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Post by curmudgeon on Jun 13, 2021 10:39:01 GMT
Hi Everyone I have just had to sell all my electric gear to ongoing and deteriorating problems with my hearing.....getting hearing aids fitted in a couple of weeks in both ears. So, I am starting to look for an acoustic and other than the usual suspects like Lowden, Martin, Gibson etc I realise I am not that familiar with many of the smaller or less well-known builders out there. I often see really interesting acoustics for sale on the forum that I have never heard of before. So, I thought I would see if anyone might be able to point me in the right direction of a builder or brand that they have stumbled upon. I guess I'm looking for a dread, or possibly a OOO, as I really like a good bass response and crisp'ish trebles. I have have acoustics with spruce and cedar tops and I guess my preference would be for spruce. In terms of back and sides I have had cherry, mahogany and rosewood and I think rosewood is a clear favourite but did have Froggy Bottom dread back in the 90s with mahogany/spruce and that was just extraordinary. So, have an open mind in terms of woods and to an extent body size/shape too. In terms of budget I also have an open mind although can't go crazy. I would prefer to keep it under £2000 but would probably spend more for the right guitar. Thanks in advance! Guy Hi Guy, sorry to hear about your hearing. I gave up playing drums decades ago because the noise levels were getting me down. Firstly, I'd say don't be too fussy about the brands. More importantly is to focus on the size shape of guitar that will best suit your hands and where you intend to play.
You will know the fretboard pretty well but you don't/can't play an acoustic like you do an electric, so you are effectively starting from (almost scratch.
Dreads are fine and great for performing and singing and in a combo - I have three Collings for that) but they tend to be mostly a rhythm instrument, same applies for jumbos and super jumbos(SJ200 etc) and far from ideal for playing seated.
I suggest that you also check out the latest offerings from Eastman which are remarkably good - As a Collings, Martin and Santa Cruz player, I am delighted with my E20-p (size "0" and E40-00) and the also do OMs although they are actually 000 being shorter scale.
The OM/000 style is the next size down and fine for many. (I only use 12 fret guitars because thee fretboards are generally wider which suits my old hands).
One word of warning I recently got my third pair of hearing aids. I've had expensive private ones and two NHS sets and the sound of acoustic guitars with them in are ...weird. you may well get a strange chorus and fast tremolo effect - in any case your guitar/s will sound like acoustics through a cheap pickup and acoustic amp. but will still sound rewarding without the aids.
I hope you don't have this experience as have I but manage your expectations.
I hope this helps. Andy
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Post by malcolm on Jun 13, 2021 11:00:10 GMT
I think spending 4k on a guitar has got to be a better bet than on ear buds. No question😂 If you can't hear it properly, it's not.
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Post by malcolm on Jun 13, 2021 11:10:29 GMT
I have the expensive hearing aids from a private audiologist. I didn't get them specifically for playing music, but they certainly improve my enjoyment of it. Sometimes I play without them at home, but always wear them when playing a gig. The whole experience of buying them was helpful and effortless, I had a 30 day trial with no commitment on my part and even had some dummy blanks moulded to fit my ears to see which type I preferred. Interestingly, I can hear my voice much better while wearing them. I'm not aware of the situation in the UK, but in Ireland you can get a portion of the cost paid by the health executive, your NHS, and then you can claim tax relief on the remainder, so it works out at a lot less than 3k in the end. From anecdotal evidence, I believe the cheap NHS ones are not much use.
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Post by surfguy13 on Jun 14, 2021 13:10:46 GMT
I have the expensive hearing aids from a private audiologist. I didn't get them specifically for playing music, but they certainly improve my enjoyment of it. Sometimes I play without them at home, but always wear them when playing a gig. The whole experience of buying them was helpful and effortless, I had a 30 day trial with no commitment on my part and even had some dummy blanks moulded to fit my ears to see which type I preferred. Interestingly, I can hear my voice much better while wearing them. I'm not aware of the situation in the UK, but in Ireland you can get a portion of the cost paid by the health executive, your NHS, and then you can claim tax relief on the remainder, so it works out at a lot less than 3k in the end. From anecdotal evidence, I believe the cheap NHS ones are not much use. That's really interesting malcolm! I went to Boots back in 2016 for a hearing test and the lady that saw me was a very competent audiologist. The test took about 1 hr 45 minutes and with the time spent discussing the options it was more like 2 hours. I had no idea that Boots did not offer NHS hearing aids and when the lady told me that her recommendation would be for a hearing aid (fitting inside the ear) that cost just under £4000. Blew my mind. No way I could afford that so it was end of conversation. She didn't mention anything relating to help from the NHS and likewise no mention of tax relief so I'm guessing it probably isn't available in England. You are the first person I've spoken to that has had positive experiences and it is encouraging. Fantastic that you are having such good experiences with them when playing music. I have given up with the NHS hearing aids; mainly due to total lack of support any sort of help from Specsavers. Not a good word to say about their 'service'. I was getting loads of ringing in both ears when wearing them and that continued for about 3-4 weeks after I decided to stop wearing them. Lots of other issues apart from that. However, as I referred by my GP she has re-referred me to Addenbrookes hospital for a 'proper' hearing test so hopefully that will answer some questions!
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Post by papadon on Jun 30, 2021 1:10:47 GMT
Have a look at the Guild solid wood Westerly series. A 72 Guild D40 was may main guitar since new until I gave it to my Grand Daughter and replaced it with a new D140CE and I'm as happy as I ever was.
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Post by andyhowell on Jun 30, 2021 13:48:35 GMT
Have a look at the Guild solid wood Westerly series. A 72 Guild D40 was may main guitar since new until I gave it to my Grand Daughter and replaced it with a new D140CE and I'm as happy as I ever was.
I've played a few of these over recent years and I've been very impressed! Worth checking out.
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