Acoustic Guitar for live? - Page 3

Methos1979 · #31 07-16-2021, 07:43 AM

A used Level 1 Cole Clark. In your price range. Best sounding plugged in acoustic guitars I've ever owned. Takamine and Maton are your other choices for outstanding plugged in sound.

rtass19 · #32 07-16-2021, 09:00 AM

I think it's important to get a guitar that you like the sound of even if nobody else pays attention. If I am not hearing a sound from my guitar that I like it will distract me.

JackB1 · #33 07-16-2021, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methos1979

A used Level 1 Cole Clark. In your price range. Best sounding plugged in acoustic guitars I've ever owned. Takamine and Maton are your other choices for outstanding plugged in sound.

The level 1 Coles don't have the wonderful 3 way system though.

YamahaGuy · #34 07-16-2021, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackB1

The level 1 Coles don't have the wonderful 3 way system though.

The newer ones do. I'm the proud owner on an FL1 which does indeed have the 3 way pickup system in it.

Methos1979 · #35 07-16-2021, 11:16 AM

Level 1 Cole Clarks after December 2017 have the exact same 3-way pickup system as their Level 2 & 3 models.

jpino · #36 07-16-2021, 11:44 AM

No love for Ovation here AGF??? They were part of starting the game too, with those proprietary pickups. Sure it is not the “my guitar but louder” 2021 tech, but it is a really nice electric and the signal is hot, cutting through the mix. Onboard EQ...etc. It is no wonder why entertainers have been using them for ages.

JackB1 · #37 07-16-2021, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Level 1 Cole Clarks after December 2017 have the exact same 3-way pickup system as their Level 2 & 3 models.

Good to know!

Stomp · #38 07-16-2021, 02:17 PM

If it's a band mix with electric guitar, bass & drums, an acoustic with any kind of pickup can often be drowned out at some stage of the volume wars.

I have a Gibson Chet Atkins CEC, a solid body nylon strung guitar which can be turned up until the drummer's ears bleed with no feedback at any time.
Because it's solid, the action is very good all the way up the neck and stays that way.
It even has individual volume control for each string.

They don't make them any more but the Gibson Chet Atkins series includes 6 string nylon conventional classical width neck (CEC), narrower neck (CE) and 6 and 12 steel string models (SST).
Worth considering if you're in a loud band and want to be heard.

Methos1979 · #39 07-16-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpino

No love for Ovation here AGF??? They were part of starting the game too, with those proprietary pickups. Sure it is not the “my guitar but louder” 2021 tech, but it is a really nice electric and the signal is hot, cutting through the mix. Onboard EQ...etc. It is no wonder why entertainers have been using them for ages.

If Ovations where still being made they would likely definitely get grouped into the 'best live guitars' category but since they sputtered out they don't get a lot of mention when people are looking since guitars in good shape are hard to find. Now that they are back they don't seem to have as big a following, likely due to competition. That and for many, that 'plastic bowl' back is an issue.

Chriscom · #40 07-16-2021, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methos1979

If Ovations where still being made they would likely definitely get grouped into the 'best live guitars' category but since they sputtered out they don't get a lot of mention when people are looking since guitars in good shape are hard to find. Now that they are back they don't seem to have as big a following, likely due to competition. That and for many, that 'plastic bowl' back is an issue.

They certainly are less popular than they used to be, when they were the best mass-produced option by far for live performance. I still see them in the wild from time to time. I didn't follow Ovation's corporate history, but the newer Ovations, both with thinner bodies and much improved backs, are considerably more comfortable than in the old days. I used an Ovation as my bar guitar in the 90s. I still have it and while I don't play it often, I really like its distinctive, controlled acoustic tone. That deep bowl though!

Rudy4 · #41 07-17-2021, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriscom

They certainly are less popular than they used to be, when they were the best mass-produced option by far for live performance. I still see them in the wild from time to time. I didn't follow Ovation's corporate history, but the newer Ovations, both with thinner bodies and much improved backs, are considerably more comfortable than in the old days. I used an Ovation as my bar guitar in the 90s. I still have it and while I don't play it often, I really like its distinctive, controlled acoustic tone. That deep bowl though!

Ovations have a small following here on AGF. I purchased a Ovation Balladeer as my first new guitar (a LOT of years ago...) and moved on to more traditional guitars a few years later.

I have never regretted no longer owning or playing one.

It looks like they make the bowl in different depths from super-shallow to deep from looking at Sweetwater's inventory of new instruments.

Chriscom · #42 07-17-2021, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy4

It looks like they make the bowl in different depths from super-shallow to deep from looking at Sweetwater's inventory of new instruments.

They do. In some higher-spec'd models, they also have a contoured back that makes them particularly comfortable.

I'd consider looking at one if I needed something new for playing out. If a guitarist is looking for pure my-wood-guitar-but-louder amplification, it's the wrong choice.

Br1ck · #43 07-17-2021, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methos1979

A used Level 1 Cole Clark. In your price range. Best sounding plugged in acoustic guitars I've ever owned. Takamine and Maton are your other choices for outstanding plugged in sound.

I have a friend with a Cole Clark, a nice one with a three way system. Best stock mfg built pickups I've heard. It's just ok acoustically, but plug it in and you can play any situation with a blend of UST, SBT, and mic.

This is where the Anthem and the ES2 shine. Buy the time you are that loud, a UST becomes an asset, or a magnetic with a mic in it. Solo, not so much. If I needed a gig instrument, it would be a Cole Clark.

southbeck · #44 07-19-2021, 03:50 AM

I would look into the new Yamaha fgx series with the atmosfeel pickup. As plug and play as it gets. Just finished nine gigs with mine and it has performed flawlessly.

gerryc123 · #45 07-20-2021, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadol

Gerry - I’ve installed both .......

If you don’t want to try it, email James, he’s getting more and more shops onto his list of installers, and he might know someone near you.

Good luck! Tad

Hi Tad, Sorry just seeing this now. I will do just that. I was wondering if there was a way to upgrade my pure mini while still being able to use the "ring" of my endpin jack for my K&K microphone. I have the K&K trinity system, nut just want to upgrade the K&K pickup to the Ultra Tonic

Thanks Tad Cheers
Gerry C