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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 13, 2021 15:28:53 GMT -7
Guys, I've got a couple of acoustics, a nice Yamaha and an old Ovation. But I've always played electrics, my whole guitar life. I just love being able to bend an electric's strings and I can't do it with acoustics. Having been a 'wimp' my whole life guitar wise, my hands aren't that strong and now at 69 I've got some arthritis too. But I want to try another acoustic... In another thread there's talk about the Taylor "Mini" and I'm thinking maybe this is my answer. It's got a 33 1/2" scale so the strings will be a little slacker than a full scale acoustic. I've got a question though...does anyone use an unwound G string on acoustics? My dream acoustic guitar would be one that plays like a 335 does, only louder. I'm pretty sure I'm in the midst of a pipe dream right now, but is there anything out there that might scratch the itch? I really don't like the wound G string. Or is this like wanting a Rolls Royce to handle like a Go-Kart?!?
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Post by GuitarZ on Sept 13, 2021 16:23:47 GMT -7
Have you tried some shorter necks with lighter acoustic strings? I'm guessing "yes". My Martin came with 13s. I can kind of bend them. Actually, I didn't have a problem until I realized they were 13s. I love the sound of those bad boys on that guitar. But, I kind of laugh at myself when I check out guitars like Martin's Eric Clapton model and realize Eric Clapton's using a shorter neck and lighter strings. I use acoustic 10's on my Martin Backpacker. The 3rd string is wound. I can basically play it like I play my electric. Although, with that small body, it doesn't sound like a full acoustic. The Taylor "mini" always look nice.
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Post by steiner on Sept 13, 2021 19:50:23 GMT -7
I have little to add other than my experience is the polar opposite of yours. I grew up with acoustucs for 40 years. When I finally tried an electric, I paired it with a Crate amp - oops... Once I found a good amp, I found the unwound G a bit too bright. All my electrics have wound Gs now.
I have a friend who used (less expensive) electric strings on his acoustic. They sounded bland but he was happy. The quick and easy way to reduce tension is to tune down and capo up. Changing frets comes relatively straightforward.
I wish you great success in your endeavors! It's a journey.
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Post by nmz on Sept 13, 2021 21:40:39 GMT -7
Consider a nylon string guitar. Not sure on the bendability but easier on the fingers.
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Post by djcakadave on Sept 13, 2021 22:15:59 GMT -7
Oh yes 69 is wonderful......Not
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 13, 2021 23:24:08 GMT -7
As GuitarZ said the Martin 000-28EC (EC is for the Clapton design) is a shorter scale. I find it a joy to play. Having said that, the Taylors I’ve played seem to play close to electrics, more so than my Martin. I prefer the sound of a Martin though. Recently I have heard two local guys rave about their Fender ( Telecoustic). I’m not sure that’s the right model, but they are only a year or two new. Supposed to be for folks as you describe yourself. Good luck in your search. I dare say I enjoy playing my acoustic as much as electric, but I think the electrics get more time..
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Post by Russell B on Sept 14, 2021 6:42:14 GMT -7
Dave, I've been looking at 12-fret model acoustic guitars. They have a shorter scale and are supposed to be easy to play. Check out the Taylor 512ce 12-fret.
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Post by GuitarZ on Sept 14, 2021 8:55:28 GMT -7
I grabbed my Martin Backpacker this morning to strum on while drinking coffee.
The 10's make it easy to play, but another thought hit me. That guitar came with very high action. I lowered it some, but it's still high. That triggered another thought.
When I bought my first acoustic, it was used. I laugh because the guy explained that his wife didn't like hearing it. So, he put on light strings, dropped the action as low as possible, and strummed it as lightly as possible. I put on heavier strings and raised the action some, but that guitar was super easy to play.
So, you're probably looking for a guitar with a shorter scale and lighter strings, but you'll also want lower action. My experience is that my new acoustics tend to come with very high action. If you have a guitar tech work on your guitars, maybe talk to them about your acoustic wants to see what they have to say.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 14, 2021 9:49:41 GMT -7
I avoided my dreadnought for a long time, but came 'back round to appreciating acoustics after landing upon my Martin 0- and 000-size guitars. They're so much more comfortable--dare I say "cozy"--than the bombastically loud dreadnought.
I've also got John Pearse 0.011-gauge strings on my smaller acoustics (other brands' 0.011-gauge strings are not comparable), which are still beautifully rich but aren't as tense-feeling as 0.012's. It also helps that the 0 and 000 are slightly shorter scale than the D guitars, as many have also stated.
In fact, like you perhaps, I'm sill in a quandary about my bigger Dreadnought--every time I play it, it seems too big/bold/loud and just annoyingly huge. I mean, yes those classic late-60's icons like CSNY, etc. playing Dreadnoughts sound amazing; but for some reason I just can't channel that balance and musicality out of my "battleship" guitar.
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Post by helmi on Sept 14, 2021 15:27:28 GMT -7
Dave, I've been looking at 12-fret model acoustic guitars. They have a shorter scale and are supposed to be easy to play. Check out the Taylor 512ce 12-fret. Any Taylor that ends in 12 is the shorter scale. (312, 412, etc)
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Sept 14, 2021 17:07:41 GMT -7
Odd thought. What about a small body round neck resonator? I have a Republic Highway 61 model. It sounds awesome with electric strings. It is a short scale too. I do not remember the exact measurement. Plays very nice and not very expensive. "Republic Guitars | Austin Texas" republicguitars.com
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Sept 14, 2021 17:48:38 GMT -7
I just looked it up. The Republic Traveler series scale length is 22" and the standard series is 25"
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Post by adam on Sept 14, 2021 18:08:48 GMT -7
Dave, ditto. Hard as hell to play and just sort of not fun and hurts. I have a D35 with .013's and it sounds killer. If I put .012's on it, I lose about 30% of the magic. Give and take I guess.
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Post by John on Sept 18, 2021 12:12:31 GMT -7
Limited time and response, I'm on vacation in Maine.
Short scale...really short scale, and possibly 12 fret vs 14.
I have a Larrivee Parlor. Only 24 inch scale and 12 fret. That may be a bit much. I have to use 13's on it just to keep them from flabbing out.
But overall, I would recommend at least a short scale with lighter strings. As for wound G and bending strings: I never bend strings on acoustics...ever. It's a different instrument. For decades when I play electrics, it's hard for me to NOT bend and use tons of vibrato. But on acoustics, neither.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 20, 2021 9:22:31 GMT -7
I bought a Taylor GS Mini Koa with cool onboard pickup and tuner. It's short scale, and comes with 13's on it. But it plays really nicely and sounds great. I've got some 11's that I'll try on it after I play these for a while. I was gonna just change them on day one but they're Elixir nano coated strings and they don't come cheap, so I'll get my money's worth out of them before I change. It'll toughen up my callouses a little too. I was going to get the Mahogany one but the built in tuner sold me on the upgrade. Got a good price on it too, $80 off retail.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 23, 2021 18:57:54 GMT -7
Dave, ditto. Hard as hell to play and just sort of not fun and hurts. I have a D35 with .013's and it sounds killer. If I put .012's on it, I lose about 30% of the magic. Give and take I guess. The very guitar I have a jones for. I’ve been eyeballing several locally from the pages of the web. Big decision; new hvac, or D-35. Life’s short, it may ultimately come down to both.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 26, 2021 21:20:02 GMT -7
Guys, I've got a couple of acoustics, a nice Yamaha and an old Ovation. But I've always played electrics, my whole guitar life. I just love being able to bend an electric's strings and I can't do it with acoustics. Having been a 'wimp' my whole life guitar wise, my hands aren't that strong and now at 69 I've got some arthritis too. But I want to try another acoustic... In another thread there's talk about the Taylor "Mini" and I'm thinking maybe this is my answer. It's got a 33 1/2" scale so the strings will be a little slacker than a full scale acoustic. I've got a question though...does anyone use an unwound G string on acoustics? My dream acoustic guitar would be one that plays like a 335 does, only louder. I'm pretty sure I'm in the midst of a pipe dream right now, but is there anything out there that might scratch the itch? I really don't like the wound G string. Or is this like wanting a Rolls Royce to handle like a Go-Kart?!?
This was in a Facebook ad, and I thought of your post. www.martinguitar.com/guitars/road-series/SC-13E.html?utm_medium=Post&utm_source=FB%20Ads&utm_campaign=SC-13E&fbclid=IwAR0-cANpIV7pNDn7oPWUpis8N6qTdFpKcQZAU-LuCPDiMuUZcUlgyA7t7ss
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