Advice on good all-around high-end guitar

robailey · #1 06-26-2011, 06:57 AM

Ok, I've been an amateur guitarist for 15 years, and for the past 6 months I've demonstrated playing guitar for 1-2 hours a day is not a "phase" so I can justify forking over a few grand for a good guitar. I need to buy a guitar within 3 weeks as I'll be in the US for this time then need to return to China for Business. I'll probably buy the guitar coffin case to bring it safely back.

I'm playing a very versitile mix of Church band strumming, Fingerstyle Jazz, Finerstyle Blues (Clapton, Johnson, and a few blind guys), and I want to learn tapping and percussive this year. I know this is a wild mix but I'm trying to find a good guitar to handle it all. Here's a few models I'm thinking of:

R-Taylor Style 1 (Is sinker suitable for finger style and strumming?)
Taylor 816
Martin OM-21 special or Martin OM-28v
Collings OM1 or 2
Larrivee OM9 or OM10.
Rainsong WS (I like the idea or not having to babysit)
Goodall Standard Cutaway Walnut and Adirondack or Sitka

thanks for any input,

Rob

Dru Edwards · #2 06-26-2011, 07:00 AM

I don't think you can go wrong with any of those guitars. It sounds like you're going to be doing more finger picking than strumming?

I like the Martin OM-28v but I have no idea about jazz.

ericcsong · #3 06-26-2011, 07:02 AM

where in the US will you be? we can recommend some good shops to try some out!

Doubleneck · #4 06-26-2011, 07:09 AM

I am really liking my newly acquired Rainsong. Hard to go wrong with them. I just had a week with a CO top on a JM1000. That is the top that is unidirectional. It is an upgrade but probably worth looking at if you have a chance. It did seem to add a little more natural flavor. The N2 new neck is nice as well. So light it is amazing. If you are using it in the praise band at church graphite is nice, never have to worry about a guitar in the car if I go out to lunch afterward.
Steve

Dru Edwards · #5 06-26-2011, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericcsong

where in the US will you be? we can recommend some good shops to try some out!

Eric has it. The more guitars you have a chance to try out the more likely you'll find the one that suits your needs.

Where are you going to be?

Fatstrat · #6 06-26-2011, 07:14 AM

For me there would be absolutely 0 question. Whatever model you choose, make it Martin. The rest are imitations.

robailey · #7 06-26-2011, 07:18 AM

Wow - you guys rock with the quick responses! I'll be in Austin and Dallas TX, Philly, Chicago (Lake Geneva area), Tuscon AZ, and possibly Miami and LA. Visiting US clients for 2-3 weeks of maddness.

ljguitar · #8 06-26-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robailey

...I'm playing a very versitile mix of Church band strumming, Fingerstyle Jazz, Finerstyle Blues (Clapton, Johnson, and a few blind guys), and I want to learn tapping and percussive this year.

Hi Rob…
My best student - an 18 year old - bought a used Collings OM this year, and it is really a good instrument for both fingerstyle and strumming. His is the Mahogany/Spruce, and it combines the sustain needed for fingerstyle with the fundamental purity wanted for flatpicking.

Hope you find the guitar of your dreams. I'd sure encourage you to start playing some so you can decide for yourself what fits your personal style.

Michael T · #9 06-26-2011, 07:23 AM

http://www.larrivee.com/instruments/acoustics/index.php

The OM's are very popular, but take a strum at the SD60 (Rosewood) or the "L09" Rosewood. Both are altered dreads and are very distinctive and versatile due to the design. All Larrivees have top of the line woods and voicing that is so balance they usually need less if any EQ to get that blend we all chase. Not that there is anything wrong with the OM's.

http://www.larrivee.com/instruments/...cs/60/SD60.php

http://www.larrivee.com/instruments/...cs/09/LV09.php

dugger · #10 06-26-2011, 07:30 AM

You might want to look at the Martin GPCPA1. All the guitars you haved mentined would be good. YOu need to play them all and find the one that speaks to you. YOu might not know what I am talking about but when you find the right guitar you will.

Rick Jones · #11 06-26-2011, 07:33 AM

I've found my Avalon L32 to be amazingly versatile...I do a bit of everything, jack of all trades (master of none!), and it handles it all so well.

Stunning build quality and seems to be able to sound like everything from a thunderous dread to similar to a sweet OM with a bit of player consideration.

Kerbie · #12 06-26-2011, 07:45 AM

Rob,

Wow, you have chosen some superb guitars to pick from! Not a bad one in the lot. If you're in Austin, the Collings factory is there and the Friday tours are well worth your time. You might also want to visit Hill Country Guitars in nearby Wimberley for an outstanding collection of Collings. PM me if you need more details. While you're in LA, check out McCabe's in Santa Monica for another large selection of excellent guitars.

My choice of those would easily be the Collings and probably the OM1, but both are fabulous guitars. I would put the Martins second and probably the Taylor next.

You can't really go wrong with anything on that list. I suggest you play as many as you can before you decide. You'll get a wide range of opinions here, but it really comes down to what sound and feel you like in a guitar. Happy shopping!

00Buck · #13 06-26-2011, 07:47 AM

If you can handle the V neck and wider (2 5/16) bridge string spacing, it's hard to beat the OM-28V as an all around guitar. On your budget, you could get the OM and have enough left over for a Taylor GS-mini.

310Taylor · #14 06-26-2011, 09:33 AM

taylor 714ce

Triumph1050 · #15 06-26-2011, 09:37 AM

This recent thread talks about the Guitar Center in Dallas.

I'd stop by and check it out...

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=220294