Lowden vs froggy bottom vs high end taylor vs Webber vs McPherson sable

[prusaw]

Similarities/differences/preferences

Tone/playability/build quality

70% strumming

Pick one (or something else in the 2-4k range)

Thanks ;-)

[Michael Watts]

I'd personally have difficulty picking five more radically contrasting instruments!

Although I would say you're unlikely to find a Froggy Bottom guitar in that price range unless it's secondhand.

And out of the list you've given that would be my choice.

[mercy]

I dont think youre going to buy a Froggy for that. You could squeeze a Lowden in but youre really talking Webber, Sable and Taylor. I would say it depends on the sound you want cause they are of equal build. Lowden is lush, Taylor is the opposite and Webber in between. I dont know about Sables but those kind of guitars sound mechanical to me. YOMV

[musicman1951]

First, please let us know where you shop - as we can't find Lowden and Froggy guitars in the price range you apparently do.

Personally, I would not pay $15,000 for a guitar that was going to be called on for 70% strumming.

There are a lot of Martins and Taylors that would be really fine for that and are readily available used - depending on which way your ear leans.

[Brucebubs]

70% strumming ... new Guild F-55 Maple or used Gibson SJ-200.

[Goodallboy]

Good luck with this one!

[prusaw]

I just listened to a bunch of YouTube guitar comps and reviews. One of my favorite sounding guitars was a collings dread. Also reviews of Sheeran lowdens are very convincing. Sounds like a lowden at a fraction of the price. Looks like they're hard to find, though...

[Shadowfox]

I would also add Furch to the list. A dread or Grand Auditorium probably or a Jumbo.

https://heartbreakerguitars.com/coll...-torrefied-top

[Mycroft]

Really the question is too open-ended. How do you like a guitar to sound? Overtoney or fundamental? Dry or wet? Large or smaller body? Aggressive strumming or with a light touch?

A Webber Small Jumbo is probably a better aggressive strummer than a Froggy A is. That doesn't mean that Webber is "better," as a Froggy Dread would probably be a better aggressive strummer than a Webber 00.

FYI I have a Webber SJ and a Froggy A. Narrow the question...

[Dustinfurlow]

In the end it all comes down to the sound you like.

Unless you've strummed on a Lowden before I wouldn't highly recommend it in most cases, their structure promotes alot of overtones and a more balanced bass that is better-suited to fingerstyle, IMO. Open tuning strumming sounds nice, though.

Taylor is a crisp, modern sounding guitar, so again I can't recommend If you haven't tried.

Webber makes a fine, fundamental sounding guitar that I think would make most any discerning guitarist happy for all styles. The Roundbody model is a Swiss army knife with heaps of versatility.

Froggy Bottoms just do everything well in my opinion (they better, at that price point!)

Can't comment on the Sable, as I've only played nicer McPhersons and was impressed but not enough to ever buy one.

[samcclark]

Elderly Instruments has a 2007 Weber Jumbo cutaway listed for 2K. I've played it, excellent sound, great neck and very playable. My references are a Bashkin, McIlroy and Breedlove Masterclass.
Elderly is very trustworthy and has great service.

[Yrksman]

Originally Posted by prusaw

Similarities/differences/preferences

Tone/playability/build quality

70% strumming

Pick one (or something else in the 2-4k range)

Thanks ;-)

I’d go for a used Collings or Santa Cruz. Numerous models to choose from .

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by prusaw

Similarities/differences/preferences

Tone/playability/build quality

70% strumming

Pick one (or something else in the 2-4k range)

Thanks ;-)

I would suggest a somewhat different strategy. Instead of choosing brand/luthier first, consider first choosing (or at least narrowing down) items such as body shape, neck specs, woods, overall ergonomics given your hands, body size, how you hold the guitar, etc.

For example, for 70% strumming and (I'm guessing) 30% fingerstyle, larger body shapes tend to work for strumming and medium body shapes tend to work for fingerstyle. Does that mean an OM is a good choice? Or a deep bodied OM? How about scale length and neck specs? What works best for you? Do you like the rosewood sound over a mahogany sound? Spruce over cedar? A highly resonant guitar over one that favors fundamental pitches? Etc.

Once you narrow down these choices I suspect that you will find that some brands/luthiers' instruments will fit what you want, but not all of their offerings will do so.

[sayheyjeff]

If you are willing to buy a used guitar, you can find a tremendous number of great guitar in that price range. All of my flat ops were in that range when I bought them. All were purchased used. Love what I have. In terms of build quality and playability, there is relatively little difference between them and they all are above a very high bar on those counts. I have seen all of my guitars characterized as finger style guitars, however, I mostly flatpick with a little Finger style as I learn. That leaves sound and feel to you. Pick any of those you are considering and you will have a fine guitar. First one may or may not hit your “sweet spot” but if you get a nice used one, you can sell or trade it without a great cost. That is my approach and it has worked out great for me.

Jeff

[prusaw]

I posted another thread about what I've had/liked that might be more specific than this one and answer a few of these posts...