Guitar features for more dynamic/aggressive players?

[dougbeens]

What features should someone look for in an acoustic if they occasionally need to be able to be able to really give their guitar a hard picking?

 

I play with a pick (the majority of the time) and the music I write is pretty dynanmic... very gentle to very aggressive.

 

I'm looking for a cutaway guitar that will stand the test of time (in and out of cars/vans, playing clubs), and stand up to whatever I throw at it.

 

Any ideas of what I should be looking for?

 

Woods? Finishes? Body styles?

[Pascal]

Rainsong guitars

[pipedwho]

 

Originally posted by Pascal Rainsong guitars

 

 

+1

[pipedwho]

Then again, my Takamine has held out pretty well too.

[JasmineTea]

RI Guild.

[dougbeens]

Sorry guys, I don't think Rainsong is for me. I'm definitely a wood lover.

 

 

Originally posted by JasmineTea RI Guild.

 

 

Which model?

[DonK]

If you're an agressive player, you want something that doesn't compress easily, and probably something with slightly higher action than normal. And you're probably looking for a dreadnought or jumbo; most smaller guitars will compress when strummed hard.

 

Most dreadnought Martin's would fit that bill, but they only have a couple of cutaway models. On a Taylor, you'd probably want to raise the factory action, which means at a minimum a new saddle. IMO, Taylor's also compress a bit more than most Martin's when they're played hard. I had a Larrivee D-05 and while it wasn't my cup of tea, it did have balanced tone and didn't compress easily.

 

Bottom line for me: I'd look for a jumbo cutaway from Gibson, Guild or Tacoma.

[dougbeens]

 

Originally posted by DonK If you're an agressive player, you want something that doesn't compress easily, and probably something with slightly higher action than normal. And you're probably looking for a dreadnought or jumbo; most smaller guitars will compress when strummed hard. Most dreadnought Martin's would fit that bill, but they only have a couple of cutaway models. On a Taylor, you'd probably want to raise the factory action, which means at a minimum a new saddle. IMO, Taylor's also compress a bit more than most Martin's when they're played hard. I had a Larrivee D-05 and while it wasn't my cup of tea, it did have balanced tone and didn't compress easily. Bottom line for me: I'd look for a jumbo cutaway from Gibson, Guild or Tacoma.

 

 

thanks, I'll keep all this in mind...

[JasmineTea]

 

Originally posted by dougbeens Which model?

Whatever flips your lid. They're all good.

 

Larrivee's a sturdy guitar too. I would'nt be afraid to slamjam a Martin. I do it to mine regularly. What about a Martin DM? I think they come with a cutaway and a pup.

[jackwr]

+1 to the Martin. Raise the saddle and pump up the volume, no need for a plug. That's why there the std in Bluegrass circles. Rainsong told me they would not support medium strings on their box....Got me a D41 now.