Help a fellow out.....

[mojito]

Through good fortune I find myself looking at getting a new acoustic guitar. Admittedly I mostly play electric but am looking to use this for songwriting and I do wish to get into more acoustic music, (blues, and bluegrass).

Anyway with that being said I had occassion to spend a good bit of time yesterday looking and playing guitars yesterday and I sort have developed a short list.

The list is:

Gibson J-185 or J-185 EC,

Taylor 614CE

Martin 00028EC, HD28V, D28 and D35

 

Any comments, reviews etc. would be most appreciated. I do not necessarily need an electric acoustic. There is such a plethora of nice guitars out there so I would rather stick with something listed above and not be out trying to find any others.

 

Your thoughts please!!

Thanks.

[Singin' Dave]

Mojito,

 

You are loking at some mighty fine instruments there! I'm not personally familiar (i.e. havenlt played at length) the models you are looking at, but based on your needs and styles stated, I would probably steer you towards a dreadnaught shaped instrument, meaning the Martins you list save the Clapton model. Bluegass was built on Martin Dreadnaughts.

 

With songwriting, it's nice to have that big bass of a dread as you work through passages etc. Jumbos will do this to a point as well.

 

There are so many options for you and so many necks, body styles etc. for you to test to see what you are most comfortable with and what will insipre YOU the most.

 

In this price range, I would take a very strong look outside the Big 3 (Martin, Taylor, Gibson) towards a Santa Cruz, Collings, upper end Larrivee, BreedLove, Bourgois or Goodall, and play a TON of different shapes, types etc. to find the one that sounds best to YOU. Go to a smaller, more customer friendly shop and bring along a buddy who plays (or have a worker play) so you can step in front of the instruments as they are being played to really hear what they sound like at about 10-20 ft away.

 

In particular, I'm a huge fan of Collings guitars..just amazing instuments, but Santa Cruz gets a lot of positive feedback here.

 

take your time and have fun with it!

[mojito]

Thanks Singin Dave.

Unfortunately after checking websites for what you mentioned there are no dealers for several of the brands you mentioned. There is one near me that handles Santa Cruz and Collings as well as Martin and Taylor so I might try them.

 

Anyone else got anything on the ones mentioned byme that I already tried out?

[hockeygabor]

I would recommend the D-28....compared it to Santa Cruz,taylor ,D-35s,D-18s etc and found it had the best "personality".Even among several D-28s there were individual differences in sound/playability so you really need to audition them intensely...have fun!

[mojito]

So far out of the ones I played there were differences but I guess it is all about finding the one that hits on all cylinders,

.....tone, finish, volume, etc.

 

Anybody else shed some light?

[SpruceApple]

You're looking at some very good guitars. They are all very good, just different tones and feel. Bluegrass to blues covers a lot of turf.

 

If after playing these instruments you don't have a strong preference, I'd go for the the D-28. There's a reason that it's a classic.

[tapeman1]

Since you listed the HD-28 and the HD-28V, I would say definitly check out the D-18V. I was trying to decide between the same 2 28's when I tried the 18 and fell in love with it.

[mojito]

I think I mistyped on the original post. I really meant an HD28 the HD28V is starting to get a bit too much and didn't try a "V".

 

I guess there were just too many number and letters in my mind after that playathon I did at the store.

 

I also think that the J-185 can come off the list if I go the Gibson route it will be the J185 EC.

 

i would still welcome any other opinions.

[tapeman1]

If it makes you feel any better the D -18V can be purchased new for $2000.

[Preacher Will]

Mojito,

 

The three you mentioned are not nearly as close as some may assume. There will be significant differences in their tonal characteristics.

 

The Taylor will have the signature Taylor sound: balanced, crisp, ringing, and bright but leaving a lot to be desired in the bass.

 

The D-28's will be fuller, more substantial in the bottom register. I haven't heard one recently that I like. I've found their tone to be muddy, lacking in definition, and lacking the projection that I think you should be able to expect from a $1500+ instrument.

 

The Gibby, being a jumbo body style, will probably fall between the two above--clearer highs, more definition overall, punchier in the lower end. I played a maple J-175 the other day which was the first Gibby to really impress me.

 

I don't want to sound like a guitar snob, but factory instruments in the $1500+ category just don't seem to be that big a step up from $750-$1000 guitars to justify the price. Singin Dave gave great advice: play everything you can lay your hands on. Whatever you find that you can't set down and can afford--buy.

[Jere Mealer]

For $1700-$2000 you can get an awful lot of guitar with Larrivee. Contact Dave at www.guitaradoptions.com .He is a regular on this forum, and has an amazing inventory of Larrivees, as well as other tasty guitars.

 

I personally own a Larrivee dreadnaught 6 string and a Gibson J-185 12 string, and absolutely love them both, but they are very different animals.

 

You're in a good price range, don't be impulsive. This should be a fun experience. Don't buy on "name" alone, though. I had never heard of Larrivee, and certainly had never seen one before I purchased mine from out of State.

 

A Martin D-28 is a classy, timeless instrument. I have never owned one, and may very well go through life wishing I had nabbed one. But there are just too many choices out there.

 

I agree with the comments regarding Collings. Killer instruments, but I suspect somewhat out of the price range you are looking at.

 

Enjoy the ride! I wish I was looking to spend $2K on a new toy.

[musicmamma]

I have a Breedlove C1 model. It's similar to the 614, but shallow boddy, maple back and sides. The breedloves have a bit more responce and the deeper body isn't as needed.

It's on ebay with 2 hours to go. If it doesn't reach what I want, I'll stop the auciton and post it on this sight, but in case you are interested it is at

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3761219302&ssPageName=ADME:B:LC:US:1

or just search for Breedlove 26.

[maudib]

I would say the HD28V. I have the HD28 and love it. No complaints. I don't think the Taylors sound as good but of course that is *opinion*. I would not get the Gibson though. I haven't played that model but I did own a J160 at one time and absolutely HATED the neck on it - very uncomfortable to play. I think the HD28 is one of the best of the 'under $4000' guitars.

[Guest Anonymous]

Originally posted by Preacher Will Mojito, I don't want to sound like a guitar snob, but factory instruments in the $1500+ category just don't seem to be that big a step up from $750-$1000 guitars to justify the price. Singin Dave gave great advice: play everything you can lay your hands on. Whatever you find that you can't set down and can afford--buy.

This is good advice. I've played expensive Martins that did'nt hold a candle to my D-16GT - $770

[Terry Allan Hall]

 

Originally posted by tapeman1 Since you listed the HD-28 and the HD-28V, I would say definitly check out the D-18V. I was trying to decide between the same 2 28's when I tried the 18 and fell in love with it.

 

 

That would be my choice out of the Martins...hard to beat a nice D-18

 

Might also consider a Guild!

[mojito]

Thanks, Terry,

A friend of mine suggested I check out a D18 also. I amy have to expand my search a bit.