Acoustic Guitar suggestions...

  • Thread starter Thread starter downatone
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downatone said:
I took a look through the specs on Gibsons site for this, but couldn't see what electronics it had, this leads me to believe it doesn't have any...therefore would be a no-go. But in case I'm wrong, where did you find it for that price, I could only find it for $1679 and up.
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Musicians Friend, and it comes with a fishman pickup,and eq
 
Go to as many guitar shops as you can and play every guitar in your price range. Ignore what the headstock says and just pick the one you like best. Seriously, that's the only way to do it.
 
i love my martin d-15. it records superbly and has a beautifully balanced tone. i bought it for that reason alone, and chose the one i bought over a couple others on the rack (as well as over some of the higher-end models like an HD28V). mine spoke to me, and that was that. i don't have a pickup in it, but that's b/c i'm lazy and cheap and play my hollowbody ibanez when i need to plug in. i've been meaning to put an LRBaggs Ibeam in it, but other things keep being higher priorities.

really, IMO, you need to look at what your needs are--do you want a guitar that kicks ass acoustically, or a guitar that kicks ass when plugged in? you usually have to pick one and compromise on the other. ovations and taks sound great plugged in, but acoustically i've never heard one that doesn't sound like ass warmed over. good luck trying to get good results with a mic in front of an ovation. and conversely, most good acoustic guitars compromise their tone when you put a pickup in it--usually b/c you're breaking the structural integrity of the wood or another of the many factors that can play into it, since they weren't *designed* as plug-in guitars like ovations.

personally, i've never liked taylors. i've played a lot from all various series, and everyone has sounded bland and lifeless to me. sure they play really easily, but IMO, it's at the sacrifice of tone. i've always thought that you give a taylor to a girl or to the lead singer to hold and strum during ballads where they need to LOOK like a guitarist. :D YMMV.

I'll admit that i'm a fan of the martin sound--always have been. sure their action tends to be higher, but i'll go to my grave contending that that's a large factor in the tone--namely b/c when you lower the action on a martin, you lose some of that classic tone. some folks hate martins and feel the same way about them that i feel about taylors (except that you wouldn't exactly give a guitar with high action to a girl OR a lead singer....) :p again, YMMV.


in all, no one can tell you what guitar is right for you. take a trip down to Buffalo Brothers in SoCal (LOVE that shop!!) and play 50 guitars. bring a pen and paper and TAKE NOTES! find what you like and what you don't like about all of the ones you play. i've played a few larrivees, matons, breedloves and santa cruz guitars that i've thought were real winners.....and i've played a number of martins, taylors, guilds and gibsons that i thought were dogs. again, YMWV.

no matter what though, i guarantee you that one guitar will sing to you, and when you hear it--THAT is when you put down your money......and with proper treatment, you will have a lifelong partner.


cheers,
wade
 
taylors bland and lifeless?.....hmmmm.......haven't really heard that one before, thought they were known for being bright...
 
i am in the same boat and was planning on getting a taylor 210 i think. its a grand auditoriam, or mini jumbo, but after playing a bunch of different times, i started to doubt it. i also tried a larivee and it was good. i say you just go and play all the guitars you can, untill you find one you like. don't let price dictate what you get, meaning that you might find a cheap one that sounds really good. i bought a seagull a long time ago, and it sounds better than most of my friends high end guitars. but thats just my ear i guess. pick up every guitar you see and play it.

cheers
 
I played a Martin DCX1E with fishman pickup. What are peoples experience with this guitar?
I love the sound of it, and its priced at a crazy $649 in all major stores (retail $949).

Find guitar specs here

I would love to know what people think of this guitar.
cheers
:: downatone ::
 
Well...as long as we're bringing up old threads, I've got an '03 Taylor Limited Edition 410-RCE for sale over in the Ads forum :p
 
Well...as long as we're bringing up old threads,
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Sorry mate, wasn't intending on bringing up old threads - I'm just following through on it, as it takes more than a week or so for me to buy a guitar...
No need to rush.

I've got an '03 Taylor Limited Edition 410-RCE for sale over in the Ads forum
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Where is the ads forum?
cheers
:: downatone ::
 
Taylor
Lakewood
Seagull
...and just about most of the other guitars mentioned here. The Carvin's alittle iffy if you can't play it before you buy it.
Good luck!!
 
If you get the opportunity to play an Epiphone Masterbilt series you won't be dissappointed.

rpe
 
Avoid Dean acoustic guitars. They have big problems when it comes to maintaining the stability of the neck. The necks have to be re-adjusted every time you change the strings. While most of their models are in the beginner to intermediate price range (below $500), they also have a "professional" series called "Sweetwood" ($700+) which are plagued by the same problems as the lower end guitars.
Neck stability is an issue you need to take seriously on any guitar you purchase unless you have the skills/confidence to do the adjustments yourself, or the money to pay a technician to adjust the neck each time you change strings.
 
i like alvarez.. their acoustics are great, but im not sure if i would trust any pickup they threw on their... but if u get an acoustic and go out and but a nice pickup their you go...
 
I'm totally sold on the quality and sound of Martin acoustic guitars. The problem with Martin is that it's easy to believe that their $1000 guitars suck simply because they're not Martin's top-of-the-line $25,000 specials. Totally not the case. My Martin D-1 is fantabulous, and I'd recommend it to anyone else looking for a sub-$1500 guitar.
 
YeshuasFan said:
Avoid Dean acoustic guitars. They have big problems when it comes to maintaining the stability of the neck. The necks have to be re-adjusted every time you change the strings. While most of their models are in the beginner to intermediate price range (below $500), they also have a "professional" series called "Sweetwood" ($700+) which are plagued by the same problems as the lower end guitars.
Neck stability is an issue you need to take seriously on any guitar you purchase unless you have the skills/confidence to do the adjustments yourself, or the money to pay a technician to adjust the neck each time you change strings.
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I had a Dean Exotica BB for a while. It sounded good, looked great, and the electronics were better than expected. Of course, none of that mattered when the x brace on the Spruce top split for no apparent reason (despite humidification.) I won't buy another Dean.
 
Tanglewood is my favorite, but they aren't expensive enough.
 
My search for a guitar was delayed because I had to buy an engagement ring for my -> now fiance. But I have finally scrapped together enough money to buy a guitar.

I've currently got a Taylor 410 ce (borrowing it from a manager who owns Long and McQuades). Hes selling it for $1800 CA (taxes and everying included).
Here is the reason its so cheap - it has a hairline crack in the back about 2 inches. So he knocked $450 off it. The great thing is, hes willing to warranty that crack, so if it becomes any bigger - they'll pay for any repairs or damaged caused by that crack in specific. I'm not sure what to make of it all, they guitar still sounds amazing - its a new 2003 model. Any input would be greatly appreciated, as well, its a big investment for me...
cheers
:: downatone ::
 
Imaduck said:
No Ovation fans here?

I'd say Ovation makes some of the best steel-string acoustics I've ever played. For classical guitars, you can't beat an old Taylor.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents.
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I have 2 ovations, a 6 string, and a 12. Both were around $1000. PLASTIC WILL NEVER SOUND LIKE WOOD! They are VERY hard to get a good direct tone from, and they don't mic up very well, either. If you do decide on one, stay away from the "shallow" body. HORRIBLE!.
 
I second the Guild

mjareo said:
Jumping in kinda late, but have you ever played a nice Guild?

I played a new guild a few years back, and I was really impressed by the ease of playing, the evenness of tone all the way up the fretboard, and the general feel of the setup. Worth looking at if you see them.
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I have a Martin D1- some days it sounds good some days it doesn't- but if I could get my hands on a mid 70-s Guild jumbo...
 
Dave_M said:
Just backing up the Carvin Cobalt option. I've got the 750S and lemme just say, the Fishman preamp will deliver the brilliant sound you're after. It's a heck of a steal too, you could find another use for the $800 you'll save, I'm sure.
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Have to second this. I have a Cobalt 750 and love it. I don't give a darn about perceived resale value- I don't buy instruments to turn around and sale them when the wind changes direction. I still have my 1975 Ovation 1121-4 although it is retired and I personally don't recommend them.
This opinion is not intended to offend or diminish anyone else's as it is mine alone. Peace. :)
 
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