New Acoustic Guitar Suggestions ~3k

[natedawg]

I am planning on buying a new guitar and was looking for suggestions. In the end, it will come down to what sound I like the best. I went to Sam Ash and played the Martins and Taylors. So I know what I like and don't like about each. However, Sam Ash doesn't carry all the brands, so I was wondering if anyone had suggestions of other brands I should seek out and try before I make my decision.

I am planning on spending anywhere from $2,500 to $3,000. I play both finger style and flat picking. I prefer the guitar to be loud like a cannon so I can strum lightly and get the volume I want, but I will probably get one with a pickup built in for when I do live performances. A lot of the pieces I play emphasize the bass line, so a guitar that carries bass is good. I will also probably go with a cut-away. Even though most the stuff I play isn't that high up on the neck, I want this guitar to work for everything since I am investing so much in it.

I played a Lowden the other day and I really like the sound of that guitar. The overtones ring through so well. It doesn't have a pickup built in, but I could always get one installed. Any suggestions for other brands besides Loweden, Martin and Taylor I should seek out and try before I make a decision? Thanks.

[Kahn]

This one has an MSRP of $3500, but you could probably get one for under $3000 Im sure.



This one is super fancy, a little more expensive



What type of guitar are you looking for? For what type of playing (performance, recording, personal) That would help a lot.

Obviously I think you should get a Larrivee, though, because I think mine is better than any Martin or Taylor I've ever played except for the D-35

[sfmartins]

A lot of the pieces I play emphasize the bass line, so a guitar that carries bass is good.

I also like a good bass so I bought a Martin D-35 last year.
I am from Portugal, but I've some friends in Philadelphia and they bought it at 8thstreet (http://www.8thstreet.com).
I asked the guys from the store to install a Fishman Premium Blend: they just sent the guitar to the factory in Nazareth and in less than 2 weeks it was done. The guys there were great! Everything was around $2300.

Since the first time I played it, I know this is the best acoustic guitar for me, in that price range.

[natedawg]

What type of guitar are you looking for? For what type of playing (performance, recording, personal) That would help a lot.

I don't play large venues by any means. I like to play for friends wherever I go, but its usually not a very large room. I also play with a band that has no drums, so I want to make sure the other guitars and bass don't drown it out. I will make sure whatever I do get I will post pictures and sound clips. In the case that its something no one has on here, it will add to everyones guitar knowledge.

[firedancer86]

try playing a Taylor with cocobolo back/sides in a dred body type...you will get the volume from the coco, the spruce can handle the flat picking and still have the beautiful fingerpicking sound:

http://taylorguitars.com/guitars/model. ... 810-CE-L10

[mangold]

3k? fuck you man hahah

larrivee.

[natedawg]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have a few different guitars I want to try out now. I am going to see if I can find one of those 810cd-l10 to try out. By the sites descriptions, it sounds what I would like. But I don't want to buy something I haven't tried.

[mattinbeloit]

I'm deffinantly a Taylor guy but since you have a preatty high budget I would suggest a Martin D-18GE, it's one of the best guitars martin is putting out right now and I just got one a christmas and love it to death. It's one of the loudest and bassiest guitars you will find. The only thing is that it's a dread body style and does not have a cutaway so that might be a turnoff. If you are looking for a smaller body look at an 000-18GE or an OM-18GE. The GE series stand for Golden Era and are copies of how martin made the different models in the 1930's. Defiantly give the D-18GE a try, it is AMAZING and I got mine for $2400 with a sunburst top. If you like that guitar you can get a K&K pickup or soemthing like that that for around $100 and you will not have to cut any holes in the guitar or anything. A constant battle on these forums is the Taylor vs. Martin battle so it is going to boil down to if you like the taylor or martin sound better, both are unique and great in their own respects. In terms of taylors, I own 2. I love my 714-ce to death and would suggest that you give one of those a try, great guitar. Another good option in the Taylor line that I liked alot was the Walnut W-14ce. It had a great, warm sound that alot of taylors lack and is the only taylor that I liked better then my 714ce. Most taylors are lacking in bass sound so I don't think alot of them are going to be better for you, but deffinantly give those 2 a try because they are probably 2 of the warmest and bassiest Taylors you will find. I don;t know how many times I can say it, but for god sakes, give that Martin D-18GE a try before you decide on anything, it is a freaking God among guitars, anyone who has played one wuill tell you that i preatty much guarantee it. Happy shopping, it's fun ain't it!

[jbilly]

If more bass is what you want don't bother with a Taylor. They are great guitars, but don't have the "Martin" bass. I own a Martin HD28V and the bass is amazing. It also has a limitless top end for hard strumming. The rosewood models will have more overtones while the mohogney versions (d18) will have more punchiness to cut through the mix. Also check out the new Breedlove Revival series. They are build like 1930's style Martins and sound huge. They are probably the most guitar for the money.

[erikro]

The only Taylor that has really wowed me was a 714. I am pretty sure it was a cedar top. You cant go wrong with a D-28 or D-35. You will save a few bucks that way too. Just play them. Call maurysmusic.com and myfavoriteguitars.com before you buy. They will give you the best prices on Martins.

Erik

[mattinbeloit]

If more bass is what you want don't bother with a Taylor. They are great guitars, but don't have the "Martin" bass. I own a Martin HD28V and the bass is amazing. It also has a limitless top end for hard strumming. The rosewood models will have more overtones while the mohogney versions (d18) will have more punchiness to cut through the mix. Also check out the new Breedlove Revival series. They are build like 1930's style Martins and sound huge. They are probably the most guitar for the money.

I can't believe I forgot to suggest a rosewood martin, I'm all caught up in the d-18ge... anyway ya the hd-28v was great, i loved it. I liked the D-28 Marquise even better. The marquise is preatty much a golden era D-28 except it does not use the rarer brazilin rosewood, but instead indian rosewood, thus the marquis name instead of GE. I was actually going to buy a D-28 Marquise originally but changed my mind on the GE. The only reason for that was that I thought it was a little more balanced sound wise. The Marquis had a little more bass then the GE but not much, but the bass was so strong it drowned out the midrange. Alot of ppl. like that though so give them both a try and see what you think, If I had the money I would get both, but alas I'm stuck with the GE (Ya I know cry me a fucking river...)

[natedawg]

I tried a ton of guitars out today. I think I am going to go with the D-35 and get a fishman pickup installed into it. I just love how the bass comes out of that guitar. I tried a mahogony taylor cutaway thats in the 500 series, forget the exact model, I liked the feel of with a wonderfulf sound. It just didn't have the bass I was looking for. I also tried some lowdens I liked that didn't have pricetags on them. But I found out they were ~5k and that ended that. As far as the golden era martins go, I like the sound of them. However I do not like the neck. Its tough to find a guitar that sounds the way you want and feels the way you want in terms of playing. I think the D-35 is the best combination for now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[jbilly]

I. I think the D-35 is the best combination for now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Wise choice you won't be dissapointed.

[mattinbeloit]

I tried a ton of guitars out today. I think I am going to go with the D-35 and get a fishman pickup installed into it. I just love how the bass comes out of that guitar. I tried a mahogony taylor cutaway thats in the 500 series, forget the exact model, I liked the feel of with a wonderfulf sound. It just didn't have the bass I was looking for. I also tried some lowdens I liked that didn't have pricetags on them. But I found out they were ~5k and that ended that. As far as the golden era martins go, I like the sound of them. However I do not like the neck. Its tough to find a guitar that sounds the way you want and feels the way you want in terms of playing. I think the D-35 is the best combination for now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

The feal of the guitar is very important and you should go with what feals good to you. When i went in to buy my martin i had preatty much played my taylors for about 3-4 years. I did not like that V neck AT ALL but i told myself I was going to make an exception because it sounded so fucking good. It took me about 2 weeks of hard playing to finally get used to it but after that it was fine and I'm very comfortable and I have no problems switching between the taylor and martin. Just something to consider, I would be interested to see how other ppl. have made a change like that, but I turned out ok, but I definantly understan how you feal, they are freakishly awkward.

[mangold]

I tried a ton of guitars out today. I think I am going to go with the D-35 and get a fishman pickup installed into it. I just love how the bass comes out of that guitar. I tried a mahogony taylor cutaway thats in the 500 series, forget the exact model, I liked the feel of with a wonderfulf sound. It just didn't have the bass I was looking for. I also tried some lowdens I liked that didn't have pricetags on them. But I found out they were ~5k and that ended that. As far as the golden era martins go, I like the sound of them. However I do not like the neck. Its tough to find a guitar that sounds the way you want and feels the way you want in terms of playing. I think the D-35 is the best combination for now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

The feal of the guitar is very important and you should go with what feals good to you. When i went in to buy my martin i had preatty much played my taylors for about 3-4 years. I did not like that V neck AT ALL but i told myself I was going to make an exception because it sounded so fucking good. It took me about 2 weeks of hard playing to finally get used to it but after that it was fine and I'm very comfortable and I have no problems switching between the taylor and martin. Just something to consider, I would be interested to see how other ppl. have made a change like that, but I turned out ok, but I definantly understan how you feal, they are freakishly awkward.

see i barely notice a difference when i go from guitar to guitar in anything except the slickness of the neck. i mean i dont even notice goin to a seagull with them wide ass nuts. i dont notice the vneck or anything. i just hear it.