I want a guitar like this

[danny.guitar]

I've been wanting to get a new acoustic for awhile now but haven't had a lot of time to go out and try some, and the few I tried I was less than pleased with.

I know it's impossible to know exactly which guitar it is by the recording but maybe it can give you some idea on the sound I want and you can give me some suggestions on what brands/models to start with, because I have no idea.

I'm not taking budget into consideration, I'll save up however long I need to for my next guitar because I want it to last awhile.

I'll be using it mainly for recording. And I play songs like the one in the sample I'm posting (mixed fingerstyle with strumming, etc.).

http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=5735

The sample was taken from Audio Technica's website and you can listen to them here (AT4060):

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms//94191e1fd14f6418/index.html

 

[zazz]

i know its a bit of a guess but that sounds like a martin D ....and if it isnt then a martin makes that sound quite readily.

 

[danny.guitar]

I was guessing it was a Martin. The few I've tried in the shop didn't sound anything like that though. Not sure which models I was playing, but they were upwards of a $1000.

So you think I should try some out in the D "series"? D41, D15, etc.?

 

[muttley600]

you really have to get out there and try as many as you can. Only you can pick the sound you like and the instrument that can produce it. Don't rule out geting one made.

Don't forget that the sound you hear as player is not the sound you hear as a listener out front. Get someone to play them for you as well so you can judge sound and projection.

The sound on those samples is very sinilar to the sound Martin Simpson gets. He plays Stefan Sobell guitars. They have a very distinctive purcusive ring to them and are ideal for that style.

Happy hunting....

 

[danny.guitar]

you really have to get out there and try as many as you can. Only you can pick the sound you like and the instrument that can produce it. Don't rule out geting one made.

Don't forget that the sound you hear as player is not the sound you hear as a listener out front. Get someone to play them for you as well so you can judge sound and projection.

The sound on those samples is very sinilar to the sound Martin Simpson gets. He plays Stefan Sobell guitars. They have a very distinctive purcusive ring to them and are ideal for that style.

Happy hunting....

Thanks muttley. Never heard of Stefan Sobell guitars before but just checked out their website.

I'd really like to be able to try other guitars besides just Martin, Taylor, Gibson and the other popular brands, but the shops around here don't have a lot to choose from.

 

[muttley600]

If you go to Martin Simpsons Website you can hear the Sobell guitars. Unfortunately you'll find it hard to track one down, like me he builds mostly to order and sells stuff pretty quick.

Just keep looking and playing something will turn up that will suit you. If you haven't found one by this time next year. I'll make you one I'm booked til then..

 

[danny.guitar]

Thanks muttley. Checked out his site...nice music and obviously a nice guitar too. Sounds a lot like the one in the sample. "Darling Corey" is a cool song I'll have to listen to more of his stuff.

I e-mailed Audio Technica, and asked them what guitar was used for the sample. Wasn't expecting them to know, but this is what they said.

The guitar used for the sample is a MARTIN OM35 with D`addario Phospher Bronze strings.

Almost a $3,000 guitar.

 

[warble2]

I've heard good things about the new Taylor GS acoustics. I don't play, but a guitarist friend seemed pretty impressed when he tried one out locally here. We're talking $2K for these baby's, but they have four different variations on woods used, and what he stated as "a very cool low end".

 

[Outlaws]

So you think I should try some out in the D "series"? D41, D15, etc.?

Almost a $3,000 guitar.

The D41 you asked about is a $3000 guitar. Infact, I think they are around $3400 now. But I will let you in on a secret. The D41 is a HD-28 with some jewelry on.

You can get a used HD-28 for about $2000 I think, maybe less if you look around. People like to say the D-28 is the "standard" by which all D model guitars are judged, but the D28 they are refering to is the 'old' D28...which is basically the modern HD-28.

If you like finger picking, the OM and the OOO models are great. They tend to cost more...a lot more...but thats life.

But anyways, all that aside, don't be scared of Marting/Taylor/Gibson just because everyone already plays one...they do play them for a reason.

 

[ggunn]

Thanks muttley. Checked out his site...nice music and obviously a nice guitar too. Sounds a lot like the one in the sample. "Darling Corey" is a cool song I'll have to listen to more of his stuff.

If that's the song I think it is (I can't access sound files here), he didn't write it. The Kingston Trio recorded it in the early 60's; I don't know who wrote it.

Some of the lyrics of the song I remember go something like:

The last time I seen darlin' Corey
She was wanderin' through the weeds
With a government man behind her
Gonna grab her for her deeds

Is that the same song?

EDIT: The first part (which I removed) was from another song about Maggie, not Darlin' Corey. Sorry.

 

[danny.guitar]

Thanks warble and Outlaws.

I guess I'll be saving for a really long time unless I can find a good guitar that sounds good in the $800-$1200 range. $3,000 is a lot of money for working part time/going to school.

I'm gonna try some of those D'Addario bronze strings on my guitar and see if it helps the sound any. I've also heard replacing the nut/saddle with bone instead of plastic can help the tone a lot too. But I also heard it can make a guitar sound more "trebbly" and "harsh"

The guitar I have now is already bright sounding and not sure if that would be a good idea.

If that's the song I think it is (I can't access sound files here), he didn't write it. The Kingston Trio recorded it in the early 60's; I don't know who wrote it.

Some of the lyrics of the song I remember go:

Yonder stands darlin' Corey
With her dram glass in her hand
She's drinkin' away her troubles
And foolin' another man

and

The last time I seen darlin' Corey
She was wanderin' through the weeds
With a government man behind her
Gonna grab her for her deeds

Is that the same song?

Didn't hear any lyrics in his version.

 

[pohaku]

Don't be put off by list prices for guitars. Keep in mind that production guitars (like Martin, Gibson and Taylor) are often heavily discounted by sellers. It isn't unusual for actual selling price to be 65-75% of the list price for some of these. You might also look at Larivee which IMHO is a bargain for the quality of guitar they produce. Don't be afraid to consider used guitars as well. You do really need to play them before you buy though.

 

[muttley600]

Darlin' Corey, credited to Bill Browning but I suspect it to be one of those trad things that were around for years. Didn't Flatt and Scruggs record it?? The version I first heard was Lonnie Donegan.

Keep hunting for that guitar. You shouldn't have to spend big bucks to get close to the sound your looking for just in the right shop at the right time. You can increase your chance by getting out there as much as possible and play em all

 

[ggunn]

Darlin' Corey, credited to Bill Browning but I suspect it to be one of those trad things that were around for years. Didn't Flatt and Scruggs record it?? The version I first heard was Lonnie Donegan.

So, is it the song I remember from the Kingston Trio?

I remembered some more of it:

Wake up, wake up darlin' Corey
What makes you sleep so sound
The revenue officer's a-comin'
Gonna tear your still house down

I think I remember Doc Watson singing it, too.

 

[muttley600]

So, is it the song I remember from the Kingston Trio?

I remembered some more of it:

Wake up, wake up darlin' Corey
What makes you sleep so sound
The revenue officer's a-comin'
Gonna tear your still house down

I think I remember Doc Watson singing it, too.

A quick google and I think you are thinking the same as me Darlin Corey Can't play the sample on Martin Simpsons site now to confirm it

 

[notCardio]

Hey Danny

What guitar are you playing now? Have you tried experimenting with different strings? That can make a HUGE difference in your tone.

 

[danny.guitar]

What guitar are you playing now? Have you tried experimenting with different strings? That can make a HUGE difference in your tone.

I'm playing a Cort. I think it sounds great for finger-style, not so much for heavy strumming/rhythm.

It's the first acoustic I got, and the only one I've really had since.

I've tried several different types of strings, and it does make a huge difference.

I'm going to pick up some of those D'Addario phosphor bronze strings tomorrow and see how they sound on my guitar.

 

[danny.guitar]

Got the strings

What do you think of this sound?

http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=5783

Just a rough recording (I didn't take the time to learn the sample note for note).

 

[muttley600]

What do you think of this sound?

http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=5783

Just a rough recording (I didn't take the time to learn the sample note for note).

Isn't it more of a csae of what you think of it? It certainly isn't shabby and I've heard a lot worse. What would you like us to comment on?

 

[danny.guitar]

Isn't it more of a csae of what you think of it? It certainly isn't shabby and I've heard a lot worse. What would you like us to comment on?

Just wanted to hear other people's opinions on the sound.

I'm not too crazy about it to be honest.

Strumming sounds harsh. The high e string sounds "pingy" (don't know why?). Not much low end either.

It works good for fingerstyle though.

Also the 12th fret on the high e string doesn't sound at all really. And the 13th sounds the same as the 14th.

What do you think could cause this?