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#290109 - 27/11/11 09:30 PM
Which Acoustic up to £2000
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Christeefur
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 27/11/11
Posts: 30
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Ok, so I have the fortune of having some money headed my way, and so I have decided to invest some in a new acoustic. I have given myself 2k, but my head is spinning with all the different options available, so i thought why not ask the 'community' and see what opinions are out there.
I currently own a martin 0015, which i love, but having played other martin's I have not been particularly impressed (maybe i was lucky)
I want to steer clear of dreadnoughts, i mainly play finger style, but its always good to be able to have a bit of a strum every now and then. So the requirement is for a guitar that will compliment my martin, and be relatively versatile.
I have thought about maybe a handmade instrument from the UK like a fylde, brook, or northworthy etc. So any thoughts or experiences that can be shared is greatly appreciated.
thanks
Chris
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Christeefur - all fingers and thumbs
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#290112 - 27/11/11 10:59 PM
Re: Which Acoustic up to £2000
[Re: Christeefur]
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Lester
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 28/05/11
Posts: 543
Loc: UK & Slovakia
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At that price you really do have to play the guitar and decide whether that make, model and specifcally that individual guitar fits your dream.
The usual suspects include Stonebridge, L'arrive, Lakewood, Martin, Taylor, Takamine, Breedlove and probably more.
At this price level I only have experience of my 1997 Takamine limited edition, which over its 14 year life has matured to a lovely sound, better than when new, which was oustanding back then.
The idea of a handmade instrument takes you down an interesting and very personal path. It will be interesting to hear what you decide on.
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#290116 - 28/11/11 09:38 AM
Re: Which Acoustic up to £2000
[Re: Christeefur]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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I would so go for the handmade option - Just being able to discuss the kind of sound you want with the maker, pick the woods/look of the instrument, knowing that you will get individual care and attention to detail, and that it will be unique - all powerful reasons to go this route for me.
Not to say that there isn't a lot to be said for trying a range of Guitars and picking out one that you like - that also has it's merits when it comes to buying. But do enjoy the whole process, and let us know what you decide in the end!
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Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#290124 - 28/11/11 03:08 PM
Re: Which Acoustic up to £2000
[Re: Christeefur]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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As you say, a nice headache to have - of course only you can decide which is the right way for you. Nice of you to let us share in the process though!
I can't claim to have experience with handmade British Guitars, but I do know there are quite a few out there to consider. I guess if it was me, I'd be searching around on the web, looking at different maker's work - probably the initial narrowing down would be based on the kind of "look" each maker gets - shallow of me, but there you go. It must be helpful if you can try other Guitars they have made though.
FWIW, I do have a pretty nice Spanish made classical guitar, which is Indian rosewood back and sides (looks lovely) with a red cedar wood top - it's great, very "big" sounding and resonant, but compared to the spruce top classical Guitars I've played, not as bright - the spruce seems to be a bit more focused sounding, if that makes any sense. So I would tend to go with spruce top for a steel-string acoustic. Not an expert on this stuff though!
Edited by Megi (28/11/11 03:09 PM)
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#290125 - 28/11/11 03:28 PM
Re: Which Acoustic up to £2000
[Re: Christeefur]
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Lester
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 28/05/11
Posts: 543
Loc: UK & Slovakia
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I am no expert on woods but am interested.
Both of my acoustic Guitars (6 string Takamine, 12 string Faith) are OM size. Both have a solid spruce top which provides a brighter and more defined sound than mahogany. Because of spruce's strength and sound it is the most popular top for Guitars. Depending on what sound you are after and what wood you choose for the back, you might want to discuss grain width of the wood used for the top with the luthier as wider grained wood will give fuller bass response than a finer grained wood, something you might want in an OM guitar.
When I bought the Takamine, when I played a chord I heard 6 strings, whereas on my old Eko Ranger 6 dreadnought all I heard was a chord. The definition of the Takamine is that much clearer; it is nice when you can hear the difference. The Takamine's koa back gives a better (fuller) bass response than would mahongany but less bassy than rosewood. Walnut would be an alternative good choice for the back. I suspect that mahogany on an OM guitar might leave you with too little in the bass.
It suits me for both rhythm and finger picking, whether soft or pounding. I am sure a luthier will know which woods to recommend and especially to suit your style of playing.
I am not suggesting anything here, just rambling on about the little that I know. Pick whatever seems relevant or interesting and research it further.
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#290184 - 30/11/11 07:26 AM
Re: Which Acoustic up to £2000
[Re: Christeefur]
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A K Daisy
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 26/09/11
Posts: 15
Loc: mid wales
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What a great place to be!
Have you thought about some thing vintage?
Let know how you get on.
cheers Ak
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#290188 - 30/11/11 09:37 AM
Re: Which Acoustic up to £2000
[Re: Christeefur]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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so just to add further confusion...A friend is selling his collings om1... Its some guitar too. Wow too much choice! Thinking of a trip down to ringwood to visit oasis music. They have huss and dalton, martins, taylor, atkin, toon,PJE, larrive and brooks all in stock at the moment! Anyone got any experience of Stonebridge? they seem quite popular round these parts! thanks Chris 
Moon Guitars I can remember one of these getting an absolute rave review in Guitarist back in the '80s, the prices seem very good, and they can be found in stock at a few UK shops also.
Alan Arnold Guitars Just like the look of his stuff, and again the prices are in your range for an acoustic.
Have fun though, and keep us posted!
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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