Best Acoustic Guitar Under £200. Advice You Will Never Hear From A Guitar Shop
Scritto da: Richard Cholerton
|
Pubblicato su
|
Ultimo aggiornamento il
|
Tempo di lettura 5 min
Looking for the best acoustic guitar under £200?
Do not be fooled by "best acoustic guitar under £200" recommendations you find on guitar shop websites and industry magazines!
3 YEARS ago I did this video talking about this very same subject and whilst I forget the exact motivation for the video at the time I am pretty sure I would be saying something similar to what I have just been observing - and felt compelled to tell you.
Here is the video on "The Best Acoustic Guitar Under £200"
It seems 3 years on - and nothing has changed.
What Is The Advice Guitar Shops Don't Want You To Know?
OK - So guitar shops, especially big online stores who provide you seemingly endless choices of "guitars under £200" all share one thing in common. Most of the brands they are showing you are all from similar factories - often with poor or non existent human welfare standards - and has anyone even checked into it?
I have - I do. The truth is pretty grim and many of the factories supplying brand names you know and love are using factories exposing workers to untold dangers - carcinogens and poor working conditions.
The supposed "choice" you receive is no more than a color change, a variation in body shape, a brand name on the headstock but this is all smoke and mirrors.
So where should you be focusing your attention most of all? EXACTLY where they do not want you to look.
Which is.... HOW DOES IT PLAY? HOW DOES IT SOUND? Where was this MADE?
You may as well forget the descriptions and recommendations - merely content on a page to try and make one guitar sound more interesting than another. They are all much of a muchness - in terms of quality - feel - sound - Its next to impossible to differentiate one from another. Thats the TRUTH - whether you want to hear the truth or no - thats the reality.
So whats MY advice when looking for the best acoustic guitar under £200?
1. Have the guitar setup - either by the shop you are buying from or privately after you have purchased it.
Every single guitar I sell is setup to perfection. If you had your guitar setup privately at Richards Guitars in our workshop it would cost you £85 - but when you buy a guitar - its FREE.
As well as the FREE setup worth £85 - ensuring your guitar plays to perfection - You can return the guitar in 6 and 12 months to have it reset!
Guitar shops do not want you to know HOW important a setup is. If they let you know this crucial fact you would soon realise how utterly pointless it is scrolling through page after page of acoustic guitars under £200 when NONE of them are setup pre sale - and if they SAY they do - they are most likely telling "porkies" - because if they DID, they would be shouting it from the hill tops! Its a very expensive, time-consuming process, which high volume retailers do not have the resources to provide - so they dont mention it whilst appearing to offer you lots of choice - and even when they do - you need to make sure this setup they talk about is actually a full setup and not just "tuned".
Watch The Following Video To See How Much Work Goes Into A Setup (FREE With Your Guitar Purchase At Richards Guitars)
2. Buy a brand that is the ACTUAL manufacturer
If you want to test my advice, ask any other store you visit, how many of the guitar brands they are recommending actually MAKE the guitar they are selling? You will soon find out that probably NONE of them do. So to give you a sample.... Ibanez, Tanglewood, Sigma, Fender - all brand names you THINK would make guitars - but dont ACTUALLY make them in this case. They out source to what are called OEM manufacturers like Cort guitars who will produce the guitar with their brand name - and ship it to them - for them to pass on to dealers - who pass them on to you - the guitarist looking for the best acoustic guitar under £200!
But think about it? How on Earth can a brand name, who has a large marketing budget, guitar endorsements to fund, who is having to pay an external manufacturer to produce their guitars and have them shipped to them - be as economical to produce and supply as a manufacturer who is selling their brand direct to the distributor or retailer? In simple terms - any manufacturer using an OEM producer will have to sell the guitar at a higher price than the OEM manufacturer selling their own brand direct.
OK - So the simple question therefore is how many manufacturers who produce OEM guitars also supply their guitars direct? Well I deal with both of the highest profile examples - Cort guitars and Fujigen guitars. Fujigen are made in Japan and renowned for their high end guitars and Cort guitars are the Worlds largest manufacturer in the mid price market.
Cort have technologies that most brands could only dream of and have put brands like Tanglewood guitars, Ibanez guitars, Fender guitars on the map when it comes to providing players affordable acoustic guitars - but ultimately the way to get most bang for your buck is.... to buy a CORT!!!
So now we have TWO vital pieces of advice that will save you so much pain and heart ache - as well as money.
What is the point of buying your first acoustic guitar under £200 only to then have to upgrade 6 months later because the guitar you have bought plays like a cheese grater?
Putting these two vital pieces of advice together and the obvious conclusion I would give you is...
The Cort Earth 60M has just been launched for 2023 and is INCREDIBLE and comes complete with our FREE professional setup (worth £85) as well as a 6 and 12 month check and reset at our workshop totally free of charge.
I guarantee you that my ONE offering of a solid topped Cort acoustic guitar under £200 will play better than any other guitar you could buy elsewhere - will sound fantastic and be of the highest specification your budget can afford.
So? You want me to give you 50 other body shapes, colors, or brands to browse? I can't - because they are not my recommendation - for the reasons highlighted above - but should you wish to buy a more expensive guitar or a brand of lesser quality - we can of course have that guitar setup for you to a professional level for £85
Here is the Cort EARTH60M With its solid mahogany top this is an incredible guitar and with our professional setup included this is literally second to none...
Hi Richard
Very interesting piece. Certainly made me think. I was thinking about getting the Vintage VE900MH after reading a review. I don’t know if they make them themselves or not and so fall into your category of actual manufacturers.
I have an Alvarez AD60 12 string that I literally cannot get my hand around due to worsening tendonitis in my left wrist (fretting hand) so need to sell. Its virtually untouched and un-played and just gathering dust.
I’m after a more manageable budget electro acoustic under £200 just for home use and the occasional small gig in a duo setting.
Need to sell the Alvaraez first though
Any advice
Cheers
Ian
Per me non c'è differenza tra vita "personale" e vita "professionale": è tutta "la mia vita". Interconnessa e quindi altamente personale. Ogni chitarra che vendo (OGNI) è una chitarra di cui posso raccontare i retroscena, le persone che la producono, l'etica del marchio e il modo in cui si allineano con la mia, sono raccomandazioni personali genuine basate su 28 anni di attività nel settore.
Con un settore dominato dal marketing, dal clamore e dallafedeltà "bieca" al marchio, i rivenditori si concentrano su ciò che viene loro richiesto, con pochi sforzi per far conoscere chitarre migliori di quella richiesta. Questo porta a molte decisioni di acquisto sbagliate!
Ecco una rapida introduzione ai marchi che spesso definisco "i miei bambini", ma che in realtà si possono semplicemente definire "punti di riferimento". Controllate i prezzi, le specifiche, la qualità e la storia - e trovatemi un marchio che faccia meglio - o che ci si avvicini. Il fatto è che da Richards Guitars non si può comprare una cattiva chitarra, ma si può trovare solo il meglio, configurato in base alle proprie esigenze personali.
La mia "collezione personale"
Dettaglio - Chiarezza-Potere-Risonanza-Bellezza
Furch ha cambiato tutto...
Ho introdotto Furch nel Regno Unito oltre 20 anni fa, insieme al mio buon amico Keith Twine, che nel frattempo è andato in pensione.
All'epoca ero un fornitore leader di marchi come Gibson, Martin e Taylor. L'esperienza delle chitarre Furch mi ha fatto capire che c'è ciò che "si conosce" e ciò che "si dovrebbe conoscere". Solo perché non lo sai, non significa che non esista!
Cosa significa tutto questo? Dimenticate quello che pensate di sapere e aprite la mente alla possibilità di trovare di meglio - e vi garantiremo un'esperienza che non dimenticherete mai - con l'aiuto di Furch e di altre mie scoperte personali nel corso dei decenni.
Qualità, tono e sensazioni ispirate a un prezzo che non avreste mai pensato fosse possibile.
Un marchio britannico di riferimento
Con un'incredibile storia alle spalle - un marchio veramente britannico ma globale che utilizza le competenze condivise del team Gordon Smith in Inghilterra e di un piccolo laboratorio boutique in Cina - Il risultato? Un'incredibile qualità che supera di gran lunga quella dei marchi riconosciuti di produzione di massa allo stesso prezzo.
Realizzato a mano - Impostazione standard - Conveniente
Siamo stati il primo rivenditore britannico di chitarre Eastman...
....e continua a essere il loro più grande ed esperto rivenditore nel Regno Unito, fornendo chitarre Eastman in tutta Europa.
Originariamente conosciuti per la straordinaria qualità delle loro cime ad arco fatte a mano - prodotte da liutai - con il diffondersi della loro fama si sono sviluppati nel mondo della produzione di chitarre elettriche e acustiche che continuano a essere realizzate a mano.
Eastman è diventata una forza enormemente dominante nel mondo della chitarra, producendo il "best in class" in ogni genere di chitarra su cui decide di concentrarsi.
Nessuno li conosce meglio o può offrirvi un'esperienza migliore.
Sia che decidiate di fare un'esperienza in showroom o di acquistare online, non potreste essere in mani più sicure.
Da oltre 30 anni Godin risolve i problemi dei chitarristi acustici ed elettrici che si esibiscono, producendo gli strumenti più divini, eleganti, di altissima qualità e al tempo stesso in grado di soddisfare le esigenze pratiche dei moderni professionisti dell'esecuzione.
Si potrebbe dire che Godin è l'antitesi di Gibson! La reputazione di Godin è costruita in gran parte sul passaparola di professionisti e musicisti di sessione che hanno bisogno che i loro strumenti siano altamente affidabili e costanti sera dopo sera.
Prendetene una tra le mani e capirete subito il loro contributo unico all'evoluzione della chitarra.
Devo ringraziare Stuart, direttore del distributore britannico Selectron, per aver pensato a me quando ha fatto una scoperta molto speciale nelle vesti di Luigi - un uomo che costruisce quelle che possono essere descritte solo come opere d'arte suonabili. Un uomo straordinario - chitarre straordinarie e non posso che ringraziare Luigi e Stuart per aver pensato a me come una persona perfetta per aiutare a rappresentare il lavoro di Luigi nel Regno Unito.
Chitarre mozzafiato realizzate da uomini che portano avanti la loro passione letteralmente in una zona di guerra.
La storia umana è fonte di ispirazione, ma non meno della qualità impeccabile e meticolosa con un enorme pizzico dell'ingrediente segreto che tante chitarre non riescono a trovare: il MOJO!
La collezione più completa di chitarre elettriche a prezzi accessibili.
Vi aiuteremo a trovare il miglior suono - Chitarra elettrica a prezzi accessibili
Promuovo le chitarre di marca Vintage dal giorno in cui sono "nate", oltre 20 anni fa! In questo lasso di tempo sono diventate sempre migliori... e migliori... e migliori! Non solo, ma la gamma è diventata epica. Qualcosa per tutti!
Negli ultimi due anni ProShop è diventato uno dei più interessanti produttori di chitarre artigianali del Regno Unito, utilizzando la gamma Vintage come base per creare chitarre meravigliose ed emozionanti che normalmente costerebbero migliaia di sterline.
Vedrete tante storie di marketing e false affermazioni di cinghie per chitarra fatte a mano nel Regno Unito, spesso con l'aggiunta di un enorme prezzo di sovrapprezzo.
FIDATEVI DI ME - QUESTI SONO...
Le più belle tracolle per chitarra in pelle fatte a mano che il denaro possa comprare
Realizzato a mano a Walsall con metodi tradizionali da uno dei più grandi sellai di cavalli del Regno Unito.
L'inserto in memory foam assicura un comfort eccellente - Queste cinghie dureranno per tutta la vita.
Eastman T386 (After 1 year, and having bought more from Richards Guitars)
I was anew customer when I purchased my Eastman T386 just over a year ago, and was very pleased with thre service and expertise of the staff, as well as the wonderful experience I had choosing the guitar oin their showroom. I went on to buy another guitar (this time a Fretless Bass, by Cort) which was a "Pre-Loved" instrument. Again the experience was very good, and the setup was excellent. Having recently had mny free 1 year setup up, I can again say that thee service offered at Richards Guitars is second to none. They are accommodating when it comes to organising things to suit you, and the setup itself ranks as the best I have ever had.
Handmade with precision and attention to detail by Eastman. Set up to perfection by the Richards Guitar team.
A modern boutique re-imagining of the classic single-cut mahogany bodied guitar of the '50s.
Beautiful clear, articulate, and dynamic tones. My Eastman SB59 is my main guitar, used for writing, recording, out on the road, and peaceful moments of home playing.
I purchased my Furch, sight unseen and unplayed. I explained to Jake my style of music, how I played and the sound I was looking for. Originally I thought a Dowina was for me but after a few online chats, watching a few online videos etc., I was persuaded that I should go for Furch Blue Gc-CM Master's choice with the CNR active neck model instead. I am extremely pleased with the service I received, the advice given and the updates on ordering, arrival and delivery. All spot on. I was in no great hurry to get it but it was good to be kept informed.
This guitar is something special to hold, to play and to look at. It really is beautiful in all aspects. I had wanted to buy another acoustic (ideally electro) for a while and with the advice of a friend who has the T98 Parlour Lag I went for the T98 ACE. I wanted a high quality guitar that would feel equally at home with finger picking and strumming, had a warm tone, well balanced highs and lows, has a lovely resonance and could somehow effortlessly amplify my soft figure picking in the absence of long finger nails...oh and at a modest price (below £500) - not too much to ask for right!? Ha ha
Well I must say this has exceeded all expectations and I got more than I'd hoped for with the T98 ACE and that's even before I plug it in!
What made it even more special was the much needed advice and guidance I received from the team at Richard's Guitars whilst weighing up my options as well as the care and attention that went into setting up the guitar to my specifications and making sure that it was nothing less than amazing before it was posted out.
The quality of the guitar makes me play better and sound better. Part of my goal was to get back into guitar playing after going through a period of years where life was getting in the way. I can safely say since purchasing this guitar I have played more in the past few weeks than I had in the past 5 years! It even spurred me on to put up a proper guitar hanging rack.
I highly recommend the guitar and what's more I highly recommend Richard's Guitars
Richards guitars provided an unbelievable experience via on line purchase. he guitar came well packed and arrived in fantastic condition. Communication via email was flawless. I've attached a picture of me in the Amazon jungle from this past July!
Just bought another wonderful guitar from Richard's Guitars. It's an Auden 12 string. It's what I was missing in my arsenal of guitars. It is an amazing guitar that was recommended to me by Jon and Jake and they never let me down. It sings so sweetly and I can't put it down. Another massive thanks to Richard, Jon, Jake and Chris the guitar tech for all the expert advice and knowledge they gave me. They are all so understanding and great guys. The fingertips are sore but I'm a very happy guy...all the best, Barrie
Richard Guitars - Furch Yellow Gc-CR SPA Master's Choice
I had a appointment to try some guitars in the showroom.
Jake had already selected some he thought I'd be interested in and was on hand when needed for information and advice. It was a lovely experience. I played a lot of guitars in those 3 hours and never felt rushed or pressured in any way.
The Dowina guitars are some of the most beautifully crafted instruments I've seen and play beautifully.
In the end I picked a Furch. The sound is exceptional - rich and resonant.
I left the showroom confident I'd picked the right guitar for me and paid a very reasonable price for it.
The guitar was delivered 3 days later. I'd asked for a couple of minor tweaks which had been done and overall the setup was spot on.
The whole team were a pleasure to deal with and I am a very happy customer. Would highly recommend.
I'm 74 years old, have been an electric guitar player since my teenage years and haven't owned an acoustic since my teenage 'folk' days. I've been playing live in bands for many years but stopped a couple of years ago and have some issues with arthritis in my hands. I still have 3 of my electric guitars but wanted an acoustic in order to encourage more spontaneous bouts of playing instead of having to pull an amplifier out and get an electric set up. I also feel that an acoustic will help me to focus on my technique.
I have spent a lot of time researching brands, suppliers and watching reviews. Richards Guitars, I thought, had a really customer focused attitude so, after talking to Jake about my short list and taking his very honest advice, I ordered a LAG T118ACE. Getting the guitar set up by Richards Guitars with the best possible action was a big factor and, within a few days, my guitar arrived ready to play. It's a complete beauty and a real quality instrument! Throughout the process, Jake has been there for me, answering my questions and pointing me in the right direction.
A huge "thank you" to Richards Guitars. All I have to do now is get used to playing an acoustic again!
Thanks very much to Richard's Guitars for providing such an outstanding service.My beautiful guitar arrived in perfect condition and was set up perfectly and ready to be played straight from the box.This service was invaluable to me as It would have been very hard for me to find someone in my area to do a proper set up for me.All in all top class.I'll definitely be back.
Thanks again.Luke.
Hi Luke
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a kind review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us and that your guitar arrived in perfect condition. We always strive to provide top-notch service and we're glad we could make the set up process easier for you. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Happy playing!
A couple of weeks ago I visited Richards Guitars at short notice and they were amazingly accommodating given my very narrow time frame. I wanted to try the Dowina parlour size guitars and Jake had set up several for me to try. I already have a Dowina GAC Rosewood/Cedar and wanted something smaller. The bv Pure was an absolute delight to play but I also asked if I could try an OM size Dowina. The moment I started playing the Walnut/Cedar version I was hooked. It was just the perfect size and felt incredibly comfortable to play and had a really sweet sound.
It arrived today, perfectly set up with strings I wanted and I could not be happier with it. Fantastic guitar and wonderful service. These guys are just the best.
