New Guitar for myself as gift, Budget: MAX $1800

[kendallhadden]

Originally Posted by dk3919

I've heard amazing things about K&K Pickups, I believe Andy Mckee uses one! (And I'm sure MANY other prominent guitarists).

But their site is a bit ... dense in the terminology and I don't quite know the differences between the pickups. Can you explain why you recommend the K&K Pure Mini as opposed to any of the other pickups that K&K sell?

Thank you for your quick response!

The K&K PWM and Western are very minimal pickups as far as stuff inside the guitar. No batteries or preamps and such. The PWM is recommended over the western because the western is said to get boomy in many guitars. The PWM is more guitar-like in sound. If you prefer a preamp/battery inside your guitar, then K&K offers that with some of the packages. If you want to add dual source, K&K offers that too, either with the preamp built in or using an external preamp.

I personally prefer the K&K PWM with an external preamp such as either the K&K Pure XLR or Red Eye. You can't go wrong with either.

Good luck!
kwh

[billder99]

I am slobbering over this strumming monster: http://www.eastmanguitars.com/aj816ce/

Street price around $1,500... Fishman electonics included, hand voiced, hand carved arched back, adirondak & maple jumbo, Gotoh Gold tuners. In my opinion the equal of any maple jumbo, MJ, or 000 out there.

[Red_Label]

Take a look at the new Breedlove Oregon series. I was at my local dealer last week (to pick up my new Breedlove Voice CM) and he handed me one of the smaller-bodied Oregon models (C20). I was instantly smitten. Very clear, articulate and snappy -- because it's got a spruce top and myrtlewood back and sides. But still warm and a pleasure to play both flat-picked and finger-picked. I believe that the price was around $1500. Were I not already buying the higher-end Voice CM, I would have probably grabbed that C20. The Fishman Ultra-tone pickup system sounded great as well.

I've got four Breedloves now and love them all. The pickup systems installed in them run from the Baggs Element, to the Baggs Dual-Source, to the Baggs Anthem and as far as the Baggs systems go... I find them all to be very similar and very natural sounding.

Btw... I've now got a Breedlove KO VTG mandolin on the way as well. You could say I'm a fan of Breedlove instruments!

[edman]

I will not recommned a Taylor considering that you said you are tired of the Taylor sound.

I would look at Martin, Larrivee and Breedlove in your price range - new and used.

[rwskaggs]

I've got one for sale here that's been used precisely as you've described; strumming/backup for a young worship leader and playing fingerstyle in quieter periods. The maple Larrivee sounds great amplified with the JJB equivalent of the K&K Pure Mini...and I used a Red-Eye external preamp for a wonderfully clear sound.

See it here, and don't hesitate to fire off any questions: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=279482

[JohnnyDes]

Surprised nobody has mentioned the Martin performing artist series. Martins meant to be plugged in.

GPCPA1
GPCPA3
etc.

I don't know much about them other than having played a few unplugged at Guitar Center, but I've read a lot of good things about the Aura system.

JD

[Saguache]

Check out Paul in Lowell, He makes great vintage sound guitars.

http://www.fox-guitars.com/Home_Page.php

[J-F C]

Have you tried some Guilds ?

http://www.guildguitars.com/instrume...tno=3855400837
http://www.guildguitars.com/instrume...tno=3855406821

http://www.guildguitars.com/instrume...tno=3855300821
http://www.guildguitars.com/instrume...tno=3855306821

http://www.guildguitars.com/instrume...tno=3855506821

[Matt McGriff]

As a fellow worship player, nice to have you on AGF! First off, please don't base a decision on whether or not to try another Taylor (300 and above) based on the plugged in sound of your 114. Remember the 114 has the ES Blue or ES-T in it, which is only an under saddle pickup and is absolutely unlike the full ES system with body sensors, etc. Much higher quality sound. Plus, a solid wood Taylor will be a much different guitar than the 114.

If you like that auditorium body shape and like Larrivee, look at an LV-03, which is available with or without electronics. They also currently have a limited model with some nice inlays. Beautiful. Really a nice guitar. Easily in your range.

Or look at the Martin GPCPA3 or 4. Nice, solid wood guitars and with Fishman Aura electronics (different levels of complexity in the Aura based on the model).

Right now I use a Rainsong studio series dreadnought with a Fishman barn door UST system installed that I run through an Aura 16 pedal. It sounds phenomenal. And I paid well under your $1800 budget for that setup. It sounds great and the guitar withstands the elements of playing out live without any problems.

[ColForbin]

Get a D-28.

[PorkPieGuy]

Martin 000-15m

You can thank me later.

[steamfurnace]

Originally Posted by JohnnyDes

Surprised nobody has mentioned the Martin performing artist series. Martins meant to be plugged in.

GPCPA1
GPCPA3
etc.

JD

I agree. If you are tired of the "Taylor sound," as you mention in the original post, check out the Performing Artist series. I have been gigging with the GPCPA1 for two years now, and have no complaints, other than the fact that it sucks batteries dry pretty quickly.

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by clicktone

A used rosewood "Webber Roundbody" ...

A used Webber (Roundbody or OM - rosewood or mahogany) would be my choice.

[BobbyBadd]

Check out my Martin HD-28 I just listed yesterday in the classifieds. It has a
great pickup system, Fishman Ellipse Matrix, where you blend the internal mic and under saddle pickup. Besides that, it sounds and plays great acoustically.

[downtime]

If you are no longer enamored with the Taylor sound, for a great strummer and fingerpicker I'd look at a used J-45 or the new Martin OM-21
Both great guitars.