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Post by paganskins on Oct 8, 2013 15:47:27 GMT
I'd guess a lot of us have asked gear advice/recommendations on the US based forums and been given suggestions of US products either unavailable here or prohibitively expensive. So to make the most of this forum which I've recently found I was hoping to get some UK based advice or makers and models to look into. I'm looking for a big strummer with even response and a big bottom end, I'm currently using a J-200 which is good but I'd like a bit more 'piano' in addition to the thump in the bass. Style wise but nowhere near in terms of ability or execution think John Doyle, Matheu Watson – big, busy strumming with lots of chord melody and counter melody. I use both lowered open and alt tunings down to open C and also increasingly partial capos, and use the whole available neck so playability and as much evenness of tone up the body join as possible. Budget wise I think £2.5k max, taran seems an obvious choice but I think out of my reach now new though I wouldn't be at all adverse to used. Also of interest are the brook jumbos, possibly with a fan fret which I think might just be within budget. Lowden maybe or one of the makers from a Lowden background? Thanks in advance for your thoughts
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Post by Martin on Oct 8, 2013 16:10:17 GMT
Hi Tom, just since you mentioned Matheu Watson and Taran, it so happens that I'm considering selling my Taran Tirga Beag that Matheu Watson used to own (and recorded his first album with). It was made in May 2010, and I can post photos and other details if you want
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Post by ocarolan on Oct 8, 2013 16:14:32 GMT
Lowden was my first thought actually Tom, having used a cedar/rosewood O25 for some years. Although I use it primarily as a fingerstyle guitar, I did use it acoustically for many years in Irish sessions, and plugged in for a ceilidh band. Plenty of bottom end, yet crisp when you want it to be, articulate when played "busily" and holds up well further up the neck.
Many would no doubt argue that a spruce top O32 would be better for strumming - there's possibly something in that, though I'm not convinced. I reckon it has more to do with what you want to hear and how you handle the guitar.
Can't speak personally for McIlroy or Avalon have only played one or two examples briefly. In fact I haven't played that many big guitars at all, preferring smaller ones for most purposes.
Are you planning on using it primarily acoustically or plugged in? If the latter, you obviously have a much wider field of choice...
Keith
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Oct 8, 2013 16:41:13 GMT
Tom,
Perhaps my "Daithi" model that Joe Bardwell is playing here might be of interest:
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Post by grayn on Oct 8, 2013 17:00:40 GMT
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Post by alig on Oct 8, 2013 18:16:46 GMT
In addition to all the above, I'll shove my tuppence hapenny in...
1 A wee bit more cash would get you a Taran - built to your specs. His dreadnaught made a big impression on several of us and I've got a couple of Tirga Beags on order. Martin's TB is a cracker too.
2 Donal MacGreevy, who's mentioned in a couple of earlier threads might be worth a punt.
Nice problem to have init!
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Post by leoroberts on Oct 8, 2013 21:11:00 GMT
+1 to davewhite's 'Daithi'... maybe not the classic 'jumbo' shape, but plenty of what you're after.... But, then +1 to @martin's 2nd-hand Taran, too ... I wish I was having your quandary!
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Post by sigmadel on Oct 9, 2013 2:29:38 GMT
Could one of Dave Whites Big boys be an option ? Dave over to you .
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Post by davewhite on Oct 9, 2013 7:49:00 GMT
Could one of Dave Whites Big boys be an option ? Dave over to you . Big Boy would work very well but is outside Tom's price range.
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Post by paganskins on Oct 9, 2013 10:09:48 GMT
Hi Tom, just since you mentioned Matheu Watson and Taran, it so happens that I'm considering selling my Taran Tirga Beag that Matheu Watson used to own (and recorded his first album with). It was made in May 2010, and I can post photos and other details if you want That's definitely of interest, I've seen what I think was your previous for sale thread. Could you pm your current price, P&P cost, payment means etc and I'll have a think about it Are you planning on using it primarily acoustically or plugged in? If the latter, you obviously have a much wider field of choice... Keith Generally it's plugged in mostly when playing out though some of the folk clubs are still purely acoustic. Playing at home always acoustic. My feeling is good acoustic sound is foremost and non intrusive, aftermarket electronics can do their best to replicate it. Tom, Perhaps my "Daithi" model that Joe Bardwell is playing here might be of interest: +1 to davewhite's 'Daithi'... maybe not the classic 'jumbo' shape, but plenty of what you're after.... But, then +1 to @martin's 2nd-hand Taran, too ... I wish I was having your quandary! Could one of Dave Whites Big boys be an option ? Dave over to you . Dave, your guitars certainly look of interest. The strummage sample on the Buachaill Mór page is just the type of bass response I meant but yes a bit out of my price range unfortunately. Donal MacGreevy, who's mentioned in a couple of earlier threads might be worth a punt. Nice problem to have init! Can't find much about him online, he seems to have a holding page on his website and a FB page which I'll have a look through. Thanks everyone
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Post by alig on Oct 9, 2013 11:28:13 GMT
There's a review and some sound samples of a McGreevy guitar in the Reviews section. A forum member bought one on spec and is very pleased. Donal is, I believe, just starting out after completing an apprenticeship with an ex-Lowden luthier in Northern Ireland. I've had a little contact with him and he seems a nice fellow. Maybe contact him via FB or this forum (where I think he's a member). I think he'd be within your price range.
Good luck and have fun!
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Post by paganskins on Oct 9, 2013 11:56:24 GMT
Lowden was my first thought actually Tom, having used a cedar/rosewood O25 for some years. Although I use it primarily as a fingerstyle guitar, I did use it acoustically for many years in Irish sessions, and plugged in for a ceilidh band. Plenty of bottom end, yet crisp when you want it to be, articulate when played "busily" and holds up well further up the neck. Many would no doubt argue that a spruce top O32 would be better for strumming - there's possibly something in that, though I'm not convinced. I reckon it has more to do with what you want to hear and how you handle the guitar. Can't speak personally for McIlroy or Avalon have only played one or two examples briefly. In fact I haven't played that many big guitars at all, preferring smaller ones for most purposes. Are you planning on using it primarily acoustically or plugged in? If the latter, you obviously have a much wider field of choice... Keith Keith, Just found your soundcloud collection of Tirga Baeg recordings, about halfway through and thoroughly enjoying your performance. Hadn't heard Margarita before but might well learn it to add to my repertoire.
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Post by paganskins on Oct 9, 2013 11:57:05 GMT
There's a review and some sound samples of a McGreevy guitar in the Reviews section. A forum member bought one on spec and is very pleased. Donal is, I believe, just starting out after completing an apprenticeship with an ex-Lowden luthier in Northern Ireland. I've had a little contact with him and he seems a nice fellow. Maybe contact him via FB or this forum (where I think he's a member). I think he'd be within your price range. Good luck and have fun! I'll have a read, thanks
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Post by sigmadel on Oct 9, 2013 13:05:26 GMT
Could one of Dave Whites Big boys be an option ? Dave over to you . Big Boy would work very well but is outside Tom's price range. Thanks Dave , I wasn't sure of the cost you see .
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Post by donalmcgreevy on Oct 9, 2013 13:08:46 GMT
There's a review and some sound samples of a McGreevy guitar in the Reviews section. A forum member bought one on spec and is very pleased. Donal is, I believe, just starting out after completing an apprenticeship with an ex-Lowden luthier in Northern Ireland. I've had a little contact with him and he seems a nice fellow. Maybe contact him via FB or this forum (where I think he's a member). I think he'd be within your price range. Good luck and have fun! I'll have a read, thanks I’m pleasantly surprised to see my name pop up in this thread, thanks for the recommendation Alasdair. I’d be delighted to discuss a build with you Tom. There is some information on my Facebook page and as Alasdair pointed out, a recent review here. My website won’t be up until the early part of next year. Donal
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