Do u have one guitar that seems to play itself while others are a struggle

Frusciante · #1 01-10-2013, 02:32 AM

I recently got a couple new Taylor acoustics. Both are fairly easy to play but one, this 314ce I mean I literally sound like a different player.

I thought it might be my imagination until some of the friends I play with remarked that i sounded better on acoustic.

Now I know part of this is this buoyant 3d piano like tone I get from this guitar but even the strings seem less tight. Everything flows my chording sounds and is much cleaner. I never thought I'd feel,this way bout an acoustic

Anyone else have a guitar that just feels like an extension of yourself?

painasusual · #2 01-10-2013, 03:35 AM

Yes, my 000-28 is pretty easy to play compared to other acoustics I've had.

pieterh · #3 01-10-2013, 03:37 AM

I guess it's because I've had my Taylor for 6.5 years now, but that one feels "right" for me. My band partner has a gorgeous Gibson Songwriter Deluxe that was the right guitar for him when we were visiting many stores and trying just about every guitar that matched his needs and budget. When we were rehearsing the other day I got to play it for a while while he used a low end Ibanez. When I got home and picked up my Taylor the difference was clear - the guitar I had I had bought because it suited my needs (and budget). It feels so comfortable to play, the weight, balance and neck playability are perfect!

I have a Guild that I've had for 28 years that I love but isn't in the "play itself" category, though I think it is time for a good tech to give it a good going over and setup.

My wife's Furch OM and my dad's 1958 Martin O-16 are also guitars that seem to play themselves.

geordie · #4 01-10-2013, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frusciante

Anyone else have a guitar that just feels like an extension of yourself?

hi Fruscy, this is the aim of choosing the right instrument - to me, that it's an extension of yourself - it ceases to be an obstacle to you expressing yourself and allows you to develop / grow expressively, it ought to say to you - c'mon big boy, is that all you can do.

People choose instruments for all sorts of reasons though viz endorsements.

catdaddy · #5 01-10-2013, 05:30 AM

Nope. They're all a struggle.

Jarlaxle · #6 01-10-2013, 10:35 AM

I just bought a 314ce and it is easier to play than my Froggy. It's not ALOT easier to play, but it is easier.

Glennwillow · #7 01-10-2013, 10:42 AM

Well, no matter how much I have spent on my guitars, none play without my helping out.

But... some play easier than others, for sure...

For my hands, the Taylor neck design seems to make the easiest guitar to play.

- Glenn

Opa John · #8 01-10-2013, 10:42 AM

"Do u have one guitar that seems to play itself while others are a struggle?"

My new Martin D-15M seems to do that. I have to admit, it just may be the best guitar I've ever owned.

Roselynne · #9 01-10-2013, 10:48 AM

Every beloved one of mine is a struggle, each in its own sweet way.

As I get better, I expect them all to get easier. On good days, I think I can already feel that process happening.

Maybe, eventually, one of them will become The One.

mymartind35 · #10 01-10-2013, 10:53 AM

I bought my Adamas W597 5 minutes after I picked it up. I've had it 7 years and it still plays sweet. My Custom Legend plays better (until I get the Martin fixed) than any guitar I own. It just doesn't sound as good. My username tells you my favorite guitar. It's in getting a little tune-up.(It has a little soundboard issue that raises the strings too high) I hope it comes back playing like it did before. Then all the acoustic/electrics will go back in their cases and remain there until needed. The finish is just about gone off the top of my Martin and it sounds and plays better than any guitar I have ever played. Other than the "Peacock" Martin. Google it.

Taylorplayer · #11 01-10-2013, 11:03 AM

Do u have one guitar that seems to play itself while others are a struggle?

Yes, and I believe the answer is found in a professional set-up. Having that done has made a world of difference each time. Well worth the money spent... which is often a fraction of the total cost of the instrument.

woodbox · #12 01-10-2013, 11:03 AM

Yes, my '67 000-18.
The moment I fretted the first chord, it was my friend.
Its the one I play effortlessly.
I make fewer mistakes, and the singing is better cuz I can focus on that without thinking about the guitar playin'.
Its almost magic.
It makes no sense to me, but its there.

ljguitar · #13 01-10-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frusciante

...Anyone else have a guitar that just feels like an extension of yourself?

Hi Frusciante...
I think you are discussing two issues.

One is playability, and the other is tone.

I do have one guitar that is my main guitar, but I've had all 4 setup so they play equally easily. I put them in a rotation so they all get played, but my main gigging guitar is my main guitar.

I sound more like me when I play it than any other guitar I play on.

Frusciante · #14 01-10-2013, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Frusciante...
I think you are discussing two issues.

One is playability, and the other is tone.

I do have one guitar that is my main guitar, but I've had all 4 setup so they play equally easily. I put them in a rotation so they all get played, but my main gigging guitar is my main guitar.

I sound more like me when I play it than any other guitar I play on.

Yes and I think I mentioned tone is definitely part of that equation. the two playability and tone when combined create that incredible synergy imho that allows the instrument to feel like an extension of yourself and the creative process seems far more effortless than it might have otherwise

ljguitar · #15 01-10-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frusciante

...playability and tone when combined create that incredible synergy imho that allows the instrument to feel like an extension of yourself and the creative process seems far more effortless than it might have otherwise

Hi Frusciante...

Sure. I suppose it's why I have a 'go-to' approach to my playing. When I'm just going to sit and jam, or get creative, I go to my main guitar.

And when playing for fun, and exploring, I love to pull my other guitars out. Especially once I've settled into an arrangement on my main guitar, I'll try it out on the others to see if it plays or sounds better on them.

I wouldn't exactly call it effortless, because after I got an instrument that was amazing, I began exploring music which was more 'demanding'.