2014 Poll: Best Guitar for Rhythm Accompaniment of Vocals

[BoneDigger]

Do any of these have a solid mahogany top? That would be my choice.

Todd

[Glennwillow]

Hi Dave,

From your list, I would choose the D-28. And my reasoning is that putting an SM-57 in front of it would require minimal EQ to take out any bass boost from the proximity effect. (I'm not a fan of pickups.) I prefer the HD-28 or HD-28V even more for playing in a room, but on a stage to accompany vocals, I think the D-28 is just about right.

- Glenn

[harmonics101]

For rhythm, you need a clean sound (IMO) so that's why I picked Maple J200,

H

You know, us Gibson people are enjoying this poll . . . .

[fullsmile]

I think the poll is great. Stop complaining about it. No poll is perfect and some guitars will always be left off. If you disagree then just create your own poll rather than criticize someone else's poll. Lots of grumpy people on here today.

[Athana]

A good Maple J200...Id even add its almost no competition.
Certain voices and that sweet sounding ringing piano sounding mandolin like quality thing is the best. : )

[kydave]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

You know, us Gibson people are enjoying this poll . . . .

I bet! Never seen 'em around in this concentration before and find it very interesting!

[Dr. Spivey]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

You know, us Gibson people are enjoying this poll . . . .

Originally Posted by kydave

I bet! Never seen 'em around in this concentration before and find it very interesting!

What next? Dylan wins male vocalist of the year?

[harmonics101]

Originally Posted by kydave

I bet! Never seen 'em around in this concentration before and find it very interesting!

I agree, I find it odd that the Gibson J45 is so far ahead ?

Since when has the J45 been associated with rhythm guitar

H

[GibbyPrague]

Originally Posted by harmonics101

I agree, I find it odd that the Gibson J45 is so far ahead ?

Since when has the J45 been associated with rhythm guitar

H

I actually voted for the J-200, but the J-45 does killer rhythm in its own right.

[garyboy2024]

Looks like even the tea party won't be able to spoil this poll today. I think the kicker is that "vocal accompaniment" is the standard here, and Gibson does well in this area most of the time. I used to be a complete Martin guy, but now used Gibsons or other Gibsonesque guitars because they leave more space for my baritone vocal. I'm a singer-songwriter so this is important to consider for me.

[MODELL]

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

Do any of these have a solid mahogany top? That would be my choice.

Todd

Todd, this is exactly what I discovered after playing a Taylor GA with spruce top for a long time. It seems that all of those great overtones didn't blend so well with my voice on many songs. I tried an Ibanez AC240 and the slightly compressed darker sound is just what I was looking for. I know everyone's voice is different, but small bodied all mahogany guitars are what works best for me.

[BoneDigger]

Originally Posted by MODELL

Todd, this is exactly what I discovered after playing a Taylor GA with spruce top for a long time. It seems that all of those great overtones didn't blend so well with my voice on many songs. I tried an Ibanez AC240 and the slightly compressed darker sound is just what I was looking for. I know everyone's voice is different, but small bodied all mahogany guitars are what works but for me.

I have a couple of spruce topped guitars, but the ones I love are my mahogany topped models. I have four right now and love every one of them. They just fit my voice perfectly.

Todd

[Ruppster]

I have some half decent guitars; Martin OMJM, OMCPA1, Taylor 612ce, Breedlove Focus SE, etc. This is going to raise the hackles of some of the purists on here but the best sounding guitar I have for actual gigging is my Takamine New Yorker.

The poll doesn't say whether this is a live PA situation or just yodeling unplugged in a living room. I assumed it was a real gigging situation and, to me, the Takamines sound best live. You can tweak them to fit any room and vocal timbre. There's a reason some of the big boys use them and it's not for endorsements.

It has less to do with woods and bracing and more to do with their incredible preamps and pickups.

Just another opinion....

[fullsmile]

I think this is one of the only times I can remember when a poll with lots of options actually has a clear winner. Kind of interesting.