Help Give Me Some Direction

[improviduto]

I'm in the market for an steel-string acoustic-electric guitar, and I've got about $2000 to play with. I'm planning on driving to a semi-local music shop that deals Taylors to give 'em a shot. I know a number of working and casual musicians that swear by them--never played one myself. Being a native Pennsylvanian, though, I feel somewhat compelled to buy a Martin. I've still got a lot of shopping to do; however, I ask because I'm fairly limited in my higher-end acoustic guitar brands locally. I can always get a deal on Guilds from my favorite Fender shop and the little music store in Fairview deals in Taylors and Takamines. The big music store (the locally-owned World of Music) is a dealer for Gibson, Martin, and Alvarez. I should really arrange a day trip to either Cleveland, Buffalo, or Pittsburgh (if you find Erie, Pa. on a map, you'll how it's easily possible), but I won't have this kind of time until summer, and that money's burnin' a hole in my pocket!

 

I'm both a picker and a strummer and use both my fingers and a pick--depends on what I'm playing/doing. I tend towards a percussive, latin style, which is a remnant from my days in a traditional latin/flamenco group at Ohio State. I do fast-ish runs (I'm not Paco de Lucia) and fast strumming. I like a big, bold sound and dislike guitars that are boomy and bass-drenched.

 

I currently own a beat up, late 70s, Norlin-era Epiphone FT-150 dreadnought. It has a laminate top. The maple sides and back offer a spectacular low-end, but the treble suffers. Ideally, I would like a bit less bass, a lot more treble. It has a 1-11/16th nut and a thinner neck that fits my smaller hands well.

 

Yes, I know, I have to go out and play a million guitars until I find one I like--I've given this advice countless times!--but given my limited free time, maybe you can help give me some direction. Life as a graduate assistant in sports information is very time consuming! So, point me in some directions, whether it's a make, model, size, woods, or some shop/luthier I definitely have to get in contact with.

 

I'll answer any further questions you have.

 

Thanks in advance!

[guitarist21]

$2000!! You've got a lot of great options. Look at Santa Cruz, Breedlove, Martin... at least that's what I'd do with $2000.

[Freeman Keller]

Well, some quick thoughts based on some of the key words in your post.

 

At 2 grand you've got some really wonderful choices in both the Martin and Taylor line, and the Larrivee folks here will tell you about them too. IMHO Martin is not as noted for their plugged sound and they don't have as many cutaways if you want to play up the neck. Necks tend to be on the 1-11/16 side and they have about four different profiles to fit your hands, but be careful because some are 1-3/4. I'm not real familiar with the pickups that they use but lots of folks add something like a K&K. As you know their dreads are big and boomy and bassy and powerful - but the OM's and triple oughts are great balanced guitars. A personal fav of mine is the OM-21, right in your price range with the K&K added. You can hear and compare many models of Martins at Maurys

 

http://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_guitar_video_clips

 

http://people.hibbing.edu/~crucials/mguitar.html

 

Taylors are maybe a little more known as plug it in and play on stage gits - the new ES is a very good pickup, they have cuts in most of their A/E's. Necks are thin, but almost always 1-3/4. Many people consider their GA sized gits their best - and they are certainly well balanced. Taylor is in the process of restructuring their entire line but something like their 414CE could fit your requirements. I don't know of any sites with taylor clips, but their is one of my 314 compared to a mahogany dread, a rosewood 000 and an old laminated cheapy on the thread entitled "String Test"

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1556148

 

I'm surprised that you say your maple git has too much bass - I tend to think of maple as not having great bass. If yours is laminated I would not put too much stock in what the back is made out of. I tend to think that rosewood has a more complex sound all things considered, hog a little "woodier" and cutting, koa somewhere in between. The maple guitars I've heard I would call "bright".

 

Since you have something to play, my humble suggestion is to take your time and truely play everything you can. Throw a little recorder in with you so you can compare. Then come back and tell us what you decided.

[Hudman]

Go with a 400 Series Taylor.

 

I'm positive you will find the body style and tone you are looking for in one of the 400 Series guitars.

 

I would go with the Taylor 414-CE Grand Auditorium if it was my money.

[kwakatak]

If you're ever in Pittsburgh and are looking for high-end guitars, you definitely Acoustic Music Works (http://www.acousticmusicworks.com/) located in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood east of downtown. They carry high end guitars like Collings, Huss & Dalton, Bourgeois, Goodall, Breedlove, Lowden (all of which cost more than $2000) and more affordable stuff like CA and Blueridge.

 

That place is way out of my league though, but there are some other stores in the area that have a pretty good selection, including:

- Pianos N Stuff (http://www.pianosnstuff.com/tour_acoustic.html), which is located on Rt. 28 northeast of the city

- Empire Music (www.empiremusiconline.com) which is located on Rt. 19 south of the city in Mt. Lebanon

- Guitar Gallery (www.guitarzilla.com) which is located on Rt. north of the city in Wexford

 

BTW, I wouldn't look at Fender acoustic guitars. You'd be much better served getting a Martin or *cough* (Larrivee) *cough*

[bigby]

So many great choices out there in that price range. I can give you some direct feedback about my Martin dc16-gte. I also play both flatpick and fingerstyle and this guitar does very well; especially considering in my experience some dreads can be lacking for fingerstyle; not the case for this guitar. The only issue you may have is with the bass. I prefer some punch in tone and wouldn't consider it "bass drenched"; however, my personal tastes are more of a warm, round low end with nice high's that aren't too twangy. You'd need to check that out to see if it fits your personal taste on the high end side. As you can see, I'm very happy with this guitar.

 

And like FK mentioned, Taylor and Larrivee get lots of love in this room so definitly worth a look in to.

 

Good luck!

[Dan Hall]

Go with a 400 Series Taylor. I'm positive you will find the body style and tone you are looking for in one of the 400 Series guitars. I would go with the Taylor 414-CE Grand Auditorium if it was my money .

Hey Hud, what about the GS? My suggestion would be a Gibson J-45 from Bozeman.

[Freeman Keller]

Something else to remember is that $2K street is $3K list. Or $4K used. Now we're talking some pretty fine wood and steel.

[improviduto]

Your suggestions have been very helpful. Thank you!

[missedmyexit]

"Martin is not as noted for their plugged sound and they don't have as many cutaways if you want to play up the neck."

 

Martin does have the Aura models that have great plugged in sound. (not arguing that Martin isn't known for great plugged in sound, just pointing out the exception)

 

The OMC isn't as bassy as the dread model, has a pretty balanced sound. That said if you are looking for a smaller quicker neck, I would say the Taylor 400 series is for you as many mentioned. I have to admit as much as I love my Aura the Taylor neck on the 414 had my guitar beat for comfort and playability I liked the sound OMC better both plugged and unplugged.

[kwakatak]

I just reread your initial post and this part made me want to add some more info that may help with your search:

 

 

I'm both a picker and a strummer and use both my fingers and a pick--depends on what I'm playing/doing. I tend towards a percussive, latin style, which is a remnant from my days in a traditional latin/flamenco group at Ohio State. I do fast-ish runs (I'm not Paco de Lucia) and fast strumming. I like a big, bold sound and dislike guitars that are boomy and bass-drenched. I currently own a beat up, late 70s, Norlin-era Epiphone FT-150 dreadnought. It has a laminate top. The maple sides and back offer a spectacular low-end, but the treble suffers. Ideally, I would like a bit less bass, a lot more treble. It has a 1-11/16th nut and a thinner neck that fits my smaller hands well.

 

 

My previous post covers the "where" but as for the "what" let me make a few recommendations:

 

This Martin 0000-28H looks sweet:

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/000028H.htm

 

Taylor's new GS (Grand Symphony), available in 4 different tonewood combinations:

http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Archive/2006/gs/Models.aspx

 

Larrivee LV-05, a sort of grand concert with a soft Florentine cutaway. Similar to the GS but in mahogany/spruce and mostly hand-crafted and at a lower price.

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=17104&cat=0&page=1

 

Larrivee LV-05MT, same as above but with a mahogany top giving it a warmer and snappier tone:

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=17547&cat=0&page=1

[bigby]

I just reread your initial post and this part made me want to add some more info that may help with your search: My previous post covers the "where" but as for the "what" let me make a few recommendations: This Martin 0000-28H looks sweet: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/000028H.htm Taylor's new GS (Grand Symphony), available in 4 different tonewood combinations: http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Archive/2006/gs/Models.aspx Larrivee LV-05, a sort of grand concert with a soft Florentine cutaway. Similar to the GS but in mahogany/spruce and mostly hand-crafted and at a lower price. http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=17104&cat=0&page=1 Larrivee LV-05MT, same as above but with a mahogany top giving it a warmer and snappier tone: http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=17547&cat=0&page=1

 

 

Wow, that Larrivee LV-05MT looks sweet. Now you're killing me with these links? Anyone up for a one month trade; Martin for Larrivee?

[Hudman]

 

Hey Hud, what about the GS? My suggestion would be a Gibson J-45 from Bozeman.

 

 

I like both of those a lot, but he said he wanted a guitar that wasn't bass heavy. I think the GS and the J-45 might have too much low end for him.

[kwakatak]

I like both of those a lot, but he said he wanted a guitar that wasn't bass heavy. I think the GS and the J-45 might have too much low end for him.

 

How about a Larrivee OM-03 or OM-03R?

[DonK]

Go with a 400 Series Taylor. I'm positive you will find the body style and tone you are looking for in one of the 400 Series guitars. I would go with the Taylor 414-CE Grand Auditorium if it was my money.

 

I have one, a Limited. Probably a good guitar for what the OP's stated requirements, though I'd rather have a 000-28 with an aftermarket pickup.

[Dan Hall]

I like both of those a lot, but he said he wanted a guitar that wasn't bass heavy. I think the GS and the J-45 might have too much low end for him.

yeah, that whole bit about the maple Epi having big base is real strange. Still, improviduto, this ain't an emergency is it? Go play the 400 series like Hud says, and as long as you're there play the GS too. Then cross town and play the J-45 or J-50 Gibbo. There are a couple of guys around here that generate some real emotion around the Gibson AJ too. The J-50 has square shoulders compared to the J-45 but can be found in Maple here and there. All these guitars I've mentioned are quite large and big sounding. Just make sure it's a current era Gibson; out of Montana not Kalimazoo, Memphis, or Nashville. Unless of course it's a 1955 model then you'll run out of budget me thinks. I wish I could go with you. I love spending money! :D As long as we're just yappin' Hudman has a picture of a Washburn Maple Jumbo that floats his boat.....mine too. Did we already cover Parkwoods too? It's late..... Here's an afterthought but from where you're comming from this might make you happy. http://cgi.ebay.com/GIBSON-J-150-SUPER-JUMBO-ACOUSTIC-J150-GUITAR-MAPLE_W0QQitemZ170086946633QQcategoryZ33025QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

In fact, I'm gonna hafta go find one of these things someplace around here.