Members Symmetry2170 Posted February 12, 2010 Members Share Posted February 12, 2010 I'm looking at getting a really nice acoustic guitar, one that will last me hopefully a lifetime. I really dig Martin's, Guild's and Taylor's. I've owned a Guild and it was a pretty solid instrument, but didn't spend much time with it before I had to sell it. I played a couple martin's today, as I do pretty often when I check out local stores, and they just seemed to sound generic. There wasn't anything special to it, at least to my ears. Played a Taylor 314-CE, which isn't incredible, but it sounded amazing. It had a lot of character and played really well. I really want a solid back and sides acoustic guitar that has good projection, warmth and a bit of chime, and is plain looking but with just a hint of accoutrement. Nothing flashy at all. Can you guys recommend any brands and models for me? Looking to spend ~$2,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Etienne Rambert Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Most of it depends on what your ears like. Rather than brand-names, you might want to focus on tone-woods. What kind of Guild did you have before? It probably had a Spruce top. What kind of back & sides did it have? If you like Taylor - buy the Taylor. Or find a used Guild with the same tone woods you had before - buy it. Look at the Martin 15 series for solid Mahogany. They're superb. I don't care much for the more expensive Martins I've played though. One recommendation I have is to play a Cedar top guitar. I personally prefer the sound of a Cedar top to a Spruce top.Cedar & Rosewood are a really nice tone combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Well, to show you how much the "MY" tone thing varies, I had a 314 which I thought was a nice, but very generic guitar. I'm much more of a Martin sort of guy, and own two plus several clones (its the style that I build) And since much of any recommendation will require a lot more information about the kind of music you play, your style of playing, whether you need the C or the E, just exactly what your definition of "warm" and "chime" is..... The guitar that I would have chosen instead of the 314 is what I consider one of Martin's real sleepers - the OM21 - very playable (I like wide necks like the 314 had), the warmth of rosewood, understated elegance, affordable, and very versatile. However, we all have our preferences and what you really need to do is just keep playing things until something speaks to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kujozilla Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 If you are looking for warm and chime you might try Gibson. What I always tell people to explain the companies to people is:Gibson- more even across the board tone good midsMartin- lots of boom not a ton of treble but plenty of bassTaylor- chimey they ring out not a lot of bass Keep in mind this is generalizing for their dreds not anything else. Some people may disagree with me but from the ones I have played this seems to hold true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hudman Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Try a Taylor 414CE. It's under $2000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted February 13, 2010 Members Share Posted February 13, 2010 Try a Santa Cruz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members riffmeister Posted February 14, 2010 Members Share Posted February 14, 2010 Played a Taylor 314-CE, which isn't incredible, but it sounded amazing. It had a lot of character and played really well. There it is.....YOUR guitar!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MePeel Posted February 14, 2010 Members Share Posted February 14, 2010 Ok, I'll be the gadfly here : Try Blueridge. I "found " my tone with a BR 143. Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Symmetry2170 Posted February 14, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 14, 2010 Ok, I'll be the gadfly here : Try Blueridge. I "found " my tone with a BR 143.Mel I have yet to play a Blueridge, but I want to. I think a big problem with the Martin I played the other day was that it had some pretty dead strings on it which I'm sure only added to the muddiness of the tone. I'm just going to play a bunch and see what I like best. I can't buy one anytime soon as I want to save up and be able to pay for it in full and walk out the door with it instead of financing it like I have with gear in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bridgepin Posted February 14, 2010 Members Share Posted February 14, 2010 I would hit the guitar shops hard, play as many as you can, don't be afraid to ask them to put new strings on a guitar that you are interested in any good shop will do this, time is on your side there is a heck of a lot of great used guitars out there, do your home work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kujozilla Posted February 14, 2010 Members Share Posted February 14, 2010 Guitar shops, craigslist, and every damn jam session you can find. I found my acoustic sound a few times in different styles of guitars thanks to just playing around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members panhandler Posted February 14, 2010 Members Share Posted February 14, 2010 To find the tone you want... One must first buy all the guitars one can buy. This is called GAS. The tricky part of GAS is buying all these without upsetting the wife/ GF and without wrecking the finances. Then one by one, You weed them out. Buy low/sell high. The last one standing is the winner! Kinda like Survivor for guitars:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members acousticdepot Posted February 15, 2010 Members Share Posted February 15, 2010 I would hit the guitar shops hard, play as many as you can, don't be afraid to ask them to put new strings on a guitar that you are interested in any good shop will do this, time is on your side there is a heck of a lot of great used guitars out there, do your home work Very interesting ... but stupid. Seriously cool Avatar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dwerlin Posted February 15, 2010 Members Share Posted February 15, 2010 Fixed.To find the tone you want... One must first buy all the guitars one can buy. This is called GAS. The tricky part of GAS is buying all these without upsetting the wife/ GF and without wrecking the finances. Then one by one, You weed them out. Buy high/sell low.The last one standing is the winner! Kinda like Survivor for guitars:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bridgepin Posted February 15, 2010 Members Share Posted February 15, 2010 Very interesting ... but stupid. Seriously cool Avatar!Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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