Best 'Cheap' Acoustic?

[Curt Basner]

Hey all,

I'm a new kid over here at Cafe Wah....and am a full blown electric guy.

One of my good friends asked me, as I'm a 'guitar' guy, what I would recommend for one of her adult kids in a cheap acoustic guitar. Cheap is defined as less than $300, preferably around the $250 range.

While I recognize this request a being unfair, insane, and just utterly ridiculous, as we all know that the 'best' is what suits us best...I really need to come up with an answer. This lady is a really good friend and I need to help her out. I can tell you that the player is a semi beginner, and is VERY tall with large hands.

I suppose I could go to the local Guitar Center and mess around, but not knowing acoustics, I could spend way too much time. Do any of you have any thoughts on this? In terms of reviews, I understand that Washburn gets pretty good marks...

Thanks for anyone with an opinion...

[Eddie]

A Blueridge BR-40, BR60, or one of the new Johnson Carolina Series would be a great choice for that price range. I have a BR-73 (pictured lying down), and it makes a great backup to my Martin D-35.
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/e5841df2166dd424a57127423d276bbe/2038_p51309.jpg

[hank]

I concur wholeheartedly with Eddie. The Blueridge's are incredible. I have seen pics of the Carolina Series but haven't touched one yet.

These are real guitars. It's amazing.

[Tone Monster]

Well I'm really happy with the Takamine GS330S that I got a few months ago. I believe that they fall into the price bracket you have stated and for the money it is incredible.

Cheers,

Chris.