Hi everyone. I have been playing an Alvarez Acoustic-Electric for a number of years, but without taking any formal lessons. I know some of the basics, such as the major chords, minor chords and bar-chords. I am very serious about learning to play the acoustic now and want to play for many years to come. My question is this: I want to purchase another acoustic-electric that has a much more mellow sound than my Alvarez. Would I be foolish in investing as much as $1,000 into a very nice acoustic-electric guitar? If yes, then how much do you think I should put into one. Thanks for your feedback in advance.

My opinion
6 to 8 hunderd dollars will by a great guitar, after that you start paying for "Name" or "Pretty"

My advice
Go to many shops, play many guitars of all shapes and sizes and do not look at the name of who made the guitar. Use the sound your ears hear to decide what guitar you should buy next. Once you find one that feels good in your Hands and sounds Great to your ears. Buy it. You may find that your happy with a $500.00 guitar.

That's a pretty good price range to start with... I agree to some extent that after that you're paying for the name... but not entirely. For instance, I have a Breedlove AC250/C (about an 1,100 dollar guitar) and when I play it then play my friends Taylor 614CE (about a 2,400 dollar guitar) I can tell an extreme difference in the sound, the playability, and the craftmanship.

Now that you're seemingly becoming more serious about playing guitar, and you're also coming up with a budget - I would suggest looking at what feels right for you. You want something more mellow sounding? That sounds like you're looking at something with Mahogany back and sides - Avoid maple!!

Once you get over around 800 dollars you're kind of in the same quality range until you reach about 1,500 dollars. I don't suggest getting lower end models of high end companies. i.e. Martin or Taylor. These companies specialize in high end guitars and tend to subtract a lot from their lower end models while still retaining a high price tag.

Look at Breedlove, Gretsch, Gibson, and Epiphone Masterbuilt models... those should all give you high quality while maintaining a manageable budget.

__________________
Expect all your life to be let down, and to say goodbye to friends you've found... Becuase we both will have to leave this town, for better lives.

@haghj500 and @aschleman:

Thank you for your input. It is very much appreciated.

cricketboots.

I'm owner of Hofner HA-GA07 - it's cheap and sounds really great for me. Like guitars three or even four times more expansive.

Check my last video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ojlQKyZ4qc
Would you say that it costs 330EURO in Thomann?

Thing is, ya just gotta play it to know it and I think particularly for acoustics. I'd recently purchased a new acoustic (a Fender T-Bucket - reviewed here). It was only $300. Not that this is the guitar for you but, when I was trying out a number of them, this one had the sound and the feel I really liked. I wouldn't have known that until I played one.

Can you get a great guitar for 6 to 800 clams. Yep. Just gotta play them. The name on the headstock is unimportant if the feel and tone speak to you and particularly in acoustics.