Brands for $2k

[tulk1]

Hi. Not sure I've ever posted in this forum. Maybe, maybe not. ?? Anyway, I've been hanging out here (lurking) for the past couple of weeks. I'm on a trek to get a decent acoustic guitar. Done all sorts of searches, etc., trying to get some info. And just thought, what the heck... I'll post anyway.

 

I've been playing quite some time, but mostly electric. Got some really nice guitars, too. But I've never had a high quality acoustic. As my friend put it the other day .... "Did you ever consider. Your drummer and your singer, neither one of which can actually play guitar, have better acoustics than you do?" ARGH!! Near blasphemy.

 

Anyway .... here's the deal. I'm figuring $2k retail. Concert/concert cutaway is preferred - as much for looks as anything. Electronics not a big deal, as I can add that later for less than buying onboard. Has to play as easily at the 7th as it does at the nut. I've seen Martin and Taylors bandied about in this price range. What else should I be looking at? Brands, etc. Appreciate the input and advice.

[Freeman Keller]

There are an incredible array of guitars for that price (actually you are looking at maybe 2500 list for 2K out the door). If it were me I would just take 3 or so months and play every guitar I could. You will know when you have found the right one.

 

Martin does not have as many cutaway models as say Taylor, and most cuts seem to automatically come with electronics (my assumption is that cutaways appeal to electric players - many of us don't see any reason to play much above 12 anyway).

 

Concert size will be roughly an 00 in the Martin/Larrivee lines - and within those you will find different neck sizes and shapes (if you come from an electric background you might prefer a lower profile like Taylor). As you know a GC is a pretty small guitar - favored by fingerstyle players and very well balanced - but I sure wouldn't choose it just for looks. Play a taylor x12, x14 and x10 side by side (GC, GA, and dread) in different woods to see what you like.

 

Playing easily at 7 is just a matter of having it set up right - a good tech should be able to make any guitar play well.

 

Have fun

[tulk1]

Freeman, thanks for the pep talk. I'm sure there is a plethora of decent guitars to look at. BTW, I should probably clarify, I'm thinking $2k list. Hoping to hit $1200 = $1300 out the door. The GC was just for looks. I have not ruled out non-cutaways. However, I'm probably not going to look at dreadnaughts. Just a preference. So .... Larivee, Taylor, Martin? Are those the players in this $$?

[Freeman Keller]

Ask yourself some questions. What have you played and what did you like/dislike? What style of music do you play and where do you see it going? Can you hear the characteristic "sounds" of different brands (some people swear there is a "Martin sound" and a "Taylor sound"). Do you have any hangups (good or bad) about any guitar brands (I see the LP in your sig - are you a Gibby sort of guy?). What acoustic music (plugged or not) do you listen to?

 

I'll give my opinions, but you know what theys say about opinions. First, I would never ever ever buy a guitar in this price range without playing it and without it saying to me very loudly "I'm the one". Most modern guitars are remarkable similar, so you should be safe buying one if you've tried that model. My wife bought my Taylor on line, but I had played a lot of different taylors and she was pretty sure I liked them (frankly, it is not the git I would have chosen but don't ever tell her that). I happened to be in my little local shop a couple of weeks ago and they had 3 very nice Martin OM's - a LJ, a 28 and a 21. Guess which one I liked the best - it was the least expensive of the bunch. (I happen to think that the OM-21 is one of Martin's best bang for the buck gits and it is in your price range, but is it the right one for you?)

 

Folks on this forum really like the Larrys and feel that they are some excellent bargins (my humble feeling is that Larrivees have a lot in common with Taylors). We also have a couple of folks that think the Epi Masterbuilts are the best bang for your buck - I've frankly never played one. I also personally have a little baggage about Bob Taylor and Kurt and the whole T-show, but others have the same feelings about CFM IV. But I own gits from both companies.

 

Neck feel might be important or might not. All the T's from 3xx up have exactly the same neck - low, wide, easy to play. M's have at least 4 different neck profiles as well as several widths - do you want wide for fingerstyle or narrow for picking speed? And, OMG, the wood choices - 'hog for blues, rose for it's wonderful complexity, or something else (a limited Taylor in koa maybe?). And again, my personal feeling is that an OM or GA (which is a bit larger than the GC) is the best all around size - a do anything git - but would you prefer a delicate little finger picker, a big jumbo strummer, or (and you said you don't) a powerhouse dread? Adding the C (and E) runs the price up and really limits options - but if you need access to the 22nd fret then it is worth the price. How hung up are you on the finish and bling - guitars like the T3xx and 4xx, M x15's, 03 Larrys keep the cost down with satin finish and simple binding and rosette. Want bling or gloss, move up a model or two (a big difference between the om-21 and 28 is detail).

 

So many wonderful choices, so get out there and start trying them out

[WaveRay]

Tulk1,

 

The reason you're not getting too many other repsonses on this thread is because FK is, as always, covering all the bases better than the rest of us seem to be able to. Good luck with your search. I love the hunting part of it all. Enjoy it.

 

 

Ray

[Freeman Keller]

 

Originally posted by WaveRay Tulk1, The reason you're not getting too many other repsonses on this thread is because FK is, as always, covering all the bases better than the rest of us seem to be able to. Good luck with your search. I love the hunting part of it all. Enjoy it. Ray

 

 

that is another way to say FK is more full of bs than others on this forum

[tulk1]

Well you know, I just wish Freeman would speak up and say exactly what is on his mind and quit beating around the bush. Speak up, man ... speak up!

 

I actually have been out there playing the acoustics. I'm lucky enough to have a mom/pop close that carries Larrys, Breeds, T' and M's. Guess those are the major players. The decent non-Atlas Breeds tend to be out of my $$ range, with the Larrys being a bit sparse for models. Ton's o' T's & M's. I was mostly wondering if there were other makers I should be looking at. Oh well, guess I'll just spend the next couple of months playing everything acoustic guitar I can get my sweaty pinkies on. Many thanks.

 

And Freeman, hope you got the joke. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

[Freeman Keller]

 

Originally posted by tulk1 And Freeman, hope you got the joke. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

 

 

There are many on this forum who think my opinion IS a joke. Sniff, sniff

[WaveRay]

I've been hunting around for a smaller bodied guitar myself and although the new ones are a bit more than you'd like to spend, if you can find some used Santa Cruz's or Collings', they're pretty nice, too. I played a used SCGC yesterday that was $2250.00 or somewhere's in that neighborhood.An "F" model cutaway. I'm not sure what the "F" sttod for, it was about the size of an average OM. A very slightly used (only on it's 3rd set of strings) '97 in great shape. The owner reportedly has 60 guitars and never picked this one up to play. He is the original owner, by the way. Only probloem was the 1 11/16" neck. I think I want a full 1 3/4".

 

Again, good luck.

[Sweb]

Not so. Not so.

 

Freeman has tagged all the bases but, as he says, some things he just hasn't played. Nor I. And, quite rightly, playing and hearing are inclusively subjective and therefore make little sense to expound upon. Therefore, I have nothing else to add.

 

Except...I have played/owned quite a few guitars and am still searching for the one that "speaks to me". The unofficial solution to this dilemma is, simply, there isn't one. Without listing the guitars I've owned or am familiar with let's just say the quest is still alive and well.

 

In lieu of finding the perfect guitar for you, which you will never do, that price should get you a great guitar. Keep up a search and be detailed in your review. Little things that don't get past initial GAS will later on. Sound can make a person accept a neck shape he/she doesn't really like, or visa versa., and so on.

 

Once you settle on a guitar and it settles into you, be prepared to hear something new after awhile that is indirectly coming from your guitar. It will be a distant rumble, reverberating from your sound hole, speaking in tongues a barely discernable message compelling you to listen harder. But, what you are listening for cannot be made by your guitar. That is the message.

[tulk1]

Originally posted by Sweb Not so. Not so. Freeman has tagged all the bases but, as he says, some things he just hasn't played. Nor I. And, quite rightly, playing and hearing are inclusively subjective and therefore make little sense to expound upon. Therefore, I have nothing else to add. Little things that don't get past initial GAS will later on. Sound can make a person accept a neck shape he/she doesn't really like, or visa versa., and so on. Once you settle on a guitar and it settles into you, be prepared to hear something new after awhile that is indirectly coming from your guitar. what you are listening for cannot be made by your guitar. That is the message.

 

I am on my bajillionth electric guitar. So I am not unfamiliar with the concept. Right now I'm totally grooving on my 60th AmStrat, before that it was my custom made Stambaugh, before that my PRS -- etc etc etc. Don't even want to go there with amplifiers. Mostly, I was hoping to get some manufacturer names dropped of mid/upper end acoustic guitars that I may not have been familiar with. Collings is one. Santa Cruz another. Altho' they may be waaaaayy beyond what I'll spend on an acoustic. Not exactly my main instrument. Shopping is half the fun. Altho', once you get it, you gotta play it. However, we all know, if the guitar looks good, you don't have to play as well.

[Sweb]

 

Originally posted by tulk1 However, we all know, if the guitar looks good, you don't have to play as well.

 

 

Gospel.

[Faheyfan]

The only upside I've found to being one of those people with more money than talent is that over the last few years I've gotten to have in the house for months at a time some very nice guitars. The one name I rarely see and would suggest you spend some time with, if possible, is Lakewood. I bought a 14 fret A-32 used about 6 months ago for about the price you're looking to spend and am continually more impressed with it the more I play it. The damn thing just doesn't seem to want to stay in the case.

[guitarist21]

There's a Breedlove or two in that price range that I looked at when I was in the market for a small bodied acoustic a little while ago. I forget what it was called. But I thought I'd put Breedlove into the mix, because they make some great guitars.

 

Originally posted by Freeman Keller There are many on this forum who think my opinion IS a joke. Sniff, sniff

 

Don't worry! I value your opinion!

 

Ellen

[tulk1]

 

Originally posted by Faheyfan The only upside I've found to being one of those people with more money than talent is that over the last few years I've gotten to have in the house for months at a time some very nice guitars. The one name I rarely see and would suggest you spend some time with, if possible, is Lakewood. I bought a 14 fret A-32 used about 6 months ago for about the price you're looking to spend and am continually more impressed with it the more I play it. The damn thing just doesn't seem to want to stay in the case.

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Did a search for Lakewood Acoustics. Found a few sites with them - none in my area. May be a hard find. But they certainly look interesting.

[tulk1]

 

Originally posted by guitarist21 There's a Breedlove or two in that price range that I looked at when I was in the market for a small bodied acoustic a little while ago. I forget what it was called. But I thought I'd put Breedlove into the mix, because they make some great guitars. Ellen

 

 

Oh Lordy!! Not the Breedlove Atlas, I hope. Just sold one of those. Never again.

[recordingtrack1]

If Freeman says it, it goes. The rest of us just say "what he said".

 

My own personal favorite unattainable instrument has been the Taylor GS. I play them occasionally at the local music store. Magnificent instruments. Real treasures.

 

But it is best to play everything you can get your hands on. Also get someone else to play them as well and back up for a listen out front as well.

 

Of course the last three guitars I've purchased, I bought off of Ebay so what the heck do I know?

 

Good Luck

 

RT:cool:

[tulk1]

 

Originally posted by recordingtrack1 If Freeman says it, it goes. The rest of us just say "what he said". My own personal favorite unattainable instrument has been the Taylor GS. I play them occasionally at the local music store. Magnificent instruments. Real treasures. But it is best to play everything you can get your hands on. Also get someone else to play them as well and back up for a listen out front. Good Luck RT:cool:

 

 

Interesting that you would mention having someone else play them. That is exactly what we did Saturday. My wife said she thought the Martins were too forward projecting, and did not radiate the sound. She thought the Taylors dispersed sound better. So we had one of the salesguys play while we walked around in front of him listening. Her determination was that the lower end Martins were very directional, and the higher end dispersed better. Hey, she's got to listen to it, too.

 

Taylor GS? Am I being dense? What is?

[recordingtrack1]

Try this link. This will give you the internet version, but if you have not played one, do NOT buy an instrument until you've tried one out. IMO they are the best thing going for the money. Of course, I need to duck quickly because of all the Martin and Larrivee fans on this site.

 

http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/gs/

 

Good Luck

 

RT1

[guitarist21]

 

Originally posted by tulk1 Oh Lordy!! Not the Breedlove Atlas, I hope. Just sold one of those. Never again.

 

 

No no, it was not the Atlas. I just flipped through my records (yes I'm a nerd and keep records of guitars I've looked at) and it was a Breedlove Focus. I also discovered it is well above your price range at 3k.

 

The Focus was a fantastic guitar, as I remember, and I'd encourage you to give Breedlove's stuff a second chance. Unfortunately, I don't know enough to recommend a guitar for you, but I wouldn't rule them out if you see a Breedlove at Guitar Center for 2k.

 

Ellen

[Mikeo]

 

Originally posted by tulk1 Hi. Not sure I've ever posted in this forum. Maybe, maybe not. ?? Anyway, I've been hanging out here (lurking) for the past couple of weeks. I'm on a trek to get a decent acoustic guitar. Done all sorts of searches, etc., trying to get some info. And just thought, what the heck... I'll post anyway. I've been playing quite some time, but mostly electric. Got some really nice guitars, too. But I've never had a high quality acoustic. As my friend put it the other day .... "Did you ever consider. Your drummer and your singer, neither one of which can actually play guitar, have better acoustics than you do?" ARGH!! Near blasphemy. Anyway .... here's the deal. I'm figuring $2k retail. Concert/concert cutaway is preferred - as much for looks as anything. Electronics not a big deal, as I can add that later for less than buying onboard. Has to play as easily at the 7th as it does at the nut. I've seen Martin and Taylors bandied about in this price range. What else should I be looking at? Brands, etc. Appreciate the input and advice.

 

 

 

Lot's of options

 

I play a Martin 00016RGT w/ a fishman blender live, but it's only one option.

 

You may like a Taylor, they make a nice guitar right out of the box. I sold my 414 CE to buy the Martin. I prefer the necks on martins better.

 

Gibson makes Songwritter Deluxe that I just love. There's also the J45 and the J185 cutaway.

 

There's a plus to be said for having a onboard pup system, and although my favorite pup is the after market Martin Gold plus, yu have no control over the volume or tone at the guitar. This might be an issue, but the tone is better than any on board pre and equilization system I have heard from any manufacture including the Taylor expression system, which is just ok.

 

Larivee makes a nice guitar.

 

With about 2 grand to spend, look at the 100% American made guitars first

[tulk1]

What about Maton acoustics from Australia? Any opinions on those? (as if! ) Specifically the BG808L models. Got a line on a couple of those.

 

Also found a Lakewood in St. Louis at Eddies. And since we are headed there this weekend, we're going to check it out.

[guitapick]

I bought my Martin OM-21, used, for $1300.00. It's a fantastic ax.

 

If you want a new one, I've been very impressed with every Larrivee I've played. They're really nice guitars.

 

I saw that you made a about the amps you've had...but have you considered what you're going to do as far as an amp for an acoustic? I used to use my Boogie (great clear tone) for my acoustics and it was, at best: "ok". The difference btwn an acoustic and electric amp is pretty big.

[tulk1]

I've looked at a few amps for acoustics. Played thru a nice Fishman the other day. Very warm. Complimented the guitar much better than the Crate the sales guy was pushing.

 

At home I'll either use the studio board/monitors or the Roland KB amp. On stage, most likely thru the board and feed back thru the monitors. Suggestions?

 

BTW, I've done the acoustic thru my guitar amps. Not a pretty sound.

[guitapick]

Yeah...the electric amps aren't built for that. Just read up your gear. Nice stuff, hombre.

 

I just sold my Marshall JMP-1 and Roland RSP-550 to get my acoustic amp (Schertler "David"). Haven't looked back. Great acoustic amp.

 

Sounds like you've got a good bead on the situation. I, personally, agree with you about the Fishman vs Crate.

 

Not sure what styles you'll be playing...but you might find that, after awhile, you want something like a Mama Bear (or amp) between the guitar and PA to keep close to a tone that's true to whatever you're playing on. Esp. if you end up doing any solo stuff.

 

Just a suggestion. Good luck.