I'm second guessing my next guitar purchase.

[jerime]

I thought I knew what I wanted, but it seems like it's never just that easy. Let me elaborate.

 

I want a small bodied acoustic 00,0M, or what ever you want to call it. Just something smaller and easier to play, with a slightly darker sound if possible, and on the cheaper side for now.

 

I wanted an Alvarez RF20SM. Now I'm not sure.

 

After looking around for a while I've complied a list of other possible canidates and well; now I'm just not sure. Here's a few.

 

Ibanez Artwood

Yamaha

Walden

Tanglewood

Morgan Monroe

Art & Luthrie

Johnson Carolina

and so on...

 

Can't remember all the model numbers right now, but the lower end smaller bodied guitars from each of these.

 

So far I've played very few of these because the local guitar shops just don't have them. I guess what I'm looking for with this thread is just some advise from anyone who owns any of these or has played any.

[guit30]

For a smaller bodied guitar, don't think you would go wrong
Jim

[jerime]

For a smaller bodied guitar, don't think you would go wrong Jim

 

 

From reading some of your post, I gather you are a fan of Alvarez guitars. I own one Alvarez Regent dread. It was my first acoustic and I don't think I could ever part with it. It's been a great guitar and that's what first made me want the RF20SM.

[Freeman Keller]

Jerime, I am a big fan of small bodied guitars - my two very nice dreads mostly sit in the closet while I play 000 and OM sized gits. I also happen to like Martins - but realize that they are out of reach for most of us. I have no experience with the Blueridge line (but there are several folks on this forum who speak very highly of theirs), but I thought this comparison was very interesting. In particular listen to the BR-163 vs OM-28VS clip (the Martin is very similar to what Clapton plays and to my home made guitar which I dearly love). If you like the woodier bluesier sound of the OM-18V, listen to the BR-143 or the BR-43.

Just more things to confuse you, eh?

Blueridge vs Martin

[DEP]

jerime: not to confuse the issue, but slightly above what appears to be your price point is the Guild GAD 30R, an excellent OM that you might want to consider adding to your list.

[EvilTwin]

jerime: not to confuse the issue, but slightly above what appears to be your price point is the Guild GAD 30R, an excellent OM that you might want to consider adding to your list.

 

 

+1

 

One of the best OM's I've played recently (in addition to the Martin OM-21 I played this week...which is well out of my price range).

 

For the money, though, I don't think you can beat a Seagull S6+Folk. Quite honestly, it's probably the best money I've ever spent on a guitar.

 

Sure, a $3K guitar may cost ten times more than my $300 'Gull, but I don't think they sound ten times better. Not by a stretch.

[Queequeg]

Blueridge is getting some good reviews all around.

I have to say, I myself, haven't played one yet.

I could never abide that headstock. First, there is the cosmetic "issue" as we like to say in Ann Arbor. Bigger problem is the 5th string wanging into the 6th string post.

What are those guys thinking?

Do they like it that way?

Is this a "feature"?

Maybe they haven't noticed?

[JasonA]

Blueridge sound pretty good, but yeah that hideous headstock is hard to get past, plus the narrow string spacing does me in. Even on the custom Blueridges with a wider nut they still left the narrow string spacing at the bridge. For those reasons the Carolina was a much better choice for me. Gad-30 is great too. I've got one of each.

[helmvoltz]

You want a parlour guitar.
some f hole jazz type guitars also feel very small because of there thin body almost like an electric guitar.
if you want a dark sound.it depends on the wood for instance a maple neck or body will give you a brighter sound than a more dence wood like mahogany or ash.

[jerime]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have played one of the Guild GAD 30s and liked it very much. I also like the Epiphone Masterbilt EF series, but for now would like to stick with something cheaper and then trade up.

 

I think right now I'm stuck betweent the Alvarez RF20SM and the Walden G570TB. I haven't played either one so I"m having a hard time deciding.

[drnihili]

I don't think you'll go wrong with either. I'm partial to the look of the Walden's and I love the GA size. One thing that doesn't come through in pictures well is that the depth tapers a bit toward the neck so that the upper bout is shallower than the lower bout. I find that makes it a lot more comfortable to plat. I don't know whether the Alvarez is similar in that regard.

[jerime]

I took a listen to the BR-163 vs OM-28VS Freeman. Wow, I couldn't tell much difference. I'll have to agree with pretty much everyone else though. They have some goofy looking headstocks.

 

I think I may end up going with the Walden now. I'm basing most of my decision on looks since I haven't played either, but it seems (based on most people's opion) that I would have a hard time going wrong with either. My only complant on the Walden is the headstock is a little plain, but you can't get everything I guess unless you're willing to pay for it.

[T.B.]

I took a listen to the BR-163 vs OM-28VS Freeman. Wow, I couldn't tell much difference. I'll have to agree with pretty much everyone else though. They have some goofy looking headstocks. I think I may end up going with the Walden now. I'm basing most of my decision on looks since I haven't played either, but it seems (based on most people's opion) that I would have a hard time going wrong with either. My only complant on the Walden is the headstock is a little plain, but you can't get everything I guess unless you're willing to pay for it.

 

 

Here's the May 2007 review of the G570TB and sound samples, in the right hand square. http://www.waldenguitars.com/news/2007_May_AG.html

My Walden G570TB should be arriving Saturday. I'll post pic's and a review.

I'm almost certain I'll replace the tuning machines either with gold or nickeled Grover "Vintage - Style" Sta-Tites, replace the plastic bridge pins with Snakewood, and maybe add a John Pearse armrest.

 

Trina

[jerime]

I heard the sound clips last night. Sounds pretty good. Would like to hear some sound clips of the RF20SM.

[T.B.]

I heard the sound clips last night. Sounds pretty good. Would like to hear some sound clips of the RF20SM.

Yes. Thanks.

[Tony Burns]

not far from your price point is Larrivee - they are a fine instrument worth checking out .

[jerime]

I've played a few Larrivees, very nice guitars. My price point is prefrably on the south side of $300. I didn't think I could get a Larrivee for under $500 even used.

[rkyochim]

Please tell me why you are deciding between 2 guitars that you have never tried! Would you buy a car without driving it? Don't sell yourself short; use your ears and hands to decide..... good luck..... you may need it.

[jerime]

Please tell me why you are deciding between 2 guitars that you have never tried! Would you buy a car without driving it? Don't sell yourself short; use your ears and hands to decide..... good luck..... you may need it.

 

 

I've definatly thought of that exact point. I've got more research and hopefully some playing to do before I decide. I'm mostly going off of the good reviews from the 2 and the fact that they are what I'm looking for by body and looks. I've heard some audio samples from the Walden and it sounds very good. Unfortunatly none of the guitar shops I live around have either one of these guitars. I think I may get lucky and run across the Alvarez, but I doubt I'll find the Walden any where considering they don't seem to have many American dealers yet.

[pds617]

I own a Walden G570, and I've been very pleased with it. The build quality and sound is very good. Fortunately, there is a local dealer in my area where I was able to try prior to purchase. But, I would not let that hold me back from buying from a dealer online or over the phone provided that they have trial period on returns.