Off Topic Acoustics

[KoreyD]

What do all you Ballers play when it comes to acoustics? I've never owned one, a shame! I might have to make one my next guitar. I'm interested in a Gibson Hummingbird, but leery of buying a Gibson! I figure a 1000 of those dollars are going for that name alone. Plus, Gibson's quality seems to be questionable these days. Although the acoustics are made in Bozeman, Montana, near my home town, and where I went to college. I've had a few friends that have worked there over the years. I just want a nice, no frills, good sounding quality guitar. I'm also very interested in Larrivee. They seem like a bargain. I've never gotten to play one though. What do guys like?

 

[mbgreene]

I've got a Larrivee Ovangkol D3 dread purchased last year - great sounding guitar.
Smaller company, family run, made in the US (The 3 series is still made in Canada where they started) Lesser known but well crafted and great value for the money. (sound familiar )

They also have a good forum, friendly, knowledgeable, with a lot of good info. You think the electric guys are picky about there tone woods and pick-ups, go read a bit about tone woods, body shapes, string spacing, etc on an acoustic forum

My other recommendation for a good value is Seagull. I had their base S6 model for 12 or so years before the Larrivee

 

[andynpeters]

I have a Martin OM21 and a Gibson J200....both nice. Gibsons seem overpriced I recommend Martin if you don't want to spend too much.

Whoops....we're on the EBMM forum, so why not buy the EB Earthwood acoustic currently offered for sale on the "For Sale" sticky.....you won't find many others!!

 

[azazael]

I've got an old Eko Ranger6 and an Ibanez Euphoria EP9.

 

[KoreyD]

I've got a Larrivee Ovangkol D3 dread purchased last year - great sounding guitar.
Smaller company, family run, made in the US (The 3 series is still made in Canada where they started) Lesser known but well crafted and great value for the money. (sound familiar )

They also have a good forum, friendly, knowledgeable, with a lot of good info. You think the electric guys are picky about there tone woods and pick-ups, go read a bit about tone woods, body shapes, string spacing, etc on an acoustic forum

My other recommendation for a good value is Seagull. I had their base S6 model for 12 or so years before the Larrivee

I've spent lots of time on the Larrivee site. I too think they seem to be in a familiar spot as EBMM - Great guitars without all the hype! I'm definitely leaning towards a Larrivee. I've looked into Seagull too. There was also Takoma who made some great valued guitars, but they got bought up by fender, still probably a pretty good guitar.

 

[KoreyD]

I have a Martin OM21 and a Gibson J200....both nice. Gibsons seem overpriced I recommend Martin if you don't want to spend too much.

Whoops....we're on the EBMM forum, so why not buy the EB Earthwood acoustic currently offered for sale on the "For Sale" sticky.....you won't find many others!!

I've been looking at that thing, pretty cool! Unfortunately, I'll be lucky if I'm in the market for a new guitar by Christmas time this year! And even then, I wouldn't be surprised at all if I get another electric instead!

 

[TNT]

I just select center position, and "roll" back the volume on my Axis!! lol,lol,lol

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I play a Takamine LTD-99. Its a nice guitar, though the preamp eats batteries alive!

 

[Spudmurphy]

I too have an eko ranger 6 - bought it circa 76 second hand.
Also have a 30's archtop.

Takamine make great acoustics.

 

[Slingy]

I have a Martin D18 made in 1971. It's ok, hard to play but sounds good. More of a collectors piece now since its falling apart.

 

[Sweat]

Kind of embaressed about mine at the moment but I try anything once, it does have some cool features, a Fender JZM, not bonding that well with it but just put some new EB titanium RPS on it so we will see

 

[jamminjim]

If you have fairly good strength in the fret hand a Martin is a great guitar, fantastic sounding especially the bass response...

If you want something that plays a little easier like an electric, Taylor or Ovation.

Larrivee is fantastic company and guitar... I had an L03K once and really wish I still had it. Also had a D02, but it got crushed by mistake.. case and all.

I've played a few Japanese made Taks and some are very nice. Upper end USA made Breedloves are great too. Japanese made Yamahas are good guitars.

I currently play a Martin DX1 and it's really underrated. Sounds as good as a D35 to me. Plays as good too. It's almost impervious to moisture/humidity changes, a fact I do like. Mine is USA made.

Rob, I dream about Matons. Must be nice to own one.

There are tons of good acoustics out there... hard to settle on just one. ...

I would give my left nut for a Martin 00-37K2 Steve Miller. Played one once and all I can say is... it is possibly the finest fingerstyle guitar I have ever held or heard.
Martin Steve Miller

What style of music are you planning on playing with the acoustic.... ?

 

[shredderbetter]

I run a carvin ac175 they rock the action is as low as my axis!if you need a fuller body they have those too!all made in the usa and you can custom order one !peizo and great craftsmanship!

 

[brasco68]

I play aussie made Maton acoustics, good enough for Tommy Emmanuel, good enough for me!

Would love to get a Maton! I've never heard an acoustic sound so good as when Tommy is playing one.

 

[Big Poppa]

I collect acoustics I have several old Martins but when it comes to new guitars Collings guitars are the class of the market. Bill collings is a genius

 

[mb99zz]

I just bought a Taylor 814ce last week and I love it. I had no intention of spending that much money. I spent several weeks playing Taylors, Guilds, Martins, and Larrivees at my local stores. I tried a few Gibsons and Takaminis as well. I planned to spend less than $1,500....ooops...should have never picked up the Taylor 814ce

If you're going for a straight-up acoustic with no electronics, I think Larrivee is the best bang for the buck. Handcrafted guitars with fantastic build quality and they're made either here in the US or in Canada (03 series). I loved the Larrivees, but felt the electronics weren't as good as the Taylor Expression System. To me, the Larrivees had WAY better build quality than the few very expensive Gibsons I played.

If you're on a budget, the GAD series from Guild are quite nice. I know I'm a crack-pot, but I have a personal preference to avoid products made in China (when ever possible). That being said, the GAD's were extremely well made guitars and sounded quite good -- possibly the best in their respective price range.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I've become a fan of Breedlove. Very innovative designs, and they sound amazing. Good to see someone doing something new and inventive in the world of acoustics. Mine is an AC25SR Plus. Spruce top, rosewood sides and back, and it's probably the best acoustic I've ever used.

 

[spychocyco]

I'm not much of an acoustic player, but I've got a few. Right now, my main one is an Ovation that I bought mainly because I always wanted one when I was growing up, and I prefer slimmer acoustics to the big boxy ones. I'm not digging it as much as I thought I would, though. I still like the neck, but that rounded back is just uncomfortable to play sitting on the couch, which is where I do most of my playing.

I owned a cheapo Washburn D-12 for years that was a pretty solid guitar. Really comfortable and a really good sound for the price. I also bought my grandfather a cheapo Jasmine a few years ago when he needed a guitar for therapy, and it's much better than expected for $100. If I was in the market, I'd definitely look at a real Takamine.

Right now, about the only acoustic guitar I'm GASing for at all is the Taylor T5, and it's waaaaaaaay out of my price range for an acoustic.

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

I've got a Tak LTD-89 and an Tak 12 string. They don't come out much anymore though because of the piezo equipped guitars

 

[KoreyD]

If you have fairly good strength in the fret hand a Martin is a great guitar, fantastic sounding especially the bass response...

If you want something that plays a little easier like an electric, Taylor or Ovation.

Larrivee is fantastic company and guitar... I had an L03K once and really wish I still had it. Also had a D02, but it got crushed by mistake.. case and all.

I've played a few Japanese made Taks and some are very nice. Upper end USA made Breedloves are great too. Japanese made Yamahas are good guitars.

I currently play a Martin DX1 and it's really underrated. Sounds as good as a D35 to me. Plays as good too. It's almost impervious to moisture/humidity changes, a fact I do like. Mine is USA made.

Rob, I dream about Matons. Must be nice to own one.

There are tons of good acoustics out there... hard to settle on just one. ...

I would give my left nut for a Martin 00-37K2 Steve Miller. Played one once and all I can say is... it is possibly the finest fingerstyle guitar I have ever held or heard.
Martin Steve Miller

What style of music are you planning on playing with the acoustic.... ?

Thanks for all the info, (that goes for everyone!) to answer your question about music style, I guess I'm looking to get a good all-around player. I'm thinking I want a cut-away or a dreadnoght. I'm a home player, no gigs, no bands, just love playing! One of the reasons I'd really like an acoustic, is just for practicing. Easy to pick-up and go!