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Post by philw on May 20, 2013 14:48:44 GMT
Hey team - even as a beginner I am looking to get a new, better guitar. My current acoustic is a Vintage V800N, which cost me £180. Not a bad guitar if I am honest, not a solid one obviously but a good starter for me I thought. I am already saving for a new one, its just mind boggling though where to start, with the plethora of literally hundreds to chose from. One thing I am not sure on though is the different style of guitar. Mine I believe is a Dreadnought, but have read that some people just don't get on with dreadnought guitars for some reason, why is this? but when I read other guitars and it states them as parlour, concert etc etc I aint a clue what that means? is it a size difference or a sound one, or both? I was going to get one at the LAGS, but its been pointed out that its a good place to look and research but not the best place to buy, too noisey etc so I hope to get one if I can save up before I go in September? There are a few shops in Halifax I can look at and a couple in Huddersfield too, as I prefer to hold them and listen to them rather than buy online. I am also thinking not to get an electro acoustic either, just purely because I will only be playing for myself, and not gigging or anything when I get better, so I may as well spend the extra 150 quid it would cost for the pick up and put it to better use in an full acoustic instead? All suggestions most welcome PS - I will try to save say £1000, but if I can get a decent one for £500-600 great cheers Phil
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Post by earwighoney on May 20, 2013 15:57:52 GMT
One thing I am not sure on though is the different style of guitar. Mine I believe is a Dreadnought, but have read that some people just don't get on with dreadnought guitars for some reason, why is this? but when I read other guitars and it states them as parlour, concert etc etc I aint a clue what that means? is it a size difference or a sound one, or both? The differences between sizes do have differences on tone but more importantly on playability. Generally the larger the body (eg dread 16" wide, jumbo 17") the more bass/volume the instrument will have. What size are you most comfortable with? I'd recommend trying a OM (which has a 15" body), a smaller bodied guitar eg a Sigma 00 (which are 14" and smaller) in addition to some new dreads if you do find a guitar shop. Another important factor to look out for is string spacing at the nut and at the saddle. If you strum with a pick then it can be a good idea to have a narrow spacing at both, and if you fingerpick then having a wider spacing at both can be preferable. There are some excellent guitars in the £500-600 price range (and below), first or second hand including, Recording King, Guild D120 etc/F130 etc models, which would be my recommendations, but the best thing to do is to try as many guitars as you can. The more you play the more you'll find what you find most enjoyable to play.
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Post by philw on May 20, 2013 16:16:22 GMT
One thing I am not sure on though is the different style of guitar. Mine I believe is a Dreadnought, but have read that some people just don't get on with dreadnought guitars for some reason, why is this? but when I read other guitars and it states them as parlour, concert etc etc I aint a clue what that means? is it a size difference or a sound one, or both? The differences between sizes do have differences on tone but more importantly on playability. Generally the larger the body (eg dread 16" wide, jumbo 17") the more bass/volume the instrument will have. What size are you most comfortable with? I'd recommend trying a OM (which has a 15" body), a smaller bodied guitar eg a Sigma 00 (which are 14" and smaller) in addition to some new dreads if you do find a guitar shop. Another important factor to look out for is string spacing at the nut and at the saddle. If you strum with a pick then it can be a good idea to have a narrow spacing at both, and if you fingerpick then having a wider spacing at both can be preferable. There are some excellent guitars in the £500-600 price range (and below), first or second hand including, Recording King, Guild D120 etc/F130 etc models, which would be my recommendations, but the best thing to do is to try as many guitars as you can. The more you play the more you'll find what you find most enjoyable to play. thanks for that pal - when I get some pound notes saved I will start looking and trying some different ones. one of the shops in Halifax are a Sigma dealer I believe and have others too to choose from, and there is eagle music in Huddersfield that stock a fair bit and I think are Tanglewood dealers will also look at the recommendations online to start with that you mention too regards Phil
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on May 20, 2013 16:24:37 GMT
Phil, If you're going to be saving for a while (!) you'll find loads of different guitar sizes at ASBO1 in Halifax later this year... And the absolute BEST thing about the forum meet is that folk are happy to let others play their guitars. It'll be a great opportunity to try out a range of different sizes with different wood combinations
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Post by philw on May 20, 2013 16:37:32 GMT
Phil, If you're going to be saving for a while (!) you'll find loads of different guitar sizes at ASBO1 in Halifax later this year... And the absolute BEST thing about the forum meet is that folk are happy to let others play their guitars. It'll be a great opportunity to try out a range of different sizes with different wood combinations ok cool will bear that in mind, will see how the saving goes and hope the wheels don't fall off so I have some cash to spend in the near future
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on May 20, 2013 17:03:47 GMT
Phil - some good recommendations/advice so far, there's some excellent guitars in the Recording King, Sigma and Tanglewood ranges that's for sure - and in a variety of sizes and shapes. The Larrivee 02 range in 3 different sizes is also worth looking at to see what you get for around £800 too.
Try loads of different sizes and shapes, and get an idea of what suits you best soundwise, comfortwise (some, though not all, large guitars can get uncomfortable to reach around when playing sitting down - the narrower waisted large guitars sit lower on the thigh and can be more comfortable).
What type of music/styles do you intend to use the guitar for Phil?
You may not notice much difference yet when playing guitars with narrower nut/string spacing (eg 43 mm fingerboard width at nut)when compared to those with wider string spacing and nut (eg 45mm f/b width at nut), but in general many people find it easier to play more intricate fingerstyles on guitars with broader fingerboards at the nut. Again, not universal truth, but probably a majority verdict.
Again, as a generality, it is worth getting an instrument with a solid top (as opposed to laminated - if it doesn't specify solid, then it won't be) as these tend to have a richer sound, and usually one which will develop more subtlety with playing over time. Many of the instruments you may be looking at will have solid tops, but some won't, so it's worth asking.
Another generality - for the same money, a plainer looking guitar, where the costs have gone into sourcing decent wood, is likely to be better value (soundwise) than one with a lot of fancy inlays etc.
Good move to ignore electronics at this stage and , as you say, use the potential cost savings to extend your price range for acoustic-only guitars.
When it comes down to it, anyones recommendations are always hugely secondary to what you think about the sound and feel, so get out trying anything you can lay your hands on. A surprising number of guitars sound remarkably similar, but some will sound different in some way - try to develop your ear for that if you can.
When you try a guitar, play some single notes up and down each string and listen for the sound and how long the notes last (sustain) - better guitars will keep their sustain and volume further up the neck. Do the unwound strings sound harsh and metallic, or is there a certain "sweetness" to their sound? Strum some chords softly and progressively louder - does it still sound good when played hard? Try some fingerpicking and listen for evenness of volume between the strings.
If the guitar feels difficult to fret, and/or plays progressively more out of tune, it may need some adjustments to correct this, which the shop should do for you (free) if you otherwise like the sound of the guitar and wish to buy.
Always ask for a discount - you may get one! if you don't, then ask if they might throw in a strap, string sets etc - thay can only say no.
If you can, take a more experienced playing friend with you - their advice is likely to be less biased than that from many (though not all) salesmen.
Once you've tried loads, and are beginning to get a feel for what's out there, what you want, what you get for your money, you'll be in a better position to hear the quiet but insistent whispering from the one guitar in the shop that might be right for you - it'll be saying "Take me home!"
Good luck in your search - it shoiuld be fun, don't be intimidated by the choice or the attitude of some shops, or even by what you might feel is your relative inexperience. Enjoy the hunt - and keep us up to speed with what you've tried and maybe liked.
Keith
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2013 17:11:35 GMT
One of my students at school bought herself one of the new Faith naked range guitars. Absolutely stonking instrument. Wonderful tone for not too much money, if you can get past the very plain looks (I'm never too sure about the long term life span of a guitar with no binding). Other Faiths are well worth a look.
Robbie
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Post by philw on May 20, 2013 17:48:53 GMT
Thanks a lot guys. Will goto the local shops when i can just to see what's on offer
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Post by soundout on May 22, 2013 22:18:18 GMT
Hello Phil Lots of good advice here for you. In your area, the shop with by far the biggest selection of acoustics at all prices is The Music Room in Cleckheaton - it's where I have my recording studio. Behind the counter, Hugh is the man to talk to to make sure you get the guitar that's right for your needs. They do not have a commission system there so you will not be directed to more expensive guitars purely on price, only if they are suitable for you. Free parking in the Town Hall car park where you will see the massive Music Room building at the bottom corner. Tell them I sent you! Alistair Russell.
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Post by philw on May 23, 2013 6:37:21 GMT
thanks Alistair - will certainly go have a look sometime when I have got a few quid saved up
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Post by Akquarius on May 23, 2013 10:59:09 GMT
Hi Phil,
Just in case: I don't know about your timeline, but if you come to the Halifax meeting in september and haven't spent your money yet, you're welcome to try my Martin SWD GT.
It's a dreadnaught, it's still for sale and should be in the price range you're aming for.
Some of the folks here have played it and might be able to comment on it.
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Post by philw on May 23, 2013 14:46:36 GMT
Hi Phil, Just in case: I don't know about your timeline, but if you come to the Halifax meeting in september and haven't spent your money yet, you're welcome to try my Martin SWD GT. It's a dreadnaught, it's still for sale and should be in the price range you're aming for. Some of the folks here have played it and might be able to comment on it. Hi Bernd - had a quick google and found a guy in America giving a short demo on this guitar, sounds very nice Please can you PM me what price you would be looking at for it please? PS - wow u coming all the way from Germany for the meet up?
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on May 23, 2013 15:13:19 GMT
Phil, for a meeting like that I'd probably come all the way from Uzbekistan I'll pm you about that guitar.
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Post by philw on May 23, 2013 15:39:13 GMT
Phil, for a meeting like that I'd probably come all the way from Uzbekistan I'll pm you about that guitar. Blimey - that's dedication I think your trying to pressure me into coming along lol, especially as I live prob about 15mins drive away - all the guitar shows etc are always miles away from me, so this one I am going to have to drop in and see what its all about aren't I......I know not technically a show but a meet it does sound good, especially as I can listen to you pro's playing, love listening to other people play and maybe learn a few things too look forward to hearing about the guitar
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Post by Martin on May 23, 2013 19:11:01 GMT
Phil, not only do you get a chance to see lots of different guitars and hear good players at the meet-up, but it's also a great social occasion and we do have a lot of fun (I didn't play guitar much at all last year! )
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