Dreadnoughts for bluegrass jamming

[grasser]

Originally Posted by 1Charlie

Find a nice, vintage, beat-up but serviceable Guild D-25, D-35, D-40 or D-50.

Look for one with cracks, headstock repairs, dents and all manner of cosmetic issues, which can often be found for $400-$600.

If you close your eyes and just listen for the tone, you will realize that the '70's era Westerly Guilds can go toe to toe with anything that anyone brings to a festival.

I was really impressed with a 90s Guild D4-NT that I played a while back. It was less than $400, a steal for a solid-top U.S.-made guitar. I think it's similar to the D-25 spec-wise.

To the OP, there's no shame in a Blueridge. They exist for those of us who play bluegrass but can't afford a Martin (like me) or don't want to ding one up.

[Blind Dog]

+1 used/vintage Guild D-35. Jmo: prefer '78 Guild to '88 D-28p Martin for bluegrass.

[martingitdave]

Todd makes a good point. I tried a number of Martin substitutes for gig and festival guitars. Ultimately, they all left me a little cold. In fairness, most of them sound good, or even great, in a solo situation. But, if you need to be heard in an aggressive group, you'll typically need a lighter built guitar like a Martin or Collings. With the cost of the Blueridge BR-160A or BR-180A, or the Eastman E20D, being fairly low, it won't break the bank to give it a try. I suspect you'll be missing your Collings after the first festival.

[Bigdumbhick]

My main guitar is a beat up 20 year old Sigma SDR-28. I have no problem with it in a Bluegrass jam. I was in Guitar Center the other day and they had a cheap solid top Yamaha for less than $150 that was a cannon and had great tone. I would have bought it but wouldn't have been able to afford the resulting hospital bill if I had gotten caught trying to sneak it into the house.

I have played a variety of guitars in jams over the years, many, if not most of them sub $500 guitars, and have never really had a problem.

I've also been in jams where people had very high dollar instruments that were almost inaudible. I really don't think it's the guitar as much as it is the player. I play LOUD. However, I will acknowledge that Loud does not necessarily equate with Good,

[Tnfiddler]

I find it comical that the "If it ain't a Martin, it ain't bluegrass" mentality is still so prevalent around bluegrass festivals and jams! There are so many great guitars(dreads) out there, that DO cut it in jams! I played a '72 Yamaha at SPBGMA a few years ago that was an amazing guitar and the owner said it cost him $400! I'm starting to see more Taylors being played every time I go to a festival and my 810 will hang all day long! I am in no way saying that Martins aren't good guitars. If I ever found a Martin that had a neck that played as good as a Taylor, I'd buy one, but every one I've ever played didn't feel good while playing it! You don't have to have a high-end boutique guitar or a Martin to pick bluegrass! I've been playing bluegrass for 13-14 years and my biggest turn off at every festival I go to is instrument snobs who look down on anyone not playing a Martin or something high dollar! I've had so many snide comments made to me because I don't play one, and I just don't get it! I love a good sounding and playing acoustic guitar, whether it's a $7,000 Bourgeois or $600 Taylor 110!!

[Goat Mick]

There have been a lot of great suggestions so far. Here's one I'd like to throw out because it's a heck of a bargain. The Martin Custom D that they make exclusively for Guitar Center. 100% solid wood, made in Nazareth and it sounds like an American Martin should sound like. $1199.00 new with a Martin hardshell case. Or you can regularly find new ones for about the same price as a good quality Pac-Rim offering. Here's a link to a used one one eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Martin-Custo...EAAOSwjRpZWmAB

[ManyMartinMan]

Originally Posted by Mick's Goat Whiskey Picks

....The Martin Custom D that they make exclusively for Guitar Center. 100% solid wood, made in Nazareth and it sounds like an American Martin should sound like. $1199.00 new with a Martin hardshell case....

Excellent suggestion. And, gig ready.

[Marley]

Originally Posted by Starter

hi,

I'm new to bluegrass but very committed to jam camps and local jams etc., at least if I can get to be decent. Having suddenly realized that there's a reason that bluegrassers all play dreads I now have a gorgeous used but immaculate Collings, which is great for pushing me to play more and better, but I would hate to do something stupid to it at jam camp.

There was thread on this forum a while back about what to take to a jam camp or festival. I totally get the "what you are saving if for" argument (yolo?), and thought that's what I would think. But I also know that it's nice not to have to worry TOO much about instruments.

So I wonder if there are suggestions for a good jam-camp dreadnought, especially if I can find one used. Based on that comparison video the Eastman D10 seems like a good bet, and I hear good things about the Blueridge. I started with a Seagull S6, and loved it, but that was a long time ago and before I ever tried a flatpick; would it work for bluegrass?

Thanks.

will

100% use your Collings. That's why you bought it. If you don't feel scared about driving around in a 20,30,50,$75,000 car don't be worried about dinging a 3K guitar. Just play it, enjoy it and it will sound awesome at those jams.