Acoustic-Electric-- talk me out of these

[Black]

I have an itch to buy an Acoustic Electric.
These two appeal to me most:
http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Acousti...00MCE.aspx
http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Acousti...Texan.aspx
Any reason either suck? Will I be sorry if I save $100 and choose from one of the many refurbs offered on eBay and elsewhere? They all seem to have "used" or similar lightly stamped into the headstock.

[Octave Doctor]

They're stamped used to make sure you can't get anybody to do any warranty service. And they usually have cracks and other defects. Just get a regular non-stamped used one, it'll probably be a better guitar.

[Wags]

Sight unseen? Like, you don't get to play it first then decide? Bad idea.

Go out and try as many as you can find locally, regardless of brand, then buy the one you like the most.

[graylocks]

Wags wrote:
Sight unseen? Like, you don't get to play it first then decide? Bad idea.

Go out and try as many as you can find locally, regardless of brand, then buy the one you like the most.

i agree. if the online prices are better at the very least find these models in a store and play them before you decide.

[Black]

graylocks wrote:
[quote=Wags]
Sight unseen? Like, you don't get to play it first then decide? Bad idea.

Go out and try as many as you can find locally, regardless of brand, then buy the one you like the most.

i agree. if the online prices are better at the very least find these models in a store and play them before you decide.
Thanks. It's a rather big difference in price. The Masterbilt runs $600 to $650 retail, $330 to $370-ish refurb:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=htt...dEDgKNA%3D&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1312.R2.TR10.TRC4.A0.H0.Xepiphone+.TRS2&_nkw=Epiphone+Masterbilt+DR-500MCE&_sacat=22966
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Epiphone-Masterb...SwIwhWQ8j8

[Wags]

A couple hundred bucks one way or another should have no bearing on a guitar you choose. And, each identical model of any instrument will play and feel differently to any one particular person. You're not buying an iPhone. Buying a musical instrument for you own use is a personal thing. If it feels good, sounds good to you as you play, it you will not only enjoy it more, you will play it more.

If you buy one that's a couple hundred bucks cheaper,only because it's cheaper, even though you liked the more expensive better, you should find another hobby.

Figure out the most you can afford, then go to every music store in town ands try guitars within that range. Buy the one you like the best.

[OWC Jamie]

buy both !

[SteveO]

You're in luck since BF is coming up. I bought an acoustic [Seagull] a few years ago at my local Guitar Center using an online coupon. Deals can be found/made.

[Buzz]

Just in case...

:-)

[JoeM]

I agree with those above. I'd spend the extra money. Go to a music store and ask them to bring out three of the same instrument. They'll all be different but you'll like one more than the others. That will be your guitar. Without playing the refurbs you may get a dog with little or no warranty.

The only guitar I've ever bought without playing first was my Asher lap steel which I had customized. And after receiving it I still wound up shipping it back for corrections.