Recommend me a guitar

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I'm a songwriter and I'm looking to buy a really nice non-electric guitar (acoustic, possibly nylon strings) - rich sound, good action, easy to play. My chops are a little eccentric, and I usually write songs on piano or synth, but I can play a guitar reasonably well if the guitar itself is easy to play. The two guitars I own were bought when I was much younger, and my inexperience meant that I chose them more by virtue of how cool they look, rather than how good they sound. They still look cool, but they are quite unforgiving and hard to play fluently. As it's my birthday's coming up, I've decided to treat myself. Any recommendations?

― Dan Able, Wednesday, 15 June 2005 22:43 (twenty years ago)

― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 15 June 2005 22:47 (twenty years ago)

Obviously, the best guitar is the one you think feels and sounds best -- and opinions on this vary as widely as guitars.

I will say, though, that I think Seagull makes fantastic cheap acoustics, if you can find one. I don't really recomment a nylon-string guitar unless you plan to fingerpick classical style.

― Hurting (Hurting), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 22:54 (twenty years ago)

yeah, nylons are only good for very specific styles - bossa nova, Spanish, classical fingerpicking, etc.

― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 15 June 2005 22:57 (twenty years ago)

My friend has this great acoustic with a DSP. Sounds amazing through his m-audio interface.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 23:05 (twenty years ago)

When I was looking for a new acoustic 12-string recently, my price range was in the $400-600 range. I tried the lower-end Martin and Taylor guitars, but decided that a Tacoma sounded and played better for my style. Go to Guitar Center and spend a bunch of time playing all the acoustic guitars, and you'll probably find one in your price range that plays and sounds good to you.

― Bob Crain (bobcrain), Thursday, 16 June 2005 00:05 (twenty years ago)

And then go buy it anywhere that isn't Guitar Center.

What's your price range, BTW? My advice will differ depending on what you want to spend. The Tacomas and the Seagull/Art and Lutherie/Simon and Patrick stuff are all great recommendations, by the way. Stay the hell away from the cheap Martins and Taylors...they are better firewood than guitars. Also, I always recommend bringing a friend that can play with you and listening to the instrument while they play it. What a guitar sounds like in front of it often vastly differs from what it sound like when you are playing it (Taylors in particular).

― John Justen (johnjusten), Thursday, 16 June 2005 00:59 (twenty years ago)

Also, unless you are sure that you won't ever plug it in, you might want to get it with a pickup. Adding one later is expensive, somewhat risky, and a pain in the ass. If you do go with a pickup system, look for something with a B-Band pickup/preamp in it.

Also, I'll throw in a recommendation for Washburn.

― John Justen (johnjusten), Thursday, 16 June 2005 01:12 (twenty years ago)

Well from my experience, Ovations are good but pricey. I played mine for about 15 yrs without any major problems. Guilds are ok but play like a mack truck. Takamines are sweet. I was sorry to part with that one until I replaced it with a Simon & Patrick 12 and it's every bit as good. I had a Seagull for a while and enjoyed it a lot. That was a great axe for the money.

John's Washburn suggestion is OTM too.

― jim wentworth (wench), Thursday, 16 June 2005 01:51 (twenty years ago)

Don't buy an Ovation unless you want to get that brassy Dave Matthews tone.

Also, I dislike electric acoustics -- you're compromising the quality of both the electronics and the guitar, unless you want to shell out a good amount. Down the road you can get one of those pickups that slides into the soundhole, if you want it.

― Hurting (Hurting), Thursday, 16 June 2005 02:01 (twenty years ago)

Dave Matthews tone. Ouch!

But you're right, at least about the shallow Ovations. I don't hear that in the deeper ones, though.

― jim wentworth (wench), Thursday, 16 June 2005 02:28 (twenty years ago)

don't get an ovation! i can't say they "sound like shit" but they sound like an ovation which is basically the acoustic sound running from dave matthews (altho i'm sure he has an ancient martin or some boutique luthier shit) to the matrix and madonna, rachel stephens, etc. my popism stops at acoustic guitar production; she'kspere fake guitars i adore, but guitars that sound like fake guitars make me grit my teeth and flare my nostrils at the radio (even on songs i like).

anyway, i'd recommend going to used places and just trying stuff out. it really is like buying an old pair of jeans: there's no way of telling (not by name or anything) what the thing will be like unless you try it on. i picked up an alvarez that sounds full and boomy but a little dark and brittle (ie the sound i was looking for) for $200. it took a little looking around, but there it was.

― g e o f f (gcannon), Thursday, 16 June 2005 03:24 (twenty years ago)

I'm going to have to disagree w/hurting (with all due respect). As long as you pay attention to the acoustic sound of an electric acoustic, and aren't won over by what the guitar sounds like plugged in, I don't think it's such a bad deal. It's true that acoustic guitars sound better miked, but most soundpeople don't put the mike in the proper place (Hint: mic at soundhole is WRONG. Lower bout sweet spot sounds like your guitar, not your strings.)

― John Justen (johnjusten), Thursday, 16 June 2005 04:35 (twenty years ago)

And don't be afraid to ask the store to string the guitar up with new strings! A guitar with new strings sounds WORLDS better than one with shop worn, funked up strings.

Also - look at used ones. Used accoustic guitars take on an entirely different sound, even the inexpensive ones. The sounds mellow, and change in ways that are amazing.

And Guitar Center is exactly as evil as McDonalds. You can wrestle with that on your own.

― Big Loud Mountain Ape (Big Loud Mountain Ape), Thursday, 16 June 2005 17:24 (twenty years ago)

I saw Kevin Shields playing an acoustic once with a single sharp cutaway. I think I heard it was a Guild F-70, but I've never been able to track one down. Does anyone know of this guitar and have information?

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 16 June 2005 17:27 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

Would any kind person be prepared to visit this site and tell me what acoustic guitar (in the range on offer) they think is the best for the best price??
http://www.guitar-village.co.uk/

― James Lock, Monday, 15 August 2005 09:04 (twenty years ago)

Dunno, but that Takamine sure is handsome.

― The Mad Puffin (The Mad Puffin), Monday, 15 August 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

Not this one:

― Confounded (Confounded), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

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