With A Little Help From My Friends

Captain Bb

I’ve only been playing guitar for a short while and so still very much a beginner but I’m already hankering for an acoustic to add another dimension to my playing (such as it is at present).
I’d like to learn fingerstyle at some point (as my singing voice will only get me into trouble! Rolling Eyes

) but I don’t know an awful lot about acoustics or the kind of guitar I should be looking for.

The articles I’ve read so far, suggest to me that I should probably be considering something that’s wider at the nut (I have large hands, so possibly a good thing to look for whatever the intended playing style) but I’m unsure what other things to consider - size of guitar for example, Grand Concert, Grand Symphony, small bodied guitars?. And then there’s necks joined at the 12th fret, etc, etc. In short, I have no idea what all of this really means in terms of playability and tonal characteristics.

Now, I don’t wish to sound ostentatious but I haven’t really considered a budget. I’m fortunate in that I have reached my middle years relatively unscathed and don’t have to worry too much about the issue of affordability but I still want to keep it within sensible boundaries of course (I'm not considering vintage boutique collector models for example). I’m more interested in tone and playability at this stage than anything else.

I, therefore, lay myself bare at your door in the hope that you can arm me with the necessary "knowledge" and offer up some possible models to consider, before I have to face any of the sales pitches in my local guitar 'outfitters'.

Cheers

The Captain.
_________________
Just your average run-of-the-mill Superhero 'n stuff

Bluelew · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:15 am Post subject:

Taylor grand auditoriums are awesome I have 3 Taylor GA's & 1 Taylor dreadnaught. My favorite for fingerstyle is the 714, a tad wider nut.
Here's a link to another thread with some pics...
http://www.fender-talk.com/message-board-forum/viewtopic.php?t=12668&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=rosewood&start=0
_________________
Happy trails, Bluelew
(shoulda kept the monkey)

Dangerine49 · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:32 am Post subject:

If they sell Larrivee's in the UK. I would highly recommend them. Beautifully made, great tone, and reasonably priced.
_________________
"But I don't want to go among mad people" Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat, "We're all mad here 'n stuff."

Captain Bb · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input guys. A friend of mine owns a Taylor 614 I think (600 and something anyway) that he's agreed to let me try. My local guitar shop is a Larrivee stockist also, so they will also be on my list to try.

What's the score with the different body sizes, OM, OS, OOO, etc? Do they have specific uses or is it just personal taste for comfort & tone, etc?
_________________
Just your average run-of-the-mill Superhero 'n stuff

Dangerine49 · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the different body sizes will yield different volume and tone, and of course the smaller shapes are easier to hold and play. Depends whether you plan on using it at home for finger picking, or if you're a strummer, or whether you plan on playing live solo or with a band. Some like mahogany back and sides for a woodier tone, and some like rosewood for a richer sound.

Personally, I like the Dreadnought shape but the Taylor GA and Larrivee L shapes are a nice compromise.
_________________
"But I don't want to go among mad people" Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat, "We're all mad here 'n stuff."

Bluelew · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:19 am Post subject:

I have a 614ce, very playable, I love it. Tone-wise the maple back & sides yeild a much brighter sound than the rosewood or mahogany. In a band setting it will really cut through the mix, but please note it doesn't sound like all Taylors.

The Grand auditorium(models ending in 14) body style is Bob Taylors "flagship"" guitar & in my opinion is the perfect size.

I have the Taylor dread 810 also & is perfect for strumming & flatpicking, not my favorite for fingerstyle.

My next purchase will be a Larrivee or a Martin.
You're in the UK, see if you can check out a Lowden, kinda expensive,but you can often get a break on a used one.

You are probably not going to want to return that 614.
_________________
Happy trails, Bluelew
(shoulda kept the monkey)

Captain Bb · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:09 am Post subject:

Gentlemen,

Once again I appreciate you comments and thank you for taking the trouble to respond.

I tried a couple of Martins today - can't remember the models exactly (a dreadnought and a 00028) but they didn't do it for me, although they were both B stock items (ex-demos I think), so perhaps not a fair comparison.

The Larrivees on the other hand were quite superb (both in feel and tone) - I tried a Grand Concert cutaway and a small bodied 000 model - both truly excellent guitars. Enough to make the hair stand up on the back of my neck!

I need to try a few Taylors next...
_________________
Just your average run-of-the-mill Superhero 'n stuff

davyjsnapper · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:48 am Post subject:

Capt.... I virtually only play acoustics and I have a few. But again I would agree with guys on here that the Taylors are fabulous. The prices seem to reflect the cosmetics on the guitars so for say £800 you will get a fantastic guitar.

The Lowdens are hand made affairs - I think they are made in Ireland and I have played one and it didn't move me. I am going to get a Taylor myself when I learn how to sneek it past my girl!

Bluelew · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:32 am Post subject:

Capt. if you can, play a Taylor GS Grand Symphony. The body is a tad bigger & has a truly remarkable tone. If you go with a new Taylor be certain it has the upgraded Expression system, the new one has a string ground & is nine-volt, the old one was 2 AA's & some of them were problematic. Not all of them had problems, I got a good one 2004. A lot of folks say the new one sounds better.
_________________
Happy trails, Bluelew
(shoulda kept the monkey)

Captain Bb · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:48 pm Post subject:

Okay, thanks for the additional tips guys - once again I appreciate your help.

I'm going to try my friend's 600 series first of all (again, not sure of the exact model but know it's a cedar top with cutaway body). He's playing it through a Marshall acoustic amp, has only had the guitar for about a year and had it back to the shop already to cure a wiring loom rattle inside the body. Anyway, I'll see what I think of it and check out which type of electrics it has, so I know what to look for when I audition other models.

I have to admit, I hadn't really thought about the electrics at all (until now). I realise certain models have them fitted as standard but my main consideration at the moment is the playing action, acoustic tone and response.

Hmmm......I haven't quite worked out a plan for getting it past the Wife either. Idea

_________________
Just your average run-of-the-mill Superhero 'n stuff

Bluelew · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:52 pm Post subject:

Hey man, did you demo that Taylor yet?
_________________
Happy trails, Bluelew
(shoulda kept the monkey)

Captain Bb · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:19 pm Post subject:

Bluelew · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:12 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the really nice Martins are kinda high & the more affordable ones are.... well not really nice.
_________________
Happy trails, Bluelew
(shoulda kept the monkey)

Captain Bb · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:

Finaly tried my friend's Taylor tonight - which turns out is a 514CE (not a 600 series as I thought).

Another very classy guitar that's beautifully made. A lot brighter than the others to my ears with plenty of power. Also, extremely nice when plugged-in too. Very good value when you also consider the price with electrics included is less than the Martin without.

To me the Larrivee was somewhere between these in tone.

Tonewise, I still like the Martin best I think but the action on the Taylor was much better (lower and so easier to play for me). I guess the action on the Martin can be lowered too, so I'm not sure how much emphasis I should place on the height of the action in my overall decision process.

I guess I need to go back and take another look at the Martin and my friend has agreed to tag along with his Taylor in tow, so I can try them both back-to-back.

Choices, choices... Confused

_________________
Just your average run-of-the-mill Superhero 'n stuff

Captain Bb · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:32 am Post subject:

...After playing both guitars today, I finally made a decision. My fingers were still in favour of the Taylor but my ears told me to take the Martin route, so I took home the OM28V.

I've now got a whole lot of explaining to do when the Wife gets home !! Rolling Eyes

_________________
Just your average run-of-the-mill Superhero 'n stuff