Need some guitar advice, choosing between a Takamine, Dean, and Sigma

[KingNothing]

Dean Exotica FM

Takamine Jasmine

Sigma DM-4(M?) I can't find any pictures for this one, the link just has some people's opinions.

The Takamine is $200 + case ($70) + tax and has electric pickups. The Dean is $360 + case ($70) + tax. The Sigma is used but seems to be in excellent condition. The strings don't buzz, it sounds great, holds a tune well, no warping/visible damage, etc. Right now it doesn't have electric pickups, but the deal is guitar + install electric pickup + case for $400.

The two new guitars are from an established music store (Russo's), and the deal is any guitar you buy from them, for the first year they'll replace your strings for no charge and do setups for no charge. The used guitar is from a smaller shop that mainly specializes in guitar repair, but the guy that runs it said he would match Russo's service deal.

IMO, soundwise, Exotic > Jasmine, and I think the Sigma sounds the best, but I need to go back and play it some more to be sure. It sounds at least as good as the Exotic.

So, opinions?

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

I like Martins and Gretschs. Deans are ok for club jammin, Takamines are good for smashing, and I've heard Sigmas are junk.

 

[Atrail]

Buy a used Larrivee or Guild...
Good site to buy from, excellent buy back/trade in policy...

 

[xSauronx]

my brother has a dean...acoustic

sounds beautiful, he used to like takamine's alot, they sound quite nice, havent heard a sigma tho....but again, his dean sounds fantastic

 

[yellowperil]

The best cheap guitar I have played is the Taylor Big Baby. I got it for $310 shipped from guitartrader.com (had to phone it in because it's not advertised on their site). It just resonates better than any cheap guitar I've played (including Seagulls and lower-end Martins) and is easy to play due to its shorter-scale length.

 

[KingNothing]

BTW, I should mention that Martin owns Sigma.

 

[Kenazo]

smegma what? I'd go for a seagull or a simon & patrick if you can find one. for electrics I like Godin.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
smegma what? I'd go for a seagull or a simon & patrick if you can find one. for electrics I like Godin.

I didn't see either of those brands when I was browsing. Maybe they were there and I overlooked them because the price was too high.

Right now I'm shooting for $400 for an acoustic w/ electric pickups and a case. The Exotica will put me a little over that goal if I go that way, which is why I'm hoping the Sigma is as good a guitar as it sounds.

 

[Kenazo]

I think s&p's go for about $1000 here in Canada, so you should be able to pick them up in the states for around $500, I would think.

 

[Atrail]

Dude this is a great deal, the first one


Reviews

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Atrail
Dude this is a great deal, the first one

I just can't buy a guitar without playing it/feeling it first though.

 

[Atrail]

I understand that.
Read those reviews if you have the time. (You can always return it)...

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Atrail
I understand that.
Read those reviews if you have the time. (You can always return it)...

I read the reviews. The Sigma got a nearly equal overall score and I've played that one. Plus I'd have to pay shipping twice if I didn't like the Guild. Thanks for posting the link though, if there was someplace around here that had one I might be more inclined to go for it.

 

[Atrail]

BTW: The Sigma was reviewed by two people, the Guild 17.
Good luck, I hope you find the perfect guitar for you!

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Atrail
BTW: The Sigma was reviewed by two people, the Guild 17.

Duly noted.

 

[hdeck]

A friend of mine who has played guitar for 11 years still has his Takamine Acoustic, so I guess that must be a good one (though I haven't played it). I, personally have a Santa Rosa folk guitar and a Fender Stratacoustic.

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: Kenazo
smegma what? I'd go for a seagull or a simon & patrick if you can find one. for electrics I like Godin.

I didn't see either of those brands when I was browsing. Maybe they were there and I overlooked them because the price was too high.

Seagulls are known for their quality and cheap price tag. Check them out online or look for them in a music shop.

 

[yellowperil]

Sigma is owned by Martin but it's their low line. Same thing with Takamine and Jasmine. A lot of these guitars are made by the same factories overseas in Asia by machines. Thus most of them play OK but sound very dull. I think you'll hear the difference if you pick up a Taylor Big Baby or Seagull - they are handmade in USA and Canada, respectively.

 

[weezie]

Originally posted by: yellowperil
The best cheap guitar I have played is the Taylor Big Baby. I got it for $310 shipped from guitartrader.com (had to phone it in because it's not advertised on their site). It just resonates better than any cheap guitar I've played (including Seagulls and lower-end Martins) and is easy to play due to its shorter-scale length.

I bought a Big Baby last Christmas. Unbeatable for the price.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: weezie

Originally posted by: yellowperil
The best cheap guitar I have played is the Taylor Big Baby. I got it for $310 shipped from guitartrader.com (had to phone it in because it's not advertised on their site). It just resonates better than any cheap guitar I've played (including Seagulls and lower-end Martins) and is easy to play due to its shorter-scale length.

I bought a Big Baby last Christmas. Unbeatable for the price.

Okay, okay, I'll call around tomorrow and see if anyone has Guilds, Big Baby's, and Seagulls. But I am going to buy it locally because the stores around here give you free string changes and setups for a year.

 

[Atrail]

Larrivee too, D-03. It doesn't have a pickup but you should play it if you get the chance. That is what I play. Very nice Canadian guitar...

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Atrail
Larrivee too, D-03. It doesn't have a pickup but you should play it if you get the chance. That is what I play. Very nice Canadian guitar...

I played a couple Larivee's today (they were out of my price range) but I didn't like the sound as much as others.

 

[Atrail]

Watch the clip above I linked you too if you have the time...

Review

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Atrail
Watch the clip above I linked you too if you have the time...

Review

Holy crap that's a long video. :Q 253MB?!?!?! Not to mention a slow server, 27KB/s.

 

[Atrail]

It streamed smooth for me back at the house. (cable)
Its about 15-20 mins maybe.
Worth the time.