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Post by guitarove on Jun 28, 2013 18:05:47 GMT
Hey everyone, I have been looking through the internet at what acoustic guitar I should buy, (obviously I want to try before I buy) but I am looking for a steer in the right direction. My one currently is a Freshman and although the tone isn't bad (for £250) it has a very chunky neck that makes it hard to play at times, particularly thumb wrapping which I like to do. Nut width is something that deceives me, I thought that my Freshman had a wide nut but it appeared that it was 42mm (or 43) - maybe the radius or just the sheer fatness makes it seem wide or something I do favour other shapes/sizes over Dreadnoughts, however if a really nice Dreadnought came up then I might have to get it. I've tried a Larrivee L-02 (great full loud sound), Martin OM1 (was nice to play a couple of years ago when I tried it briefly), a Martin 000x1ae (seemed good value and played better than an OM15 in my opinion at the time), and some other acoustics out of my price range that I wanted to have a go on anyway I've heard that Seagulls are really good build quality for the money however perhaps the sound for money isn't as good as Larrivees (perhaps a matter of preference). One I really like the look of is the Maritime Mini Jumbo Also I've heard about Blueridge - Different reviews there some saying great some saying not so great. An all solid would be great. A pickup would be great however not if it means getting a worse unplugged sounding guitar Any other suggestions whether brand or specific model will be appreciated - hopefully ones that are sold in shops in England so I can try Thanks! Jon P.S. I don't have a particular style, however would want an acoustic that is more fingerpicking friendly but also with a nice strumming sound for chords played with a pick
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Jun 28, 2013 19:03:02 GMT
Did you use a tin opener on this can of worms? Sit back and watch the replies flood in - which will confuse, inform and then confuse you again... the only advice I can offer is that you should try before you buy wherever possible. A lot will depend on what sort of music you want to play, in what tuning and fingerstyle, strumming or flatpicking. I know you've mentioned that you want an all-rounder but.... There is a great deal of respect for the Faith guitars on this forum (though I've never played one) but they are certainly in your price bracket. There's also the possibility of going 2nd hand where you'll get more bang for your buck - and, if bought from someone on this forum or from a reputable music shop, I'm sure you'll be pleased with whatever you get...
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Post by guitarove on Jun 28, 2013 19:17:07 GMT
Okay, thank you for that Faith is one make I've heard about in the last few days, I'll check them out some more, hopefully a store nearby will have some
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jun 28, 2013 19:22:24 GMT
Jonathan, you've already tried my top recommendation around that price, the Larrivee L-02, but try the OM-02 as well!
Keith
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Post by guitarove on Jun 28, 2013 19:29:24 GMT
Luckily I can also try out the OM as it is in stock at Absolute Music nearby
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Post by Martin on Jun 28, 2013 20:12:11 GMT
I can recommend a Seagull guitar having had a very nice S6 dread previously. I've liked most of the Larrivees I've tried too. At your price range, you might want to look at some of the newer Eastman acoustics that are getting rave reviews too!
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Post by guitarove on Jun 28, 2013 21:32:30 GMT
Thanks Martin, have you tried any of the higher end Seagulls? Or any higher end Godin made acoustics (Seagull look the best to me but I heard the difference is mainly nut widths)
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Post by guitarove on Jun 28, 2013 21:35:41 GMT
My mistake, I thought the S6 was a lower end as I quickly googled and saw it for £220. Didn't realise it was around £550
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Post by Martin on Jun 28, 2013 21:35:59 GMT
'Fraid not J. They all seem to be very well built guitars, but I've only had the bog-standard Seagull so far. EDIT: Just saw your post above. Not sure on the new price but I bought mine second hand with a few dings several years ago for £250. Great buy
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Post by guitarove on Jun 28, 2013 21:57:22 GMT
Ahh, on the website of a music shop fairly nearby it is new for £550. I don't know if this shop is overpriced or not but they also sell Faith, Simon and Patrick and quite a few other brands. Looks like I'm in for quite a session of trying guitars when I go there Glad you made a good purchase
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Post by ocarolan on Jun 28, 2013 22:20:08 GMT
Ahh, on the website of a music shop fairly nearby it is new for £550. I don't know if this shop is overpriced or not but they also sell Faith, Simon and Patrick and quite a few other brands. Looks like I'm in for quite a session of trying guitars when I go there ............................. Exciting time ahead by the sound of it - we'll expect a full report of everything you try, an what you thought about it of course! Good hunting!! Keith
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Post by grayn on Jun 29, 2013 5:27:25 GMT
If you struggle with large necks, you may want to avoid Seagull. They are great but have wide necks as standard. Simon and Patrick are tops though. +1 to Faith and Eastman.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Jun 29, 2013 6:50:28 GMT
Why buy new? You could get a much better quality used British or American all solid wood guitar at or near your price max. Where are you located?
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Post by guitarove on Jun 29, 2013 8:24:52 GMT
grayn - Thanks for that advice, I did hear about seagulls having wider nuts, but do you mean the actual necks are thicker? Or just the large nut width? Of course having a wider nut may make it difficult to thumb wrap and a thick neck even more so, but I'll try it out in a shop just to see dreadnought28 - I'm located at Poole, Dorset. Near Bournemouth which is probably more well known in the country. And good point that, it's just finding the right used guitar. Any ideas where I can look?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2013 9:00:19 GMT
grayn - Thanks for that advice, I did hear about seagulls having wider nuts, but do you mean the actual necks are thicker? Or just the large nut width? Of course having a wider nut may make it difficult to thumb wrap and a thick neck even more so, but I'll try it out in a shop just to see dreadnought28 - I'm located at Poole, Dorset. Near Bournemouth which is probably more well known in the country. And good point that, it's just finding the right used guitar. Any ideas where I can look? My part of the world! You are lucky in that you've got Oasis just up the road in Ringwood, The Guitar Store in Southampton, and Absolute Music in Poole (which I've not managed to get to yet). Oasis have a lovely looking sunburst 214 in at the moment. The Guitar store have a couple of the new PRS SE acoustics which may be worth looking at. If you can get up to Portsmouth then Music Room there have several Faiths in stock, including the naked series, the gloss series and the Trembesi models. I think these are fantastic value for money. I remember trying a small jumbo gloss series one (Indian Rosewood back and sides) that was simply fantastic. Robbie
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