My Acoustic Search Part III

[PUCKBOY99]

Well, I finally kicked the plague I've had for over a month now & was able to get out & play some guitars yesterday.

The Seagulls were nice, but like someone said in an earlier post, the fingerboard is a little wide...at least for my taste/hand.

I played a Godin Multiac Steel Duet that was super sweet. It's Godins version of the Gibson/Epi Chet Atkins type acoustic/electric, but it's over $1000.00, sounded O.K. unplugged so it would need to be plugged in...I've already got one of those that I'm trying to replace!

Moved along to the dreaded GC.............

Played a fantastic Tacoma that was on close-out $499.99 w/case marked down from $999.00 Anyone play any of these? I forget which model, but is was sweet....

Played a Martin Auditorium (?) marked down to $899.99 which didn't sound amazing...I'm guessing it's another that thrives on being plugged in! Good resale value if it comes to that though....

Played a handful of Taylors: the lower end were O.K./top end were sweet, but.....BIG MONEY !!

Moved along to a Gretsch Heritage Edition.....semi-interesting: nice sound/tone...nice price.

And then I played a few Takamines !!!!!

The 3 I played were equally as sweet & ranged from $799.00 to $999.00. A little more than I was planning to spend, but they were, or atleast seemed, to be worth it! I think I'm settling in on the EF341SC...

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/TAKAMINE_EF341SC_GUITAR_W_FREE_CASE.html

I wish it wasn't black though (Is that stupid?) because fingerprints show big time!

Another thing I really liked on the Taks, which is probably a stupid thing too: they have onboard tuners! Nothing like sitting in the backyard gazebo playing along & being able to tune it up to whatever I want right then & there!

There are still a few more that I'd like to play, but so far, the Tak is in the lead!!!

Any other recommendations???????????????

 

[Hoss]

i knew you'd come to your senses...!!!

:bigthumb:

 

[Bludave]

The Bottom line is how much do you want to spend? Remember you get what you pay for!

1. Try Guilds. They are now owned by Fender, They are one of the most road worthy acoustics made period.

2. Martin OM 18. Mahogany back& sides, abut 1500. but well worth it.
3. For Less money you can get the Martin D15 or OM 15. ALL Mahogany . about 600 to 800
4. Taylors are not my favorite acoustics (IMO) They are a great acoustic for electric players. Well made but i find them to be bright.
5. Probably two of the best made and sounding acoustics are Santa Cruz & Collings, either one of those builders would be the best acoustic you will ever play (except maybe for a pre war Martin) Very expensive!!

You will notice that I have not mentioned how they sound "plugged" An acoustic will always sound best unplugged. I play several different acoustics and when I need the guitar to be louder, I use a Mike in front of the soundhole!! Much of this will depend on what you are going to play and at what volume you will need to play at. If you are playing with a full band, you will need to plug in to the board. If you are going to use this to record Focus on how the instrument will sound "unplugged" Thats what you will hear on the recordings. Listen to any Leo Kotke CD Most of his recording was done with a Mike in front of the sound hole! Pick up a copy of Acoustic Guitar magazine and read through any of the interviews with these great acoustic players to get an idea of what the pros are doing!!
IMO buy American. The best acoustic Guitars are made right here in the good ols USA!!!!!

 

[xerxes]

best thing about dark guitars is you can keep them nice and clean looking, thats how i look at it! lol....

anywho, enjoy the hunt! its always fun...


only thing i would add is dont buy online unless you get a super killer deal, because, especially with acoustic guitars ive found, they range in tone literally from guitar to guitar.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Check out a NORMAN ST68 . I was acoustic shopping 2 years ago with a similar budget to yours and fell in love with one. You can't get a better sounding guitar for tthe $$$ IMO. Solid Rosewood back and solid Spruce top which is the best combo of woods for an acoustic. You can find them on e-bay for around $5-600 once in a while. Their lower model (B-20) is a great lower priced alternative. I honestly can't say enough about how great this guitar is.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Hey Fellas....thanks for the comments! Let's see:

Hoss: Yeah, I'm coming around!

BluDave: I'm still looking. I'd like to keep it under $1000.00 if I can. I'm not a pro & I really can't see paying any more than I have to. I understand I'm not gonna get quality cheap, but the Takamine's I've played sounded nicer than the handful of Martins & a Gibson I played. The higher end Taylors are sweet, but again...the PRICE !!! AND DEFINITELY unplugged is the way to go. I'm sure a lot of the ones I didn't really care for sounded great plugged in, but I haven't plugged in a single one. I want one that sounds good & projects w/o the help of an amp.

I want to try some Guilds & a few others before deciding, but right now, I like the Tak EF341SC or EAN40C...

Xerxes: No way on buying on line. I want to play the guitar first! I was positive the Seagull was for me & could've had a few good deals online, but after playing a few of them, it was a good thing I waited!

AmpliFIRE: I played a Norman but I'm not sure what model. It was just O.K. Didn't really do anything for me...sorry!

Thanks again guys...I played a few more today, but pretty much the same results!

Keep'em coming !!!!

 

[That90'sGuy]

I really like a lot of Alvarez's stuff.

I second the Guilds. The one I tried, while the fingerboard was a little narrow for my taste, has great tone, construction, and playability. The tone beat the Taylors, Gibsons, and Martins I was playing before.

My next purchase (after my amp tubes) is going to be an Alvarez AJ-60SC, best jumbo around for the money IMHO (beats out most other guitars I've played and other jumbos like the Washburn Cumberland Jumbo look silly in comparison).

I really like Takamine's stuff as well. I think all their acoustics have pretty great tone. The first guitar I ever really picked up was a Jasmine by Takamine acoustic and it wasn't too bad.

 

[BluesNRock87]

martin d-15, om-15, or try some of the 18 series. martin is a great company, and they make great products, and just because u buy a lower end guitar they dont treat you like a lower end customer.

takoma's i thought were nice when i was looking, but they didnt do it for me.

guilds are very very solid, great sounding, great guitars. tooo pricey for me tho.

alvarez's, well im big on made in usa, but they are damn good guitars, to bright foir me....

 

[Gearjoneser]

Martin. Live it, learn it.

The best for the cheapest is the DR (dreadnaught rosewood)
Called the "poorman's D-28" because it sounds almost as good
at a fraction of the price. The laminated rosewood sides, spruce top, and rosewood fretboard put it's tone in the $1500+ range
and they can be had for $650 used/$900 new.

Or, treat yourself and find a new/used D-28. Everytime I play mine, I'm amazed at it's tone. I finally got it playing like butter.
Once I install the new Duncan/Turner DTAR acoustic system, I'm
gonna be set for life. Martins need to be setup better than the factory setup, but once they are, they're untouchable.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Thanks again for the comments guys !

I'm going to a place next week that carries both Alvarez & Guild, along with the new Greg Bennet Samick line & the Deans....

Gearjoneser...maybe that's the problem I had with the Martins; the set-up didn't seem to be in line with a guitar of that price & reputation. Honestly, I wasn't impressed...and I really thought I'd fall in love & do something stupid like buy a $1600.00 guitar!
Actually, GC had a nice close-out sale on a lot of top model acoustics all priced under $1000.00, but I kept going back to the Takamine !

Anyway, next week I'll check that other place out & test drive a few more.

 

[xerxes]

imo, dont waste your time with the deans. imo, i hated them. you might like em though, but just my .02$. I know someone that has a greg bennet samick acoustic and loves it. i havent played it yet though................

 

[PUCKBOY99]

CHECK THIS OUT:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3712414698&indexURL=3#ebayphotohosting

 

[xerxes]

that looks sweet. im just wondering why it says yamaha (or looks a lot like that) on the inner sticker.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Now that's a sharp eye you got there Katz !!! I went back to look & it sure looks like it says Yamaha F-330 or something like that.

I sent the guy a message asking him to clear that up......let's see what he has to say!

 

[AmpliFIRE]

you must have tried one of the lower model Norman's. Trust me...give the ST68. It is head and shoulders better than any of the lower end Guilds, Martins and Taylors and the higher end Tak's. I a/b's every guitar that you're looking for and couldn't find one that could come close to the ST68...espically for the price.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

O.K. thanks Amp....they offered to order in anything I might wanna look at...FOR NO CHARGE !.....I gie him a call & see what's what! Norman ST-68, right???

 

[Bludave]

Just remember RESALE VALUE. Some of the lower end guitars even though they are good playing and sound good, they don't have much in resale value. MArtin & Taylor out of all the above mentioned have good resale value. SO consider if you are going to make this purchase and upgrade later, nuy something that will give you good trade in value. If you are looking to spend a little less look at the Martin Sigma line. They are very good low end Martin guitars. All solid wood play and sound great, and are under 500. ......... The other thing to consider is the type of woods you want. Rose will be a darker, more bottom end than Mahogony. Play a bunch before you decide!!Good Luck!!!!

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Yeah Man...I'm trying to play as many as I can. I'm in no hurry & I'm really looking for a guitar that I'll no longer be interested in trading up for. I want something that I'm gonna want 5-10-20 years from now. So, I guess I'm gonna really give the Martins & Guilds a real good look....there was also a Taylor that I really liked the other day...........STOP STOP IT RIGHT NOW.......

Sorry...real bad GAS attack...!!!!!

 

[AmpliFIRE]

O.K. thanks Amp....they offered to order in anything I might wanna look at...FOR NO CHARGE !.....I gie him a call & see what's what! Norman ST-68, right???

Yup...I have a ST68 CW (Cut away and Fishman Blender preamp). I'm not one to push my opinion on other people, but this is truly an amazing guitar for the $$$.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

No man, you're not pushing. I asked for your opinion & I appreciate it!

The shop I went to had just the one Norman, but he said he'll order anything I want at no cost...so what's it hurt to just try it, right???