Acuostic guitars that play like electrics ?

[sekler]

Hi guys !

 

Are there any acoustic/electric guitars that play like electric ones ?

 

I have a Norman B15 that is great for strumming, but for bending/playing solos and all, it's not smooth at all. I'm not a big acoustic player, but it'd be cool to replace it with something better. That one was my starting guitar a few years ago (I may keep it though ).

 

I looked a bit at the Ovations and they seem pretty awesome eventhough I never tried them. That Godin Multiac seems quite cool as well .

 

I'm mostly interested about acoustic/electrics and thinner necks than the usual width I seem to see on every guit (usually cheap).

 

I know the fact that we usually use thick gauge will do that the strings are harder to play. I wonder if any guys out there use regular gauge (usually 10-46 as for myself)

 

Are there any brand i should look into ?

 

thanks a lot !

[WilsonMak]

yea Taylor Guitars are often described as playing like electric.

[EvilTwin]

Taylor, the Tacoma Cheif and Ovations are usually mentioned as acoustics "for electric players."

But I think with the proper set-up, just about any guitar will play the way you want it to.

If you're bending, for instance, it won't make a difference if you're playing a comparably higher priced guitar than that Norman if they have the same scale length. They'll have the same stiff feel for bending.

Action can be adjusted, and most acoustic necks aren't nearly as thick as they used to be...so it really comes down to fretwork in many cases.

[UGB]

The Tacoma Chief as mentioned above has a thinner, bolt on neck that will make any electric player feel at home. Unless those electric players are used to old Les Paul and Tele baseball bat necks. Washburn also has a thin neck. I'm playing a Washburn EA11 thin body A/E w/10-50 guage strings on it. I think I'm going to bump up to 11's next set, just to try it. It bends easy, but realize that you don't get the kind of sustain on an acoustic for extended bends and such as you do on an electric.

[UGB]

Here's an mp3 I made of my Washburn shortly after I got it. I was messing around w/different recording techniques so there's 3 segments to this mp3. The last one features 2 rhythm tracks and a 3rd lead track over it in an electric lead style.

http://ultimategarageband.com/hotlinks/EA17test3.mp3

[sekler]

Originally posted by UGB Here's an mp3 I made of my Washburn shortly after I got it. I was messing around w/different recording techniques so there's 3 segments to this mp3. The last one features 2 rhythm tracks and a 3rd lead track over it in an electric lead style. http://ultimategarageband.com/hotlinks/EA17test3.mp3

nice clip UGB !


thanks guys for the info !

I'd like to know why ovations seem to be disliked a lot on the forums ?

Are they really poor contructed or what ? Their models really tempt me


I'll look into the Taylors and Tacoma chief.

[UGB]

I find Ovation necks a tad cramped for playability, not to mention that their rounded backs against my rounded front = a guitar sliding down and facing up lying on my thighs in about 4 seconds.

[RainsongDR1000]

Ovation bills itself as the "acoustic guitar for the Electric player". I think they get a bad rap sometimes because acoustically, they don't really sound that good (IMHO of course) especially the shallow bowl models. They are made to be played amplified. Also, like many bigger name companies, the American made (and higher priced models) are pretty good but their Asian lower end models can be inconsistant. The Ovation has a signature sound and is pretty much the leader in the "piezo sound" dept. which many people don't like. Myself, I kinda like that signature percussive "Chunka Chunka" sound you hear on early Heart, Styx, REO Speedwagon and other Classic rock bands live albums.
Not what I'd call natural, but kinda cool none the less.
Other guitars will play more like an electric if you use light or extra light strings and even tune down a 1/2 step.

[Bitt81]

I have a Yamaha FG300 that I bought in 1975 that has an adjustable bridge. With a little tweaking, the action gets incredibly low. It is also a wonderful sounding guitar. You find them on e-bay from time to time and if you can get it for $300 to $400 you will never regret the purchase. Look at the reviews for it on the HC gear review links.

[theviper]

I have an Ibanez Artwood Series AW-15GCE, solid cedar top. One of the reasons i got it other than the fact that i had only about AU$800 to spend, was that it plays very much like an electric. Pretty fast neck, and you can get a really nice action on it also.

If you can afford it, maybe look at one of their higher end models.

Good luck with your quest though!!!

[irpacynot]

http://www.renaissanceguitars.com/

[Jerry NT]

I have an electric that I got off ebay that I wished played like an acoustic.
Seriously,
If you tweak any of them enough you can improve the action. But with most electrics, you don't have to pick them as hard, so the action can be lighter. With an acoustic, if you want to be heard, you must play them harder, thus your strings will buzz at the same distance an electric will not. (Or if it does buzz a little, it doesn't cut through the pickups or the distortion, if you use it.)
Acoustic electrics also can be closer since the volume is obtained electronically.