Need Help- recommend an acoustic guitar
- Thread starter 80's_Metal
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80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
I hear that, I would stick some grip tape (like for skateboards) on the bottom and call it good.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Have you hit the acoustic room at your local guitar store? Acoustics are hard to judge by pictures and specs
I will say that Martin guitars rely a lot on the name. Some of their cheaper models are not in the same ballpark as far as tone. Same with Ovation- the lower-end models certainly sound like it.
Keep in mind that one of the ways companies save money is on the electronics. If you ever plan to plug it in, prepare to have to use extensive EQ/compression/reverb to make it sound serviceable.
Keep in mind that one of the ways companies save money is on the electronics. If you ever plan to plug it in, prepare to have to use extensive EQ/compression/reverb to make it sound serviceable.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Also consider that with acoustics it's almost impossible to cut corners without affecting the sound.
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Agree.
The closest shop...a guitar center is 70 miles away but I may make it down that way before I end up buying something.
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
donaldr
Well-known member
+1, it's not fun to play seated as it's always sliding.
I know you are 70 miles (what is a mile by the way?) from a music store, but maybe check Ovation's in the classified near you.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
A mile is a 1 minute drive if you live anywhere worth living
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
1 mile takes about 40 seconds where I live. Until I get to north Phoenix, then it's about 50 seconds per mile.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
You need to figure out the guitar type that works for you. Do you play with a light touch? Are you mostly a fingerpicking guy? Are you mostly banging out open chords at the nut or do you need a guitar with a cutaway that lets you reach up high for lead playing? Steel string or nylon? Heavy, med, light, or extra light gauge strings?
FWIW, I really like D28s and HD28s . . . a good one just sounds like 'great acoustic guitar' to my ears. They tend to be pretty loud, so you have to learn to control your right hand if you want to sing while playing. In general, rosewood back/sides makes a little mid-scoopiness that makes a hole that works for my voice while singing. But I've found that Martin is wildly variable in sound and play-ability between guitars. Martin also offers a lot of lower spec guitars that I didn't find terribly appealing. If you don't have a place where you can root through a couple dozen of the model you're looking for, it can be tricky to get a one that works for you.
The most consistent acoustic guitar manufacturer that I've run across is Taylor. They are the only brand of acoustic guitar I would risk buying online without trying first. Their guitars tend to all play very well (or can be easily set up to play well). They also tend to be pretty consistent in tone between models. They have a wide variety of guitars, many are smaller bodied and quite bright to my ears . . . but they do offer a few large bodied guitars or wood pairings that give a more traditional/mellow sound. The acoustic that I ended up with is a Taylor 716 - rosewood back/sides, spruce top. It's one of Taylor's bigger body shapes, and can really get the same tones and loudness that I like from a D28, maybe with a little more responsiveness for quieter playing. It has a cutaway, which I use a lot more often than I thought I would. I wish that it didn't have electronics, as I use my acoustic primarily for writing and recording at home and always prefer the sound of a mic'd acoustic to a pickup but they don't seem to hurt the unplugged sound.
Yamaha, Larrive, Guild, and Simon & Patrick all tend to be great value for money guitars worth checking out . . . and I've heard that recent Epiphone stuff has also really stepped up.
FWIW, I really like D28s and HD28s . . . a good one just sounds like 'great acoustic guitar' to my ears. They tend to be pretty loud, so you have to learn to control your right hand if you want to sing while playing. In general, rosewood back/sides makes a little mid-scoopiness that makes a hole that works for my voice while singing. But I've found that Martin is wildly variable in sound and play-ability between guitars. Martin also offers a lot of lower spec guitars that I didn't find terribly appealing. If you don't have a place where you can root through a couple dozen of the model you're looking for, it can be tricky to get a one that works for you.
The most consistent acoustic guitar manufacturer that I've run across is Taylor. They are the only brand of acoustic guitar I would risk buying online without trying first. Their guitars tend to all play very well (or can be easily set up to play well). They also tend to be pretty consistent in tone between models. They have a wide variety of guitars, many are smaller bodied and quite bright to my ears . . . but they do offer a few large bodied guitars or wood pairings that give a more traditional/mellow sound. The acoustic that I ended up with is a Taylor 716 - rosewood back/sides, spruce top. It's one of Taylor's bigger body shapes, and can really get the same tones and loudness that I like from a D28, maybe with a little more responsiveness for quieter playing. It has a cutaway, which I use a lot more often than I thought I would. I wish that it didn't have electronics, as I use my acoustic primarily for writing and recording at home and always prefer the sound of a mic'd acoustic to a pickup but they don't seem to hurt the unplugged sound.
Yamaha, Larrive, Guild, and Simon & Patrick all tend to be great value for money guitars worth checking out . . . and I've heard that recent Epiphone stuff has also really stepped up.
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
I am first and foremost a metalhead....
I finger pick a little, strum soft chords some, pick chords some. Rarely ever do lead work on an acoustic. Outside of a Metallica cover for a group of youth group kids or something.
I use medium strings on acoustics. But also whatever is on it is fine too.
I only play acoustic about 3 or 4 hours per year.
I am not looking for or needing anything with super quality tone. Just something to take to a camp trip, or sit on the back porch and fiddle with. I kind of think I'll use one for an intro one day when I get time to start recording again.
I can get comfortable with almost any size/shaped guitar, but I don't want it to feel like a toy or a ukulele either lol.
Truth is almost any middle of the road acoustic would be just fine for my needs. I just kind of like weird or off looking guitars, so while I'm at this shopping for another guitar thing I like to look around for the one that grabs my eye. Not super interested in the old Western looking plain burst guitar these days I guess....
I've always like those old ovations, and my belly isn't big enough to worry about that shape too much, I can make it work. Ha ha.
...anyhow, that's my thoughts as we maneuver through this new guitar search.
I finger pick a little, strum soft chords some, pick chords some. Rarely ever do lead work on an acoustic. Outside of a Metallica cover for a group of youth group kids or something.
I use medium strings on acoustics. But also whatever is on it is fine too.
I only play acoustic about 3 or 4 hours per year.
I am not looking for or needing anything with super quality tone. Just something to take to a camp trip, or sit on the back porch and fiddle with. I kind of think I'll use one for an intro one day when I get time to start recording again.
I can get comfortable with almost any size/shaped guitar, but I don't want it to feel like a toy or a ukulele either lol.
Truth is almost any middle of the road acoustic would be just fine for my needs. I just kind of like weird or off looking guitars, so while I'm at this shopping for another guitar thing I like to look around for the one that grabs my eye. Not super interested in the old Western looking plain burst guitar these days I guess....
I've always like those old ovations, and my belly isn't big enough to worry about that shape too much, I can make it work. Ha ha.
...anyhow, that's my thoughts as we maneuver through this new guitar search.
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Stop the press....
This looks amazing to me.
This looks amazing to me.
I like that the burl looks like paw prints.
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
I put an offer in, let's see if they bite.
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Hooked! Fish on!
Thanks for all your suggestions boys, mission complete!
Thanks for all your suggestions boys, mission complete!
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Well, I'm late to the party, but I'll talk anyway:
Go to the GC - make a day of it. Hit pawn shops too! Only way to really figure out what works for you.
#1 Yamaha even at budget levels has never let me down. See Pawn Shops. I have the cheapest 12st they make from 2010 maybe? Never lets me down, still great, and lived in a POD in the Florida sun for a year.
#2 Takamine - the Toyota of Acoustic guitars. My main acoustic and I love it.
#3 Just because Martin does not mean sounds good. Just means expensive.
#4 Check out some Used Taylor or Breedlove's. Might be worth a little extra.
#5. And I hesitate to say this, because you may be totally down with it, or it may ruin the guitar you bought. I can't play Burl guitars. The "burl" just looks like little trapped faces of the damned to me. YMMV...
Go to the GC - make a day of it. Hit pawn shops too! Only way to really figure out what works for you.
#1 Yamaha even at budget levels has never let me down. See Pawn Shops. I have the cheapest 12st they make from 2010 maybe? Never lets me down, still great, and lived in a POD in the Florida sun for a year.
#2 Takamine - the Toyota of Acoustic guitars. My main acoustic and I love it.
#3 Just because Martin does not mean sounds good. Just means expensive.
#4 Check out some Used Taylor or Breedlove's. Might be worth a little extra.
#5. And I hesitate to say this, because you may be totally down with it, or it may ruin the guitar you bought. I can't play Burl guitars. The "burl" just looks like little trapped faces of the damned to me. YMMV...
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Little bit of overshare Ace
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