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Old 12-20-2022, 06:12 AM
Kinda Old Kinda Old is offline
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Default Don't nearly all guitars sound good (in their own way)

I have six acoustic guitars ranging in price from $300 to $3500. They all have good intonation and playability but sound quite different from each other. The larger guitars have more low end but the smaller ones are more articulate. They all have their own personalities. One of the small cheaper ones is a bit boxy but has a very pleasing bluesy tone and it records well.

My $3500 Taylor Grand Symphony has more of a broad tonal range and much more sustain. I wouldn't say it's better but just different. Often I prefer the boxy Washburn to the full open sound of the Taylor.

Then there's my 00 28. I love the way it fits in my lap. It sounds like a generic acoustic. It doesn't sound small at all. It has that sweet sound that everyone thinks of when they imagine the Martin tone.

"Good tone" is subjective. Who's to say what's better?
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Old 12-20-2022, 06:24 AM
TOPDOGJIM TOPDOGJIM is offline
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Ah, no. I wouldn’t own or play a $300 guitar. Life is too short.
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Old 12-20-2022, 06:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinda Old View Post

"Good tone" is subjective. Who's to say what's better?
Well, since it's subjective, we all are.
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Old 12-20-2022, 06:30 AM
Aahzz Aahzz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinda Old View Post
I have six acoustic guitars ranging in price from $300 to $3500. They all have good intonation and playability but sound quite different from each other. The larger guitars have more low end but the smaller ones are more articulate. They all have their own personalities. One of the small cheaper ones is a bit boxy but has a very pleasing bluesy tone and it records well.

My $3500 Taylor Grand Symphony has more of a broad tonal range and much more sustain. I wouldn't say it's better but just different. Often I prefer the boxy Washburn to the full open sound of the Taylor.

Then there's my 00 28. I love the way it fits in my lap. It sounds like a generic acoustic. It doesn't sound small at all. It has that sweet sound that everyone thinks of when they imagine the Martin tone.

"Good tone" is subjective. Who's to say what's better?
Well said, and I fully agree. One of the best sounding acoustics I've ever played was a friend's beat to hell, all plywood student Fender. It just sang with a truly beautiful voice.
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Old 12-20-2022, 06:36 AM
EZYPIKINS EZYPIKINS is offline
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In a direct answer to the op.

Depends on who's playing,

Good in the ear of the beholder. Wouldn't that be a be hear-er ?
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Old 12-20-2022, 06:45 AM
The Bard Rocks The Bard Rocks is offline
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It sounds as if you have found instruments who each have their place in your arsenal - and in your heart. Some guitarists never quite achieve that. It is not a matter just of money; that only ups the odds of being satisfied. It sure doesn't guarantee it.
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Old 12-20-2022, 06:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZYPIKINS View Post
Good in the ear of the beholder. Wouldn't that be a be hear-er ?
Just remember that everything sounds good to the beer-holder.



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Old 12-20-2022, 06:56 AM
Howard Emerson Howard Emerson is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinda Old View Post
I have six acoustic guitars ranging in price from $300 to $3500. They all have good intonation and playability but sound quite different from each other. The larger guitars have more low end but the smaller ones are more articulate. They all have their own personalities. One of the small cheaper ones is a bit boxy but has a very pleasing bluesy tone and it records well.

My $3500 Taylor Grand Symphony has more of a broad tonal range and much more sustain. I wouldn't say it's better but just different. Often I prefer the boxy Washburn to the full open sound of the Taylor.

Then there's my 00 28. I love the way it fits in my lap. It sounds like a generic acoustic. It doesn't sound small at all. It has that sweet sound that everyone thinks of when they imagine the Martin tone.

"Good tone" is subjective. Who's to say what's better?
All guitars have a voice, but sadly most people don't get past the name on the headstock, so they never get to hear what it might have to say.

HE
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Old 12-20-2022, 07:03 AM
musicman1951 musicman1951 is offline
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I would agree that different styles of music benefit from different guitar tones. Some players/styles benefit from growl, etc., and could be considerably less effective with a beautiful, balanced tone (and vice versa).

I select guitars with a beautiful tone because that's what fits my style of music. Every player should do the same, within their budget restrictions, of course.

I'd rather not venture down the "I think Elvis painted on velvet is good art" road of everyone is an expert.
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Old 12-20-2022, 07:12 AM
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Well, put it to you this way, I know a few people who can make a $300 dollar guitar sound way better than most people can play a $3500 dollar guitar.
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Old 12-20-2022, 07:21 AM
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I think there are a lot of guitars that provide value to a player all over the cost spectrum. I do think that there are quite a few guitars that sound bad.
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Old 12-20-2022, 07:30 AM
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Does anyone remember when Toby Walker posted a video of him playing his neighbor's Pink Plastic Princess Guitar? He still sounded darned good playing that thing. A very good player will always sound good no matter what they play.

Most of us need a little more help from the instrument. I sound better playing a better guitar, but I'm just a basic player. I also like playing a good guitar.

When I used to work in NYC, one of my favorite things was seeing young people playing their not expensive, sometimes taped together guitars and just killing it.

So really it's all about there fingers and the soul, but it's nicer to play a better guitar.
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Old 12-20-2022, 07:33 AM
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Don't nearly all guitars sound good (in their own way)?

Since hearing and tone are largely subjective, I'd add "to someone" to the your question. In that case I'd say "Yes."
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Old 12-20-2022, 07:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TOPDOGJIM View Post
Ah, no. I wouldn’t own or play a $300 guitar. Life is too short.
I guess you also can't enjoy a $1.50 hot dog at Costco for what it is.
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Old 12-20-2022, 07:45 AM
Jamolay Jamolay is offline
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I would venture that a guitar that sounds “bad” is broken in some way. Either made wrong set up wrong or damaged.

After those, they have varying nuance. Fuller, richer, whatever, not necessarily according to price, but craftsmanship.

It is kind of like comparing simple inexpensive, but not bad, earbuds to high end over the ear audiophile headphones. That all play music pretty well, it depends on how much you care about the nuance.
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