I need recommendations for a guitar - Page 2

Arthur Slowhand · #16 12-05-2019, 09:50 AM

How about a Gibson G-45 Standard? Really nice guitar, but new... did I miss the bit where you mentioned a budget?

sfla · #17 12-05-2019, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac

Arrange a trip to Lowden, Avalon and McIlroy guitars to try out their offerings. If nothing they have floats your boat (or fits your budget) then at least you'll know that you have tried some exceptional instruments that you can judge others against.

I've owned a S12 from the old Lowden factory and I sold it quite soon after.. I just wasn't a fan.

I've also tried some f35s and f50s, they were beautiful.
I haven't tried Avalon or Mcilroy

warfrat73 · #18 12-05-2019, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Slowhand

did I miss the bit where you mentioned a budget?

I don't think so, I was wondering that too. High end means very different things to different folks.

bufflehead · #19 12-05-2019, 10:37 AM

You say you want a small-bodied guitar, but then you say you want something larger than an 000. That's a head-scratcher. I would not call anything larger than an 000 a small-bodied guitar.

An OM is basically the size of an 000, but has a longer scale and wider neck, which doesn't seem to suit you.

Something along the lines of a Martin 000-15m might be worth investigating, although I'm not sure how available used models would be in the UK. It has the 1 11/16" nut width you think you prefer, and it's an instrument that you could "play out" without having to worry too much about your investment. It's a guitar that gets a lot of love here on AGF, including from me.

Guitars44me · #20 12-05-2019, 10:49 AM

You might like the Steve Kinnaird in my signature below...

Mighty fine axe. Plays like a small guitar but sounds BIG.

FORTUNATELY the CITES regs have changed and it now could be shipped abroad.

Also FYI, I find the neck carve and scale length have more to do with the comfort of the instrument then whether it has a 1 11/16 inch nut, versus 1 3/4 .

Best on your search and enjoy the quest!

Play and sing 🎶 and dance every chance you get! And have a Rockin' Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/Solstice/Festivus!

Paul

sfla · #21 12-05-2019, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Slowhand

How about a Gibson G-45 Standard? Really nice guitar, but new... did I miss the bit where you mentioned a budget?

I don't really have a budget.. but I guess lower than €4000 (used), above that nothings really worth it from my little experience..
That J-50 I tried is the only guitar I could almost justify spending 4800 on.. almost.

sfla · #22 12-05-2019, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bufflehead

You say you want a small-bodied guitar, but then you say you want something larger than an 000. That's a head-scratcher. I would not call anything larger than an 000 a small-bodied guitar.

An OM is basically the size of an 000, but has a longer scale and wider neck, which doesn't seem to suit you.

Something along the lines of a Martin 000-15m might be worth investigating, although I'm not sure how available used models would be in the UK. It has the 1 11/16" nut width you think you prefer, and it's an instrument that you could "play out" without having to worry too much about your investment. It's a guitar that gets a lot of love here on AGF, including from me.

Well I was under the assumption that I was after a smaller guitar, but having played a couple I've realised while I like the size, I don't like the sound.
I'm willing to compensate on size if it means I get the sound I want.
Seemingly that sound is from a bigger guitar.

mountainguitar · #23 12-05-2019, 11:01 AM

You will have lots of options. I sent you a private message as well.

Good luck with your search. It will be fun!

beth

bufflehead · #24 12-05-2019, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfla

Well I was under the assumption that I was after a smaller guitar, but having played a couple I've realised while I like the size, I don't like the sound.
I'm willing to compensate on size if it means I get the sound I want.
Seemingly that sound is from a bigger guitar.

Yep. The only thing that truly sounds like a dreadnought is a dreadnought.

hermithollow · #25 12-05-2019, 11:27 AM

You might think about an old Guild dreadnought - they are built like tanks and make good guitars for "playing out" if you you are not the type of person who babies things.
There are a few listings on eBay U.K.

JKA · #26 12-05-2019, 11:32 AM

Buy yourself a Bourgeois OMS 12 fretter and all your problems are solved in one hit.

merlin666 · #27 12-05-2019, 11:35 AM

"High-end" has different meanings for different people, so it would be helpful if you could put a figure/budget on that. For me "high-end" starts at around $5k, and those guitars are definitely appropriate for open mics, jams, gigs in bars etc IMHO.

Joe Beamish · #28 12-05-2019, 11:42 AM

It sounds like you want a guitar that's both high end and durable, big and small, new and used, and loud and quiet.

Just visit a guitar store and start playing lots of guitars!

sfla · #29 12-05-2019, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Beamish

It sounds like you want a guitar that's both high end and durable, big and small, new and used, and loud and quiet.

Just visit a guitar store and start playing lots of guitars!

I want a guitar that isn't vintage (because they tend to be more fragile).
I want a guitar that sounds 'big', I thought I wanted a small bodied guitar, turns out I don't.
I want something that will work with both light strumming (fingers typically) and finger picking.
I'm not a delicate fingerstyle guitarist, but I'm also not a bluegrass player.

I spent all of yesterday in a guitar shop, I went in to look at a pre war Martin, I then tried another pre war martin.. and then somewhere in the mix I tried a 1959 J-50 and it was the best guitar in the store bar none.

Joe Beamish · #30 12-05-2019, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfla

I want a guitar that isn't vintage (because they tend to be more fragile).
I want a guitar that sounds 'big', I thought I wanted a small bodied guitar, turns out I don't.
I want something that will work with both light strumming (fingers typically) and finger picking.
I'm not a delicate fingerstyle guitarist, but I'm also not a bluegrass player.

I spent all of yesterday in a guitar shop, I went in to look at a pre war Martin, I then tried another pre war martin.. and then somewhere in the mix I tried a 1959 J-50 and it was the best guitar in the store bar none.

Cool. There are tons and tons of guitars that could be the one you're looking for! That's always good news!