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Post by andyfr on Sept 30, 2014 7:47:24 GMT
I am working on a short list of guitars to try when we visit an area which has a decent choice. I have been looking at the different offerings from Faith guitars and wondered if the extra cost of the High Gloss series is worth it, what are the benefits?
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Sept 30, 2014 8:37:08 GMT
With gloss you get to see your reflection in it and check the uniqueness of your fingerprints.
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alig
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Post by alig on Sept 30, 2014 9:41:28 GMT
I rather think the Hi-gloss Faiths are Rosewood b/s and the Naked are mahogany... I only had a quick glance at them a while back, mind...
I've been wrong before too...
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Post by andyfr on Sept 30, 2014 10:36:06 GMT
From the info on the Faith website I think you're right. So the different woods will make subtle differences to the sound I assume. Does the finish also contribute to the sound or is it just for aesthetics?
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alig
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Post by alig on Sept 30, 2014 10:54:21 GMT
Different woods certainly sound different. That said, bulders sound different too...
Best way to find out would be to play the guitars and hear for yourself. If you play one you like, grab it!
Another best way would be to ask Dave White - a bloke who actually builds guitars would be the chap to speak to.
There's no shortage of advice/similar enquiries elsewhere on the forum.
Good luck!
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Sept 30, 2014 11:05:03 GMT
Hi Andy, a lot of these things will contribute to the sound. Some say rosewood is more complex with more overtones, while mahogany is drier and lighter. Similarly, the gloss finish will give more protection and a snazzier look, but a thin satin finish can be more tactile and maybe let more of the tone permeate from the soundboard.
As Alasdair says, playing them is the only way to find out what is best for you.
Personally, I love the look of the naked series.
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Sept 30, 2014 11:06:28 GMT
Any finish applied too thickly will impact the tone of an instrument. Due to the process of having to buff to an automotive shine without cutting through to the wood I suspect that factory made guitars with gloss finishes will have a thicker finish on than "natural" finished ones - but that depends on the finish used. There are so many other variables apart from finish in factory made guitars that will affect the sound that the best advice is always to play as many different guitars as you can and buy the one that speaks to you.
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Post by andyfr on Sept 30, 2014 11:11:31 GMT
Thanks guys. I do intend to try them along with some other makes when I'm in an area with a decent guitar store. I was curious regarding the finish, especially as the price is higher. Cheers!
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Post by thejamsinger on Sept 30, 2014 11:31:30 GMT
Hi Andyfr
I have just recently purchased a Faith High Gloss Venus. Could not put it down after picking it up. Didn't try the naked mahogany so can't compare between them. All I will say is you won't be disappointed with the Venus. I prefered the Faith Venus to the Gibsons, Martins and Taylors I tried. I have no regrets and have already started gigging with it.
Steve
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Post by grayn on Sept 30, 2014 12:09:56 GMT
A few years ago, I had a friend who as a Faith dealer, so I have played almost all there models. In general, I always preferred the Hi-Gloss models. A few years ago, you could get hi-gloss mahogany Faiths, too.
Nice to have the choice and I'm sure, once you've played a few, you'll know which you prefer. With faiths, I thought the mahaogany B&S models had a slighly warmer, friendlier tone. The Rosewood B&S, were more accurate and vibrant.
Good luck.
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Post by andyhowell on Sept 30, 2014 14:00:46 GMT
I have played a few Faiths now and I am impressed. Every Faith that I have played has been a pretty nice guitar. I have played a mahogany instrument and a rosewood one and I found more or less the same of Grayn. The mahogany instrument had a more compressed sound that sounded nice for country blues and ragtime. The rosewood instrument had more air to it. But you could play almost any style on either of these instruments. It will be down to personal choice at the end of the day.
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Post by andyfr on Sept 30, 2014 14:26:02 GMT
Thanks guys, helpful observations.
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Post by bobcarter on Oct 4, 2014 21:16:35 GMT
Hi
Just to say that the Natural Faiths are different from Naked series mentioned here (you mention that you're comparing High Gloss and Natural in the post title). The Natural and the Naked series have quite different price points.
Although I haven't got one myself, I've always taken the opportunity to try Faiths when I find one in the shop, and have always been impressed, especially with the High Gloss - the High Gloss Neptune is my favourite and I almost bought one a while back when shopping for a guitar around the £700 mark but went for something else in the end. The Naked ones I've tried have seemed less special, but have the advantage of course of being a fair bit cheaper! Don't have much experience of playing the Naturals.
If you look at faithguitars.com under the "guitars" menu you can easily compare the woods on the different models - as other comments say, the High Gloss have Rosewood sides, the Natural and Naked mahogany.
Happy shopping!
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Post by andyfr on Oct 5, 2014 13:26:03 GMT
Hi Bob I was mainly wondering if the high gloss was worth the £120 extra over the natural. I'm hoping to get a chance to try some and let my hands and ears answer the question.
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Post by chris501 on Oct 5, 2014 15:04:15 GMT
We find customers more or less evenly divided between the two. I don't think it's the 100 quid extra that stops some peole buying the hi gloss model, more the fact that they like the warmer more tactile feel of the satin wood finish. I always feel the natural ones sound more 'open'.....best way of describing it, but that may just be my imagination making me think less finish makes a better sound. Plenty of gloss acoustics, Faith included, sound perfectly good as well. Probably one of the best selling guitars in our store at that price............but have a look at the Yamaha L series before taking the plunge, similar money (or they start at similar money) and extremely good.
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