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- I will be using it for rock/pop, steel string stuff (not classical/nylon).
- I currently have a lower end (ie ~$200) regular old-school Yamaha (not one of the fancy electrified or semi-hollow ones)
- Main problem with the current one is the action is way to high and I think the neck is warped and...
- I am thinking that I should upgrade to one that has the amp connection since I may play at some bars and cafes. (I'm playing slowed-down, folkified 80s stuff and originals).
- I want a full, deep, strong sound, with a lot of bass, clarity, resonance and umphh...no tinny trebly stuff..
Budget is around $600 or less. I haven't tried any other brands yet ie Dean, Fender or is Yamaha good to stick with? I'm a bit behind the times.
Any suggestions?
For pure acoustics, I would say:
1. I will never part with my Larrivée. I have had it nearly 25 years. Extremely well balanced tone. Expect to pay a couple of grand
2. A Guild D-55 can be an excellent guitar. Play before you buy. The good ones have a very distinct bass, and a jingly top end. Again, a couple of grand
3. I have a friend that swears by his Taylor. It is a bit too bright for my tastes. A couple of grand again.
Treat yourself! It really does make a difference what you play. By the time you upgrade yourself through a half dozen instruments you will have spent more than $2k anyway ;)
WBF
A true acoustical bass guitar [harrogate.co.uk]
For the electric/acoustic the pickups matter a lot to... I'm going to have to research that as well, so if anybody has anything to add--I've read Ovation have great pickups but I'm not so sure their guitars sound as good when not amped. (at least that was my impression long ago)
That might be too much bass though theBear!
1. I will never part with my Larrivée
Respect. You have one of the finest guitars ever made. (I've always wanted a Laskin or a Larriveé.)
Superpower, a Martin D26 is a good not-too-expensive guitar. It has a decent sound, holds up for many years (doesn't warp, or have the neck pull off), but the Gibson flat-tops, especially the older ones, are great too. Main thing, I'd suggest looking around for old, used Martins and Gibsons at pawn shops, etc. Good guitars improve with time, and poor ones fall apart within 10-15 years. If you find something that is 30 years old, and sounds beautiful, it will continue to do so until the day you die.
[edited by: Stefan at 2:15 am (utc) on Dec. 3, 2005]
Then try to find a guitar with a piezo (or any other) pickup that sounds as sweet and pure. Good luck.
There are better mics than the C1000, but for durability and clarity at a reasonable cost, the C1000 remains an excellent choice.
Now, you can have a condenser mic installed inside the body of a guitar. It can be a bit boomy if not done right, and it will effect any warranty on the instrument.
If you are performing in a loud band and simply need to sound acoustic here and there, you might want ot check out the Fishman Acoustic Tremolo bridge system. Gives a decent (though not stellar) acoustic sound right out of a Strat, which is actually pretty cool. Flip a switch and you can do your own rendention of Stairway to Heaven or Dust in the Wind.
WBF
Good guitars improve with time, and poor ones fall apart within 10-15 years. If you find something that is 30 years old, and sounds beautiful, it will continue to do so until the day you die.
I liken guitars to levis and wicker chairs. They get better and better with use...until one day they just self destruct.
Acoustic guitars are an engineering marvel. When one considers the stress that highly tensioned metal strings place on the neck and top of the instrument it is amazing that they last at all, or at least that the top can vibrate.
I obtained my Larrivée back when he built and signed them himself (no, or at least very few apprentices). I had some work done to it a few years ago and the luthier marveled at the quality of woods and workmanship. Said it was the tightest grained spruce he had ever seen on the top of a guitar.
I hope one day to pass it on to my daughter, who is showing signs of interest in learning to play.
WBF
<edit> I just looked. The instrument was made in 1978 </edit>
[edited by: willybfriendly at 2:47 am (utc) on Dec. 3, 2005]
:-)
I too have a low-end. But I will not fork out a single dollar on an accoustic until I can afford a Martin. Which may be never. :-)
Anyhoo I really wanted to like a Taylor or Martin. In the end I could not find anything that sounds or plays better than my Ovation. It just has a nice, balanced tone.
I guess I just got used to the Ovation sound.
I guess I just got used to the Ovation sound.
That's a very important point.
I had a friends (also 35 years old) Martin for a couple of weeks, it took the first week to get used to it. After that I couldn't put it down.
