• From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2009-06-12
  • Posts: 873

Topic: Help me, Ronda: The Current Quandary

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?

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: Help me, Ronda: The Current Quandary

This is what first came to mind http://www.simonandpatrick.com/showcasefolkrosewood.htm It's the same company as your Seagull (Godin) but I favor the S & P's 1.72 nut width over the 1.8 of the Seagulls. I like the headstocks better too, though I'm not against the seagulls and understand its reason functionally... And of course you can get it equiped with or without the AER electronics. I will say that they are exceptional though. The thumb controls are tucked neatly in the soundhole and the combination of USP and internal mic really sounds good and natural when plugged in. No barn doors... Except for the endpin jack you wouldn't really know it had electronics...
  I'd consider used as well. You can get more for your money if you shop carefully. Maybe something like a Taylor 314 or another of the 14 series, Larrivee, etc...

Flame maple is used as a solid wood but you'll usually only find it on the very top of the line production guitars and into the small shop/custom built area. The S&P showcase models offer solid flamed maple back and sides as does the Seagull Artist Cameo model...

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: Help me, Ronda: The Current Quandary

Another thought smile (it's fun spending someone else's money wink ) Have you considered a Martin 15 series? You could find a real nice used all solid mahogany 00-15s  12 fret to the body, slot head in that price range and with mahogany recently being listed as an endangered wood it is getting scarce, so the guitar would be a good investment as well as adding something different to your arsenal.. Just make sure you find one that is solid mahogany as they have started using Sapele in the last few years for some of the tops...

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • tandm3
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • From: Florida Panhandle
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 421

Re: Help me, Ronda: The Current Quandary

Have you played a Godin 5th ave? or its electric cousin the 5th Ave Kingpin?

Now available in 5G !