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50th Birthday Guitar- suggestions welcome

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jwl68th

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Ok, my wife and I are both turning 50 this summer and as we all know she wants jewelry (what a shock). I was kicking around another Warmoth build and my wife suggested that I buy a new acoustic. I had a painful shoulder injury (adhesive capsulitis) 2 years ago and cannot play a full size acoustic for more than 20 minutes without pain. I guess what I'm looking for is a nice quality auditorium size acoustic. Have been checking out the usual suspects, Martin OM-1GT, Breedlove Retro series OM/ER and the Taylor 214g Grand Auditorium. I've budgeted up to $1000 give or take and was looking for any suggestions, reviews and any guitar I should not ignore. thanks in advance,Mark

PS: 30th Wedding aniversary is next year, so another Warmoth build will probably happen anyway.
 
To my ears, Larrivee gets 90% of the deep Martin sound with just enough treble balance to be distinctive, with better build quality, at a better price. $1000 buys an OM-03 no problem, I don't know if they make anything between that and a parlor, though.
 
The ones you've picked are extra nice; I can't imagine improving on those choices. If it was me, I'd do the Taylor (I have a 310 now and can attest to their magic), but there is a certain cachet attached to owning a Martin. Even people who don't know guitars know a Martin is the be-all, end-all. Taylors and Breedloves are no less of an instrument, but they often require introduction.
 
I'd suggest you check out some of the Seagull folk & "grand concert" sized guitars ("grand concert" being much smaller than normal sized).  I bought one for a friend years ago, and it's been one of the best instruments she ever had.  Seagulls are a bit cheaper than the Martins & Taylors, but IMHO are way undervalued, and excellent build quality for the money.  I didn't see it on their site, but they used to have a really niced parlor sized guitar as well.  Seagulls part of a family of multiple brands that have varying levels of quality/cost, some above, some below Seagull, and there's a few parlor & folk sized guitars there.
 
The Blueridge line is surprisingly well constructed and good-sounding at the price, especially at the upper end.

http://sagamusic.com/catalog/products.aspx?categoryid=2&familyid=2&brandid=5
 
ihavenothingprofoundtosay said:
I'd suggest you check out some of the Seagull folk & "grand concert" sized guitars ("grand concert" being much smaller than normal sized).  I bought one for a friend years ago, and it's been one of the best instruments she ever had.  Seagulls are a bit cheaper than the Martins & Taylors, but IMHO are way undervalued, and excellent build quality for the money.  I didn't see it on their site, but they used to have a really niced parlor sized guitar as well.  Seagulls part of a family of multiple brands that have varying levels of quality/cost, some above, some below Seagull, and there's a few parlor & folk sized guitars there.
Click to expand...

I can vouch for the quality of Seagulls.. and..

I own and play a taylor.  :icon_thumright:
 
I realize this is a controversial suggestion, but have you considered an electric guitar with a piezo bridge?

If you do that, you should DEFINITELY shield the cavity!  And have LOTS of knobs.  There...now I'm controversial.
 
I have a new version from Heritage.
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+1 for finding an old Gibson (or any older acoustic for that matter). If you shop around, you will no doubt find a guitar that you play, LOVE the sound and feel of. Please don't buy from the fleabay or online at all. for acoustics especially it is very important to play the individual guitar. Some acoustics are good, some are bad, even within a certain model or manufacturer. Just go around the guitar shops until you find one, and be open to whatever model, year, brand it is because you never know which one will be amazing. I was in a shop a while back and my dad was drooling over all these brand new gibsons and martins. I found a lonely beat up Gibson from the late '50s off in a corner. I made him pick it up and play. It was one of the most amazing acoustics I've ever played or heard, and he agreed. Being a poor college student I did not buy it, but it was insane.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I most certainly will be playing before I buy anything. Not gonna overlook the Seagulls either. I had a Seagull S6 but sold it when I hurt my shoulder. Lots to look at, should be alot of fun. Thanks again, Mark
 
Luke by Uberschall said:
ihavenothingprofoundtosay said:
I'd suggest you check out some of the Seagull folk & "grand concert" sized guitars ("grand concert" being much smaller than normal sized).  I bought one for a friend years ago, and it's been one of the best instruments she ever had.  Seagulls are a bit cheaper than the Martins & Taylors, but IMHO are way undervalued, and excellent build quality for the money.  I didn't see it on their site, but they used to have a really niced parlor sized guitar as well.  Seagulls part of a family of multiple brands that have varying levels of quality/cost, some above, some below Seagull, and there's a few parlor & folk sized guitars there.
Click to expand...

I can vouch for the quality of Seagulls.. and..

I own and play a taylor.  :icon_thumright:
Click to expand...

Off the subject, but have you read Bob Taylor's new book yet, "Guitar Lessons?"  Real inspirational, and a must-read for all Taylor fans! 
 
tfarny said:
To my ears, Larrivee gets 90% of the deep Martin sound with just enough treble balance to be distinctive, with better build quality, at a better price. $1000 buys an OM-03 no problem, I don't know if they make anything between that and a parlor, though.
Click to expand...

+1
Just about to recommend the Larrivee myself before I read this, he is 100% bang on with that statement. All the warmth and depth of the martin with a nice trebly overtone and much cheaper then the Martins it competes with. Such a good bunch of acoustics. 
 
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