New Guitar

[TheTool]

Hey guys,

 

I'm wanting to upgrade my ovation to something a bit nicer. The guitar will be moved around a lot, which is why the sensible budget is being used :-). It'll be taken to college, recorded with and gigged. I play finger style mostly (I play classical, but I like the sounds of steel strings for open tunings and rhythmic finger picking etc).

 

What I want is a condenser mic and a piezo as i hate the sound of piezos by themselves.

 

Any suggestions? I have looked at Cort and Takamine, but I have never been a fan of Takamine and the Cort models that look interesting are way out of my price range.

 

Also, I have noticed many manufacturers use the fishman classic 4 preamp system, would i be able to plug a condenser mic into the preamp in addition to the piezo and then fit a mic inside (if this is possible).

 

Thanks.

[DeepEnd]

I'd recommend buying a guitar you like and having a pickup installed. Here are a couple of possibilities: The Fishman Ellipse Matrix Blend Guitar Pickup and Preamp System for about

[TheTool]

^Thanks, its an option but I'd really like one that i dont have to cut a hole in...

[Cripes]

The Fishman system mentioned by DeepEnd is not an intrusive system to my knowledge. It mounts inside the sound hole and exposes on some mini-sliders for blend and volume, if I remember correctly. No holes. The battery is mounted within the guitar body and becomes a right PITA to change, like most internally mounted batteries are. The one thing about that system I did not like is the condenser mic mounted to the end of a narrow, flexible wand.

I have an LR Baggs dual source in a guitar. The condenser mic is mounted to the back of the guitar, inside and pointed up at the bridge plate. I think it is a better system than the Fishman in that regard. I never could get that flexible wand in a position that gave me what I wanted to hear. Could've been the Koa guitar itself.

[mhelin]

How about this Walden G3030CE:

http://www.waldenguitars.com/steel/supra/G3030CE.html#

 

Comes with Fishman Ellipse Pro pickup system with a condenser mic.

 

Features wide 1 3/4 " (45 mm) nut width and all solid woods, scalloped X-bracing etc.

 

Should be easy to find in UK. One dealer here:

http://www.cardiffguitars.co.uk/ForSale/acous/acous.aspx

 

They also have nice Stonebridges though they are just little bit over your budget..

 

Also Millennium Music's got them:

http://www.millennium-music.com/walden_supranatura.htm

 

Also the cheaper G1070CE sounds fantastic:

http://www.waldenguitars.com/sound/harkness.mp3

[TheTool]

How about this Walden G3030CE: http://www.waldenguitars.com/steel/supra/G3030CE.html# Comes with Fishman Ellipse Pro pickup system with a condenser mic. Features wide 1 3/4 " (45 mm) nut width and all solid woods, scalloped X-bracing etc. Should be easy to find in UK. One dealer here: http://www.cardiffguitars.co.uk/ForSale/acous/acous.aspx They also have nice Stonebridges though they are just little bit over your budget.. Also Millennium Music's got them: http://www.millennium-music.com/walden_supranatura.htm Also the cheaper G1070CE sounds fantastic: http://www.waldenguitars.com/sound/harkness.mp3

They looks pretty decent, thanks for the linkage. I'll do some more research in to them .

[DeepEnd]

A guy I met recently had a Wechter that had a magnetic pickup, a piezo UST, and a soundhole mike. The 5000 series is within your price range and in fact a bit on the low side http://www.wechterguitars.com/models/index.htm#5700. They're likewise available with the Wechter "3 Pickup system" http://www.wechterguitars.com/models/el-3-pickup.htm. List prices run about $800-830 or about

[TheTool]

I wish the price conversion was like that but they're more likely to be on the upside of