I played a guys Breedlove and man I was impressed,it played nice(not alot of effort to chord ect.)and sounded fantastic.Sumi
Hello people,
I was talking about guitars with a coworker recently, and he would like to learn the guitar a bit more in the coming months. Right now he has an Applause (I think this is the econo-Ovation) jumbo that he hates, because he says it's too big (both ways -- width and depth) and feels like a child's toy.
I told him he could borrow any of my guitars, but he seems hesitant. He was set on a Martin 000-CXE, but after looking it up, I tried to steer him away from it. It looked to me like it has serious reliability concerns.
So the question: what do you recommend? He seems to want an acoustic, which is probably more gratifying for a beginner, though I told him electric would be my vote for quickest way to learn. He prefers a black guitar, acoustic-electric, wants something that won't be so crappy it will deter him from learning, and says his price range is around $1000, though he'd prefer less obviously.
I personally really like the Seagull that I have, and have also heard good things about the Ibanez Artwood series. What's the input from all of you? What sort of better-than-intro guitars would you advise he looks at?
--Eric
Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350Originally Posted by Spudman
Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
I played a guys Breedlove and man I was impressed,it played nice(not alot of effort to chord ect.)and sounded fantastic.Sumi
Guitars,Warmoth Tele,90's Fender Strat Plus/Fender CV 50's Tele/Parker p-36/Fretlight/Custom Strat(Fender body/warmoth Clapton neck,tonerider pups)Larrivee L03 mahogany acoustic
Amphs/66 Super Reverb/60's Bandmaster head and 2/12 cab/Blues jr//epi valve jr/supro super/ ZT lunchbox/Mahaffay Little Laneilei 3350/Pignose g40v
Pedals/Voods Rodent/MXR carbon copy/Duncan Pickup booster/Ts9/Rat/ts10/Line 6 tone port uk2
Line 6 M13
First "real" guitar? Steer him toward a Takamine. They have single cutaways in black. NOT THE JASMINE CRAPPOLA, the plain 'ol Tak's. Have him play one at a nearby dealer first, but for half a grand he'll be happy for a few years.
Linky
Last edited by Zip; October 19th, 2009 at 05:26 PM. Reason: Added link
Yep. Takamine is a good suggestion.
There are ALOT of VERY nice acoustic-electrics avail for < $1000. Must be black...that's gonna limit the choice considerably.
Try out the video gear page at www.acousticguitar.com. Many a fine sub-$1000 a-e's demoed and reviewed there. At least your friend will be armed w more info re what's available.
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
I don't know that it has to be black; that's just his preference. I'll check out the link -- thanks.Originally Posted by bigG
Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350Originally Posted by Spudman
Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
BTW, have any of you heard anything about these plastic guitars? Have you played one? I'm just kind of curious about the whole thing.He was set on a Martin 000-CXE, but after looking it up, I tried to steer him away from it. It looked to me like it has serious reliability concerns.
Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350Originally Posted by Spudman
Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
Eric, I have a Martin 00X1 Java Mahogany, and it's a winner! Their X-Series is very popular.
It's all-wood (the HPL stands for high-pressure laminate...basically formica), but some, like mine, have a solid spruce top. It's a great player w wonderful woody sound, and the stratabond neck is superb, and has a nice look to it.
That said, the 000-CXE is a HPL top, so I don't know how that affects the sound, but I wouldn't rule it out til you can try one in person. Martin isn't gonna put their name on a piece of junk.
Edit: and the reliability of laminate guitars is superior to solid wood. Not affected by humidity...or much of anything else. I'm sure the electronics are fine.
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
I have been very happy with my Art & Lutherie, and they do have a black one.
http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com...edarblack.html
-Kodiak
Guitars:
Washburn Idol 64 DL w/GFS Dream 180 pups
Washburn X-33 w/GFS 60's-70's Grey Bottom Non Stagger Overwound
Stagg G300 SG w/GFS Power Rails
Art & Lutherie Acoustic
I suppose my hesitation comes in that it looks like it's a fabricate-at-lowest-possible-cost guitar for which some marketing person figured they could still charge Martin $$.
I think his attraction to it was the whole 'It's a Martin!' thing, along with it being small and black. Those seem like dumb reasons to buy a guitar, IMO. There are many other options out there before he makes up his mind.
Point taken about HPL, and I did know that laminate is more sturdy than a solid top. I read some stuff on HC about either the bridge coming unglued or the body warping due to humidity, which was my concern. It says it's a 'textured finish'; makes me wonder a little bit...
Man, I'm getting all defensive or something. Hope I didn't offend you -- I don't doubt it's a good guitar. It just seemed like an odd match for him right out of the gate.
Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350Originally Posted by Spudman
Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
Naw, man. No offense taken. I admit to being a bit leary of the seemingly "low-end" take on the whole X-Series from Martin. But I did alot of research (reviews on MF and HC, and Martin's site) and when I strummed the first chord (a Cmaj7, I remember it well) I was sold immediatley. Of course I checked out the build quality, and it's top-notch.Originally Posted by Eric
Supposedly Martin has two reasons for building these HPL X-Series guits. First, to get a Martin into a player's hands at a more "real world" price (also the idea behind their "new" 1-Series), and second, to begin using alternatives to solid hardwood bodies and necks, as many of the traditional woods are rapidly disappearing and every acoustic maker will have to face it and deal w it sooner than later.
I ended up being very comfortable with it (the whole idea), and I honestly LOVE mine. (My most recent purchase was a Martin M-36, which is one of their Standard Series, and a bit over two grand street price. And I think it's the finest acoustic I've ever played or heard since I began playing in 1963. But, that little 00X1 is, I'm proud to say, my other Martin. Between the two, I have a sweet, woody tone w great projection in the 00X1, and a heavenly, bell-like tone, w nice, punchy low-end in the M-36.)
But that's just my take on it, although I'm awfully particular when it comes to guitars, and especially acoustics. Of course, in the end, it's your and your friend's decision. My 2 cents on those "plastic" guitars, as you put it. Quite a deal for the price, and it says Martin on the headstock. Yeah, it's "different", but that does not necessarily mean worse, or bad.
Again, no offense, and good hunting, whatever you guys decide on. Like I said, there's lots of choices for $1000 and under!
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
GuitarPlayer did an article on budget acoustics (seemed to be 6-800ish) that had some good pics in it. The Epiphone Masterbuilt series prolly deserves a look. I think the lower price point Martins seem great, and you can get them used at a good price too.
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson
I would go for a second hand guitar, not sure on make but at least you know it has been played in.
I know you have only spoken about Electrified Accoustic guitars but have you given any thought to a Semi Hollow Electric. You could get a fairly decent Epiphone Dot and a nice amp for the 1000 dollars. As you know he will probably head in that direction eventually. Just a thought!
The Blues is alright!
Guitars: 1968 Gibson SG, 2005 Gibson SG Standard, 2006 Gibson LP Classic Gold top, 2004 Epiphone Elitist LP Custom, 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard. 2001 Epiphone Sheraton II, 2007 Epiphone G400.
Fender Strats: 1996 Fender 68 Reissue CIJ, 2008 Squier CV 50s, 2009 Squier CV 50s Tele Butterescotch Blonde
Amps: Blues Junior Special edition Jensen in Brown Tolex with Wheat front, 65 Deluxe Reverb reissue,1970 Sonax reverb by Traynor, Avatar Custom 2/12 Cabinet with Eminence Legend V1216 speakers,
2008 DSL100 Marshall Amp , Fender Super Champ XD,Fender Vibro Champ XD
Effects and Pedals: Fulltone Fulldrive II, Fulltone OCD, Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe, Fulltone Fat Boost, Dunlop Crybaby Wah, Boss DS1, Boss DD20 Giga Delay, Boss TU2 tuner, Boss BD2, Ibanez TS9 Tube screamer, Zoom 505. Radial tonebone hot british.
This Ibanez A300E Ambiance might fit the bill. Not too big like the jumbo or dreadnaught, but not too small. It even has an arched back! Good Fishman Sonicore pickup, built-in mic, and Aero Blend preamp. The Transparent Cherry Sunburst is close to black, but the quilted maple is much nicer on the eyes. Only $600.
After reading this thread this morning, I tried one out at a local shop and was impressed with the tone, loudness, action, and fretboard feel. It sounds better than the Ibanez artwood guitars they had, IMHO.
Crap, yet another GAS attack!
Guitar: Gibson SG Standard Natural Burst, Squier CV 50's Tele, Hell Guitars No. 2, Squier CV 50's Strat, Reverend Club King 290, Taylor 522e 12-Fret mahogany,
Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Short Scale
Amp: Fender Super Champ X2 Head, Egnater Tweaker 15, Fender Mustang I, Acoustic B20 1x12 bass amp
Pedal: Budda Budwah wah, Wampler Ego Compressor, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food, Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, Wampler Velvet Fuzz, Seven Sisters Eve Tremolo, TC Electronics Gravy Tri Chorus & Vibrato, Catalinbread Echorec, TC Electronic Alter Ego 2 Delay, Hardwire Supernatural Ambient Verb, MXR Carbon Copy, Catalinbread RAH, Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker, BYOC Mouse 2.0 Distortion, BYOC Boost/OD-2
Wow, that's pretty tempting. If I was looking for an acoustic, I'd try to find one of those in a store. I may anyway, just to check it out.Originally Posted by Tig
Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350Originally Posted by Spudman
Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
You want black?
http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...C980TMW&cid=75
_____
GUITARS - Carvin DC127M - Carvin Bolt kit
AMPS - Bogner Alchemist 112 - Blackheart Handsome Devil half stack
FXs - Roger Linn Adrenalinn III - Boss GT-10
_____
Nice one, kiteman. They get good reviews also. Plus a decent warranty.Originally Posted by kiteman
Guitars
Wilburn Versatare, '52 FrankenTele(Fender licensed parts), Fender USA Roadhouse Strat, Fender USA Standard B-bender Telecaster, Agile AL 3000 w/ WCR pickups, Ibanez MIJ V300 Acoustic, Squier Precision Bass,
Amps
Ceriatone Overtone Special, Musicman 212 Sixty-Five, Fender Blues Jr., Peavey Classic 30, Fender Super Reverb, Traynor YCV-40 WR Anniversary w/ matching 1x12 ext. cab, Epiphone SoCal 50w head w/ matching 4x12 cab (Lady Luck speakers), Avatar 2x12 semi-open back cab w/ Celestion speakers
Pedals
Digitech Bad Monkey, Digitech Jamman, DVM's ZYS, Goodrich volume pedal