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Post by John E. on Mar 4, 2019 10:22:42 GMT -7
So I currently own a Martin 000RS25 (Page on Martins Website) and I like it alright, but I've been wanting to upgrade and recently we've been doing a bit more acoustic projects but my co-guitarist doesn't own an acoustic besides an old 1950 Gibson L-50 that he won't take out of the house. So, I've been thinking about giving him that Martin and getting a new acoustic for myself. He's played it and loves it, so I know there'd be no issues there. I just don't know what to get! I've played a couple Maton acoustics and loved those, it's just been a few years and my friend that owned them sold them when his arthritis got really bad. Similar to my Martin in body shape but a bit deeper which I like. Larivee seems to be another brand that I've heard good things about, just only played one and the strings were dead so I didn't play it long. Give me any recommendations you got! I like the 000 type body, not necessarily Martin, every Martin I've played sounds great just very plain sounding (because everyone and their dog used Martins on their records)
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Post by goodez on Mar 4, 2019 16:15:25 GMT -7
I like the newer Martins a lot more than the older style. Taylor’s are nice but very pricey. I feel like Martin sort of adapted Taylor’s electronic design and ran with it. I currently have a Gibson J60 but would most likely look at one of the other two brands I listed if I were purchasing a new one. Sorry, I’m not much help as I’ve been playing more electric guitars as of late.
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Post by Stephen on Mar 4, 2019 16:42:48 GMT -7
I have a 2016 OMC-28E that I really like. I play it at Church through a Bose Compact. It plays like a dream and sounds great.
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Post by ss "Shane" on Mar 4, 2019 16:45:03 GMT -7
I’ve had lots of acoustics but the only acoustic I’ve ever played that knocked my socks off was a Gibson Hummingbird. I didn’t belong to me and I believe that at the time I even made an offer. My goodness that guitar just talked to me! It felt right in my hands too. So with that said, I will own one someday and when I do it will never be sold.
To me Gibson acoustic guitars have a certain tone that I always instantly bond with. I also like Martins and a Martin would be second behind Gibson for me. Taylor’s are really well made and the ones I’ve played around on were pretty much flawless. Taylor’s also sound really nice, it’s just that they kind of lack personality to me. There are Taylor fans and far better pickers than me who would disagree though.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Mar 4, 2019 18:26:37 GMT -7
The old Guilds, and any Lowden.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2019 19:24:17 GMT -7
Go someplace that has a lot of acoustics. Bring a friend who plays so you can take turns. A lot of acoustic guitars sound different from player/listener positions. Bring a clip on tuner or your phone w a tuner. Makes trying out guitars more fun if they are in tune.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2019 6:48:01 GMT -7
I have a 2016 OMC-28E that I really like. I play it at Church through a Bose Compact. It plays like a dream and sounds great. I picked up an OMC-35E at a steep discount last year--it's apparently a superseded model. Basically the same guitar as Stephen's, above, with some added cosmetic bling. Excellent little stage guitar--electronics work great, sounds huge when amplified. I run mine through a Fishman Artist amp which doubles as DI, EQ and monitor, and then into the board. Looking forward to playing it again at our upcoming acoustic gig.
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Post by John E. on Mar 5, 2019 10:03:28 GMT -7
The old Guilds, and any Lowden. If I ever found a non-Sheeran Lowden that fit my budget I'd swipe it up in a heartbeat! Those are some REALLY good guitars from what I've heard.
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Post by John E. on Mar 5, 2019 10:09:08 GMT -7
I’ve had lots of acoustics but the only acoustic I’ve ever played that knocked my socks off was a Gibson Hummingbird. I didn’t belong to me and I believe that at the time I even made an offer. My goodness that guitar just talked to me! It felt right in my hands too. So with that said, I will own one someday and when I do it will never be sold. To me Gibson acoustic guitars have a certain tone that I always instantly bond with. I also like Martins and a Martin would be second behind Gibson for me. Taylor’s are really well made and the ones I’ve played around on were pretty much flawless. Taylor’s also sound really nice, it’s just that they kind of lack personality to me. There are Taylor fans and far better pickers than me who would disagree though. I love Hummingbirds as well. Every one I've played I've loved, but for more fingerpicking it was lacking IMO. Still sounded good, but Gibson acoustics seem to be really good strummers and flatpickers, but IME, not great for fingerstyle stuff.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Mar 5, 2019 11:07:46 GMT -7
The old Guilds, and any Lowden. If I ever found a non-Sheeran Lowden that fit my budget I'd swipe it up in a heartbeat! Those are some REALLY good guitars from what I've heard. I’ve got a ‘78 Guild F50R (that I bought new back in the day) that sounds H U G E as a jumbo should. I have a Lowden LSE II I bought in ‘92 that is the other end of the spectrum - subtle, sweet and tremendously playable.
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Post by John on Mar 5, 2019 14:19:59 GMT -7
As Roscoe said, go to a place with lots of acoustics. Try a lot of them. It's bad to play a guitar, then try to compare it to another days later. You're brain won't remember the tone. (especially when you're playing so many)
If you want an acoustic-electric, I'm in favor of buying the guitar without the pickup/system...then getting the one you want installed. Though it could cost more, and be a bit of a hassle.
How much do you want to spend? Is it for gigging? At home?
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Post by John E. on Mar 5, 2019 14:33:46 GMT -7
As Roscoe said, go to a place with lots of acoustics. Try a lot of them. It's bad to play a guitar, then try to compare it to another days later. You're brain won't remember the tone. (especially when you're playing so many) If you want an acoustic-electric, I'm in favor of buying the guitar without the pickup/system...then getting the one you want installed. Though it could cost more, and be a bit of a hassle. How much do you want to spend? Is it for gigging? At home? Yeah I'll definitely get one without electronics and install them after the fact. It'll be for gigging and studio. And my loose budget is $2000 give or take some depending on what it is.
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Post by fallingstarsusa on Mar 5, 2019 16:54:39 GMT -7
Do what Roscoe said. In my experience, acoustics are way more variable within brands and even within models than electrics. Play as many as you can. Also, go with another guitar player so you can hear the guitar from the band/audience perspective, or when you find a couple you like, ask someone from the store to play it for you so you can hear it from in front. Sometimes a guitar that sounds good from the player position (maybe because it's resonating against your body) can be a little flat from out front.
FWIW--I own '90-something Gibson Advanced Jumbo--basically a J-45 with a Martin/Fender scale length. Warmer treble, less boomy bass than most Martin's I've played. More snap than most other GIbsons I've played. Subtle enough for finger-picking, but you can bash out a rock-n-roll song without the top turning to mush. It had some neck issues to sort out when I first bought it (used), but I know a good guitar...re-animator. He sorted out the neck. It's been my go to acoustic ever since.
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Post by John on Mar 5, 2019 19:16:29 GMT -7
I think your guitar has a 1 11/16 wide neck. (at the nut) I prefer the 1 3/4 wide neck. I don't know if that makes a difference to you. Do you know if you like shorter or longer scale. I'm mostly a longer scale guy.
The Martin website link is not working. Is your guitar this:
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Mar 5, 2019 19:34:58 GMT -7
I too will chime in with what Eric (roscoe) and others said. Took me me several months to settle on my 00028. Once I decided on the body style, then I had to settle on THE guitar. When you find it, you will know.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2019 7:05:20 GMT -7
Do what Roscoe said. In my experience, acoustics are way more variable within brands and even within models than electrics. Play as many as you can. Also, go with another guitar player so you can hear the guitar from the band/audience perspective, or when you find a couple you like, ask someone from the store to play it for you so you can hear it from in front. Sometimes a guitar that sounds good from the player position (maybe because it's resonating against your body) can be a little flat from out front. FWIW--I own '90-something Gibson Advanced Jumbo--basically a J-45 with a Martin/Fender scale length. Warmer treble, less boomy bass than most Martin's I've played. More snap than most other GIbsons I've played. Subtle enough for finger-picking, but you can bash out a rock-n-roll song without the top turning to mush. It had some neck issues to sort out when I first bought it (used), but I know a good guitar...re-animator. He sorted out the neck. It's been my go to acoustic ever since. Hey there, I've got a first year Montana made Gibson Advanced Jumbo also. Got it new in '91
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Post by John E. on Mar 6, 2019 12:12:26 GMT -7
I think your guitar has a 1 11/16 wide neck. (at the nut) I prefer the 1 3/4 wide neck. I don't know if that makes a difference to you. Do you know if you like shorter or longer scale. I'm mostly a longer scale guy.
The Martin website link is not working. Is your guitar this:
Yeah that's it! And I'm not really sure about what I like as far as necks go on acoustics. I know I had a Gibson L-4A and I liked the scale of that one just cause it seemed easier to do bends, the body was just a little too big.
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Post by John E. on Mar 6, 2019 12:58:37 GMT -7
I think your guitar has a 1 11/16 wide neck. (at the nut) I prefer the 1 3/4 wide neck. I don't know if that makes a difference to you. Do you know if you like shorter or longer scale. I'm mostly a longer scale guy.
The Martin website link is not working. Is your guitar this:
Yeah that's it! And I'm not really sure about what I like as far as necks go on acoustics. I know I had a Gibson L-4A and I liked the scale of that one just cause it seemed easier to do bends, the body was just a little too big. BUT! Even though I liked the shorter Gibson scale for bends, I also like longer scale so the strings aren't as loose. Finding a happy medium would be cool
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Post by fallingstarsusa on Mar 6, 2019 16:42:17 GMT -7
Do what Roscoe said. In my experience, acoustics are way more variable within brands and even within models than electrics. Play as many as you can. Also, go with another guitar player so you can hear the guitar from the band/audience perspective, or when you find a couple you like, ask someone from the store to play it for you so you can hear it from in front. Sometimes a guitar that sounds good from the player position (maybe because it's resonating against your body) can be a little flat from out front. FWIW--I own '90-something Gibson Advanced Jumbo--basically a J-45 with a Martin/Fender scale length. Warmer treble, less boomy bass than most Martin's I've played. More snap than most other GIbsons I've played. Subtle enough for finger-picking, but you can bash out a rock-n-roll song without the top turning to mush. It had some neck issues to sort out when I first bought it (used), but I know a good guitar...re-animator. He sorted out the neck. It's been my go to acoustic ever since. Hey there, I've got a first year Montana made Gibson Advanced Jumbo also. Got it new in '91 Nice guitar. Mine's starting to look like Rory Gallagher played it.
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Post by John E. on Mar 7, 2019 9:27:08 GMT -7
Hey there, I've got a first year Montana made Gibson Advanced Jumbo also. Got it new in '91 Nice guitar. Mine's starting to look like Rory Gallagher played it. I don't know bout you, but to me, there's nothing prettier than an old worn out acoustic. Post pics if you got em!
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Post by nicholas on Mar 7, 2019 10:24:53 GMT -7
I agree with the guys that said to go and try as many as you can in one sitting. I did just that about a month ago and snagged a Gibson J45 studio. I think it's easy to read too much about acoustics and come to conclusions on what you need based on typed words. I actually had a great time doing this. I picked an off hours time during the day, brought my clip on tuner and a pick, and had the acoustic room all to myself for the most part.
The decision was easy once I had them in my hands. I did find the neck and playability of the Gibson to feel very familiar, as I play Gibson electrics. Enjoy the hunt!
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