Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

[cakire82]

I have came across to these guitars recently online. Did anyone here owned or tried any of them before. How do they sound? How is the construction. How is the action on these acoustics considering the they are Pleked? Ohh so many questions....

http://www.wechterguitars.com/

Any insight you can provide is appreciated. I am especially interested in this model here. I believe 650$ for a guitar that looks as beautiful as this is a very good price and it comes with a hard shell case.

And my last question, how does the Fishman preamp on this model sounds? Any recommendations? Is it easy change them if I happen to not to like it?

 

[beandip]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

They're just now breaking out in acoustic circles, although they've been around for quite some time. Unless you're dropping coin for the USA models, the rest are designed stateside and built in China (not sure which factory).

Consensus is for Chinese models, they're decent. Not the end all be all, but there's much worse out there for the money. As for "Fret Magic with Plek" I would assume the playability is good. Although with a good neck angle, playability out of the box is a void issue, since everyone likes a different setup on their guitars.

Nut and saddle aren't bone, or even Tusq, they're plastic. Tuners leave a little to be desired, since they're no name sealed gears (don't remind me of Ping), and the finish is touch and go. Thick coats of poly, and they sound rather generic. Decent, but generic.

For the money, Seagull kicks the ever loving crap out of them in the 300-800 dollar range. Solid tops (either cedar or spruce) with spruce bracing in a very good pattern, all are nitrocellulose finished, and excellently built. Playability is great, and sound is that of a much higher price range.

As for the Fishman pickup and preamp system, it's pretty good. Works well with every PA system, but if you're looking for an absolutely amazing plugged in tone, look elsewhere.

The Godin Quantum pickup used by Seagull (built by EMP) is very very good. I've had excellent results, no matter the saddle material. Very basic (Tuner, Volume, Treble, Bass) but with the ribbon undersaddle pickup there's no dead spots, no volume drops between strings, and a very even tone across the spectrum.

Not only Seagull, but all Godin brand acoustic guitars (Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, and Norman).

Honestly, I can think of several manufacturers that make a better guitar for the money.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

I've wondered about them as well. The first time I ever saw them was in a Sweetwater catalog. Actually, I think that's theonly place I've seen them.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

I picked up a Pathfinder Thinline and like it a lot. Mind you, I'm not an acoustic guy like Beandip; I'm an electric player that wants an acoustic that has an action that's easy to play, is well-made, sounds good, and is affordable. My Wechter does all of that very well.

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

Back in the mid to late 90's I had a buddy with a shop and he had a dealership for them. At that time thier claim to fame was a doube cutaway accoustic. He had around a dozen models in the shop and none of them sounded good. Comparable to the cheapest 60's style Harmony guitars.

Those were thier first models and I haveen't seen any of the new stuff floating around to try. I have heard though, that they revamped everything around 2000 or after and they make a really good guitar now.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

They're just now breaking out in acoustic circles, although they've been around for quite some time. Unless you're dropping coin for the USA models, the rest are designed stateside and built in China (not sure which factory).

Consensus is for Chinese models, they're decent. Not the end all be all, but there's much worse out there for the money. As for "Fret Magic with Plek" I would assume the playability is good. Although with a good neck angle, playability out of the box is a void issue, since everyone likes a different setup on their guitars.

Nut and saddle aren't bone, or even Tusq, they're plastic. Tuners leave a little to be desired, since they're no name sealed gears (don't remind me of Ping), and the finish is touch and go. Thick coats of poly, and they sound rather generic. Decent, but generic.

For the money, Seagull kicks the ever loving crap out of them in the 300-800 dollar range. Solid tops (either cedar or spruce) with spruce bracing in a very good pattern, all are nitrocellulose finished, and excellently built. Playability is great, and sound is that of a much higher price range.

As for the Fishman pickup and preamp system, it's pretty good. Works well with every PA system, but if you're looking for an absolutely amazing plugged in tone, look elsewhere.

The Godin Quantum pickup used by Seagull (built by EMP) is very very good. I've had excellent results, no matter the saddle material. Very basic (Tuner, Volume, Treble, Bass) but with the ribbon undersaddle pickup there's no dead spots, no volume drops between strings, and a very even tone across the spectrum.

Not only Seagull, but all Godin brand acoustic guitars (Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, and Norman).

Honestly, I can think of several manufacturers that make a better guitar for the money.

Thank you for all these excellent insight beandip. Same As BlueMan I play mostly electric guitars. I have an 10 year old crafter acoustic which I have learned how to play guitar on. It is a decent guitars but I need something with playability close to an electric guitar and decent (does not have to be supreme) electronics for recording and live purposes.

I am in love with Taylor T5 but they are out of my budget. I have tried a Martin 00CXAEBLACK It was a great player but the sound was not that impressive. It was very good plugged in though. I have also considered a Yamaha APX900 I heard great thing sbaout it but never had a chance to tr one. Neither martin or yamaha come with a case. So this wechter looked a great option to me. Would you consider this guitar over the martin or the yamaha? Or would you recommend another make/model?

I've wondered about them as well. The first time I ever saw them was in a Sweetwater catalog. Actually, I think that's the only place I've seen them.

Yes, you are right. I have only seen them in sweetwater.com or amazon hence my question. They are hard to come by and give a try.

I picked up a Pathfiner Thinline and like it a lot. Mind you, I'm not an acoustic guy like Beandip; I'm an electric player that wants an acoustic that has an action that's easy to play, is well-made, sounds good, and is affordable. My Wechter does all of that very well.

This is exactly what I am looking for. Do you have any other acoustic guitars? How is the construction of the guitar and the hard case shell? Do you have any complains at all?

 

[cakire82]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

I picked up a Pathfinder Thinline and like it a lot. Mind you, I'm not an acoustic guy like Beandip; I'm an electric player that wants an acoustic that has an action that's easy to play, is well-made, sounds good, and is affordable. My Wechter does all of that very well.

I believe double cutaway is the one BlueMan has. It looks great.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

I believe double cutaway is the one BlueMan has. It looks great.

Right, that's the Pathfinder series. Mine's the Thinline model with a natural finish. Well-made, nice sound, no complaints. It's my only acoustic, and I have no need for another.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

Right, that's the Pathfinder series. Mine's the Thinline model with a natural finish. Well-made, nice sound, no complaints. It's my only acoustic, and I have no need for another.

Yes, this also what I am going for. Their closest dealer to me is 2-3 hr drive away. I guess I will drive and see If I can not find another way. I will also check craiglist posting if there is any used for sale close by. Do you guys have any other suggestions for what I am looking for?

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

Point of information: Pathmaker - not Pathfinder.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

Point of information: Pathmaker - not Pathfinder.

Yeah, you are right. Pathfinder was the movie

 

[beandip]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

I still say if you want good tone with a proven track record of customer service, quality, craftsmanship, and playability, you should look at the Godin family of acoustic guitars. They simply cannot be beat for the price range they're in.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

They look nice....

 

[blueman335]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

Point of information: Pathmaker - not Pathfinder.

Ah, but everyone knew what I was talking about!

 

[cakire82]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

I still say if you want good tone with a proven track record of customer service, quality, craftsmanship, and playability, you should look at the Godin family of acoustic guitars. They simply cannot be beat for the price range they're in.

Do you have specific model in mind that you can recommend under 750$ with a hard shell case?
I looked around and I could not find any that looks as good as this one. But since the look is very subjective I am open to suggestions as long as it has a cutaway.

 

[beandip]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

Do you have specific model in mind that you can recommend under 750$ with a hard shell case?
I looked around and I could not find any that looks as good as this one. But since the look is very subjective I am open to suggestions as long as it has a cutaway.

Well, the Performer line of Seagull guitars is great, all come with TRIC cases (lightweight hardshell, good stuff) and go for under 750. Personally, I think the absolute best value is the Entourage series (I have the dreadnought cutaway version). Seagull slim neck (1.72 as apposed to 1.78) which is very very comfy, even for my Martin loving hands. Solid Cedar tops with laminated wild cherry back and sides, Silver Leaf Maple neck...

Let me put it to you this way. The quality of tone is comparable to Taylor's 100 and 200 series, Martin's X, 1, and 16 series (not sounds like, but quality is there), and many other guitars.

I tend to think Godin's gloss nitro finish is too thick, and doesn't allow the wood to shine through, but their satin nitro finish is where it's at. Enough to protect the instrument, but a fine compromise between it all.

Or, if you're wanting to look at some other companies that can provide you with what you're looking for in that price range:

Walden
Yamaha
Ibanez Artwood series
Epiphone (masterbilts are great)
Parkwood
Breedlove
Takamine

I suggest spending some time over on the Acoustic Guitar forum and doing your research on whatever models catch your eye. I can almost guarantee that if you like the look of one, it's been discussed on that site.

 

[Fusion1]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

I have a Pathmaker Thinline as well I am VERY happy with! It was during the Black Friday deals from Sweetwater last November they had the old remaining stock of natural finish for $99 which was a steal. A ton of people ordered and most were cancelled as there weas a glitch in their ordering system and they were closed for the holidays when the orders came in. I and several others were upset and they tried to work out deals. I wound up getting a newer one (they actually contracted Wechter to make a special batch to fulfill orders to honor their deal) with the Fishman EQ instead of the Artec EQ and I got it for $159 I think. Mine is all black and I have played it 90% unplugged and I was concerned it would be plinky being a thinline but it is thick enough so it is resonant and sounds full. The neck is really nice and it stays in tune really well. I'd say the US made ones could only be better as I am happy with the import one I have.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PathDTeBK/

 

[Tfunt]

Re: Anybody know about Wechter guitars?

I have came across to these guitars recently online. Did anyone here owned or tried any of them before. How do they sound? How is the construction. How is the action on these acoustics considering the they are Pleked? Ohh so many questions....

http://www.wechterguitars.com/

Any insight you can provide is appreciated. I am especially interested in this model here. I believe 650$ for a guitar that looks as beautiful as this is a very good price and it comes with a hard shell case.

And my last question, how does the Fishman preamp on this model sounds? Any recommendations? Is it easy change them if I happen to not to like it?

I have a Wechter Jumbo Elite that I possibly might be selling. It is model JB 5714 CE in near mint condition with Wechter hard shell case. (see picture) It sounds great, looks awesome, and plays like a dream with low action and no buzz. The only reason why I might sell it is because I'm not comfortable with the "jumbo" size. If I can find a thin body of equal sound and playability I'll let it go for $750 plus shipping.