Quote:
Originally Posted by Crash-VR
I didn't explain myself very well. I'm used to controlling a lot of gain on an electric guitar, I actually use the same pick for that too, I'm looking for the most dynamically sensitive guitar possible. I prefer to play lighter, with precision, but just like finger style, really let certain notes pop and sustain. I don't want to have to beat a guitar for it to be loud. My only acoustic for the last 12 years is an SCGC OM that I've put thousands of hours on. I'm essentially looking for the most super charged version of that possible, but louder with more fundamental and way more sensitive to playing lightly with a good volume. A Traugott BK is at the top of my list for sure.
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First of all my apologies to Janne for chiming in again on what is turning out to be a detour from your NGD thread. But these comments may be useful for people who've never played either a Claxton or a Traugott, so here I go.
Crash, even after reading your further clarifications, I would still agree with what Doug said. My Claxton OM excels when played with anything from a feather-light touch to medium strength attack. Hitting it harder than that, especially with a flatpick, pushes it beyond its optimal operating range. (I found the same to be true with Thomas' Traugott, by the way.)
By contrast, my other OM is a Circa with an Adirondack spruce soundboard and mahogany back and sides. Its optimal operating range goes from light attack to extra-heavy. It's the loudest, punchiest guitar I've ever owned and has seemingly endless headroom. Its tone is fuller in the midrange, and the hearty growl it develops when played hard is majestic. Its drier sound, with a noticeable emphasis on the fundamental, makes it an excellent complement to the Claxton.
While both guitars are very refined and great all-rounders, the Claxton is my instrument of choice for the softer material in my repertoire, whereas the Circa is unbeatable when it comes to the louder stuff.
Over the past two years I've been fortunate to play quite a few world-class guitars by different builders. The most important thing I've learned is that, great as they all are, some of them really don't work for my playing style. I have also discovered just how lucky I was to find the Claxton so early on in my search, for it's the one that suits me better than any other guitar I've ever played.
I hope these comments help you in your quest, Crash. These are very expensive instruments, and when one realizes that there's a mismatch between what one's new guitar can do and what one's needs are, the buyer's remorse one feels can be a major buzzkill.