#16
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Welcome to AGF!
You will find a lot of opinions, but only you know what hits you in the gut. Get that one.
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Peter Eastman AC630BD --The Hot Blonde Taylor 317 Rickenbacker 620 Midnight Blue Yamaha FG700 (lives in Miami for family visits) "Son, don't wait till the break of day, 'cause you know how time fades away..." |
#17
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@ Brooklyn Bob:
Yea, probably a gigging guitar. No project's stage-ready as per the lockdown, but I'm looking at metal and/or folk gigs. Always afraid I'll steal too many high-end frequencies from the instruments that matter when I don't mean to. @ Scotso: It's a first purchase, so besides some experience behind the mixing desk and listening to other people I have only little knowledge of what exactly my music needs. I'm a bit all over the place, really, musically. That's part of the problem, and part of the joy |
#18
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Hi Garra,
The 12 fret would have been a entire different critter - likely a 322. Slothead and GC (Grand Concert) body - substantially smaller than a GA (Grand Auditorium) like a 324. Night and day in volume and feel but somewhat similar in tone profile.
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Roy Ibanez, Recording King, Gretsch, Martin G&L, Squier, Orange (x 2), Bugera, JBL, Soundcraft Our duo website - UPDATED 7/26/19 |
#19
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At 68 years old I still get "schooled" daily. The latest lesson I learned was last month when I bought a Collings OM-3 German/flamed maple b&s. It sounds REMARKABLY similar to my Santa Cruz OM German/cocobolo. NEVER even remotely thought cocobolo would sound like maple. My point is the top has far more to do with the sound than the b&s and over the years many times I've read the comments of luthiers basically professing the same. Bottom line don't fret.....(pun intended)... over the b&s!
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Santa Cruz 000, Samick classical |
#20
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Hi garra,
You asked why I picked Martins again even though the first one I played was rough on my hands. That’s a good question. After I had played for a few years, my hands were stronger, I’m sure. But I also played other Martins that were set up with lighter action. My buddy’s D 35 was hard to play for me, but not for him—he’d played for years. Additionally, I picked up a 000 18 (I didn’t know about any Martins but the Ds). I loved the tone. And its scale is shorter—and easier to bend notes. I finger pick, and the smaller body of the 000 sounds more balanced than the dreadnoughts, which seemed more suited to flatpickers.
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Peace, Jimmy Optima dies, prima fugit |
#21
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Okay. First, disclaimers:
1) Read my signature. It describes me. 2) I love Martins but all I own are Taylors. Now the meat: 1. You need to decide between feel and sound, sitting alone, just you. 2. Taylors are known for an action and neck feel that pleases electric guitar players. 3. Martins are known for a mid-scooped sound that is perfect for strumming chords and flatpicking but can be thin for fingerstyle. 4. Taylors are known for single-string definition that makes fingerstyle glorious but can be only so-so for strumming chords. 5. If you are willing to invest in a good setup, the Martin can be made to play easier. They are shipped from the factory with a higher action that flatpickers prefer. Likely, you are used to lower action and easier fingering since you are an electric guitar. And now, advice: I don't know what kind of person you are, but I am a person who, once he has a guitar, gets used to it, and loves it, tends to fall in love with its looks, whether he liked them at the start or not. As a college student in 1977, having saved my pennies for three years, I went out to buy my first professional electric guitar. I decided on a Gibson Les Paul and wanted a gold top. It was a highly inflationary period. For three years I would see that used Les Pauls were $200, would go home and save up, and return, only to find that they were now $225. Etc. until they were over $400, three years later. Eventually I was asked to join a pretty good band and needed a good guitar. I sold my previous electric guitar and headed out to the shops to buy my LP. I could only find one anyone near my price point, in a hard-to-describe sunburst that I hated the looks of. Hated. But I had to get a guitar, so I pleaded and wheedled and they took the money I had. I've had that guitar for forty-four years now. I rather quickly grew to love its finish which I eventually discovered was a pretty rare and unique sunburst. I love the guitar and it fits me like a glove. Wouldn't part with it. If you are like me, you'll probably love the guitar despite the finish. That's happened to me more than once. The Martin can be made to play better. The Taylor can be EQ'ed to sound better when strumming. Decide which one is most important when the guitar is on your lap in your bedroom. Enjoy the choice and enjoy the one you choose. Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) |
#22
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Well, I would not wait for the possible 324...
I like my 322 (Mahogany/Blackwood) as well as my 412ce. I kind of remember Taylor stopped the 414ce : I would jump on it ! Did you try a Taylor Academy ? They blown me away ! You may be interested to know that the bolted Taylor neck is easy to reset should a neck reset be ever needed. Another brand less known but most probably available in Europe is Larrivee : they are quite near Taylors. Besides, you could like some Seagull or Simon & Patrick from Godin co. or some Boucher that are known in Europe too. P.S. I love Taylors, Larrivee and Godin' brands, though I also own some Gibsons and Martins too.
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Needed some nylons, a wide range of acoustics and some weirdos to be happy... |
#23
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Quote:
Also, don't know what you are looking for with nut size and such, but if you are waiting, could simply look at Furch's configurator and build the guitar you want for you. Looking at least on the international Furch builder, a custom Grand Auditorium starts cheaper than a 324 builders edition or 414r. Just a thought? |
#24
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My advice? Wait.
Good things happen for those willing to wait a bit. Things will eventually get re-stocked and you'll be able to try first-hand to see and feel what actually excites you. I have a 14 fret Taylor 322 that is just an exceptional instrument, but I always advise folks to personally try out guitars they are unfamiliar with. A primary consideration is exactly what you want to accomplish with a new instrument. It may be that since you come from an electric guitar background you might end up being better served with something like a Fender Acoustisonic Telecaster, Stratocaster, or Jazzmaster. Your options are totally open until you commit to a purchase. |
#25
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Personally, I like the standard 324.
Keep in mind that I don’t care for the GA body specifically due to the evenness of tone. I like more bass. I also don’t care for mahogany topped guitars. I find the tone generally to be a bit “harsh”. And I’ve never cared for Elixirs. For me, I am not capable of getting the sound I like out of them. Yet with all those things I don’t like, I fell in love with the tone and playability of a standard, V-braced 324ce. If my pockets weren’t so light, I’d have brought it home. As you can see below, I have a strong preference for dreads and jumbos. It may have been the particular 324 I picked up. But it had all the qualities of a good dread.
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A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics, A house full of people that “get” me. Alvarez 5013 Alvarez MD70CE Alvarez PD85S Alvarez AJ60SC Alvarez ABT610e Alvarez-Yairi GY1 Takamine P3DC Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT Godin Multiac Steel. Journey Instruments OF660 Gibson G45 |
#26
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The expected 'buy the J45 post came early in this thread!
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"I go for a lotta things that's a little too strong" J.L. Hooker |
#27
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Not all guitars are the same. Buy a guitar that you have played and liked everything about it, not one you have to order and think it may be what you want.
If you want to make an expensive mistake buy sight unseen, and while you are at it get a mail order bride. |
#28
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My vote is to go for the Martin 000-15M Streetmaster. If you can wait, then the Taylor 324 is the other good choice. I’m a mahogany guy.
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Martin 00-15M (2019) Yamaha FS5 Red Label (2019) Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst (2018) Taylor GS Mini Koa (2017) Martin LX1 (2009) |
#29
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Quote:
Whoa whoa whoa. The man said “expensive” mistake, not “permanently financially crippling” mistake. What’s next—recommending a boat? |
#30
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Quote:
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