciated.

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

try a takamine.
i love mine!

http://www.takamine.com/

but out of your list i would go for the Guild.

Hello BlackCatBone,

Masterbuilt epi's are nice, I play them at GC.

The Guild Tacoma is noticeably heavier and
at least seems super well made and comes with
a hard case so this would be my choice of the 3.

Haven't played the Yamaha so no input there.

Happy Holidays.

Cheers.

BlackCat Bone, Epiphones are way better guitars than the price that is asked for them. I just got an AJ200, and I have been wondering why it sounds so good. It rings forever. It's a dark sunburst dreadnaught. The cheap strings it came with seem to drive each other and prolong fade.
I bought an Epiphone Jumbo, a knock off of the guitar used by Elvis, Oasis,
etc, but returned it. It didnt project above the 3rd fret. And it was hard to reach around.
The AJ200 was $165 with GC coupon. A bargain. I was troubled by the fact that it was made in China. A cruel place. But it isnt the guitar's fault....
Check out the guitar you desire on GC and MF. There are reviews you can read for almost everything. SALES START SATURDAY!

Good luck in whatever you choose.

Of the three, my vote goes to the Guild.
I played one yesterday in the shop next to an Ovation and it swiped the floor with the competition.

The Guild is the acoustic I wanted from day 1. The DV-6 is just a stripped down dreadnaught without the bells and whistles but with super super sound! If I got this one it would just be a lifelong friend and I wouldn't need to look for another acoustic unless I decided to buy a higher end one.

I never would have considered an Epi but after playing the Masterbuilt I was super impressed. If I got the Epi i'd probably end up wanting to upgrade at some point and feel i'd be less satisfied with the guitar itself than I would a Guild.

MF and GC are out of the question because I try to do as little business with them as possible after several bad experiences in the past. Just my personal preference.

So the tally is

Guild x2
Epi x1
Takamine x1

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!