Help: Don is buying a new guitar

Subject: Don is buying a new guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 05:07 PM

Hi Gang,

I'm looking into a replacement for the Ovation Elite I've used for years and have never, ever liked all that much.

Accoustic guitars I understand very well. I'm thinking a Taylor, Martin, or older Guild. I'm thinking used rather than new. The wood and the neck I am pretty clear on but I'm clueless to electronics. What kind of pick up and pre amp do I want to get a good overall sound? Can I get a Dreadnaught sound out of an Orchestra Model by using a particular mix of pickup and pre amp? Is the smaller lighter guitar more versatile with a specific pick up? Can I approximate a Rock and Roll sound?

Now the big decider. the budget is $1,500.00 Can I do it or am I spinning wheels here?

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: UB Ed
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 05:33 PM

Don, at the bottom of this thread I linked a bunch of previous threads on pickups and amplification philosophy. Click here

As with a lot of our discussions, you'll find everyone was across the board. I'm using Fishman's in my D18 and Lowden and am quite pleased.

Rock 'N Roll Sound? Then get ye to a couple foot pedals. Minimum of two; one for distortion and the other for chorus. Can add a delay if you're so inclined.

$1,500 may be pushing it as an "all in" cost, unless you're looking at the Larivees.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

Ed

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 05:58 PM

Ed,

Thanks for the clickies, I am using all this in a full band set up. Two or three other stringed instruments and drums.

The Baggs Dual gets a lot of mention but does the little mic become a feed back machine in a situation like mine?

If I were doing a single act I stick with the Fishmann I have in my Guild and mic it with a Shure-57 or a Crown to balance in the mids.

Pedals??? Like on the floor? Could I use a Wah Wah? Do the distortion boxes go up to 12 or 13 or do all stop at 10?

Don "The Kid" Meixner

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: 53
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 08:45 PM

don i have played on the road and in house bands with country music for over 10 years and i use a takamine ltd 90 which i believe is the best acoustic electric guitar made. you can get a nice tak for a lot less than 1500. put put you a feed back buster in the sound hole and get you a good acoustic amp you're in business . good luck, BOB.

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 09:24 PM

Thanks Bob, my band is an Irish Folk band thats been giggin' for about thirty years. About the same time we all passed 40 we decided we'd hoisted our ast amp. Every thing goes through the board. I like some of the Taks I've played and I'd like to get the perfect guitar for $100.00 :-) But my budget is $1500.00. That could mean a guitar and something else too. A nice looking Guild JF-30 just closed out on EBay for $685.00. I probably could have solved alot of pick up and equalization problems for the left over cash.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Lanfranc
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 08:51 AM

Don, It won't earn you too many brownie points with the guitar cognoscenti, but don't overlook a Washburn EA20, or even better, an old (early 80s) Washburn Woodstock, with Fishman plumbing. Either is a pretty useful and inexpensive electro-acoustic. I've had my Japanese-made Woodstock for almost 20 years, and it is still my guitar of choice for non-acoustic gigs.

For your $1500, you could get a matched pair of 6 and 12 strings, and possibly a little change.

IMHO they knock spots off any Ovation I've ever played, except perhaps an Adamus. Bowl backs don't sit happily on my paunch, anyway!

Alan

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 09:42 AM

Thanks Alan,

My friend Pat Kane from the Elmira NY area plays a Washburn when ever he and his gang West'O'Clare play out. I've played it too when asked to sit in for a song and I must admit that I like it. It plays well and it is hasn't the huge feeling I get from most "D" size guitars. I'm probably looking at "The Guitar of A Lifetime" here. Maybe an older Washburn fills that bill.

Maybe I ought to get a road guitar AND a sit on the porch model.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Lanfranc
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 10:39 AM

AND a model with a high action for bottleneck AND a Taylor Baby to travel with AND a solid body electric, just in case you ever feel like doing Jimi Hendrix impressions AND a Macaferri copy to see if you really can play like Django AND .....

This way lies the dread contagion of SGAS (serial guitar acquisition syndrome). There is no cure but death!

Go carefully, Don!

Alan

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Willie-O
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 12:01 PM

I think the world is just waiting for some entrepenurial, heretical luthier to invent a convertible guitar with lots of hinges--"It's a backpacker! No, fold it out, it's a dreadnought!" Add the clip on top, it's a Maccaferri!. Fold it out again, it's a kayak!"

To be sold on late nite infomercials of course.

Bill

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 03:52 PM

Several sold for $299.95.

The All New Multi-Gig, The axe thats Six, Yes Six Instruments in one. Comes in two colors, natural or wood grain can be held on either end or in the middle, its completely reversable.

Is you Multi-Gig out of tune? No, You are now playing Jazz!

Sold at Madolin Bros., Big Daddy's, Elderly and some good shops too.

The Multi-Gig Reso-Phonic sold only in the Delta.

Multi-Gig, a division of Eversharp.

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Justa Picker
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 04:43 PM

Don,
You might want to have a looky here for more resources dedicated to acoustic amplification.

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: 53
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 04:45 PM

try a taylor big baby, i don't know how they sound ampflied, but they sound great acoustically. bob

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Justa Picker
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 04:47 PM

And just to overload you with even more info [sic] trivia, check out what the pro's use.

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 06:01 PM

This is only a comment because I've not had the opportunity to try any, but the new old-style Gretsch Hawaiian with fitted Fishman looks like extremely good value and costs lots less than the budget from Musician's Friend!

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: UB Ed
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 04:04 PM

Don, when I was looking for a new guitar in addtion to my 1976 Martin D18, I played every new Martin I could find in all the stores. Not one could hold a candle to my old D18 from a tone and action perspective.

Larivee was superior in price, action and sound. As I recall, they had a Pete Anderson version with a thinner, faster neck that was quite nice. I think it had the onboard electronics but was in the $2k range. Also Larivee had some nice guitars without the high gloss finish and that made the tone nice and warm.

That being said, I sense the onboard electronics stuff is important to you. If you're playing with others and no independent person is working the board, you may find as the evening wears on those with the ability to turn up their instruments (on the instrument) will. So the onboard thing could be helpful there as a defensive tactic. If this isn't an issue for you, get the acoustic guitar you like best and throw the fishman in.

Let us know how you do!

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 12:13 AM

Hi Ed,

The electronics are very important to me but only because of the band I'm in. The action of the neck and fingerboard is more so. My left hand is so critcal and unreliable I've considered a tenor guitar even.

I may even end up with a $500.00 Tak and have $1,000.00 left over to get a stay at home accoustic wit. Depends on what I find where, but you all be the first to know about it after me.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 01:57 AM

Don I almost hate to tell you about this 'cause I almost bought it yesterday, but reality being what it is, I simply ain't got the cash. This is the best larrivee I've played in years (maybe ever). It's got action like glass, a Fishman Matrix, big body cutaway, from about '95. It sounds amazing. It won't last long. I'll try to do a clicky to it here

click

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 06:06 AM

Dunno much about guitars so I may be being completely heretical here but...

My son spent ages looking for a decent electro-acoustic about 4 years ago when his knackered old Marlin gave up the ghost. Eventualy decided on a Yamaha AX and it sounds superb. It is also getting better the more he plays it and the active electrics are so good it's unbelievable when amped through decent equipment.

It was also about £250 at the time so I guess $$$'s would be about 400? Allowing for inflation - $500?

Now if someone could find me a Jeffries or Conner Anglo concertina soundalike for the same...;-)

Hope this helps rather than hinders!

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 06:52 AM

Geez Rick, don't tempt me. My travels begin on Wednessday next. But, how much is it?

Thanks for the input Dave, I played some AXs a few years ago and at that time they universally had a neck that was too much for me. But they sounded good and I liked the on board electronics.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: UB Ed
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 08:57 AM

DOn, good action will lead you to that Pete Anderson Larivee; it played like an electric...

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 09:45 AM

Don, here is the data from www.12thfret.com

Larrivee
LCJ-09*
serial number 17340
circa mid 90's in excellent condition
Florentine (pointed) cutaway body design, Indian rosewood back & sides
Sitka spruce top
upgraded Deluxe fingerboard inlays
Fishman Matrix pickup
plays very well, good midrange and nice clarity; very powerful guitar
with hardshell case
$2599.00 Canadian dollars ($1666.US$).

Subject: RE: Help: Don is buying a new guitar
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 11:27 AM

The Twelfth fret (like Mandolin Bros. and Elderly) is very quick to get the instrument to you (they should at those prices) and all the guarantees and return policies usually mean you're pretty safe with long distance purchases.

Thanks Mick.

Rick