The search for my new guitar (thread #1)

[Mark Nason]

I've recently sold off most of my gear to fund a new acoustic. I've raised $1,700 for this purchase so far ($2K if I can sell my Gibson Amp).

 

Here's what I want out of it:

Fingerstyle friendly, Steel String, All Solid Woods, 000/00/OM body size (no dreads or jumbos). If it's Acoustic/Electric I'd prefer not to have some gaudy control panel on it.

 

I've considered the following models:

 

Martin OM-18/OM-28

Gibson J-45

Taylor 414

Martin 000-16 w/ slotted headstock

Alvarez Yairir WY1

 

I plan on asking a lot of questions over the next few weeks, but here are the first ones:

 

#1 what are the benfits or drawbacks (if any) on a slotted headstock?

 

#2 Where are some good shops in the Boston/North Of Boston area where I could really sit down to get to know some of these instruments?

 

#3 If I were to buy online (I know many here don't agree with buying sight-unplayed) is Buffalo Bros or Elderly a good place to start?

 

I'd appreciate any info you may have...thanks & take care.

[Dave W.]

Mark,
I was about to start a similar thread. If you don't mind, I will piggy back on yours, if you do, please let me know.

Prime interest is fingerstyle, Mark's specs plus:

Short scale vs. normal scale(25.5)

Top: Spruce (which kind, sitka, Adir., Engl. ect)

or Cedar or what???

Nut width: is 1 3/4" enough or go to 1 13/16" or 1 7/8"

Cutaway or no

I know there are no answers, just opinions.

Thanks,

Dave

[Cldplytkmn]

i think 1 3/4" is enough... but i'm not a real fingerpicking virtuoso... but i like 1 3/4 for the ability to still chord pretty easily.

one claim with slotted headstock is that it increases the break angle over the nut, and in turn increases sustain.

i know you'll get at least one recommendation for the OM21... i've never played one, but i have played the OM28, and it was as it should be.

i don't have a huge issue buying online, sometimes you have to unless you want to drive a few hours to check out a ton of shops. Buffalo Bro's gets high marks here, as does Elderly's. I'd say play as many of the guitars on your list as you can, as well as anything else you can get your hands on. At that point you can make the decision of where to purchase, be it local, or online.

[54merk]

http://www.themusicemporium.com/

 

Music Emporium in Lexington. They carry Martin, Taylor,Larrivee and much much more. Collings, Goodall, Huss and Dalton, Froggy Bottom, Ryan, and more. Best shop in Boston hands down. Even though you may not be familiar with many of these brands, and they are certainly out of your price range (new), the more you play, the more you will learn about what you do and do not like.

 

Also Boston Guitar Works in Brockton to play Santa Cruz, also out of your price range but play one anyway.

 

Guitar Center will carry Martin and Taylor but for the most part the instruments hangin' on the wall of this large chain store are NOT in good shape. Old strings, banged up, etc. so just because you play a lifeless Martin at GC, do not assume that Martins in other stores sound this bad.

 

Slotheads are almost always 12 fret models. The scale length is the same as a 14 fret one, however the soundhole is moved closer to the tail, so two additional frets are over the body. These guitars also have a slightly longer body so they do seem to sound better than 14 fret neck guitars, but you will lose access to the 13th and 14th fret. Not necessarily a huge disadvantage for fingerstyle however if you may miss them more when you capo.

 

I think you meant to write OM16, not 18. Good guitar. Also check out the OM21. A better guitar IMO since it's part of the Martin Standard Series with a dovetail joint rather than the mortise and tenon (nothing wrong with this either!) used for the 16's. It is more money than a 16 but within your price range. Plainly adorned but sounds great. Similar to the 00028EC model but a lot less money.

 

You did not mention Larrivee. Do not overlook this Canadian brand. Check out the L and OM models in the 03, 03R, 05 and 09 series. 03 is a gloss finish in mahog or Rosewood, 05 is gloss mahog, and 09 is gloss rosewood. Then also make an OM50 and OM60 guitar as well as new OM50/60 slope shouldered (like Gibson J45) slothead 12 fretters. The L body style is between a dread and an OOO/OM.

 

http://www.larrivee.com/data/products/products_main.htm

 

Play every Taylor x14 you can find, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714. Even if anything higher than a 4 series is out of your price range it will demonstate the differences in wood types for Taylors. Their guitars are always easy to play if you like their voicings which tend to favor the trebles more than a Martin voiced or Martin style voiced guitar.

 

Definitely 1.75" nut width as a minimum but there's more to the neck feel than simply that dimension. Neck profile and shape are just as important so you will need to play these instruments to find what works for you.

 

Elderly and Buffalo Bros and others online retailers are great to deal with but you need to play the instruments first. For Martins, Gibsons and Taylors they will offer 40% off. For the small boutique models you'll only get a 10% discount. Keep these in mind when dealing with local dealers. If they get close to the online price you may as well support the local dealer since you will build a relationship and be comfortable going back for service and supplies. If they will not come close to the online price, then order away.

 

Lastly, although many of the brands I mentioned cost more than $2000, you can find used guitars which may be within or only slightly higher than 2K. IMO these are a step up in quality than the typical factory built guitar so they are great for comparison purposes, even if you end up buying a Taylor or Martin. It's nice to know how your eventual purchase stacks up. Take your time, have fun, and don't rush into anything. At the $1500-$2000 level you can get a very nice instrument.

[catdaddy]

Opinion: I prefer 1 13/16" for fingerstyle (actually I really prefer 1 23/32" but its tough to find a guitar other than a $4000 Collings that might offer that). I like the projection, responsiveness and sound of a Cedar top but I've played a lot of Spruce tops that sound great also. I prefer shorter scale length because my hands are small and the short scale allows for a better reach for certain fingerings. I wouldn't buy a guitar that I was not able to play first.

Fact: Larrivee 03's are satin finished not gloss, and worth checking out.

[JasmineTea]

Originally posted by catdaddy Fact: Larrivee 03's are satin finished not gloss, and worth checking out.

Yup. I saw that too. 'merk must be slippin in his old age. Otherwise, I could'nt add anything to that post.

 

I'll cast a vote for the Martin OM-21. It's a great all-around guitar. Sounds good no matter what you play on it.

[Matt McGriff]

Mark,
Don't overlook the Breedlove Revival Series OM in your search.
http://www.breedloveguitars.com/products/guitars/revival/index.html

They have gotten rave reviews by a lot of folks.
Reviews of the dread version-
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/BreedLove/Revival_Series_DM-1.html

Worth checking out for sure.