What $2500 buys you

[musicman1951]

How much of a surprise is it that the Avalon sounded so much better than the Seagull?

But I think the significant thing here is that you can make beautiful music with a $400 guitar. And I suspect that for many people, without the beautiful sound of the Avalon for comparison, that Seagull would be very satisfying.

While I am absolutely in love with beautiful sound, what you play - and the way you play it - is more important.

[Dru Edwards]

Barry, great thread! As mentioned, both guitars sounded great. The 2nd clip (Avalon) did have that lush tone which I preferred on the recording.

I think you're fortunate to have such a great sounding $400 guitar!

[rmp]

I guess for some, it's "audible" I picked #2.. "phew!"

[macmanmatty]

based on your recording I'd say 2500 doesn't buy you very much improvement. They both sounded good. Not great but good. The playing was superb however, but the recording was just good. That have been the recording method / mic used though.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by macmanmatty

based on your recording I'd say 2500 doesn't buy you very much improvement. They both sounded good. Not great but good. The playing was superb however, but the recording was just good. That have been the recording method / mic used though.

Thanks. My use of "noise removal" during my eq process needs a heavy review.

[lt20dbl]

I don't buy an expensive guitar to impress my friends. I buy it because it makes me happier to play it. I know stuff and it does things. The end result is worth it.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by TBman

One of these guitars was $400 new (with hsc, lol), the other $2,500 more. It's pretty obvious which is which, but would your SO or non-playing friends notice?

It doesn't matter whether non-playing friends would notice anything. A player should play the guitar that inspires him/her.

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by jim1960

It doesn't matter whether non-playing friends would notice anything. A player should play the guitar that inspires him/her.

Just so long as the player is REALLY buying the guitar to inspire themselves, rather than impress others.


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[KevinH]

An interesting thread. Many of the comments, and even the title, hint at a relationship, or maybe just the expectation of one between cost and tonal quality. I liked the 2nd recording best - to my ear it had more sustain and was lush at the high end. But I wonder how much of that is just due to the Avalon being Sitka/RW vs cedar/cherry on the Seagull.

Originally Posted by TBman

Guitar #1 is my Seagull Coastline Folk. It was about $400 new, but it came with a hard shell case. It has a solid cedar top over laminate cherry back and sides. The guitar is 14 years old this September.

Guitar #2 is an Avalon L2-320C which is sitka spruce over rosewood. (all solid woods). It was built late 2016.