I just might be getting a guitar for Christmas. (Keep your fingers crossed for me) and I wanted some advice from fellow C&Fer’s about what kind they have and if they are satisfied with them. Also I remember reading sometime back on C&F where someone mentioned they sold guitars in some past life. Did a search and came up with nothing. Was it YOU? Could use your expertise who ever you are.
11 Years ago I had a Yamaha acoustic but it burned in a fire and I never replaced it so I am looking forward to getting back into it again.
Thanks,
Kathy
I have a Peavey LP-1 acoustic guitar, and the strings I use are DR Medium Gauge Phosphor Bronze. Very trad-sounding, especially if you use those big triangular picks.
I’m not a guitar person although I play a bit. But I like, and my guitar playing friends, like the sound of my Larrivee. I have the OM-3 which is a lower end model. I would buy it again.
In my opinion, by far the best guitar for the money is the Simon & Patrick “Satin Series”.
The fact that these guitars are still relatively unknown although the company has been in business for years is a mystery to me.
The “Pro Series” models are made of better grade materials, but are also a good bit more expensive. http://www.simonandpatrick.ca
For relativly expensive I like Taylor. For really cheap I like Yamaha’s Eterna line. The one I have cost about $100, and it sounds better then some Martins that I’ve played.
Take care, Johnz
I play an old small body Guild F-35. Had it sence the late 6os. Wouldnt part with it. Please dont get something you havent sat down and played around with. Way to many variables. Good luck. I hope you get what you want.
I have about 12 guitars (not counting basses) including Gibsons, Martins, and Fenders, but you don’t really want me to write a love letter to my vintage guitar collection do you. (Obviously I have GAS as well as WhOA.) If it’s an accoustic you want then go for a Martin D28 or 00028 if you’ve got the money. I don’t like entry level Martins, but some do. There’s a host of good cheap accoustics on the market.
I suggest you do a bit of research. Magazines come out regularly that list and rate entry level and more advanced level guitars. Check out recent editions of Guitar Player, Guitar World, Guitar Magazine for reviews and suggestions. By reading reviews you’ll get to learn about what to look out for in a guitar as well as learning about what’s available at what price. (You’ll learn the guitar equivalent of whistle speak; instead of saying too chiffy, you’ll tell the dealer that it’s a bit too muddy in the low mids.) Don’t pay list price for a guitar; haggle a bit.
I’ve been playing, often semi-professionally, for over 30 years. If you want more specific advice or just an opinion on this or that, just get in touch on or off board. Good luck.
[ This Message was edited by: Wombat on 2002-12-07 02:25 ]
Hey Wombat, where would hand made guitars fit in your experience? There are a couple of luthiers up your way, Jack Spira and Laurence Smith, whose instruments I have seen at folk festivals in the past- nice work too! By comparison, they were not much more expensive than top of the line factory models. I find now that I would prefer a hand made whistle than a production model, but then guitars are not my line, what do you think?
If you would like an inexpensive guitar that sounds and plays like it costs a lot more, try a Seagull. It’s the same company that makes Simon & Patrick. Both brands are very good, and are great values for the money. I recently had a the option of buying a more expensive guitar, Taylor or Gibson, and chose to get a Seagull for about 1/5 of the price. Actually, since then I’ve picked up two more 'Gulls, a parlor sized one and a folk sized one for fingerpicking.
I’ve edited here to add pics of my Seagulls.
Scott
“I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I’m in a cabinet meeting.”
Ronald Reagan
[ This Message was edited by: ScottStewart on 2002-12-07 06:13 ]
I think the Seagull suggestion is good. I own a Larivee which I don’t really care for after having it for about 5 years. Just based on the sound of the guitars, I’d look into a Doolin if I were a really serious guitar player and had the bucks. Nancy Concscu, who plays on the well known 121 Session Tunes, plays one. If you have that set of CDs turn off the whistle track and listen to the luscious sound of the guitar. Those guitars are expensive though.
I guess I should say that my Larivee is a low end one and I’ve played several Larivees that I’d love to own including one that is the same model as mine.
Steve
[ This Message was edited by: SteveK on 2002-12-07 06:21 ]
I should have said that I will be looking at the low end guitars. I think that the hubby will spend about $150 give or take a little so I know that limits me to what I can even look at. I will wait and ask for the case and other accessories at a later date since I won’t be taking it anywhere but home.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
Kathy
On 2002-12-07 06:23, chattiekathy wrote:
I should have said that I will be looking at the low end guitars. I think that the hubby will spend about $150 give or take a little so I know that limits me to what I can even look at.
For that price you could find a used Seagull, or pick one up on eBay. A new one with case should run you about $300, roughly. Or do some haggling with your music store for one. Seriously, if you can put together the little extra cash for one, you won’t be disappointed.
On 2002-12-07 00:08, ChrisLaughlin wrote:
I have a hard time taking seriously anything that refers to itself as “authentic”.
Chris
Dude, they’re Canadian… do you really expect them to have much understanding of the English language?
“Authentic” is a poor choice of words, but the guitars are very nice.
I’ve had several well respected bluegrass pickers in my area comment on the sound of my old Simon & Patrick mahogany and spruce “Luthier” model… yes, I used to play bluegrass before I discovered Irish trad.
This store is down the block from my office ( I have absolutely no financial interest in the store and no, they don’t market my whistles)
They have a marvellous selection of guitars, from relatively inexpensive ones, to one of a kind handmade masterpieces. The owner, Klem, is a terrific guy and will give you excellent advice. He sells at very non-greedy prices and does mail orders. Depending on where in Pa you live, it might even be worth a trip to Troy NY to spend a couple of hours in the shop looking at his guitars. If you do, stop in to say Hi to me too…
chattiekathy
I am a new student of the Guitar and would just like to remind you of some things to consider.
Nylon verses steel strings are you willing to put up with the discomfort while you get you finger in shape. If you go with nylon remember that the nut (neck with) on the Nylon string makes reaching the stings a bit more difficult if you have small hands.
3/4 size Nylon acoustic might be an option if you go that route.
You might want to get out the a few music stores and try out guitars even if you do not by one there.
When you are ready to purchase look for something that will keep its value solid top rather than a veneer.
You will find nothing new in your price range so shopping some of the smaller music stores with used instrument might be the way to go.
Good luck.
On 2002-12-07 05:27, plagon2000 wrote:
Hey Wombat, where would hand made guitars fit in your experience? There are a couple of luthiers up your way, Jack Spira and Laurence Smith, whose instruments I have seen at folk festivals in the past- nice work too! By comparison, they were not much more expensive than top of the line factory models. I find now that I would prefer a hand made whistle than a production model, but then guitars are not my line, what do you think?
I have a K.Yairi handmade 12 string, about 30-35 years old that has a nice tone. Martins are sort of hand made, aren’t they? My 00028 is my favouriste accoustic. I don’t know the work of the makers you mention, but Graham McDonald, a luthier in Canberra, is making me a bouzouki right now.
The trouble with small hand-made guitar operations is getting to select safely. We all know how very personal our choice of favourite high-end whistles is. With whistles most of us can afford to make mistakes but only millionaire rock stars can afford to make mistakes with guitars. So, I’d be very reluctant to recommend a hand-made guitar to someone who couldn’t first try it, even if I loved it to death myself. A mistake is just too costly. But I do agree with your general point; if you play a friend’s high-end, hand-made guitar and find it every bit as good as the expensive shop models, it’s a good idea to order one.
