I was going to ask this in the show me your guitar thread but it has taken on a life of its own and I think I may get lost in there.
So here goes. The back story.
I use to play when I was young. Never very good but I could keep up with others. I would describe my self as a camp fire rock star. It sounds good in the moment after the crowd has imbibed a bit but if you listen to a recording it is a bit cring. Anyone with a little bit of talent does not have to worry about me replacing them in the band.
I stopped playing in the 1990s because my guitar broke. I had a Gibson acoustic that I am assuming was a clone that my parents had got me used when I was in school. But I was broke as well and trying to make it with two young kids so guitar was pushed to the back .
A while ago I picked up a segal to mess around with and also my daughter has expressed an interest in playing. Well she has taken ownership of the segal and it is now with her in NY.
Current day me was watching you tube and stumbled on the carbon fiber acoustic /electric guitars and I realized I want to get another guitar. This time it is for me. (Unless my kids kidnap it). I like guitars with standard width but thinner necks. I also like guitars that the edges are all rounded smooth. The neck, frets etc all have been rounded and finished. Other than that I am not good enough to know what else to look for.
Budget is flexible. I don't mind paying for quality. Let's say under 1k all in. I think I want to get an electrified accoustic. Beyond that I got no clue.
suggestions are needed!!!!
Figure a day when you can go try a few at local places. Get your hands on something you like.
For thinner necks, watch Ibanez and seagull.
Pay extra attention to the edges of the frets. Most models have electrified options if they're not standard, and usually not a lot extra $.
Acoustics are hard to recommend. I found a secondhand epiphone ej200 some years ago for $300. For sound and feel, I'd put it up against anything I've ever played. It works for me. Find something that works for you.
Get a good hard shell case and a tuner. Have fun.
mtn
MegaDork
11/15/24 10:31 a.m.
What are your goals with the electric part? Good sound at an open mic? Just amplification? Recording?
I would avoid any factory acoustic electric with a big cutout in the side, and would err to putting the electrics into an acoustic rather than getting one from the factory... but that is the tinkerer route. My open mic guitar is an Epiphone Frontier reissue (Korean made in the 90s). Acoustic, it sounds good but is nothing special. Plugged in, it sounds wayyyyyyy better than it has any right to sound. Why? The pickup. It is a Fishman Ellipse with a sound hole mic and a saddle pickup. Seriously, it sounds better plugged in than my Gruhn custom shop Martin with whatever pickup is in that - I never plug it in, because the Epi sounds so good comparatively.
How is your shoulder? Do you need to be considering a smaller shape (000, OM, 00, etc.) vs a dreadnaught or jumbo? My dad primarily plays his CEO7 (roughly 00 size) because of the comfort while the dreads sit in the closet.
Sub $1k, I'd be looking for used Larivee, new or used Eastman, new or used Epiphone Masterbilt series, Yamaha LL or L (preference to LL).
More thoughts later
Thin neck and rounded corners? Sounds like an Ovation. If you can find one go with the deep bowl for better acoustic sound, the mid and shallow bowls sound a little thin until you plug them in.