Please help me decide which acoustic guitar I should buy!?

Question

I spent 4+ hours at bewtween 2 guitar stores today debating whether or not I should get the Ibanwz EW20WE Zebrawood Electric-Acoustic guitar
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-EW20ZWE-EXOTIC-WOOD-SERIES-Zebrawood-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-104302476-i1172985.gc

or the Takamine GS330S acoustic guitar-
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Takamine-GS330S-Acoustic-Guitar-100461893-i1148963.gc

The Takamine is $300 and the Ibanez is $350.
I really like the way the Takamine sounds, but I don't like the fact that it has no cutaway. I think the Ibanez looks really cool and I like how it is an acoustic-electric but it doesn't sound quite as good as the Takamine.

Which one should I buy?
Thanks!

plus the Takamine has a solid top!

Answer 1

If the Takamine has a solid top and the Ibanez doesn't -- and you like the sound of the Takamine better -- get the Takamine.

You'll get over the lack of a cutaway.

Unless you're planning to play amplified onstage a lot, where the built-in pickups on the acoustic-electric Ibanez would be useful, get the Takamine.

Good sound and a solid top are more important for an acoustic than a cutaway and piezo-electric pickups IMO.

Answer 2

Well it sounds like the Takamine is the better guitar overall, but if you NEED a acoustic/electic then get the ibanez. Will you be gigging alot with this guitar? If not, get the Takamine.

Answer 3

No! No! No!

Never, ever, ever, let someone online tell you what instrument you buy.

This instrument is going to be your instrumental relationship for years. You need to consider how far and how serious you are about your guitar studies, you need to consider instruments within your price range, you need to consider which instruments feel best and seem to be a best fit, and first and foremost, ask your teacher for advice in choosing an instrument!

There are too many variables for anyone online to be able to pick you an instrument that will fit your needs and that you will be happy with!