|
|
#46
11-11-2019, 03:26 PM
|
|||
|
|||
Some of my dreadnoughts sound better for this purpose than others, but two of them are really satisfying in this regard.
So, yes, absolutely you can do it, but you might find some dreadnoughts work better than others. 
|
|
#47
11-11-2019, 04:35 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Classical guitars have massive bass response and are designed for finger picking/plucking. Nylon string crossover guitars can have almost as much bass as classical guitars if you prefer a narrower neck. Another advantage is that they are smaller than dreads if you are used to OM size guitars.
|
|
#48
11-11-2019, 05:24 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Couple more ideas
When I used to fingerpick a dreadnought in seated position, I always used a strap because the guitar tended to slip off more easily, but with the strap it was OK.
Whenever I pick up the Dreadnaught to play something, I'm usually standing with the strap - just seems more natural. Also, I suspect it's more awkward to play the larger body size if you're using the left leg for guitar support - classical position. I do believe classical finger style guitarists use that position for a reason. Another item to consider is string spacing at the nut and saddle. My dread is closer together. It can work for finger style, but I prefer a bit wider. I do like the fuller bass notes of a dread, but by using 13-56 strings on an OM with scalloped 5/16" X bracing, and striking the strings closer to the bridge, you actually can get close. But as has been said, lots of people play finger style on a dread.
__________________
Martin OM-18 Authentic 1933 VTS (2016)
|
|
#49
11-11-2019, 05:34 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
When I was first fingerpicking, the shops near me only had dreads...which were better than the Tele! It can be done on all these.... but you need to adjust your style and sometimes go a bit weird.
 But fingerpicking is better with more real estate, like Arthur in the previous post has an OM18A in his footer....1 3/4" nut - 2 3/8" bridge space. Absolutely ideal for clean fingerpicking! The Waterloo WL-14 X and L have similar space. But you, once you have learned and have a few years under your belt, you can adapt to anything. Or you can look for a custom dread with more room. BluesKing777.
|
|
#50
11-11-2019, 08:15 PM
|
||||
|
||||
Doc Watson and Merle Travis seemed to manage that OK
|
|
#51
11-12-2019, 12:05 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
My experience is it depends on the individual dread. I've two dreads and two slopes at the moment. They all finger pick pretty well: a couple better than the other two.
My two OMs (without thumb or finger picks) are substantially better when played finger style.
|
|
#52
11-12-2019, 12:16 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I've found that I like fingerpicking best on Gibson short scale dreads with medium strings. I have a J35 collectors edition that I use Martin Retro mediums on and a J45 Maple that I use Martin Marquis mediums on.
|
|
#53
11-12-2019, 12:32 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
|
#55
11-12-2019, 05:32 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Fingerpicking a 12-fret dread is one of life's true joys
I say go for it OP, I'd favour the D18 out of the guitars you mentioned All the best M
__________________
www.michaelwattsguitar.com Album Recording Diary Skype Lessons Luthier Stories YouTube iTunes Guitars by Jason Kostal, Strings by Elixir, Gefell Mics and a nail buffer.
|
|
#56
11-12-2019, 08:36 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
|
|
#57
11-12-2019, 10:04 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I mainly play dreads (D18GE, Dove, J45, AJ, Hummingbird 12) and fingerpick all of them with bare fingers or a hybrid of flesh/nails. All of them sound distinct from one another but very good.
The received wisdom of course is that fingerpicking a 17" Jumbo is a terrible idea, but possibly my favourite fingerpicker of all of my guitars is my SJ200. So loud, bold and dynamic...huge bass and a really snappy, defined treble. Worked just fine for Townes Van Zandt too, although he used fingerpicks of course.
__________________
'67 Gibson J45 (K&K) ‘81 Eko Ranger IV (weird factory Electra pickup) '95 Gibson Dove (MagMic) ‘97 Martin D18GE (Sunrise) ‘01 Takamine EAN46C (Palathetic and CT4B) '02 Takamine EAN20C (Palathetic and CT4BII) '15 Gibson SJ200 Standard (Sunrise) ‘19 Vintage Paul Brett Viator VC Classical ‘20 Sigma CF-100 copy (Sunrise) Capos by G7th, amplification by AER.
|
|
#59
11-12-2019, 10:32 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
As I am fine tuning my fingerpicking technique under the guidance of a professionnal, I came to pay much attention to string space width at bridge since I felt I missed some room on a particular guitar.
I have to say my steel guitars have almost all 1 3/4" nut width (Alvarez AP MARTIN OOO, Taylors, Larrivées; Gibsons 1,725"), while my classicals have 2" nut width. I was quite surprised to find quite similar width at bridge, even for the classicals ! So, I reconnected with my great dred Taylors 510 and GS-5... fingerstyle.
__________________
Needed some nylons, a wide range of acoustics and some weirdos to be happy...
|
|
#60
11-12-2019, 02:10 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Hmmm??...now you got me drooling for a 12 fret dread. Actually, I kind of just like saying the words -"12 fret dread" - it has a ring to it. LOL
|
