Howdy! 1st post, Help me find my 1st Dread! (2-3000)

[J Loe]

And a good hello to all the people on AGF!
Sorry for the length of this.

I play on the couch, I’ve no interest in gigging.
I play finger style in the MJH/Fahey vein, recently learning Blaze Foley and TVZ
Yesterday I finally Worked out Vastopol by Elizabeth Cotten
Which is probably my favorite song outside of mother maybelle’s work.

I don’t mess with the pick much and bluegrass is down the list in priority.
Tho I will learn and enjoy a police or zeppelin song now and then.

I’ve got a 1937 Gibson L-00 (not a reissue, growly, beautiful)
and a 1926 Martin 0-28 (astounding guitar, heavenly top and mids, bar frets are great)
They’re both fantastic player grade guitars

I’ve been looking at a deeply resonant chest shaker of a dread to fill out the collection.
And I think the rosewood mid scoop will probably be the back/ sides material I’ll go with.

I’ve been looking into Guild guitars and am leaning that way,
A newer D-55 or possibly an older Maple Jumbo are top of the list right now.
I’m pretty confused when it comes to guilds output but seems like the Ren Ferguson years are a safe bet.

I’m also interested in the Advanced Jumbo reissues but in my search for a Gibson 00 I played a lot of newer reissues that don’t hold a candle to the original and the goopy finish on the back of the necks was an issue.

The Square shoulder Epiphone Frontier and Gibson Hummingbirds are on the list as well.

And of course Gruhn’s Sinker dreads are interesting, tho out of my price range as are the Authentic Aged D-28’s

I’ve even toyed with the idea of a Taylor 326e 8string.

I thank you for your input and advice.

J Loe.

[Godfather]

Hello and welcome to the AGF! Lots of great, respectful folks here.

I saw this in the classifieds...maybe something you are interested in.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=599232

No affiliation with the seller, just thought I'd pass it on.
Good luck in your quest.

[J Loe]

Thanks for the reply sir!

I saw that 30seconds after I posted!

I’ll definitely kick the idea around.

[Br1ck]

Until you mentioned Guild, I was going to suggest an OM or a 000, but Guilds are balanced, it's the Guild tone and why their 12 strings work so well. All eras of D 55s are good guitars. If you wish to dodge the older guitar minefield, New Hartford or Oxnard, are good bets. I do believe a sunburst D 55 to be one of the best looking of all guitars. People like their Tacoma built D 55s and even those from the Fender years. Good hunting.

[pickinray]

Originally Posted by J Loe

I’ve been looking at a deeply resonant chest shaker of a dread to fill out the collection.
And I think the rosewood mid scoop will probably be the back/ sides material I’ll go with.

Welcome to AGF. How about a Martin HD-28?

[J Loe]

I thank you both for your help.

Since I’ve got a single and double 0 I thought I’d skip the triple and go right on up to a full dread.

Go big or go home being the idea.

I haven’t been blown away by the hd-28s that I’ve played. Beautiful, workable guitars with good mids and highs but seem like they aren’t the piano tone that I’ve heard on this one guild f-47 bluegrass that I should’ve snagged.
Tho I love a volute.

The Gruhn d-21 series he did a few years ago was tempting but more than I want to pay.

[zoopeda]

HD-28VS (12-fret) or D-28 Marquis (both would have to be used) are your bone shaker Martin dreadnoughts in that rough price range. Another option might be a newer D-35.

Also, did you play a newer HD-28 (2018+)? Those have forward shifted bracing which does big things for sound. You may just need to play a few to find the one that sings to you.

And don’t underestimate the new Gibson Historic series; they are a major step up...especially the J-45 Banner and AJ (although a steeper price point).

[J Loe]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

HD-28VS (12-fret) or D-28 Marquis (both would have to be used) are your bone shaker Martin dreadnoughts in that rough price range. Also, don’t underestimate the new Gibson Historic series; they are a major step up...especially the J-45 Banner and AJ (although a steeper price point).

Thank you man.

I think I’m moving away from martins in my heart for some reason.
I think they’re better on the mids and high than I’m looking for now
Which is why the guilds appealed to me.
Those thing Fill a room with deep bass.

I’ve had a decent session with an authentic d-18 and a d-28 both new and aged and was floored at 1st but when I went back a week later wasn’t.
It’s hard to imagine the authentic series being worse than the ge marquis on offer.

When you say new historic series, what years am I looking for?

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Welcome J. That is a very well thought out 1st post. You'll get plenty of suggestions for sure. Where are you located? Are you in an area that affords you the opportunity to go out and try some?

[J Loe]

Thanks man!

I’m in Milwaukee and thus am close to a couple of good hunting areas.
It’s not Nashville or LA but,

ChicagoLand has great guitars to be sure
but also

Wade’s in Milwaukee is great and I love that guy.

Rockhaus is run by rusty and he’s a really great man.
Good source for drums and electrics.

Dave’s in Milwaukee and Madison is quality and the Madison shop is really strong for acoustics.

Paramount Guitars in Watertown is worth checking out no matter where you are as he only specializes in low run boutique manufacturers

There’s more but COVID has made it weird.

No one seems to get much in the way of high end Guilds or Gibson Montana

[MickZ]

Try a J45. Some of the new ones out of Boseman are really good.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Ok, so you're not in the middle of nowhere. Do yourself a favor. If anywhere in your travels you see an Eastman guitar, give it a spin. They're not for everyone but most here think they are a silly good value and you might surprise yourself.

[J Loe]

I believe I have tried one at cream city music, at the time I was only looking for parlor and 00 sized so it might be worth having another try.

I don’t remember the Eastman I played too well, might not have been that memorable?

The search continues!

[J Loe]

Originally Posted by MickZ

Try a J45. Some of the new ones out of Boseman are really good.

I think I tried a few out over the years but I’ll see if there’s any good ones around.

Be nice to find a historic.
What are the best years for j-45’s?
Also the epiphone Texan is the direct equivalent I believe?

[tippy5]

If you want a Bluegrass dread there's one at the top of your budget on Mandolin. A big sound hole H&D that just looks loud.

And there's a nice Guild with a lyric PU in our classifieds. I would love to spring for this because I am once again intrigued with an over 25.5" scale length (for tunings and added spark).

If you prefer easier to play dreads then try a Short scale D 18 or a great J-45.

I like your budget. That is plenty get a fabulous dread.

ENJOY!