Finger Picker Suggestions

I have a great dred so I have that covered, but I'm looking for something comfortable for fingerpicking.

I play all over the neck, so I was hoping for something with a cutout, but it's not mandatory. Like the dry/wood/Delta blues mahogany sound.

Lately I've just been fingerpicking on the dread, and it is fine, but it would be nice to have something smaller and more woody. Maybe a 1 3/4 nut (yet without a lot of fanning/widening as it nears the bridge so chording is still easy?). Love ebony boards on acoustics, but again not mandatory. Any ideas that meet the preferences?

My max budget is 2k, but I'd rather be under 1.2k. Oddball/high value suggestions welcome.

[Swamp Yankee]

Waterloo WL-S by Collings

No ebony, no cutaway - but a purely delightful fingerpicker with a great woody tone, especially for Delta blues.

The guy in this video is playing the actual guitar I just bought from his shop

https://youtu.be/MmUrOi29ZxU

They have some 14 fret models as well, and some have a very similar tone. This one is styled after the old Stella guitars from the 30s - ladder bracing and everything. They also offer fan bracing on some models.

[desert2000]

Martin GPC-15me, available at Musician's Friend/Guitar Center for $1799.

For $1849 at MF/GC, there's the Martin Custom GPCPA4

Both are all-mahogany with a cutaway, the second one has built in electronics.

[TBman]

Martin 000-15ms

Originally Posted by Swamp Yankee

The guy in this video is playing the actual guitar I just bought from his shop

https://youtu.be/MmUrOi29ZxU

Really like the sound.

Also came across this one on YT, which I like more tone-wise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSTuUiyzRh8

Not sure what the difference is. Thanks for the lead!

[Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by commonbird

Really like the sound.

Also came across this one on YT, which I like more tone-wise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSTuUiyzRh8

Not sure what the difference is. Thanks for the lead!

The deluxe has a hand rubbed varnish finish and fancy inlays and stuff. It has a slightly less funky tone to it - and it's quite a bit more expensive $$$

Props to the Martin OOO-15sm as well - and their 000-17s whiskey sunset and smoke finished guitars....less expensive, but they're not as funky sounding as the Waterloos from what I've played.

[Looburst]

If I were to buy another guitar it would most certainly be an OM style and probably a Collings OM3. Probably won't happen but if it did, it might even be a used one from the mid to late 1990s.

At the 3 minute mark, he discusses the nut and fanning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM6COXrLgIg

Do you guys know of any other necks that have that "modified low oval with performance taper"? It sounds like it reduces the annoying, wide fanning of a 1 3/4 nut for those of us who play 1 11/16th electrics primarily.

[ohYew812]

Originally Posted by commonbird

Do you guys know of any other necks that have that "modified low oval with performance taper"? It sounds like it reduces the annoying, wide fanning of a 1 3/4 nut for those of us who play 1 11/16th electrics primarily.

The D-18 from 2012 to present has the MLO/PA Taper.

The new 2017 D-28, 000-18, 00-18... lots of the newer ones.
It's a wonderful (to me, perfect!) neck.

Speaking of... the 00-18 is a GREAT finger picker.

Originally Posted by ohYew812

Speaking of... the 00-18 is a GREAT finger picker.

Nice!

Yeah, I have had it on my short list. I'm just trying to find some other leads, preferably cheaper yet with similar qualities.

[5th Element]

Cheap? Check out the Alvarez Delta000DLX/SHB. Not sure about the 'fanning' of the neck, though. Maybe one of the owners will chime in.

I have its 12-fret rosewood sibling, the Blues51. It's a really fun little bluesy guitar, and the build quality is quite good. However, on this particular model, the neck is already nearly 2-1/4" at the 12th fret. Maybe that's due to the 1.75" nut and generous 2-1/4" string spacing at the bridge. The neck is a very slight V, not really big, but definitely not a shredder.

Note: I've primarily been an electric player. I like a wider nut and string spacing on acoustic for finger-style.

[srick]

Duplicate post

[srick]

If you can get to a shop,that sells higher end guitars, you might find a lightly used guitar at half the price of new. Several years ago, I was in a similar mindset and ended up purchasing my Bourgeois for essentailly 50% off its original price.

I like the 00 size for fingerstyle - and when I compared the Bourgeois with the Martin 00's, I much preferred it. But the comparisons in this price range mean very little. At the $2000 + level, you're going to end up with a fine guitar, regardless.

One avenue you might be interested in is a "vintage parlor guitar". You can check out the website :http://vintageparlorguitars.com/
Not only will you find a right-sized guitar, but you will grab a piece of history!

Have fun with the hunt. There is no right answer! BTW, I was able to afford the Bourgeois by selling my Martin D35. According to my wife, I can only (afford to) play one at a time .

Best,

Rick

PS - as mentioned earlier, the Waterloo would fit the bill nicely. So would a small Eastman or Larrivee.... But save $ by buying used.

[gutter]

Originally Posted by commonbird

I have a great dred so I have that covered, but I'm looking for something comfortable for fingerpicking.

I play all over the neck, so I was hoping for something with a cutout, but it's not mandatory. Like the dry/wood/Delta blues mahogany sound.

I really like my Martin 00-15E Retro:

• Small size
• Woody tone
• Modified Low Oval with Performing Artist Taper neck
• 24.9 inch short scale
• Wide nut (1.75)

[BluesKing777]

I have never played one but a left field suggestion could be a used Eastman OM cutaway? Have a look on Reverb.com, etc.

Anyone here play one?


BluesKing777.