Members justmatt Posted February 10, 2005 Members Posted February 10, 2005 I've recently sold off 2 guitars and bought a Martin. This is all great, but what if I wanna take my guitar outside or something when the weather is nicer? I'd hate to ruin my nice Solid-Spruce top Martin by doing that, but I know I'll probably want to sit outside on many nights and play in the spring/summer/even fall maybe. My question is this: What kind of body (we're talking acoustic dreadnought here) material would stand up to punishment as far as changes in humidity/dryness or temperature extremes. I realize that by going with something laminated rather than solid wood, I'll be losing out on sound quality, so I'd like to keep that to a minimum. Does anyone know what kind of material would stand up to punishment, be inexpensive, and still sound decent? Keyword there was "inexpensive"...I did just spend about $700 bucks on my Martin...and for me that was a lot of money. Probably the most I'll spend on a guitar for at least 15+ years. Thanks. -Matt
Members solitaire Posted February 10, 2005 Members Posted February 10, 2005 I'd suppose the guitar you'd be looking for has a body of a hard and locally growing/ domestic tonewood. I'm aware that Birch, Ash, Cherry and Maple are rather harsh sounding, but these would be my best bet. A full/ warm set of strings and you're ready to go. I'd look for Cort/ Tanglewood and Seagull/ Simon & Patrick (you might be thinking:"Doesn't he know any other brands?..") or Normans. Martin X-series could be worth a try. Not bad sounding instruments, these are fiber laminates that can withstand a heck of an abuse.
Members justmatt Posted February 10, 2005 Author Members Posted February 10, 2005 What is the difference between an acoustic with "solid" wood top and one with a "laminate" wood top. I'm thinking about getting a Washburn D100 for my kick-around guitar. They're decent looking and they're getting decent reviews. They are laminate Mahogany bodies. Does laminate protect a guitar from the things I'm concerned with? Temperatre, etc? *shrug* It's a $100 dollar guitar. As long as it works and doesn't fall apart after a year, how could I go wrong?
Members solitaire Posted February 10, 2005 Members Posted February 10, 2005 Originally posted by justmatt What is the difference between an acoustic with "solid" wood top and one with a "laminate" wood top. I'm thinking about getting a Washburn D100 for my kick-around guitar. They're decent looking and they're getting decent reviews. They are laminate Mahogany bodies. Does laminate protect a guitar from the things I'm concerned with? Temperatre, etc?*shrug* It's a $100 dollar guitar. As long as it works and doesn't fall apart after a year, how could I go wrong? Well, laminates should be considered as stiff and half dead tonewoods. As always: the closer to the strings the corners are cut, the less favourable sound you'll get. A laminate top normally doesn't really respond to bass frequencies that well and the frequencies it does respond to are heavily muffled.I'd rather go for a Maple or Ash top if you fear the top will be the weakest point of your instrument. Another brand popped up: Landola and especially the Thermo-tonewoods. These have laminate bodies but are thermally aged and can take lots of dings and climatic fluctuation without being affected.
Members JasmineTea Posted February 10, 2005 Members Posted February 10, 2005 Shux man, if you're just going out on the porch, bring the good one...Andy Griffith brough his Martin out on the porch. I bring my good ones all over, sometimes just throw it in the front seat of the car -without the case!
Members justmatt Posted February 10, 2005 Author Members Posted February 10, 2005 Originally posted by JasmineTea Shux man, if you're just going out on the porch, bring the good one...Andy Griffith brough his Martin out on the porch. I bring my good ones all over, sometimes just throw it in the front seat of the car -without the case! Okay, how long have you been doing this? Where do you live? Is it humid/dry hot/cold where you live? Have any of your guitars been damaged by doing this with them? I mean....the only reason I'm asking these questions is because I'm uneducated. This Martin is the most expensive guitar I've ever purchased, and short of my computer, the most expensive ANYTHING I've ever purchased (at one time). Is it safe to take it outside and then back inside? Bear in mind this Martin is a Solid Spruce top with SATIN finish....very thin, almost feels like there is none. So there isn't much protecting the wood. I live in Northeastern Kansas. It can get really humid in the summer, and quite hot. It gets really dry and cold in the winter, but of course I'm not gonna want to sit outside in the winter. I'd love to be able to take this thing outside, but I'm paranoid is all. Help :-/
Members deevee Posted February 10, 2005 Members Posted February 10, 2005 Beater? Buy used, of course! I had my hands on a 30-year old Epiphone that was solid, sounded verra nice and very playable. I've seen some great Takies, Alvarezs, and Yamahas for reasonable prices that would be strong "beaters" ...
Members justmatt Posted February 10, 2005 Author Members Posted February 10, 2005 Y'know, it just donned on me that I've been over-thinking this way too much. I've got an old Takamine G330B still around that I was going to sell so I could get a beater. But you know what, I think I'll just keep that thing around until it breaks, then worry about a new beater. I mean it's the first guitar I ever bought. It's got sentimental value. Thanks for the replies though everybody.
Members JasmineTea Posted February 10, 2005 Members Posted February 10, 2005 Originally posted by justmatt Okay, how long have you been doing this? Where do you live? Is it humid/dry hot/cold where you live? Have any of your guitars been damaged by doing this with them? I mean....the only reason I'm asking these questions is because I'm uneducated. This Martin is the most expensive guitar I've ever purchased, and short of my computer, the most expensive ANYTHING I've ever purchased (at one time).Is it safe to take it outside and then back inside? Bear in mind this Martin is a Solid Spruce top with SATIN finish....very thin, almost feels like there is none. So there isn't much protecting the wood.I live in Northeastern Kansas. It can get really humid in the summer, and quite hot. It gets really dry and cold in the winter, but of course I'm not gonna want to sit outside in the winter. I'd love to be able to take this thing outside, but I'm paranoid is all. Help :-/ I am here to set you free. Be free.
Members Charlies Ghost Posted February 10, 2005 Members Posted February 10, 2005 The main thing to worry about is bumping the guitar into things and marking it up when you bring it outside.If your real worried about it always carry it in the case.I wouldn't leave it sitting outside in the sun for a week and nomatter how much inspiration you'll find for that song about the cool summer rain,playing in the pouring rain probably isn't that great of an idea.One thing to watch for with satin finished guitars is the fact dirt,grime,gunk,whatever does not wipe off the wood like on a guitar with a thicker finish.If you take it on a camping trip it might come back as grungy as you. I don't think that if you bring your guitar out on the porch its going to implode from the change in humidity.I've had guitars outside in lots of different weather conditions in lots of different places and besides the occasional scratch or gouge the only thing that has happened to me was that the glue that holds the plastic bindings on on the edge of the guitar kinda melted off during a camping trip in death valley.I wasn't to surprised because my bindings kinda melted off during that trip too. If your real worried about it one of those washburns might be worth the money just to give you some piece of mind but If i were you i'd save the $100 for all the strings you're gonna wear out playing your martin.
Members kwakatak Posted February 10, 2005 Members Posted February 10, 2005 Originally posted by justmatt Y'know, it just donned on me that I've been over-thinking this way too much. I've got an old Takamine G330B still around that I was going to sell so I could get a beater. But you know what, I think I'll just keep that thing around until it breaks, then worry about a new beater. I mean it's the first guitar I ever bought. It's got sentimental value. Thanks for the replies though everybody. There ya go!
Members scoutll Posted February 11, 2005 Members Posted February 11, 2005 Check out a base series Kona, inexpensive. good quality great sound and the base series (K1, K1E and K2E) ones are laminate. You wouldn't believe it though. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2385&item=3781177101&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3781375730&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2385&item=3781878491&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47064&item=3782092077&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47064&item=3782135444&rd=1
Members Qengho Posted February 11, 2005 Members Posted February 11, 2005 Originally posted by justmatt I've recently sold off 2 guitars and bought a Martin. This is all great, but what if I wanna take my guitar outside or something when the weather is nicer? Do what I did: buy another guitar from John Greven so you can say "My beater is a Martin". (Actually, I'm sending my '74 Martin D-35 to him for a top replacement, so I guess I won't have a beater anymore.)
Members tn-ray Posted February 11, 2005 Members Posted February 11, 2005 Originally posted by justmatt What is the difference between an acoustic with "solid" wood top and one with a "laminate" wood top. I'm thinking about getting a Washburn D100 for my kick-around guitar. They're decent looking and they're getting decent reviews. They are laminate Mahogany bodies. Does laminate protect a guitar from the things I'm concerned with? Temperatre, etc?*shrug* It's a $100 dollar guitar. As long as it works and doesn't fall apart after a year, how could I go wrong? I've got a D100, the mahogany finnished one, last year and it was my main guitar until I got my new one, a WD18SW. I was more than happy with the D100, and withstood it's share of abuse: a two-year old granddaughter, a golden retrever and a border collie whose tails never stop wagging(it's pretty so I left it on a stand quite a bit), a few jams, and a road trip that still makes my wilf smile. Yes, you can't go wrong with a Washburn D100:D
Members kwakatak Posted February 11, 2005 Members Posted February 11, 2005 Originally posted by Qengho (Actually, I'm sending my '74 Martin D-35 to him for a top replacement, so I guess I won't have a beater anymore.) OT: Wow! That guitar must have some serious sentimental value. How much does something like that cost?
Members CurtisM Posted February 11, 2005 Members Posted February 11, 2005 I have an Alvarez RD8C (Dreadnought with cutaway and electronics) that i like a lot. The non-acousitic/electirc version goes for about 200 with a hardshell case.
Members JasmineTea Posted February 11, 2005 Members Posted February 11, 2005 I think this would make a good beater, should be able to get it for $400.
Members Qengho Posted February 11, 2005 Members Posted February 11, 2005 Originally posted by kwakatak OT: Wow! That guitar must have some serious sentimental value. How much does something like that cost? It does. It was my first "real" guitar. Top replacement runs around 400 bucks.
Members mikeSF Posted February 12, 2005 Members Posted February 12, 2005 my beater is a '73 Ovation standard balladeer(deep bowl) that i bought in a pawn shop for $50 in the late 80's. it never sees the case and my toddler fills the soundhole with coins and food, etc...i take it to the beach and it gets banged up but for $50 it sounds great and i never worry about it.
Members knockwood Posted February 12, 2005 Members Posted February 12, 2005 Originally posted by mikeSF my beater is a '73 Ovation standard balladeer(deep bowl) that i bought in a pawn shop for $50 in the late 80's. it never sees the case and my toddler fills the soundhole with coins and food, etc...i take it to the beach and it gets banged up but for $50 it sounds great and i never worry about it. Wow! Love the Eastman demo!
Members mikeSF Posted February 13, 2005 Members Posted February 13, 2005 Originally posted by knockwood Wow! Love the Eastman demo! thanks!
Members deadringer Posted February 14, 2005 Members Posted February 14, 2005 Ovation, hands down. Nothing stays in tune through temp. humidity changes better. Nothing is stronger in terms of neck joint and you dont have to worry about scratching 3/4's of the guitar!!
Members tamolina Posted February 15, 2005 Members Posted February 15, 2005 Guitars are not all that delicate. If the weather/temperature is not uncomfortable for you, it is unlikely to hurt your guitar. Don't leave it out in the rain or snow, don't lock in the trunk of your car in the hot sun. Remember, those things are meant to be used and enjoyed.
Members tamolina Posted February 15, 2005 Members Posted February 15, 2005 tn-ray, those all-wood Washburns look like a lot of guitar for the money. I am considering getting either an 18 like yours, or maybe the 32. What do you think of yours so far...quality of construction, tone, playability, appointments...., anything you care to comment on?
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