Best Acoustic-Electric Guitars Under $500: Takamine EG523SC Review

Body	Jumbo cutaway body with Flame Maple back and sides and a solid Sitka Spruce top.
Body Style	Jumbo
Body Wood	Solid Spruce Top, Flamed Maple Sides, Flamed Maple Back
Bridge	Rosewood
Case	Not Included
Case Type	Jumbo
Controls	tunable notch filter and switchable midrange contour
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	20
Hardware	Chrome
Machine Heads	Chrome Tuners
Machine Heads	Sealed Chrome Tuners
Model	EG523SC
Model Name	EG523SC Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Neck	Mahogany
Other Features	TK4NT Electronics
Pickguard	Tortoise Color Pickguard
Pickguard	Yes
Pickups	Piezo
Pickups	other
Series	G Series

The Takamine EG523SC is a jumbo-sized 6-string guitar with electronics. It features a solid spruce top with flamed maple back and sides and a natural gloss finish. This guitar is also available in a black finish. Takamine's TK40 electronics are included to really bring out its sound. Oh and I'll say it right now; in my opinion, this is the best looking guitar that you will find for under $500. The pearl fret inlays and gorgeous gloss finish really bring out the beauty in this guitar. Here is a perfect example of high quality craftsmanship in a very affordable instrument. 

Traditionally, Takamine guitars tend to sound great when plugged in but lose their spark when played unplugged. I can say that this guitar is not exactly an exception to this rule, but it is different from most Takamines. The EG523SC DOES sound great when unplugged, and for $500 it is a sound that is well worth the price. But plugged in, this instrument comes to life all over again. The volume of the guitar isn't as "boomy" as you may be accustomed to from other jumbo sized guitars, but there is still definitely some power behind it. Overall, there is a pretty balanced tone throughout and no tones overpower each other very noticeably. Basically, if you really like guitars that have a deep, rich sound or a brighter tone you should not buy this guitar without playing it first. It's all a matter of preference though.

The body of the guitar is jumbo sized, although it does not feel it. Takamine's jumbo guitars are perfectly shaped in order for comfortable playing. The action of the guitar straight out of the box was nice and low, and played better than most other guitars in shop; even those which had been previously been adjusted professionally. The only complaint that I, and and some others who own this guitar have is that there is some fret buzz around where the neck meets the body. Of course it is a very minor flaw that can be fixed by a guitar luthier. 

Overall, the Takamine EG523SC has anything and everything you could ever ask for in a guitar for under $500. While you may do a simple search and find this guitar $600 and up, just search a little bit more and you will find several retailers selling new for $500. The EG523SC is an amazing sounding jumbo acoustic-electric that keeps its tone plugged in or not. It plays comfortably, looks simply stunning, and will have everyone around you thinking you spent more than $1000.

Acoustic Tab: Damien Rice - Cannonball

Personally one of my favorite songs to play and listen to.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/d/damien_rice/cannonball_ver3_tab.htm

Intro/verse
|-------------------------------------------
|---------------------------3-3-3-3-3-------
|----0-0-0-0-0-0-0----------0-0-2-2-0h2p0-0-
|----5-5-5-5-4-2-0h2p0------0-0-0-0-0-----2-
|----2-2-2-2-2-3-3-----0h2--2-2-x-x-x-----2-
|-0--------------------3----3---2-2-2-----0- x2

|---------------------------------------0-0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
|-0-0-0-0-0---0-0-----3-3-3-3-3-3---3/5-0-1--1-1-1-1-1-1-1-
|-4-4-4-4-4h5-4-0h2p0-0-0-0-2-2-2p0-2/4-0-0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
|-0-0-0-0-0---0-0-----0-0-0-0-0-0---0-----2--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-
|-2-2-2-2-2---2-2-----2-2-2-x-x-x---------3--3-3-3-3-3-3-3-
|---------------------3-3---2-2-2--------------------------

-----------0---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
-----------1/3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-|
---------0-0---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
-----0h2---2/4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-|
-0h3-------3/5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-|
---------------------2-2-2-2-|

 Chorus
|-----------------------------
|-3----------------------3----
|-0----------------------2----
|-0----------------------0----
|-2----------------------x----
|-3----------------------2----
    Stones, taught me to fly
    Love, taught me  to  lie
    Life, taught me  to  die

|--------------0-----------0-------------------------------0--------
|--------------0-----------3-------------------------------3--------
|--------------0-----------0------------------------0--0---0--------
|--------------2-----------2-------------------0h2-----2/4-4--------
|--------------3-----------3-------------0h3-----------3/5-5--------
|---------------------------------------------------------------0---
  And it's not hard to fall     When you float like a    cannonball

Acoustic Tab: Tesla - Love Song

The intro to this song by Tesla has a beautiful sound to it. The following tab just includes the intro because once you get past this point, the singing/electric guitar takes over. This is probably a more advanced piece and might be a bit too hard for beginners, but who really knows. I think this is one of the best sounding acoustic tabs I've come across. The tab is found at this link from ultimate-guitar.com,  but I've copied it below for ease of viewing. Right below is a video of the song in order to understand the way it's played/sounds like.

E|-------------------------------------14p12p10--|
B|--8--8p7p5--7\3--3--3--------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------|
D|--0---------0----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|

E|--2----3----2h3p2p0--------------------------2--------------|
B|-----------------------2--3--5------3-----------3--0--2--3--|
G|---------------------------------------4--------------------|
D|--0---------------------------------------4-----------------|
A|-----------------------0------------2-----------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------3--------|

E|--5------7--5h7p5----0----2--3----------------2--------------|
B|--7------------------2----3--5----3--------------3--0--2--3--|
G|----------------------------------------4--------------------|  x2
D|--0----------------------------------------4-----------------|
A|---------------------0------------2--------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------3--------|

E|--2-------3--2h3p2p0-------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------2--3--5--3--2--5--3--3-----3-----2--2-----2-----3--3-|
G|----------------------------------------------0-----0--------2-----2-------|
D|--0------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------0--------2--0--------------------0-------------------|
E|-------------------------------------4--3-----------------------------2----|

E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----3-----3--3-----3-----0--2--3-----2--3--3/5--3--2h3p2-----2--3--|
G|--2-----2--------2-----2-----------2-----------------------2--------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------0-----------------------|
E|-----------2--------------3--------2-----------------------2--------|

E|-------------------------------------|
B|--0--2--3-----2--3--3/5--3--2h3---2--|
G|-----------2----------------------2--|
D|----------------------------------2--|
A|--------------------0-------------0--|
E|--3--------2-------------------------|

E|---------|
B|---------|
G|--4p2p0--|  x a lot lol
D|---------|
A|---------|
E|---------|

E|--------------------------------------------2--3--2h3p2p0-----------|
B|--------------------------------------------3--------------2--3--5--|
G|--4p2p0----------------4p2p0----------------2-----------------------|
D|---------4p2p0----------------4p2p0---------0-----------------------|
A|----------------4p2p0----------------4p2p0-----------------0--------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|

E|-----------2--------------|
B|--3-----------3--0--2--3--|
G|-----4--------------------|
D|--------4-----------------|
A|--2-----------------------|
E|-----------------3--------|

E|--5--7--5h7p5--0--2--3-----------2--------------|
B|--7------------2--3--5--3-----------3--0--2--3--|
G|---------------------------4--------------------|
D|--0---------------------------4-----------------|  x2
A|---------------0--------2-----------------------|
E|---------------------------------------3--------|

E|--2--3--2h3p2p0--------------------------------------------------2--|
B|-----------------2--3--5--3--2--5--3--3-----3-----2--2-----2-----3--|
G|-----------------------------------------0-----0--------2-----2--2--|
D|--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--|
A|-----------------0--------2--0--------------------0-----------------|
E|--------------------------------4--3--------------------------------|

E|--3--10-----|
B|--5--10-----|
G|------------|  slide up to the 10s
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|------------|

-From Ultimate-guitar.com

Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500: Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500M Review

$499

• Body Design: Dreadnought
• Tuners: Nickel vintage style open back
• Saddle: Bone compensated
• Hardware: Nickel
• Scale: 25.5 inches
• Nut Width: 1.68 inches bone
• Neck: Set
• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Inlay: Split diamond
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Binding: Body and neck
• Body Material: Solid mahogany
• Top: Solid Sitka spruce

Epiphone Masterbilt series guitars are often regarded as the best all-solid wood values in acoustic guitars available today. There are many different models and sizes in the Masterbilt collection, but for the purpose of this article we'll focus on the traditional acoustic dreadnought. The all solid wood construction features a sitka spruce top and a mahogany back, sides and neck with a satin finish. Overall, this instrument looks to be made with the quality materials and attention to detail that many good guitars $800+ include. The diamond fret inlays add a more expensive, luxurious look to the neck along with the Masterbilt logo included on the headstock of the guitar. It is a solid, well build instrument that includes everything it needs to create a sound comparable to guitars double the price.

The combination of the solid sitka spruce and solid mahogany give this guitar a great balanced tone. The lows are rich and full sounding, while high ring out in a bright, crisp fashion. The Masterbilt DR-500M really has a voice of its own, to the point where it feels that the guitar is actually playing for you. Just playing one open chord will showcase the power and volume of this dreadnought. The sound is great for anyone, singer-songwriters or those who just want to play some classic guitar tunes and progressions. 

Some who purchase this guitar without playing the exact one that they will be taking home out of the box have complaints about the action, but that can be easily fixed with a quick trip to the shop. If you are like most people and find the action to be set up quite well out of the box, you will be pleased. Usually it will be set up at low to medium, with no buzz and perfect intonation. Another small complaint is that the tuners were not exactly of the best quality. I personally felt that they were fine, but maybe some just didn't try tightening or loosening them up with the simple twist of a screwdriver. 

There's no doubt in my mind that anyone on a budget, but looking for a solid wood guitar should first take a look at the Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500M. And if you're not looking for a dreadnought, take a look at some of the other Masterbilt guitars. They are all a great solid wood value for your money, but make sure that you try the guitars before purchase. Everyone has his/her own style, and a sound that may impress myself may disappoint others. Regardless, this is a beautiful instrument that should at least be given a good glance before blowing a huge hole in your wallet on another guitar that may sound just as good. 

Best Acoustic-Electric Guitars Under $500: Walden CG570CE Review

Body

• body shape: Grand Auditorium
• top material: Solid Western Red Cedar
• back material: Mahogany
• side material: Mahogany
• soundboard bracing: Scalloped-X

Neck

• material: Mahogany
• nut width: 1 11/16 "
• fingerboard: Solid Rosewood
• trussrod: 2-way adjustable

Appointments

• binding: Black plastic
• rosette: Maple and Mahogany
• tuners: Die-cast chrome
• logo: Pearl
• bridge: Walden Rosewood bridge

Finish

• High Gloss

Options

• cutaway: Venetian
• EQ: Fishman Aero+ or Classic 4

Walden may or may not be a name you've heard about in the guitar world. They are a relatively new guitar manufacturer and don't have the name recognition of all the other brands such as Yamaha, Taylor, Martin, Larrivee, Ovation, or Takamine. Regardless, Walden guitars of comparable specs to these other manufacturers often sell for less than half the price. Why? Because in this day and age, consumers pay more for the brand name than the product may actually be worth. This isn't a problem with Walden.

The CG570CE is a Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric guitar with a cutaway. The solid western red cedar top and mahogany sides covered in a high gloss finish make this instrument appealing even before you play it. Once you play it however, you will fall in love. It seems unreal that a guitar that sounds this great can be found for around $400 or less brand new. The CG570CE is available with either Fishman Aero+ or Classic 4 electronics, but it sounds just as beautiful plugged in or not. It has a balanced yet powerful tone, especially for a slightly smaller body than the traditional dreadnought. On a scale from "Taylor to Martin" I would say this guitar's bright tone is more similar to a Taylor. Whether played by finger picking or strumming, the CG570CE holds up well and sounds amazing.

The Grand Auditorium body style of this guitar also makes it easy and very comfortable to play no matter your size. The deep waist of the Grand Auditorium shape  allows it to rest comfortable on your body. The only possible peeve for some with this guitar is that the nut width is 1 11/16". Although I personally had no problem, some passionate finger-stylists with larger hands may feel that the strings are a bit crowded. For strumming and shaping chords however, the width is perfect.

Overall, Walden has really set the bar in terms of price to performance value with the CG570CE Acoustic-Electric. For just $400, you get so much that most guitars upward of $700+ don't even include. And this is still a whole hundred away from the $500 mark. In this range, Walden still offers a few more great buys that are unmatched in terms of their value. Let's just hope that Walden keeps offering such great deals and doesn't turn itself into a manufacturer that sells its brand name rather than their guitars at the right price.

Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500: Yamaha FG730S Review

Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Rosewood
Neck	Nato
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Bridge	Rosewood
Tuners	Die-cast Chrome
Body Style	Dreadnought
Pick Guard	Tortoise-shell
String Scale	25 9/16"
Body Depth	3 15/16" - 4 5/8"
Nut Width	1 11/16"
Colors	Tobacco Brown Sunburst, Vintage Cherry
Finish	Hi-Gloss

Yamaha is known for the quality build of all its instruments, from pianos to guitars. The FG730S is no exception. Almost everything about this guitar speaks high quality. Because of its pricing at just $299, this FG series guitar is a good fit for both a beginner guitarist, and a professional musician on the road. While I wouldn't say it compares to higher end $1000+ guitars, the level of craftsmanship shown in this model proves that Yamaha offers great value for the price of their instruments. I wouldn't hesitate to say this is nearly THE best acoustic guitar available for under $300, but there is still close competition such as the Seagull Entourage and the Epiphone Hummingbird.

The FG730S definitely has one of the best sounds in its price range. While many guitars under $300 suffer from weaker highs in comparison to lows, this one does not. Each chord and string sounds beautifully bright and lively, while the there is still a substantial bass response. The model I played was working with 2-3 month old strings, so a new set would have made an even greater impression. 

Overall, the FG730S can't be beat at $299. There are a few other great choices in this price range, but all have great sound for the price, so it is entirely based on your opinion to decide. The FG730S is available in Natural, Cherry Sunburst, and Tobacco Sunburst finishes. While it doesn't boast anything flashy such as exotic woods or fret markers (other than dot inlays), this is a very professional looking guitar made from high quality materials.

Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500: Seagull S6 Series Review

$399

Specs:

• Top : Select Pressure Tested Solid Cedar
• Back & Sides : Wild Cherry
• Neck : Silver Leaf Maple
• Fingerboard & Bridge : Rosewood
• Tusq® nut and compensated saddle
• Finish : Semi-Gloss Custom Polished Finish

Let me put it this way; most who own this guitar, seasoned or beginner players, choose to keep their Seagull S6 regardless of anything else in their collection. You'll often see musicians with guitars worth upwards of $2,000 or more sell their most expensive guitars before the Seagull S6 goes. Why? Because simply put, this is one of the best guitars to own...regardless of price range.

But what sets the Seagull S6 apart from the numerous other options in the sub $500 price range? For one, its sound is phenomenal. Many people will pick up this guitar for the first time, play a few notes and chords and instantly compare it to some of the higher end Martin guitars. Is it really comparable to such expensive pieces? That's entirely based on opinion. But there wouldn't be so many people saying the same thing if there wasn't something great about this guitar.

The S6 series is very similar in terms of sound all the way around, but there are different models for different types of players. The S6 Original is normally best suited for finger-style players because of its 1.8" wide neck. There is also a "S6 Slim" model available with the more traditional 1.72" neck for those who like to play many different styles or just want to stick with something familiar.

The Seagull S6 also looks much better than a sub $500 guitar. The semi gloss finish along the cedar and rosewood give the body of the guitar a nice warm look while the silver leaf maple neck adds some luxury to its appearance. This Canadian made instrument is very well constructed, and has a look comparable to much more expensive instruments. Your friends will have no idea you got this baby for just $399.