Acoustic

[JB_From_Hell]

Spent a good bit of the day banging on my mandolin and acoustic guitar. I've been getting into bluegrass and associated styles the last few years. For days like today, when the electric tone isn't happening, it's awesome to strip away all the junk and just play.

My favorite acoustic guitar is an Eastman AC120. It's a dreadnought, laminate sapele sides, solid spruce top. Eastman is a relatively new Chinese company with its own shop. They more or less hand make everything, so the quality control is awesome, and it's more likely you'll get a good one than a bad one. I'd like to use light strings (12-53) for easier playing, but mediums (13-56) sound too good. I really like the D'Addario Nickel Bronze. They have a broken in sound immediately, very crisp and clear.

My mandolin is also an Eastman, an MD315. It's an F model, meaning it has a scroll. For those unfamiliar, Fs have scrolls, A models do not. There is generally little to no sound difference, so it's purely aesthetic. It typically doubles the cost of the instrument, as well, since it's a lot more work to carve the scroll. This mandolin is all solid maple, and I generally use medium-heavy (11.5-41) strings on it. Also D'Addario Nickel Bronze.

I like a variety of absurdly expensive picks for both of them, including Dunlop Primetone, Wegen, BlueChip, and I-Tone.

Until recently, I had a really nice Japanese Masterclone (Gibson copy) banjo, but felt spread too thin amongst everything so I sold it to a friend. Whenever I listen to Bela Fleck, I miss it

What kind of unplugged gear are the rest of you using?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Acoustic

Eastman makes some great stuff. I like their electrics as well. For acoustics, I use a Variax acoustic for shows, as it gives a great sound plugged in. I also have a carbon fiber-topped Adamas, which sounds amazing plugged in or unplugged.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Acoustic

I have a pair of Guild acoustics, a 1998 DV-6 which is essentially a reissue of the late 60s D-40 and a 1975 G212 which is a 12 string neck on a D-40 body. Both of them are in Eb; I have 11-50 DR Dragon Skins on the 6 string and 10-48 Elixirs on the 12. I used to use 12-54 on the 6, but I've had issues with tendonitis in the past and had to go a bit lighter.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Acoustic

A couple of years ago (2) I decided to invest in a good acoustic. Years ago I had a really nice sounding Taylor 314ce, and I ended up selling it to Jolly. So, when it was time to pick another the choice was Taylor. I looked around and really wanted a 914ce, but the price point is really prohibitive. I ended up finding a 2011 W14ce-LTD Spring Edition guitar. It's a flamed walnut back and sides with a Sitka top and the prior years 900 series appointments. The only thing I didn't get that I wanted was the new ebony armrest, but it was all for the best.

I fell in love with the guitar when I saw the listing and after talking with the owner I was convinced it was the right choice. It's got a really nice voice with crisp highs and a very sweet midrange. What is surprising is the low end. It's fuller and richer than I thought it would be. Not like a warm, sweet rosewood body, but a nice addition to the tone. My playing still doesn't do it justice, but I pick it up more often just because it makes me smile every time I do. I've learned a couple of new songs and re-learned a few that I'd forgotten many parts of. I've had it strung with Elixir Nanowebs 10's since I have some nerve damage in my hands, but I think I'm ready to move up to 11's, which will help fatten up the tone even more. I hope to eventually get to 12's, but we'll see. Playability has to come first.

Here she is:

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Acoustic

I have a 5-string Ibanez resonator banjo from 1976. It's really beautiful, blonde birdseye maple, ebony board with a hearts and flowers inlay. It deserves more attention than I give it.

All of my acoustic guitars are dreads.

My two 12-strings are identical Takamine EF-381SC models. All black cutaways with the excellent CTB4 oreamp. I bought the first one used, then found a new one at a GC close-out price I couldn't refuse. Excellent values.

My beater is an Ibanez Artwood AW50CENT. It's all solid wood, maple back, cutaway, and a basic Fishman pickup. Bought it used. A really special guitar, sounds way better than it should for its price. One of those rare guitars that is more than the sum of its parts.

Back in 2002, I traded my old 1972 Martin D-18 on a new Taylor 710-CE. It is a late 2002 transitional model, with the revoiced top, NT neck, and the Fishman Prefix Stereo Blend preamp. Some regrets about selling the Martin, but the Taylor made me some money. Doesn't have the tone of a Martin; it's crisper and clearer, but has little warmth. Mics up well. I'm thinking about selling this one.

And then the Martin dreads. I LOVE Martin guitars. Over the past few years I've been able to acquire some really nice ones. My oldest is my 1975 D-28 that I bought in '76. Not a boomer, but it just has the sweetest, mellow voice. I also have an HD-28V and an HD-28V Retro, a DC AURA, a 2002 D-28 Standard, 2003 D-35, and a 2004 D-18 Standard. I also have a D-18 Golden Era Sunburst, a new 2012 D-18, and a D-18 Retro. IMO, the new D-18s are one of the best values around. Fantastic guitars. The older D-18 is boxier in comparison, but it has a focused tone that is quite useful. The HD-28Vs are Formula One cars in a field of Camrys...so powerful and reponsive, like a racehorse that loves to run. The Retro models have the Fishman F1 AURA+ preamp, and it's the best acoustic-electric tone I've ever heard.

The DC AURA has the older AURA system, cutaway, and basically an electric guitar neck. Fantastic tone and playability, and a lot of abalone bling. Then I have a 1996 MTV-1, with back bass side of rosewood and mahogany on the treble side. Unique and rare. I picked up a used 2010 D-41 two years ago. It was a bit abused, not properly cared for, so I got it cheap. It is a beautiful instrument (once I cleaned it up) and it's a delightful, powerful guitar. Not quite as responsive as the forward-shifted bracing of Vintage model, but still has a great voice. And the abalone is gorgeous!

Finally I have a Custom Shop dread, one of 50 made for Guitar Center. A three-piece back of Madagascar rosewood with a Cocobolo wedge, flamed koa binding, and Italian Alpine Spruce for the top with f/s scalloped bracing. Superbly crafted. Still playing this one in, but it was fantastic right out of the box.

My favorite? Easy...whichever Martin I'm playing at the time!

I know how blessed and fortunate I am to own so many nice guitars, believe me.

Bill

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Acoustic

I like smaller bodied OM sized acoustics and have three: an old Taylor 512 and a couple of Blueridge acoustics.

I like the Eastman’s too but don’t own any. Wish I’d kept my Martin.

K&K pickups in all of my acoustics...glued in. But they do sound very good.

I like the Red Eye acoustic instrument preamp/pedals. Those are what I use so I can plug into a PA or amp.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Acoustic

I'm really into my Mitchell MD100s12 (solid top twelve string.)

I have two Breedlove Discovery acoustics (one maple side/back, one mahogany) and I keep saying I'll get rid of one. They have a larger body than most dreadnaughts which is I think the reason they sounded better than any acoustics with a comparable price that day.

I have a '76 Takamine and a '68 Yamaha slot-head twelve string that were my Dad's; both laminate top. In general I don't find acoustic playing as much of a joy as electric; too much of a hassle to get a good amplified/recorded tone, less dynamics & variance in timbre available vs. electric, just harder on the fingers, those sorts of complaints. But I go through phases of only playing my acoustics.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Acoustic

I've got a Mid 90's Martin D-28 that is just a absolutely beautiful playing & sounding guitar!!! I bought it in 01 & I'll be playing it until it decomposes!!!

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Acoustic

I like my Martin 000Ce1
I've had it since 98
Sounds great plays like an electric

But I got this Epiphone Hummingbird, so folks would stop pawing my Martin
And it's shorter scale is awesome to play

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Acoustic

Cool variety of stuff here... The next one I get, I'm going for an 00 or 000. I've only ever owned dreads, so I'm ready to try some others.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Acoustic

Gibson SJ200
Gibson Advanced Jumbo
Guild F412
Seagull S6+
Yamaha FG412

 

[PAPADON]

Re: Acoustic

misposted