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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Guitars and accessories → The best Acoustic?
I have had some nice guitars in my playing career, but I always go back to one of my Guilds....an old D-25 in particular. When I first starting playing I was advised to get a Guild, was told they were the workhorse of the acoustic community and I would get the most bang for the buck. Three Guilds later and I am still happy with the product. Best to get a Westerley Guild...but I have played the new Fender Guild and am intrigued.
well i prefer a taylor acoustic guitar, because they have a nice and smooth sound <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">
I have a Takamine TAN 16C with the cool tube technology. I like it fine. Sounds very good with the amp and sounds good without. I don't believe spending more at this point in my tenure as a player as it would not make me sound better but I would love to buy many. I have heard several players who gig swear by one manufacturer or another. Try many and find what works for you. I also own a Martin DCX 1E which run about 650.00 w/out the case new. This is a good sounding guitar as well and has Fishman electronics built in. The TAN 16C was alittle over 1000.00 brand new. If you are in a very humid state and want to play outside often, a few friends swear by the Ovation that has a composite exterior and wood interior (not sure of the model but it has offset soundholes) and I was told they run about 900.00 with a case. I have also heard some of the less expensive Takamines, like the G220 and they sound great for the dough. A friend of mine picked one up for about 240.00 with a gig bag. Again, like anything, there are people out there far better than myself that could pick up a 150.00 guitar and sound far better than I do with the TAN 16C. Hope this helps.
Rich
Any feedback on the Zager Guitar? It is an import which is modified and voiced by luthier Denny Zager, new lower nut, wider string spacing, new saddle. Supposed to play easier than just about anything. Like to know if this is just hype, or for real.
If you are looking for a guitar(martin) of quality in the (martin) $2000 price range, well I have to say(martin) that your options are wide(martin) open and you will have to (martin) look at a lot of (martin) guitars.
Nuff said...
My situation was similar. Had an Ovation Celebrity; and well, it is a cheap guitar. Strings helped some, but I still wasn't happy. I played Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, was looking around the $2000 range. I picked up a Breedlove, and it "felt" right. A week later, I went back and played 'em all again. I was still drawn to the Breedlove. It is an AD-25 SR Plus, and was under a grand with the case. (nice case, by the way) I play the $3000-$4000 Martins occasionally, and still like mine better.
My advice, shop around, play a LOT of instruments, take your time...you will find what is right for you.
Hi everyone.....I own a Gibson and Taylor. I much prefer the Taylor
The best acoustic guitar is the one your comfortable with. Read the threads on this subject already posted, their are some experienced players with good advice on how to choose the right guitar for you. All the brand name guitars you mentioned are good but if you can't make the one you have sound good (playing ability not tone) A $2700.00 Taylor isn't going to help either.
Once you develop your style and tone and know what you like in the construction of a guitar ie woods, neck shape, finger board radius and fret size then go and buy that big dollar guitar that fits your style & taste.
Good luck.
Bootleger.
Bootleger hit the nail on the head...I'm partial to Martin guitars but that's due to long experience with them, excellent quality, and a sound that I like. One thing about the name brand guitars like the Martin, Gibson, Taylor, and some others is that they can also become an investment that gets betters with age...Most companies will have some options of body size, neck shape, sound electronics, and wood materials that can effect the playing style and tone that you are looking for...try lots of them and hope you find that special one...
I also onw a 1976 model Yamaha and at first I did not like it either. The action was high and it killed my fingers to play it. I had the action lowered and put a new set of new strings on it and it plays a lot better now. I have also played the top of the line guitars and the yamaha sounds just as good or better than most of them. If I was going to buy a guitar today I would by a Gibson humming bird or a Dove. Just like the way they play and sound.
I still have my first acoustic that i have had since my early days of playing guitar.
its a guild jumbo body f-50. i paid $ 650.00 US in 1976. today that same guitar lists for about $2,500.00 US. my point being a quality guitar will go up in value over the years. also there is no comparison to the feel and pleasure of a quality instrument. I say buy a quaulty guitar. put one away on layaway if you dont have the money right away. I am in the prossess of saving up for a martin. I have come to beleive that a martin is the crem of the crem. although i will always love my guild which I named betsey
another thing, one of my fun things to do is to go to music stores and sample different guitars. One fact that I have come to realize is that its hard to beat the sound of a jumbo body acoustic guitar
Sycamore has a point!!!
The trick is to get out and try lots of guitars. Don’t be impressed by a brand, stay open minded and let your ear and hands show you the way…but play a lot of guitars!
No two are truely alike!... my best and favorite guitar would get sneers from most based on the brand/model name but at open mike night... it blows minds with the tone and range it gets.
Shop around and play them all!!
Listen to bootlegger.
Price (or brand) isn't the thing (although you will often get what you pay for) - the set up is.
A badly set up instrument will retard your progress immeasurably.
Get someone very experienced (not an enthusiastic amateur friend) to check it out for you.
Don't buy something that has a "ski jump" neck that needs a re-fret that would cost more than you are paying for it.
You are more likely to find a nylon string that represents a safer bet than an electric and finally a steel string acoustic.
If you are in Australia I can recommend Chris Melville who not only makes world class guitars (Tommy Emmanuel has a couple), but has spent many years restoring and setting up (both used and new) guitars.
http://www.melvilleguitars.com/contactUs.asp
I am not connected in any commercial way to Chris, but am fortunate enough to own one of his guitars (I have 7 guitars in total and they are all good or excellent and his is by far and easily the best in both sound and playability).
My guitars include 2 Matons (including the TE model) , an old LG1 Gibson - good for fingerstyle, a couple of Yamahas - electric and nylon and a Fender Strat '57 re-issue (presently in need of a re-fret), as well as my Melville. Oh and a Martin backpacker I picked up in Nashvile in '96 that I use for travelling and has a sweet treble but otherwise is not really a Martin.
Good Luck
yNot (Tony) Mitchell
yNot44, Buy an new neck it will cost the same as the refret. Plus depending on what you want you can chan your tonal shaping with a different wood combination for the neck & finger board.
Bootlegger.
Thanks for the tip Bootlegger!
I have had some nice guitars in my playing career, but I always go back to one of my Guilds....an old D-25 in particular. When I first starting playing I was advised to get a Guild, was told they were the workhorse of the acoustic community and I would get the most bang for the buck. Three Guilds later and I am still happy with the product. Best to get a Westerley Guild...but I have played the new Fender Guild and am intrigued.
Over the years I have had seveal electric guitars that came and went, but My acoustic Guild (F-50) was one that I never ever considered parting with. This guitar has remained with me through thick and thin for over 30 years. She is in dire need of repair right now and the quote I have recieved to restore her, well I could almost buy a new one. Because of sentimental value I am going to have her restored. I am also in the market for and saving up for my dream Martin. But I must say anyone looking for a great guitar will not never ever regret thier choice when choosing a Guild
I bought a used martin 000M and love it. Paid $500, excellent case and the guy who owned it added a pickup. I might heave even overpaid, but still love the guitar.
Install extra thin phospor bronze strings for a good ring.
Bought a second even cheaper model Martin. OOO? laminate. Love it equally.
martin guitars are nice and have what I believe a sound all thier own. I have finally decieded on the model I want (the D-42) and it has been ordered. I am looking foward to its arrival.
I've only been playing guitar for 7 months, I have a Crafter, but the sound quality itsn't all that good compared to the Ibanez my grandpa has. Since I'm only 16 and haven't been playing guitar very long I guess I don't know much about guitars, but anyways that's what I think...
Hope you find a good guitar!
Being a beginner ..you really only need a competent guitar,that is playable. I seriously would not recommend that you spend $2000.00 on a guitar yet.As several have already stated... the guitar will not affect your sound as much as your skill and sonoriety. Takamine makes an excellent acoustic with neck action like an electric. I have been playing a Takamine EF381m since 1982 and it is a fine guitar.Cost under $1000.00 . You can spend a lot more on a guitar but I assure you your sound etc will not improve proportionately with the amount of money you spend.
I had the luck to purchase a MARTIN HD-28, from a guy, who needed desperately money to buy "illegal" stuff. It haunted me for years, sometimes it still do. But the guitar (1977) has a tremendous sound, crystal clear, and very strange, really loud, but correct.
Since that moment (10 years ago), I had the opportunity to buy a few super guitars, like a Gibson Montana Gold SJ-200. It is very hard to choose between them, I only found out on a rainy day, that some songs need that kind of sound = that kind of guitar, and others another guitar.
I am not able to choose between them, they both sound so different and beautiful.
I admit that I never tried Breedlove, or other more expensive guitars.
I even don't know if the difference between a GIBSON SJ 200 and an EPIPHONE EJ 200, the wood is the same, but when you look the prices, there has to be a difference
I'd have to agree 100% with bootleger on this. It has to be one that you are comfortable with and only you can choose the right guitar for you!
I've played many diffrent guitars (not well but played them all the same..lol) and I'd have to say considering Value, playability, and voice...umm how can I say this...If I didn't have the ones I already own and had to choose a guitar (all thing considered) my purchase would either be a Morgan Monroe M-50 http://shsaudio.com/m50.htm or a Simon and Patrick showcase rosewood. Over the past year I have bought, played, and sold over 40 guitars and ,of all the ones I've had my hands on, these 2 I could and would never part with. But every one has there own preference and you can't purchase the right guitar for you based on someone elses experience. I just offer up these two for your consideration. Both are in the $1,000 price range.
Best of luck! Peace!
Even though my first love is the electric...I love playing an acoustic guitar. Just like many others have stated...it's up to you what you like. Even the most expensive and quality acoustic guitar may have issues and may not be perfect. Just go to your guitar store, play several and get the one that you love. Personally, I like Breedloves and Takamines (since I have those), but I have played many and many are good (Martins, Taylors, Gibsons and Epis). It's up to you! I would try a Breedlove though. They are extremely good and play amazingly. Rock on!
Martin's are on the expensive side, but the new 000X1 are around $500 and they are some of the best sounding acoustics I have ever heard.
You need to check out Taylor Guitars. Go to www.taylorguitars.com and look at all the video's on their website. They are the best thought out guitar on the market, and the best manufactured. I have a background in woodworking, and they are awesome.
Check out the performers that use Taylors.
Then, before you buy anything, TRY THEM.
You have to HEAR the difference, and feel the difference in how they play.
Taylor has the best neck on the market, because you can adjust it if it gets tweaked. Their NT neck is removable and can be reset in minutes. Try that with a Martin. You will have $1000 and poor intonation.
Taylor's ES system is the best sounding electronics available if you are going to plug in.
Many recording studios mic the guitar, and then mix in the sound of the ES coming straight from the guitar.
I have visited their plant in El Cajon CA, they are made in USA, and proud of it.
Taylor technology and quality have changed the whole guitar industry for the better. Why not go with the company who sparked the revolution.
$2000 will get you a great guitar. Try a 414 CE or 410 CE if you want to plug in, or a GS if not.
I have owned 5 Taylors, and they all have great sound and playability.
There isn't a bad one in the bunch.
Good luck,
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Guitars and accessories → The best Acoustic?
