BS: what event caused your guitar preference

Subject: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:19 PM

While driving home this afternoon a stray thought hit. It occurred to me that I could pinpoint the reason why I've gotten the guitars I have over the years. I can trace it to listening to Bert Jansch's album "Rosemary Lane" when I was a college student. I really liked the low clear notes and sustain he got on the recording (the tracks "Rosemary Lane" and "Reynardine" in particular). The harmony I had at the time didn't cut it after that. It also explains my preference for using microphones on the guitar rather than pickups or internal mics, as I've not heard one yet that duplicates the sound I want to hear. Was wondering if anyone else could pinpoint their guitar preference to any one experience.

--Phil

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: GUEST,Steven G.
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:39 PM

Well, I really not a fan of pickups or the Electic Acoustic guitars they have now. Because I really enjoy the acoustic sound from a guitar. To some would disagree, they like it, but that there's preferences. But I am really like to leave a great acoustic sound to my guitars instead of adding any pickups.

Steven G.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: GUEST,Martin
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:39 PM

'My Back Pages' by the Byrds caused a long standing love affair with Rickenbakers.

My choice of guitars has normally been dictated by various states of poverty...

Martin

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:40 PM

Rickenbackers even...

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:48 PM

Casey Neill's Louden has blown me away for over a decade... great sound!

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:01 PM

My Seagull "A" series has a full, percussive sound which the internal amplification reproduces with quite a bit of fidelity.

Or

My Acoustic/Eletric guitar sounds pretty good.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:06 PM

Having my fingers rearranged by a table saw made me put down my Martin New Yorker with the wide finger board and go to a Guild f-30 with a narrow, shallow finger board. Great bass in a OO size guitar. Try as I may I just can't play the Martin for more than a few minutes.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:17 PM

ya... what Jack said!

Jack... what A model do you have?

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:21 PM

Both Peter Yarrow and Tom Paxton used Martins. That was good enough for me. I bought the first Martin I saw in my local music store - a D-18 back in 1969. I still have it.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:28 PM

Flame Maple.

I first heard about Seagulls on the Acoustic Guitar forum at about the time I decided I was ready to shell out the money for a "Decent" guitar. I went to a local music store here in Columbus Ga, tried about 25 guitars, including Taylors and Gibsons for more money, But the Seagull was the sweetest, especially amplified. It sounded just the same plugged in. The kicker was that the Seagull is an Import from Canadian as am I. AND its Purty!!!

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Justa Picker
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:36 PM

Years ago, I started out on an Ovation, then graduated to a Gibson J-45. (I'd never knowingly heard or played Martins prior.) Then two things happened. Picked up a copy of the first Crobsy Stills and Nash album, and hooked up with a teacher who happened to play a 40's era D-28. That was it, for me. It's been a love affair with some pretty exceptional Martins since, although I will confess to really liking certain offerings from Collings, Franklin (Prairie State), and Bourgeois.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:43 PM

Have liked the tones on many Martins, Collings, Taylors. On my quest for low well sustained notes, I noticed that guitar lust, like drug addiction always costs more each time. I'm not sure if what appealed to me in the Jansch instance was how the guitar was recorded. I agree that some of the acoustic sounds Crosby, Stills, & Nash got sounded pretty good.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: iamjohnne
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:47 PM

Way back in the day (back in the days of the dinosaur according to my kids), folkies at the clubs in Coconut Grove Fl swore by Martins. Then Bob Dylan's RainyDay Woman# 12/35 came out. I personally have a Yahmaha g-50A classic. My fingers are just too old to manage the steel strings anymore. But I would still trade most anything (except my first born son) for a Martin. I have tried to explain that to my 3rd born son- he is the only musically inclined one- he prefers his Takemine electric/acoustic but then he isnt an old folkie from the sixties like me.

Johnne "goin where the weather suits my clothes"

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: kendall
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:56 PM

I had a sudden encounter with one of the best sounding guitars ever. A Taylor 810.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 04:11 PM

My taste over the years has changed and gotten smaller. Now I much prefer the smaller OM and OOO sized guitars. But I'm NOT giving up my D-18 - it's still the one I play out in public.

The body size of the guitars have gotten smaller but the price tags haven't. Life's too short to play a bad guitar.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:05 PM

Size.

I'm a smallish person with smallish hands and I had a hard time getting myself around Mister's dreadnought Washburn as a beginner. It hurt to play it.

So I got me a little Alvarez - half price due to a very slight imperfection in the finish. It fits me great and with the right set of strings (D'Addario phosphorous bronze), it sounds really good.

Although, since I took up the fiddle, I don't pay as much attention to my guitar...

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Justa Picker
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:05 PM

I've never been able to fathom anyone not liking the sound of a well-seasoned, rosewood/spruce Martin. I know there are a few people here on Mudcat who've previously stated their dislike of their tone, and it just makes me scratch my head and shrug my shoulders.

I guess it's the same difference as someone not liking good chocolate.

Mind you, I'm rather biased. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:13 PM

Justa Picker - I have to agree - especially when they say Martins are too "boomy" in the bass. Most other guitars sound wimpy to me. But that's just my opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:16 PM

Found it lying in a chaity shop about six years ago, looking the worse for wear. Paid £10 for it, and nursed it back to health.

Angelica - made in Japan.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:16 PM

Found it lying in a charity shop about six years ago, looking the worse for wear. Paid £10 for it, and nursed it back to health.

Angelica - made in Japan.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:18 PM

There's no such thing as too much bass. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:39 PM

I dunno' Kim....I like bass, but I'm more of a shellfish eater.

In answer to the actual question..........nothing as I look back on it. About '68 I scrounged up enough for a Martin D-18, but unlike Wes, I no longer have it. I've gone through a lot of guitars....Martin, Gibson, Guild, Ovation, Takemine.........I also think I'm second only to Fielding in the number stolen.

Again, thinking about the original question and some of the responses........saw so and so playing, heard so and so, etc...............I think at times this also influences us in wanting some weird-ass guitar that may or may not be worth a damn, but based on some experience in the deep, dark, past, you still want a "whatever it is." For instance, because of a long ago encounter at a very special place and time, I seem to want, crave, desire, must have, can't live without, a Gibson Dove.

Over the years when I've had plenty of money I've been able to resist that particular silliness and now I can't be blowing bucks on a guitar, so willpower isn't needed. I have proven though that I can resist. What's really worse is that I have NO Musical Reason for wanting the damn Dove to begin with!!!

Interesting thread idea.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: mooman
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 06:32 PM

I've owned a Framus Nashville (my first decent guitar), a Guild D-25 (a beauty!), a Manson Kingfisher, a Gibson J-45, a Flambeau-Lowden (which I still have). Then I stumbled on my Lakewood M-series. This is the only one that was "love at first sight/sound" and I do feel that this particular guitar was made for me. They can "take it all away from me but no-one's going to take my Lakewood"! I hadn't been looking for a LW and the meeting was sheer serendipidy.

I've played a lot of Martins (possibly including one of their most expensive custom shop models ever made which I stored for a friend for a while) and loved the sound of some of them. Never had the money to buy one myself though.

Although I've never owned a Seagull, I've worked on a few and agree they offer excellent quality and sound for a very reasonable price.

PS. Spaw...the piece on Lakewoods for the permathread is nearly ready. I'll add reviews on Chris Eccleshall and Paul Hathway instruments too for good measure.

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: BlueJay
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 04:35 AM

Guilds. Always loved 'em. I have a six, twelve and a really great bass. I've never had the bucks to spend two or three thousand dollars for a guitar. My f-47 needs a little tweaking every few years, but I'm really not too tempted to buy an expensive guitar. The Guild has served me very well, and just keeps sounding better with age.

My intro to Guilds came when my older brother, Larry bought one and I played it. Way better than the accursed Yamahas popular at the time. BlueJay

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Grab
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 08:13 AM

Mark Knopfler made a steel guitar compulsory for me - just satisfied that itch! And MK, Eric Clapton and Chris Rea got me craving a Strat - just need the money to buy one first, unfortunately...

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Midchuck
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 10:09 AM

When I bought Jack Lawrence's D2H, I was immediately convinced that Collings was making the best available instruments in terms of playing feel and sound.

When I bought a Martin 000-15S I was immediately convinced that the "old-style" (12-fret, slothead, wide neck) 000 body, but with the longer scale, was the ideal functional shape for a guitar in terms of pure power vs. convenient size and shape.

When I went into a shop and played a Collings 000-2H, both of the above convictions were immediately reconfirmed.

But now I have no more money.

Who wants to buy a nice OM-21??

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: sian, west wales
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 10:33 AM

My guitars, until last week, have been a product of an accident of birth, ie. being born 2.5 years after my big sister. I had her hand-me-down clothes, bikes ... and guitars. The first was a badly strung cigar box. The second was the Harmony Sovereign which I still have and to which I am very much attached. (Phil - you got *rid* of yours??!!)

As of tomorrow, I hope to have my first 12-string which I bought because I heard myself referring to 12-strings as boys' toys, hence putting up my own liberated hackles and forcing myself in this new direction. And it's a Seagull a) because Mudcatters seemed to give it good reviews, and b) because I sometimes get all ex-pat nationalistic, like Jack the Sailor.

Roll on tomorrow!

sian

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 12:14 PM

In every case, instant obsession tempered by expediency. It's always worked out better when I resisted the original impulse (on the instrument that got me lusting) and just used it to direct my search

Played a 1928 Gibson LO in the 70's in a schoolbus full of guitars for sale at a bluegrass fest. Bought it for $300. Kept it a few years, put that much into repairs, it had a brash/boomy sound which I loved but it didn't suit my playing style cause it was useless in sound & intonation above the 5th fret. Sold for a loss.

Found my Tele Thinline, a model which I was already searching for, for $400. It was chopped and mangled in terms of electronics though. Sold it 10 years later for $400. At least I didn't pay $2000.

My Martin quest began because I used to love Roland Kushner's 1939 D-18. Well, who wouldn't? Funnily enough, when I went looking for a deal on a Martin, the one I found that suited me was of course the 18 at the other end of the size scale, single-O. ($515 Cdn, old-new-stock with lots of finish checking, bought in 1980) Love it, still have it, but I still want a D-18!

Got transfixed by a Lowden I played at Ottawa Folklore Centre. Only problem, three grand I didn't have. Went to Fielding's party in June 2000, as detailed obsessively in this thread was interested in a battered nameless dreadnought on the wall. When Rick said it was sort of a Lowden, I got _real_ interested. Don't know that I would have been so smitten had the L-word not come up, this guitar is not particularly visually distinctive, although it does look like a "player's special".

I'd still like a recent Lowden, but once again...I am very happy with what I've got.

Willie-O

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Dahlin
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 03:00 PM

A six string made by Nick Appolonio. Same fella that makes some of Gordon Bok's instruments. Balanced sound great action and low maintenance. Not bad for a guitar made over 25 years ago. Gets better with age like most of us. Right Kendall?

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: GUEST,Songster Bob
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 03:39 PM

Preference? Who has a preference? I grew up around guitars, in particular my uncle Buddy's Gibson archtop, but my first "decent" steel-string was a Harmony Sovereign (the non-dreadnought model). Then I happened across a Guild F-20, so early that it had a Gibson-style decal for its logo. Then I got a D-28, and later an 0-18 Martin from 1932.

But I also played and owned 12-string guitars (Harmony Stella) and classicals (a German one -- Hopf, maybe; can't remembger). Later I ran across a National style O that I fixed up and thought about keeping, but instead sold to Dave Olive.

So over the years, I've played and coveted and sometimes owned many kinds of guitar. I'd never owned one of the newer hand-made custom guitars till NEFFA two years ago, when I found myself in a hostage situation with a Running Dog (Rick Davis of Vermont), and had to take it with me (I was the hostage, of course, and still am).

Of late, it's been various electrical thingies, from strats to LPs to teles to a couple of 335s to a 12 string and old archtop electrics.

I recently completed an inventory of all of my musical goods, and I have something like 24 guitars -- AND I LOVE 'EM ALL!

Preference!? Who needs it?

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Don Firth
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 03:44 PM

sian, there was a gal around Seattle a few years back named Sam Wise (Samantha? I dunno). She appeared a lot of places, including the Northwest Folklife Festival, and she could play the hell out of a 12-string guitar (she could probably crush walnuts with her left hand). I wonder where she is now. . . .

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 04:19 PM

It was the Watergate break-in that did it for me. If not for that, I would be playing the bagpipes today.

Aside from that, I started out preferring Martin guitars, because most of my heroes played them. Never liked Gibsons, cos they seemed too twangy. I have liked quite a few Japanese guitars too.

The one I like best of all is a Yamaha that I own now.

I'm pretty impressed by some Larivee guitars, but have never yet owned one. Ditto for Taylor and Collings.

Can't really afford 'em anyway, and the Yamaha is good enough for me.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: CraigS
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 06:06 PM

I wanted a National when I was young because I saw Johnny Winter with one on the sleeve of Progressive Blues Experiment. I couldn't afford a real one for years, but I had a couple of copies. I concluded that the new Dobros sounded better than the old resonator guitars, but I don't have one because I've found that my style of playing bends the resonator - I've borrowed a couple from friends, and had to repair them afterwards. Will I ever find a resonator guitar that I like that can stand up to my right wrist?

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: GUEST,Steve N.
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 06:41 PM

I remember it well...I was (like so many others who responded here) strumming my Harmony to Kingston Trio songs when I met a banjo player who told me to "graduate", and handed me a Jack Elliott album. Jack really grabbed me, and on the album cover he was clutching a Martin D-28. Started saving my gas-pump jockey money and bought my Martin 000-18 the next year (couldn't afford the dreadnought, and couldn't wait). Since then I've had one D-28, which is my lifelong partner.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: John Kidder
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 07:08 PM

Started with a Stella 12 string, stolen in 1964. Bought an Aria 12 in a pawnshop, grew new muscles on my left hand to handle the astonishing action, then bought an Ovation 12 in 1972. Met my once and future wife in 1975 - left her apartment one morning and stumbled over a the Vancouver Herald, a short-lived neighbourhood newspaper - saw an ad on the back for an "old guitar, straight neck". Bought it - a Guild which I now know to be an M-20 from the late 50s (Guild is now re-issuing the guitar). Nifty little thing, just right for old cowboy tunes. Two years ago found another Guild, a D-25, with a messed-up finish and a consequent great price. Love it. But the Stella still was the sweetest.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: kendall
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 07:26 PM

Like Dahlin, I too own an Apollonio 12 string. Here again, I have played them all, and it stands head and shoulders above the crowd. There is no close second, not even the Taylor. Gawd! it hurts to say that!

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: john c
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 12:12 AM

I spent 2 days trailing round every music store in Munich,which is the nearest city to where I live. Tried every guitar I could find (hate to say it but I just didnt like the Martin sound at all!). Came home completely disgruntled cos nothing seemed right and went round to my local little store to buy some strings. They had only one guitar hanging on the wall with "Dont Touch" written on it. So, of course, I did and fell in love with it straight away. In case you want to know - its a Larrivee OM - and I wouldnt part with it for the world!

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Dan Keding
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 12:25 AM

Phil, I've been playing Larrivees for almost twenty years now. I remember trying one out at the Golden Ring Folklore Center in Manitowoc, WI - Fritz & Mary Schuler's wonderful place. For a singer I had never heard such a balanced sound - always fits into my voice. I have three now - the last one is a beautiful maple dread that my wife helped me pick out at Spruce Tree Music in Madison, WI - run by Julie Luther and Wil Bremer. Tandy told me it was the only blonde she had better ever find me holding that close. She's a red head. Take care, Dan

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 03:00 PM

Sian, actually the harmony I had was pretty good. Cost $65.00 (in 1971) and played better than some more expensive guitars that I heard. I haven't been brand loyal necessarily, returning to the Jansch reference in my first comment, because I didn't know what kind of guitar he had. I did buy a fylde because I liked Michael Chapman's guitar playing, sight unseen. It was a great guitar too. I have two Santa Cruz's and a Taylor now. If I have more than three guitars it seems that one gathers dust. It tempers the aquisition urge if I figure out which guitar I'll let go to get another one. Dan good to hear from you. Are you going to be at Fox Valley this year?

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: GUEST,walking Eagle
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 03:25 PM

Martin D1RL. A guitar MADE for lefthanders, not just turned around. Left handed nut, saddle and lower bout. Balanced left handed too.

Subject: RE: BS: what event caused your guitar preference
From: Stewart
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 03:49 PM

In 1956, my first year in college, I went to downtown Los Angeles, sold my first 3/4 size violin and went across the street to a guitar shop and bought a new D-18 Martin guitar for $100 (ah, but that was a lot of money back then for a college freshman!). It's been my main guitar ever since. Keeps getting better - had the neck reset and refretted last year. A few years ago I bought a baby Taylor, mainly for travel. It's a good guitar, but I still prefer my Martin.

Cheers, S. in Seattle