Took the 717 for its first official spin...

[Shades of Blue]

I don’t play out very much these days, so when I do it is usually either a special occasion or I signed up for something crazy. In this case, I was playing with my daughter’s violin class at their recital...well, rehearsal for the recital on Sunday. Here’s how little I play out...it’s been almost excruciating trying to decide on whether to play the 717 or 517. I like both, but the 717 won out simply because it seems to be a hair louder and I am unamplified.

The short of it is that it sounded really, really good. Before everyone got there, I was playing in the church sanctuary and man, it just sounded full and balanced. The room was just echoing the sweet sound of rosewood and spruce.

There were 12 students and the teacher all playing violin. We played 2 fiddle tunes and “Angels We Have Heard on High.” The kids did great, and I was more nervous than them because I just don’t play that much in front of people. I only messed up a few....well, several times, but I’ll tighten up before Sunday.

I only have 2 complaints, but I have a feeling neither is a big deal. The first complaint is that the guitar is incredibly neck heavy. There isn’t really any getting around not holding the neck at all times. Not a huge deal, just something I noticed. Second, the guitar sounded more trebly than I expected when the entire group was playing. My first thought was, well, here is that Taylor bright thinness that I haven’t heard in this guitar yet. I thought that if I had a Martin maybe it would sound fatter and more full. I have to admit, its the first time since I got it in August that I didn’t love the sound.

But, then it hit me that the guitar was doing its job. It was cutting through and I could be heard over 13 violins. I just wonder if I had a Martin if I would have been muffled sounding. No clue, but then I heard the recording my wife made. Wow...it really does sound great!

[Wade Hampton]

Bear in mind that what you heard when you were playing with those violinists was, in part, affected by the room and also the other instruments being played at the same time. What you heard when you were playing it in the room by yourself before the program started is probably a more accurate representation of its sound.


whm

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Bear in mind that what you heard when you were playing with those violinists was, in part, affected by the room and also the other instruments being played at the same time. What you heard when you were playing it in the room by yourself before the program started is probably a more accurate representation of its sound.


whm

Good point. I enjoyed being able to hear myself and not be lost in the mix. Figured that it was the frequencies that were needed to project and be heard. It was a good evening overall!

[jklotz]

Glad you were able to get that thing out into the daylight to be heard. That's what they were made for!

As for the neck dive: I bought a strap branded as "right on" that is faux suede lined. I'm sure there are other brands with similar construction. It really helps a lot. Before that, I was using a walker williams slick leather lined strap, and if I took my hands off the guitar, neck went straight to the floor. Maybe that will help?

[The Growler]

Originally Posted by jklotz

Glad you were able to get that thing out into the daylight to be heard. That's what they were made for!

As for the neck dive: I bought a strap branded as "right on" that is faux suede lined. I'm sure there are other brands with similar construction. It really helps a lot. Before that, I was using a walker williams slick leather lined strap, and if I took my hands off the guitar, neck went straight to the floor. Maybe that will help?

Suede straps do really help keep an acoustic from sliding around. Great suggestion.

[Fred]

Good acoustic properties in room can make a noticeable difference in a guitars tone.

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by The Growler

Suede straps do really help keep an acoustic from sliding around. Great suggestion.

I’ll get one!

[Mike Mandel]

I love my 717, and find it heavy as well when strapped up. The plastic buckle on the strap was digging in and causing me neck pain so I replaced with a soft suede strap without buckle and that solved the issue.

On a side note, I find this guitar more fascinating the more I play it. The tone and clarity is so balanced that there is sometimes "no place to hide" if you know what I mean, and I have to be more exact when playing it. Its actually starting to make me a better player.
It's sustain can be amazing, almost like it was plugged in.

[weshunter]

Originally Posted by Mike Mandel

On a side note, I find this guitar more fascinating the more I play it. The tone and clarity is so balanced that there is sometimes "no place to hide" if you know what I mean, and I have to be more exact when playing it. Its actually starting to make me a better player.
It's sustain can be amazing, almost like it was plugged in.

I concur 100% on both counts. They are really cool guitars. You can fill up a room with sound. I just love it. I’m about to try some Santa Cruz mid tension strings on mine.

[TDavis]

Yep, Shades...

The first two things that bugged me about the 517/717's when I tried them out was the chunky neck carve (I have small hands) and the neck heaviness. I played it sitting down, and when I took my hands off the neck the dang thing almost fell off my lap!

I personally love the sound...but not the other stuff.

[lowrider]

''the guitar sounded more trebly than I expected when the entire group was playing. My first thought was, well, here is that Taylor bright thinness that I haven’t heard in this guitar yet. I thought that if I had a Martin maybe it would sound fatter and more full. I have to admit, its the first time since I got it in August that I didn’t love the sound.

Glad to see that I'm not the only one with ''guitar insecurity''!

You don't specifically need a suede strap. I use single layer leather straps and they all have a rough back side that keeps the guitar in place. I don't like it but maybe you could try connecting the strap at the headstock.

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by lowrider

''the guitar sounded more trebly than I expected when the entire group was playing. My first thought was, well, here is that Taylor bright thinness that I haven’t heard in this guitar yet. I thought that if I had a Martin maybe it would sound fatter and more full. I have to admit, its the first time since I got it in August that I didn’t love the sound.

Glad to see that I'm not the only one with ''guitar insecurity''!

You don't specifically need a suede strap. I use single layer leather straps and they all have a rough back side that keeps the guitar in place. I don't like it but maybe you could try connecting the strap at the headstock.

Well, the great thing is that her violin teacher thought that it sounded (and I quote) "full and broad." I'm pretty sure it did on the other side of the sound hole. I had no issues hearing myself, even with 13 other instruments.

The actual recital happened yesterday and the sound was similar, but better when more people in the room. The kids did awesome, and all together it sounded great. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed getting to play with the kids.

I think that my days of wanting to play lead electric guitar for a band (praise band at church or otherwise) are over. I think I'm ready to move on from electric and just become an acoustic player for times like this with other folk instruments. I loved that I didn't have to have an amp and pedals and worry about volume. I just strummed away and enjoyed the moment.

Great day.

[RP]

Originally Posted by lowrider

...I use single layer leather straps and they all have a rough back side that keeps the guitar in place...

My strap of choice and the best $15 you'll spend on your guitar https://www.ebay.com/itm/Levys-M12-B...UAAOSwRcZb-ZQB ..........

[lowrider]

''I think that my days of wanting to play lead electric guitar for a band (praise band at church or otherwise) are over. I think I'm ready to move on from electric and just become an acoustic player for times like this with other folk instruments. I loved that I didn't have to have an amp and pedals and worry about volume. I just strummed away and enjoyed the moment.''

It looks like you had a great time!

And I know that your guitar sounded great!!

[btaylor]

Originally Posted by RP

My strap of choice and the best $15 you'll spend on your guitar https://www.ebay.com/itm/Levys-M12-B...UAAOSwRcZb-ZQB ..........

This is exactly what I have for my 717 and it works great. I might add a pad to the strap, but I really haven't had a big need for it. Most of the time, I play during a 15-20 minute set at church. I have played longer sets for other events for as long as 45 minutes at once, but that is very rare. I didn't have any discomfort after the longer sets either. Great strap and it's not too thick for the button on the back where the neck is. My thicker Levy's strap is great, but the leather is too thick and it isn't as secure.