Yes! www.justinguitar.com and, of course (or should I say "of Chorse"), Chordie.com
827 2010-01-12 13:37:19
Re: INFORMATINYamaha Guitar "Copy" Chart (4 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Tubatooter,
I am a beginner and I don't really know what I'm talking about but I have not been impressed with Martins. I picked up a used D-35 yesterday and while it is beautiful and well made I just can't see $1600 worth of value in it FOR ME. Instead I am on a quest to find a Yamaha FG-365S or SII which I am told is a "copy" of the D-35. I've seen these sell for as low as $200 (I wish I had jumped on that one) to over $600 (Holy buyer's remorse!).
The FG-356S is touted as Yamaha's first solid top FG and it has the beautiful (albeit laminate) 3-piece back. Meanwhile I'll enjoy my other Yamahas , i.e. CJ818 and FG260. I'm also in the market for an SJ400S and SJ180 in case you spot one.
828 2010-01-10 15:20:38
Topic: INFORMATINYamaha Guitar "Copy" Chart (4 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
THE ENGINEER IN ME HAS SURFACED.
I begin by apologizing to advocates/fans/players of non-Yamaha guitars. But I am a fan of Yamaha guitars and I am researching the history of their product line out of curiousity. In many cases, a Yamaha guitar is listed as a "Martin XXX copy, clone, etc" or as a "lawsuit" guitar. It would be helpful to have a chart or something showing this "relationship". I have searched the Internet ad nauseam. Yes, I have the POSTER size version of Yamaha's "history" chart from their website. Helpful but not complete and there are errros and omissions.
It can be as simple as:
FG-150 - Martin 000 18
FG-180 - D-28
FG-365 - D-35
CJ-818 - Gibson J200?
etc.
Anyone willing to take this on? I would appreciate it. I'm primarily interested in equivalencies (if they exist) for Yamaha's FG, SJ, CJ lines. I'm aware Yamaha may be emulating some other brand than Martin in some cases. If you know this relationship please include as well.
Thanks in advance for your effort and knowledge.
829 2010-01-04 00:38:21
Re: 12 String Acoustic Choices (7 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Both are good choices with many used guitars available. I've found resale on these is low so I would recommend going the used route. I happen to know where you can purchase a 1973 Yamaha FG-260 (12 string) guitar.
830 2009-12-27 13:02:58
Re: Ok, so what new toys did you get? (22 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
1979 Yamaha CJ818 guitar
(another) guitar stand
Strings
Bone saddle
831 2009-12-17 14:49:06
Re: F chords (50 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Can we agree to not use the pejorative term: Cowboy Chords?:)
832 2009-12-15 20:44:25
Re: Parlor or 3/4 Size Guitars (10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Try a Yamaha FG-75. Old, but decent, inexpensive, and readily available.
833 2009-12-15 20:36:03
Re: Fretting the Epiphery: The year of Misdirection? (6 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Thanks to all for the advice. I've spread my guitar inventory out to include one in my office. Therefore solace is always only arm's length away.
And it turns out my playable (and wall-hangable) art is not only a topic of interest and conversation but it's Siren call has been heard by several heretofore unknown (to me) guitarists. It turns out there is a glut of guitarists in my small building. We've already cludged together one jam session with others sure to follow.
Barre chords or open chords this is just good, clean fun!
834 2009-12-15 13:01:50
Topic: Fretting the Epiphery: The year of Misdirection? (6 replies, posted in Acoustic)
For almost a year now I have been attempting to become a “very good" , self-taught guitar player. I’ve memorized approximately fifteen (open) chords and can progress through them reasonably well. In fact I can construct snippets of a few songs and WAS quite pleased with myself.
All along I knew I’d have to conquer moveable shape (barre) chords most likely beginning with the “F" (1st position, E shape) and could feel the barre chord epiphery approaching. In fact I am VERY close with this particular one. In the meantime I was reading books about the “logic" of the fretboard and yesterday I experienced an epiphery but not the one I expected. Instead of suddenly being able to play the mighty “F" and lay aside my “Fmaj7" cheat for the time being, I realized that maybe the barre chords should have come first! And if this is true have I been misdirecting my time for the last year? I now fight dejection as I stagger around trying to recompose myself for continued time with steel and wood.
Questions.
1. Was the guitar designed with the moveable shape chords in mind? (Some of my readings seems to indicate so.)
2. Are open chords merely shortcuts foisted on would-be musicians as easy alternatives to encourage proliferation of the species?
3. Should I have started with the five moveable shapes?
4. Must I master them all to achieve my goal of becoming a “very good" guitar player?
5. What order should I approach them?
6. What else do I not know but should?
Can someone answer these questions please? Answers (and any other advice) would help me continue the difficult (but fun) struggle. By the way, in the same year, I’ve become a pretty good study of (purchasing) guitars and now own five. Of course the fifth one is, as I’ve mentioned in another posting, a Christmas gift from my wife that I purchased and hid from myself until the man in red shows in TEN DAYS! I wait with fretful anticipation.
835 2009-12-14 13:18:04
Re: F chords (50 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Try Fmaj7 as an interim solution. It doesn't always fit but many times it does.
836 2009-12-14 13:14:27
Re: Parlor or 3/4 Size Guitars (10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I've been studying the small-bodied guitars as well. I played all the so-called travel guitars...yuck! And besides most look goofy. For a new guitar that is also inexpensive try the Yamaha FS line. Takamine has a beautiful G406S for about $399. Or look into Recording King guitars. I spend a LOT of time scouring Craig's List but in order to be successful with this approach you really need to know what you want and pounce upon discovery.
837 2009-12-04 02:00:20
Re: New guitar (18 replies, posted in Acoustic)
The money I "saved" on purchasing my own guitar was reallocated today at a jewelry store.
There is no secret here, I already have my sights on a small-bodied guitar to round out the collection.
838 2009-12-01 18:46:48
Re: New Guitar Day! (33 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I just purchased a used Recording King RG-100T, Toonstone, Arizona edition (LOL) to hang on my office wall. It actually sounds decent. Then, this weekend, I found and purchased a 1979 Yamaha CJ818. Oh my!
839 2009-12-01 18:44:12
Re: 12-string or not (35 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I think I will always have one 12 string. Too much fun not to and it provides a nice change from the six and actually seems to give my fingers a break. My Yamaha FG-260 is still a work in progress. The sound is good but still not quite right. I can't quite identify what I'm looking for BUT yesterday I picked up a new Martin D12X1 or something like that. It was magical! This is the second great experience with the same exact guitar. So easy to play and so smooth. I'm not a Martin fan and own no Martins but this might be the first.
Meanwhile I played several other 6 string Martins and Taylors the same day ranging from $500 to over $2,000. My conclusions: Taylors are LOUD. Considering only sound I liked the $549 Taylor 100 series best. None of the Martins interested me except the aforementioned 12 string and it was only $599. Go figure.
840 2009-12-01 18:33:48
Re: New guitar (18 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I bought MY Christmas present from my wife to me this weekend: A 1979 Yamaha CJ818. I passed on 2 or 3 in as many months and found this one...which is THE one. Of course I had to hide it from myself so I could be surprised on Christmas Day. I cannot wait! She wouldn't let me clean it or restring it.
Barre chords? Still working on this but I can see progress and an epiphery (Michael Scott from "The Office") is near.
841 2009-12-01 18:28:09
Re: Pretty guitars (13 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
It's all "Playable art". That's what I call it. And it's true.
As an example check out the Takamine G406S w/ the delicious 3-piece back.
Anyone who has ever taken a shop class knows how hard it is to build something. With this in mind it makes me cringe to think of anyone smashing a guitar for any reason, save maybe self defense.
842 2009-11-01 13:46:11
Topic: Help me, Ronda: The Current Quandary (3 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Of course it involves a guitar purchase.
Here are the requirements:
All solid acoustic w/o electronics
Curvy, Jumbo, mini-jumbo, or other 000-style body, cut-away not required nor prohibited
Current contenders:
Seagull SWS Mini-jumbo, mahogany/spruce
Yamaha LL16
Recording King "equivalent" version or possibly w/ Rosewood back/sides
I own one Seagull and love it but am concerned another would look too similar to convince my spouse of "need". (Refer to separate post regarding gaining spousal approval.) The Yamaha is very nice and I was prepared to pull the trigger last week until I was introduced to the RK. I scoffed at this brand at first having never heard of it but upon holding/playing my smirk was turned into a smile. Although I'm not sure I can warm to the crown on the headstock, this brand seems to be a contender.
Any thought, advice, or experiences? Please don't recite the history to me as I've Googled/Youtubed the heck out of these.
P.S. Is Flame Maple b/s EVER solid or always laminate?
843 2009-10-27 12:19:37
Re: Bone Nut and Saddle? (9 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Thanks Guitarpix! I took your advice and stuck with the OEM stuff so as not to have "too much going on". With the 12-string that can easily happen. I did get the action lowered slightly and was happy to have this baby back in my hands.
With all the saddle/nut material options I was surprised NOT to see "eye of newt"!
844 2009-10-27 12:14:56
Re: Your most disappointing guitar... (45 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Sold "Thirty" for more than twice the price I paid and so now I'm on the prowl for another guitar. I will not make that mistake twice.
845 2009-10-27 12:12:23
Re: Guitar purchases: gaining spousal approval (37 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I prep the battlefield almost daily so I'm as prepared as I can be for the next purchase. Currently I'm poised to purchase as soon as I find the ONE...for now. I really want a Jumbo but I picked up a Guild Dreadnaught the other day and WOW. I didn't think to check the model number surprisingly as I'm usually a stickler for details such as that but I will go back to look.
What is it about guitars and the accompanying unassailable desire to purchase "just one more"? Does anyone else ever just pick up their guitars and look at them? The construction, finish, and sound are the closest thing to art appreciation I've ever experienced.
846 2009-10-14 12:44:26
Re: Your most disappointing guitar... (45 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Antares GX-141! I paid $30 off of Craig's List. I was laughing all the way hone...a $30 guitar, how cool is that? Freud said sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Well, sometimes a cheap guitar is just a cheap guitar.
I made the mistake of taking this "beater" with me to Europe as I didn't know how well a guitar would fare as checked baggage. So I invested in a Gator hard case which was more than twice as expensive as the guitar. OMG, I wanted to play while away from home but this thing sounded so bad I just couldn't. So I spent my time lamenting my travel guitar choice. I almost pitched it in the trashcan. I home now and I hugged my other guitars.
I had named this guitar Thirty (a tongue-in-cheek reference to the price) but I now call it "Never Again". What a POS! It would be best suited screwed to the wall of the local T.J. Applebees!
847 2009-10-14 12:34:44
Topic: Guitar purchases: gaining spousal approval (37 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Any success stories on revealing/introducing a new guitar acquisition to a spouse? My collection would be larger and my stress level lower if I could master this process! Meanwhile my doghouse grows cluttered.
848 2009-10-14 12:24:32
Topic: Bone Nut and Saddle? (9 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I'm having my 36 year old Yamaha FG-260 (12 string) set up. Should I opt for a bone nut/saddle while I'm at it? Current nut/sadlle are OEM and are functional.
I'm sure this will boil down to personal preference but I have no way of comparing. This is my first potential foray into adding former (animal?) skeletal structure to my wood and steel source of joy.
849 2009-09-18 13:09:18
Re: 12-string or not (35 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I'm living in Europe for about six weeks. I new I couldn't go that long without a guitar so I bought a hard case for the trip. Then I fretted (no pun intended) over which guitar to take on the trip: my nice 6-string, my nice (old) 12-string, or my inexpensive 6-string. I decided on the latter because I was afraid whatever I took across the ocean would get crushed or something.
Well no damage to my inexpensive musical traveling companion but BOY do I miss the 12-string. Maybe next time?
850 2009-08-21 19:14:28
Re: 12-string or not (35 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I just met a friend for a lunch/jamming session. More of a learning session for me. he more I play the Yamaha (12 string) the more I like it. Currently I may even prefer it to my 6s.
BTW, I use light strings.
In my minimal experience I haven't met an Alvarez yet that wasn't a joy to play. I've got my eye on an AJ418SC for my next acquistion. It's a AJ60 with fancy - they call it "spalted" - maple.