Buying Second acoustic for tunings...

[zb0430]

I recently got my baby, my 814ce for use in praise and worship settings. I'm extremely happy with it thus far.

 

Yet, I'm looking for a second guitar for use in an alternate tuning I use a good bit:

 

EAEEBE (Most beautiful tuning I've ever used, with unison E's in the middle)

 

I'm looking for something a bit more affordable than my 814ce, possibly a smaller/medium sized body something that adapts equally well to strumming and finger picking, as it will see a bit of both. Or, I could use the Taylor for alternate tunings and buy that HD-35 I've mentioned so many times....

 

But, I was looking for something a bit cheaper without skimping on quality. I'm guessing a few of you would recommend some Larrivees, but which ones? Any say in the matter would be appreciated, as usual.

 

Thanks fellas

[Dave Keir]

I used to play alternate tunings a lot, but dropped-D is as far as I go these days. Yes it would be a good idea if you used one tuning predominately, but if you're using a bunch of different tunings, it's hard to see what the advantage is except for the ability to use heavier guage strings.

[Freeman Keller]

One of the nice things about a second (or third ) guitar for another tuning is that you can optimize the strings and setup. If you really like your rose GA Taylor and want a similar but less expensive git, consider a 414, if you want a totally different playing git the HD-35 would be wonderful. But I agree with you that the dread should be the "standard" tuning guitar and the GA the one that you experiment with.

 

Right now my dread is in standard for flat picking, my 000 in open D for blues, my 314 in G minor because I'm working on "Vincent", my 12 string is in open G for some Kottke and my old Yamie is in open C because I've got light-mediums on it. The two resos are in D and G... When I build the other 12 string it will be mostly for standard.... And I haven't even considered your tuning....

[Dave W.]

Freeman,

 

What arrangement of Vincent are you working? I am currently working on John Knowles, it is in drop D.

 

Zach, sorry to hijack your thread.

 

Dave

[zb0430]

 

Originally posted by Dave W. Freeman, What arrangement of Vincent are you working? I am currently working on John Knowles, it is in drop D. Zach, sorry to hijack your thread. Dave

 

 

No worries...

 

I'm looking for a nice Larrivee recommendation from somebody, as my Larrivee knowledge is limited to attained knowledge from the Larrivee players here, and playing a friend's LV-09. Nice guitar, btw...

 

Riddle me this...

 

I've always been under the impression that Cedar topped guitars were more suitable to finger-picking. How well do they hold up to medium/light strumming? I really don't want to spend this much, but those 514's and 714's are looking rather nice....

 

Likewise, to restart the ever fun Hog vs. rosewood debate... thoughts?

 

Thanks guys

[Freeman Keller]

 

Originally posted by Dave W. Freeman, What arrangement of Vincent are you working? I am currently working on John Knowles, it is in drop D. Zach, sorry to hijack your thread. Dave

 

 

It is the beautiful Chet version that Kwak plays so well. It was in Fingerstyle magazine a year or so ago - the bottom two strings are tuned down like open G, but the top is left an E. Has a really cool section done with harmonics that makes my wife smille - I'm getting closer.

 

Also noodle around with Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning - but that is another Vincent

[Dave W.]

Thanks Freeman,

 

I have heard him play it, but never studied the tab to be aware of the Gm tuning. John Knowles arrangement is really nice. Muriel Anderson does a nice version also, but I don't know if it is her's or not.

 

Dave

[Wilbo26]

Look for a Yamaha FG series in good condition. Great for alternate tunings, most of them sound great and they can still be had for cheap.

[kwakatak]

I'm not one to subscribe to having different guitars for different tunings. I keep all my guitars in standard tuning and retune into altered tunings (and back) whenever I feel the need. It's really convenient that DADGAD and the aforementioned DGDGBE tunings are not that far from standard tuning. I rely on using harmonics to tune and with practice I'm able to make the transition rather quickly. Of course, it's always good to keep the Korg CA-30 in the case too, though!

 

BTW, Good luck with "Vincent", Freeman! I'd love to hear your version when you have it down. I'm pretty sure that as long as you put enough feeling into it, then it should sound good on any guitar. From what I can tell, Muriel Andersen's version seem to be very close to Chet's but with her own touch to it.

[zb0430]

A little self-done *BUMP* never hurt anybody..

 

Any Larrivee thoughts? Cmon, I know you boys would normally be jumping over yourselves to recruit another Larrivee lover...

 

And back to the cedar question... anyone have thoughts/opinions on that statement?

[Dave W.]

 

Originally posted by kwakatak From what I can tell, Muriel Andersen's version seem to be very close to Chet's but with her own touch to it.

 

 

I subscribed to APM just to get to watch her video interview and see her play Vincent. I must have watched it 50 times and I never get tired of it. Wish there was an easy way I could make a copy instead of getting online all the time. Since the advent of videos and dvds in particular, just listening to a fingerstyle piece is a distant second to watching the artist actually play it.

 

Dave

[Greymuzzle]

I reckon Cedar does a fine job with strumming as long as the attack is not too ferocious. Overcook it badly and the warmth can turn to slush imho - but of course my experience is really with a smaller bodied fingerstyle monster.

 

If you are playing amped anyway shouldn't be an issue.

 

fwiw imho & disclaimers

[zb0430]

 

Originally posted by Dave W. I subscribed to APM just to get to watch her video interview and see her play Vincent. I must have watched it 50 times and I never get tired of it. Wish there was an easy way I could make a copy instead of getting online all the time. Since the advent of videos and dvds in particular, just listening to a fingerstyle piece is a distant second to watching the artist actually play it. Dave

 

 

Agreed.. Better to see it done than to hear it, only...

 

And yes, unplugged sound is highly important to me, BUT, the main application would be through a PA in a worhsip setting, so I suppose that's what I should focus on.

 

Any happy Larrivee OM-50 owners? Man... those things look NICE...

[guitarist21]

 

Originally posted by kwakatak BTW, Good luck with "Vincent", Freeman! I'd love to hear your version when you have it down. I'm pretty sure that as long as you put enough feeling into it, then it should sound good on any guitar. From what I can tell, Muriel Andersen's version seem to be very close to Chet's but with her own touch to it.

 

 

Dude, I just listened to some of your stuff and it rocks! On Eagles Wings was my favorite. Great work!

 

Ellen

[kwakatak]

I've never tried an OM-50 but I would looooove to try out the OOO-50.

 

FWIW, I was pretty impressed with the LV-03RE, which is basically the same thing as the LV-09 except with a satin finish and LR Baggs "barn door" preamp/pickup. You didnt mention what style you play, but I'd say that it was a good all-in-one guitar.

 

Now, if you're looking at cedar then I'd look at one of those Taylor GS in cedar/rosewood. They're a little more expensive than the Larriv