In the next 6 months or so I'd like to sell some unused gear and purchase a new acoustic. I have a takamine that sounds fantastic, plugged and unplugged but I don't enjoy playing it. Mainly because of the size its a rather large dreadnought and I just find the size uncomfortable to play.
I'm not sure what my budget will be but I'd be in the 1k-2k range based on what I can sell.
I prefer a more slim style even though I'd sacrifice some projection. Any thoughts? I do have a favor towards martins but I'm not even sure what in there lineup would fit the bill.
Josh
I have a Breedlove from their Atlas series that I really like and is affordable.
I to love martin and depending on what/how you play, a 000 body style is great. Just big enough for nice projection and bass but very comfortable to hold and play.
There are some different styles and woods with the 000 body in the martin lineup. I personally fingerpick with acoustics so a wide nut (1 3/4") and string spacing is for me. My personal fave is the 000-15MS, joined at the 12th fret, hog top and sides, slothead. Simple, classic, and beautiful :)
The Martin 000 series guitars are a great size and sound combo for me. I have an 000-15 mahogany from way back when (I see the price is up steeply from when I bought mine for $600.). It has a really balanced tone, records well because it is not too boomy, is great for finger picking, and is much smaller than a dreadnaught. I think the size is called auditorium. It's not super loud either, which for some is a drag, but when the wife is trying to sleep is a godsend for me.
I have reservations about buying a mahog anything these days, so I'd probably stick to spruce which it looks like they have one for just over 1k. The good news is that these guitars are common enough (as is the atlas in the post above) that most big guitar joints should have one on hand to try out.
Good luck.
Quote from: pryde on January 09, 2013, 04:11:04 PM
I to love martin and depending on what/how you play, a 000 body style is great. Just big enough for nice projection and bass but very comfortable to hold and play.
There are some different styles and woods with the 000 body in the martin lineup. I personally fingerpick with acoustics so a wide nut (1 3/4") and string spacing is for me. My personal fave is the 000-15MS, joined at the 12th fret, hog top and sides, slothead. Simple, classic, and beautiful :)
Hah, great minds thinks alike.
I love my Taylor 414CE. Easily the best guitar I have ever owned. Super fast neck, comfortable shape and size, projects well and has a great tone.
If you need smaller, you can go with the 412CE. I really liked it, but it doesn't sound quite as full as the 414, plus it is a bit quieter.
But yeah, my 414 is my go to acoustic. I will never sell it or buy another acoustic again (unless I need a baritone!)
-P
do yourself a favor and check out some taylors. I have a 214e from the first release in '06. It's solid wood (unlike todays 214), but I highly recommend the Taylors.
I had the opportunity to visit their factory last year and I was really suprised to learn that everything above the 300 series is built with exactly the same workmanship and quality, only the woods, inlays and details vary. I thought that was a really great idea, that a lower series guitar would play exactly the same as a much higher series, even though the sound and cost is different.
I took a gazillion pictures when i was there, so if you're interested, and don't mind skipping through 20 or so of me playing their show room guitars, here it is, http://s132.beta.photobucket.com/user/aziltz/library/2011/Taylor%20Guitar%20Factory
Quote from: patrickbrose on January 09, 2013, 05:14:20 PM
I love my Taylor 414CE. Easily the best guitar I have ever owned. Super fast neck, comfortable shape and size, projects well and has a great tone.
If you need smaller, you can go with the 412CE. I really liked it, but it doesn't sound quite as full as the 414, plus it is a bit quieter.
But yeah, my 414 is my go to acoustic. I will never sell it or buy another acoustic again (unless I need a baritone!)
-P
I had a taylor 614ce that was amazing. the body shape was very comfortable seated or standing. the back and sides were a stunning flamed maple with made it really stand out with other instruments in a band setting. the expression system has a powerful eq and was the best amplified acoustic tone I've ever tried and It played better than many electrics in terms of string height and action. the tension was such that a full step bend was very easy to execute without any extra stress on my fingers. the string spacing was wide enough for clean fingerstyle playing. I would think with some due dilligence a used one could be had for around $1200 to $1400.
I have a prestine Martin OMC-AURA I would be willing to part with. Great guitar.
My Taylor 214e ( I had a PUP added so technically a 214) is small and is the reason I play it more than say my Washburn which is not huge but it is bigger. It ran me 1k with the PUP installed.
Check out the PRS SE Angelus! Most comfortable acoustic I have ever played! The neck and fretboard is amazing. Great tight tone. Intonation was perfect. Sounded like a Martin with a little less bass. Also included a very nice hard shell case. Its on my short list.
Daniel
ncdb07
It's not fancy or presitgious, but I love my "parlor" Takamine. Dreadnoughts are too big for me as well, so I need something a bit smaller to play comfortably.
Here's the thread on mine:
http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=6213.0
CARVIN THINLINE ALL THE WAY
Considering a more comfortable acoustic myself. I love my Epiphone AJ-500M, which is an "advanced jumbo" body, but I'm not a big guy and it is huge. I picked it out by picking up every acoustic in the local shop and strumming a few chords. The Epi Masterbilt series beat out a lot of $800-$1000 acoustics, which was a total surprise and why I bought it (roughly $500). Might need to see if they have a size smaller than dreadnought.
I remember seeing CJ's Takamine parlor style and have since been plotting on one of those. The price is great, and it looks sharp.
Thanks guys for the input. I think I'm going to try out the 000-15 series first.
Josh
My biggest tip when choosing an acoustic: Regardless of which brand you choose, play as many as you can. They will all sound a bit different. Go to a place that will have multiple examples of any given guitar and try them all. I ended up purchasing my Taylor at Guitar Center (I know ::) ) but the upside was that they had so many guitars to play. I played 4 different guitars of most types ( and that included Martins, Takamines, Breedlove, Gibsons Etc) What I found was that each guitar sounded and played just a bit different. Of the 4 414 I played, they each were a bit different. So I chose the one that I liked the very best.
-P
+1 on not getting hung up on the brand, but playing as many as you can. My favourite acoustic, and only one of two guitars I've kept for over 15 years, is my Peavey SD-50, but it was a Japanese handbuilt single run way back in the mid 90s. Played a pile of acoustics, including some of the early Taylor stuff, before landing on that one. If I could find another one, I'd buy it.
I love my Alvarez, but I have one of the high end handbuilts from Kazuo Yairi's shop, so it's a bit out of the price range. However, because it's not as high end a 'name' as Martin, Taylor, et al., the Alvarez line is often more guitar for a similar price. Check out some of their stock models, as they have many in your price range, but you may have to search for a dealer.
I've been using my Yairi for about 10 years, and it's the last acoustic I will every buy, if you know what I mean. If I ever acquire a second, it's merely as a backup.
But if I did get a backup, I'd be looking for either another Alvarez, or perhaps the solid wood Yamaha's. I've never picked up a Yamaha I couldn't play. They are consistent, but not high end. I would rank them as better than Takamine for sure, and would pick one over the same priced Martin's, Taylors, Larivee's, etc.
Best advice I can give is similar to another post above. Go try all the guitars you can, especially if you find a model you like. Try to find a good acoustically designed room that's quiet to play in. Pick the one that SOUNDS best, not just plays best. Often with acoustics the travel and storage and then display conditions will affect the way they play. Just because a guitar may not play perfectly, doesn't mean it can't be improved. A good luthier can make your guitar play perfectly for you. However, a good luthier cannot make your guitar sound better. Choose the one that sounds best, as it probably has the best wood, finish, and fit, and that guitar will likely sound and play better as time moves forward.
Also, if you're spending 1-1.5 grand on a guitar, set aside 75-200 bucks for a good case, and another 50-100 bucks for a good setup by A REAL LUTHIER, not just the kid in the back of the shop who restrings guitars.
Jacob
Another plug for Taylor,
I got a used Taylor 214ce a few months ago. I LOVE it! It's got a laminate body but the neck is awesome and it sounds great. I paid $600 bucks for it.
If I had the extra money I would immediately buy a 314 or 414. At the 300 level and above you get solid wood construction and the fretboard is a bit wider, which I prefer. You also get the Taylor Expression System electronics, if you go electric. The 214 has a piezo pup.
I've heard great things about Guitar Rodeo as a Taylor seller. They offer better prices than they can show on their website. www.guitarrodeo.com
I'll be the odd one out here as most Taylor's leave me cold. They are very well crafted, they just tend to sound a bit tight to me.
If the vintage guitar show comes through your town, I would look for an older Martin. I was surprised that some of the vintage ones were in the same range as current offerings. I still dream of the '67 D16 that I played. Man, that thing was alive.
Also, some of the used Guilds are fantastic guitars. I do like the smaller body Martins as well.
I played a early 40's gibson that wasn't large, and it may have been the nicest guitar I have ever played.
Guy who had it payed like 200 bucks for it.
Jacob
Quote from: jkokura on January 11, 2013, 04:33:54 AM
I played a early 40's gibson that wasn't large, and it may have been the nicest guitar I have ever played.
Guy who had it payed like 200 bucks for it.
Jacob
Yeah, I am not a huge fan if the current Gibson acoustics, but some of those older ones are fantastic. I had a late 30's one on loan from my cousin for a number of years. It really sounded great. The only downside was that the neck had a bit of a v shape to it, which isn't ideal for an acoustic, IMHO.
Quote from: pickdropper on January 11, 2013, 02:11:40 AM
I'll be the odd one out here as most Taylor's leave me cold. They are very well crafted, they just tend to sound a bit tight to me.
That's my experience as well, and I've played a few nice ones. My description would be "sterile." Kind of like a Boss digital delay, clear and precise, but lacking the character of a good analog delay (Martin or old Gibson to complete the analogy).
I just realized how ironic it was to use an analogy in regards to the analog-digital delay deal. ;D
I should clarify... a wartime Gibson is a super expensive guitar now, and it's worth much, much more than 200 bucks. Those sorts of deals are not to be had easy.
I also don't like Taylors, mostly because they're more expensive than they need to be. You can get the same quality for less money.
Jacob
Quote from: whitebread47 on January 11, 2013, 05:03:33 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on January 11, 2013, 02:11:40 AM
I'll be the odd one out here as most Taylor's leave me cold. They are very well crafted, they just tend to sound a bit tight to me.
That's my experience as well, and I've played a few nice ones. My description would be "sterile." Kind of like a Boss digital delay, clear and precise, but lacking the character of a good analog delay (Martin or old Gibson to complete the analogy).
I just realized how ironic it was to use an analogy in regards to the analog-digital delay deal. ;D
Yeah, sterile. I've played a bunch of them and they all shared that, although there are some I like better than others. A buddy of mine has an all koa one that is one of the best looking guitars I've ever seen. His 70's Guild sounds better, though.
Quote from: jkokura on January 11, 2013, 05:21:19 AM
I should clarify... a wartime Gibson is a super expensive guitar now, and it's worth much, much more than 200 bucks. Those sorts of deals are not to be had easy.
I also don't like Taylors, mostly because they're more expensive than they need to be. You can get the same quality for less money.
Jacob
QFT. WAAAAAYYYY more expensive. :-)
I don't know how much the one I had is worth these days, but the last time I looked, an equivalent model was about $7k.
Quote from: pickdropper on January 11, 2013, 05:40:20 AM
Quote from: whitebread47 on January 11, 2013, 05:03:33 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on January 11, 2013, 02:11:40 AM
I'll be the odd one out here as most Taylor's leave me cold. They are very well crafted, they just tend to sound a bit tight to me.
That's my experience as well, and I've played a few nice ones. My description would be "sterile." Kind of like a Boss digital delay, clear and precise, but lacking the character of a good analog delay (Martin or old Gibson to complete the analogy).
I just realized how ironic it was to use an analogy in regards to the analog-digital delay deal. ;D
Yeah, sterile. I've played a bunch of them and they all shared that, although there are some I like better than others. A buddy of mine has an all koa one that is one of the best looking guitars I've ever seen. His 70's Guild sounds better, though.
not my experience at all, must be my ears. :)
Quote from: aziltz on January 11, 2013, 06:11:27 PM
Quote from: pickdropper on January 11, 2013, 05:40:20 AM
Quote from: whitebread47 on January 11, 2013, 05:03:33 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on January 11, 2013, 02:11:40 AM
I'll be the odd one out here as most Taylor's leave me cold. They are very well crafted, they just tend to sound a bit tight to me.
That's my experience as well, and I've played a few nice ones. My description would be "sterile." Kind of like a Boss digital delay, clear and precise, but lacking the character of a good analog delay (Martin or old Gibson to complete the analogy).
I just realized how ironic it was to use an analogy in regards to the analog-digital delay deal. ;D
Yeah, sterile. I've played a bunch of them and they all shared that, although there are some I like better than others. A buddy of mine has an all koa one that is one of the best looking guitars I've ever seen. His 70's Guild sounds better, though.
not my experience at all, must be my ears. :)
I am sure your ears are fine. I know a lot of great players that love Taylor. And plenty that hate Martins. There is no such thing as a guitar that is all things to all people. Ya gotta play what speaks to you.
I'm not big on acoustics, but I'll chip in: the best one I've ever played (to my ears anyway) was a weird Gibson acoustic, I think it was all rosewood and mahogany, with an average sized body and a cutaway. I have no idea what model it was (owned by a friend of mine, he doesn't have a clue either) but I would have taken it home with me, If he would have let me...... My own acoustic is a beat up Squire I bought new for (I think) 75 euro's, just to let you know how much I care about acoustics......
Paul
I've been looking into the small body Santa Cruz line as well.
I've always thought that whether a guitar speaks to you or not is as random as one's taste in music. If it hits you right then great, if not then oh well something out there will.
My Taylor sounds great but then I really haven't compared it to a ton of guitars either. But perception is reality and me likes mine. Sound better than my Washburn for sure but then someone else might like the Washburn sound better.
But, I'm just a hack so I really don't have expertise in all honesty. I do know the smaller the body I feel like I can control my playing better and in turn I perceive I actually play better. I still suck, but suck better :P
I always appreciate your honesty John :) and your point is spot on.
Looks also influence how we perceive sound.
So..while I don't have the funds yet. I've been doing some hands on "window shopping".
It seems I prefer the neck radius on Taylors. Nothing really blew me away sound wise except I liked the one with the cedar top. My takamine has a cedar top as well :D
I may look into the Taylor T5 line. It's a deviation from what I originally wanted but it would be really convenient for playing at church.
Josh
I'm a huge Martin fan. . The factory is pretty close to where I live. I know Taylor's are quite popular, but they kind if fall flat to me. Personally I think martins are so well balanced, I just love the tone. My dreadnought can fill a room with great sound. The omc aura is great too .
If you want a Taylor style body check out Martins performance artist series. Smaller like a Taylor with a cutaway but the sound is pure Martin.
I really like Ibanez electro-acoustics. Played a few in shops, and they do play really nicely. My stepdad has a Tanglewood electro-acoustic which is very nice to play.
Sent from my thumbs using Tapatalk!
Quote from: TNblueshawk on January 11, 2013, 09:54:59 PM
I've always thought that whether a guitar speaks to you or not is as random as one's taste in music. If it hits you right then great, if not then oh well something out there will.
My Taylor sounds great but then I really haven't compared it to a ton of guitars either. But perception is reality and me likes mine. Sound better than my Washburn for sure but then someone else might like the Washburn sound better.
But, I'm just a hack so I really don't have expertise in all honesty. I do know the smaller the body I feel like I can control my playing better and in turn I perceive I actually play better. I still suck, but suck better :P
I think you're right,and to that extent. My brother went to a Guitar store and played 3 taylors same make and model and got a different sound / feel out of each. Wood is a funny animal for sure.
I ended up buying a Martin GPCPA4. It did pain me to see some of my sold off gear go, but I really like the guitar ALOT. And I didn't have to sell any tape echoes or delays!!! It's not what I set out buying, but it choose me I guess. The body is a hair larger than I was set on, but the sound is really nice. Plays great out of the box too. Literally... I watched it come out of the Martin box at the store.
I tried Taylors, Martins, Gibsons, Yamahas, and a few others but this is the guitar I came back to.
No buyers remorse.
Josh
Sweet!
Uh... where's the gut shot?
Jacob
Quote from: gtr2 on February 08, 2013, 05:11:49 PM
I ended up buying a Martin
Awesome man. Keep it humidified and it will sound great forever :D
Quote from: jkokura on February 08, 2013, 05:50:40 PM
Sweet!
Uh... where's the gut shot?
Jacob
Ha, your right!
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8455581813_9d7ff92066_n.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31503679@N02/8455581813/)
I had checked those out the first year they came out (same year I got my Taylor) and the thing that put me off was the plywood neck. It was some 30+ thin strips running the length of the neck that were glued together.
See Pic:
(http://www.jacksinstrumentservices.com/shared/images/reviews/martin-laminate-neck.JPG)
Martin called it more stable than a solid neck, but I hated it. I seem to remember hearing that they abandoned those necks and are back to using solid wood. Is yours solid or ply?
-P
Solid. I played one of the other models with the laminate neck. It played fine but I wanted all wood construction.
The still do the HPL necks. They play faster than the solid necks imho. Mine are both solid too though. I really prefer solid wood.... Rosewood and hog.
Jacob, you have to come over for the Martin owners event this year. It's a good time.
beautiful guitar josh. congrats.