Silent Acoustic for husband

MrsHiggo · #1 10-23-2015, 02:25 PM

Hey brains trust!
I'm after a bit of help please, I'm wanting to get my husband a Christmas present and I've heard of silent guitars. We have young kids and a small house, so he doesn't strum as much as he used to and he uses lack of practice as his excuse for not playing his original music at his gigs. So I'm thinking a silent guitar would be perfect, but I don't know which one to get, my husband plays a Cole Clark Fat Lady with metal string (if that makes any difference?).
Does anyone have any advice please?

fazool · #2 10-23-2015, 02:32 PM

google "Yamaha silent guitar" and "Aria Sinsonido"

http://www.guitarsite.com/silent-guitar/

tonyo · #3 10-23-2015, 02:37 PM

Yamaha makes a silent acoustic with steel strings. It's very quiet and comes with battery powered built in electronics that means he can put on headphones and hear what he's playing.

http://au.yamaha.com/en/products/mus...silentguitars/

Bingoccc · #4 10-23-2015, 02:41 PM

When I need to play quiet, I use my Gretsch Electromatic unplugged. It's a hollowbody electric guitar.

TBman · #5 10-23-2015, 05:19 PM

I don't have one, but I've been eyeing ones like this:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...gn=ActiveMinus

state-it · #6 10-23-2015, 05:41 PM

You are a fantastic wife. Well done!

The main consideration for playability for me for a guitar out of the blue would be it's nut width and neck profile.

The Cole Clark Fat Ladies have a neck width (at nut) of 1.73", which some consider quite quite wide (I don't).

So it would be a matter of finding a guitar as near to that size at the nut, and of a similar feel on the neck.

The Yamaha Silent Guitars have a slightly narrower nut width, but also quite a skinny neck profile, which I don't personally get on with. You husband might...

Yamaha guitars are quite common and he may well have played one at some time. Is there any way you can drop into conversation if he gets on with playing Yamahas?

I can't comment on the Aria suggested above.

Good luck !

Dadzmad · #7 10-23-2015, 06:47 PM

When winter drives me out of the garage and into the house I use an solid body electric guitar plugged into an Electro-Harmonix headphone amp that is run to a stereo system. This can be turned down real low and still sounds good. I know it's crazy but this system is less obtrusive than any acoustic guitars that I have. She who watches Dancing with the Stars and the Bachelor has not complained yet.

Most likely not a solution for you - but I thought I might share what has worked for me

cotten · #8 10-23-2015, 07:14 PM

MrsHiggo, a LOT of husbands here are going to appreciate your thoughtful gift! Glad you've come here to ask for advice. You've already received some great suggestions. I have one more, assuming he already plays: don't buy it for him without his help. That's because we guitarists tend to have some very specific preferences when it comes to our instruments, and what fits one guitarist perfectly the next one will hate. So rather than surprising him with a guitar of your choosing, surprise him with a card that you and/or the kids made, one that includes a sweet note about a trip to his favorite guitar dealer to pick out his choice of a silent guitar. Put an "up to $_____" limit on it if you need to. I've suggested this approach to several people over the years, and it has always seemed to work out well.

cotten

MrsHiggo · #9 10-24-2015, 03:48 AM

Thanks for all of your suggestions guys (and possibly gals?)!

Kerbie · #10 10-24-2015, 05:10 AM

As mentioned, Yamaha does make a "Silent Guitar" in both steel strings and nylon. I played the steel version for years as a travel guitar and I loved it. It's an excellent guitar for the money and it even sounds nice when plugged in. The headphones allow him to hear his playing without bothering everyone else in the house. It does have a slightly narrower neck than most, but I loved it… it was perfect for me! And the neck is slick and easy to play… a lovely fretboard!

lolliot · #11 10-24-2015, 06:34 AM

I don't have any suggestions to add, just wanted to say that I'm certain your husband will be overjoyed by this. All men will count themselves lucky to have found a wife that supports his hobbies and avenues of self expression!

ukejon · #12 10-24-2015, 07:15 AM

Such a nice gesture. By the way, when I first saw the post I thought it said "Silent Husband for Acoustic."

lizzard · #13 10-24-2015, 07:19 AM

I would look for a modeling guitar. Its an electric solid body that has built in processing that lets one emulate the sound of various guitars into a headset. No sound in itself is "spot-on" but the variety might contribute to artistic inspiration.

I always just played my electric uplugged.

Good luck and a lovely gesture on your part.

Chris

polarred21 · #14 10-24-2015, 08:39 AM

I guess since it is a gift you gesture, a silent guitar may be a nice idea. I personally use my electric with headphones when I need to be quiet.

One thing to consider is that the feel of a guitar to the player can be very personal and something that takes time to pick out the feel before satisfied. I am just saying this to think about you will be giving him something he will be obligated to play whether it is preferable or not.

Best of luck in your endeavor.

Inyo · #15 10-24-2015, 08:50 AM

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