"New" to acoustic guitars

[rockguitar2000]

Hey everyone,

 

I am very experienced in the electric guitar world, been playing a long time, and in a successful band. Now we're looking to do more acoustic shows, and my old Alvarez Artist is just not cutting it. I've had it for 8 years or so, and I need some advice on a direction. I have smallish hands, so I need something easy to play, something light, and decent sounding.

 

I looked at a Seagull S6 last night, and the sound was decent, but the neck was wide (as I've read here). Not too sure how I like that. Anyway, they had some NICE Larivee's there too. Those were SICK!!

 

Any advice or warnings will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Chris, CO2

[tapeman1]

The Larrivee L series guitars are great. They're very comfortable to play and are a nice mix of responsiveness and power.

 

I agree with you about the Seagulls. I want to like them so much, but the necks feel like a 2x4 to me.

[zookie]

There's a slightly different approach to playing acoustics. With an electric guitar, you need to control the sound by partially muting the strings, playing barre chords, etc.

 

With acoustic you want to let the notes ring out (generally speaking). You'll play more open chords and fewer barre chords. I tend not to bend strings (instead, I'll hammer-on and/or pull-off to get the effect).

 

If you're moving from electric to acoustic and not changing the way you play, you may find that most acoustics are too clunky.

[rockguitar2000]

Hey Zookie, where in CT are you? I am working in Branford right now, I live in meriden. going up to guitar center in Manchester tomorrow morning with the band to look at gear.

 

Chris

[zookie]

 

Originally posted by rockguitar2000 Hey Zookie, where in CT are you? I am working in Branford right now, I live in meriden. going up to guitar center in Manchester tomorrow morning with the band to look at gear. Chris

 

 

I'm in Norwich. I picked up my PA system at Daddy's in Manchester a couple of years ago.

 

I'm doing the coffee-house, acoustic gig thing locally. I have a monthly gig up at Rain Desert in Danielson.

[rcfs1834]

If you're looking at the Seagulls, I'm assuming it's a satin top, you should look at the Epiphone Masterbilt's also.

 

http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=225&CollectionID=15

 

I tried the one above and it was sweet for the price, all solid wood. At my local shop it was around $500 with the case. I tried it against some Alvarez's and Seagull's that were in the shop. The Epi Masterbilt came out on top.

[SlowFingers]

I have both a Larrivee and a Seagull. Both are very nice. If you want something in the price range and quality of the Gull without the thick neck, check out Simon & Patrick. Made by the same folks, very similar design & quality, but with a thinner neck and different head design. Should satisfy what you are looking for.

[catdaddy]

 

Originally posted by rockguitar2000 I looked at a Seagull S6 last night, and the sound was decent, but the neck was wide (as I've read here). Not too sure how I like that. Anyway, they had some NICE Larivee's there too. Those were SICK!! Any advice or warnings will be appreciated. Thanks! Chris, CO2

 

 

 

Chris I assume your comment about the Seagull referred to the width of the fretboard and not the thickness or radius of the neck itself. While Slowfingers and tapeman1 suggested Simon and Patrick and Larrivee L model respectively I suspect that those guitars may have necks that are still too wide for a person used to playing the narrow fretboard of an electric. Both the S&P and the Larrivee have necks which are less "chunky" than the Seagull but are still 1 & 3/4 inch width. Since you mentioned that you were impressed with the Larrivee sound I'd suggest that you try one of the Larrivee-D's. They have a neck width of 1 & 11/16 inch and a comfortably slim profile. The Larrivee 03 series guitars are very reasonably priced as well. Best of luck.

[rockguitar2000]

Hey guys,

 

Thanks for all the advice, I ended scoring a Takamine EAN40C with hardcase at Guitar Center for $400!!! I traded in my Alvarez acoustic and a beater Frankenstrat.

 

This guitar sings and feels good.

 

chris

[hammergjh]

 

Originally posted by SlowFingers I have both a Larrivee and a Seagull. Both are very nice. If you want something in the price range and quality of the Gull without the thick neck, check out Simon & Patrick. Made by the same folks, very similar design & quality, but with a thinner neck and different head design. Should satisfy what you are looking for.

 

 

 

I've got the same Seagull as you. It's a beautiful sounding guitar. I like the thicker, wider neck. But the frets seem smallish to me. Is this typical of acoustics? I find the larger frets a little easier to play. With the smaller frets I have to squeeze the {censored} out of the finger board to barre a chord. Is this what other people are finding as well?

[zookie]

 

Originally posted by rockguitar2000 Hey guys, Thanks for all the advice, I ended scoring a Takamine EAN40C with hardcase at Guitar Center for $400!!!

 

 

I have a Takamine EG-335SC 12-string.

Takamines are workhorses for gigging musicians. I think you'll be pretty happy with one.

 

That's a decent price to boot.

[JasmineTea]

Originally posted by SlowFingers I have both a Larrivee and a Seagull. Both are very nice.

Hey, I tried a Larry OM-03MT at GuitarAdoptions, it was pretty nice. I've got the OM-03R and realy like it. Did'nt know you bought a new guitar Slowfingers, congrats!

[gmel555]

Haven't read the other answers yet, but I believe Larrivees are about the best buy out there right now. I have a 10 year old

D-19. Quality, tone and "playability". No signs of age other than patina and great tone! You can pick up used one's for under $1k and like other acoustics of quality wood they really get better with age. So pick up something with 5 or more years on it. Alternatively, the Martin 16 series is also I good buy in my opinion.