Baby Taylors are very cool because the neck is so playable. You’re not going to get the rich, full sound you’re after, but then again, there aren’t going to be many full-size guitars in the price ranges you’re looking at that will provide that, either.
One of the most difficult obstacles for newer or occasional players to overcome is fretting. A Baby Taylor gives you a neck you can work with, as opposed to one that’s going to make you cry in pain and frustration.
Wow, this is a beautiful guitar.
But I can’t even afford a Baby Taylor. They run about $400.
Ibanez has more guitars in my price range. I love this one but can’t afford it, either.
But eBay had a LOT of Ibanez for good prices. I have to look locally, too, so I can actually try some out.
I heartily second the Takamine. I have one (not the same model) my brother bought 27 years ago. A couple of years later he decided guitar wasn’t going to be his instrument so he gave it to me. I really love that guitar. Although it hasn’t been in use for that entire time, I’ve definitely gotten years of use out of it and it’s held up extremely well. It plays as easily as a good electric, although for reasons of tone I do keep a heavier guage of strings on it which makes it physically a bit more difficult.
I’ve had a few friends who have owned Takamines and loved them, so I checked out the site. The model in that link (EG-240) doesn’t have a solid spruce top, and it’s not until you get up to the EGS330C ($499.99) that you get a solid top.
I don’t mind the laminated top in a $100 guitar, but a laminated top in a $300 guitar? I don’t think so. I keep cruising eBay looking for deals; perhaps I’ll find an affordable Takamine with a solid top.
I did, upon further research, find quite a few Big Baby Taylors for reasonable prices, but we’ll have to see what they go for when the auctions close …
[QUOTE=Spectre of Pithecanthropus]
I heartily second the Takamine.
[QUOTE]
I will third that motion, and add a vote for Seagull guitars. They are hand made and are excellent quality. You can find a decent one in the $200 for sure.
I discovered the Baby Taylor (and also the Little Martin) at my local guitar store recently, and I was really impressed with both of them. But wouldn’t that be starting off on the wrong foot for a new guitarist? If she ever wants to graduate to the full size model, she’ll find that very taxing if she’s only played a mini. On the other hand, they’re fine instruments in their own right, so who can say.
I don’t remember if this is true of the small Martin or Taylor that I looked at, but I also tried out a beautiful 3/4-size classical guitar, and it played a fourth higher than a regular guitar.
IIRC, the Big Baby guitar is 15/16 and very close in size to the full-size. I am a beginning player, but only because I haven’t played in years. I’ve been playing off and on since I was 15, so I don’t think the adjustment would be a problem.
[QUOTE=RancidYakButterTeaParty]
[QUOTE=Spectre of Pithecanthropus]
I heartily second the Takamine.
Here to second the recommendation for Seagull. Solid top, no frills, but very well made, and they sound delicious.
Thanks for all your input, folks.
I’ve decided to get an Art & Lutherie cedar-top cutaway guitar. I found a store that sells them for $260, and that seems a reasonable price. Plus, they have a layaway plan. 
I wish I could afford some of the nicer guitars recommended here, but I just don’t have the funds at the moment. Perhaps in a few years …
I suggest you put the dough into a used car. 
( couldn’t resist )
I do suggest that you find a better make of guitar that is used. If you find a good name brand, and it’s an instrument that has been played in some but not beat and played out, you may really do well. It might also get you in touch with folks who are extremely articulate when it comes to acoustic instruments- always a plus if you dig them.
Just a thought. My brother plays a Gibson and loves it. My daughter has an Ibanez and adores it. She spends more time with it than with the cheapo electric we got her. ( But, not nearly as much time as she spends on the violin. )
If time and travel costs are key, then I’d find one store or person with a hell of a collection. That way, in one place I’ve got a bunch to play and decide over. When the aforementioned daughter was shopping for a guitar, I let her go ahead into that section of the store. She was about 12 at the time, and could already play fairly well. The salesman was atrociously rude to her, assuming she’d trash anything she tried to play. He handed her a piece of crap, she played some bit of a song proficiently. He smiled, handed her a tasty well-made guitar and led her to the soundproof room used to play instruments one at a time.
Enjoy it !! I wish I know how to play an instrument, but hey, someone has to listen.
Cartooniverse
This is made by the same company that makes Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Godin, Norman, and LaPatrie guitars. They make good stuff. I have a Simon & Patrick cedar top that I’ve been very happy with. I think you’ve made a good choice.
I was given my Takamine 25 years ago – still sounds great and has been all over the place with me.
Oh yeah, until I can find one that can drive me to work, the guitar will have to wait.
I found a store here in town with a pretty good selection, and a VERY knowledgeable staff, and I went in asking to look at their used guitars, which I did. They had a Fender solid top cutaway, but it didn’t sound near as perty as the Art & Lutherie. The Martins have a beautiful sound, as do the Normans, but they didn’t have any used ones and the new ones are WAY out of my budget. They didn’t have a single Seagull, either, which I thought was strange as they carried a lot of the Godin line. No Baby Taylors, either.
But they have plenty of the cedar top I want, so it isn’t likely they’ll sell out in the next few months, which is music to my ears.