Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2013 9:26:19 GMT
I recently had to pop into my local (to where I work) music store, Music Room in Portsmouth (just opposite Portsmouth and Southsea station). There are some interesting new developments going on in the store, which I wanted to share with you.
Although there to buy a violin string the manager was very keen to get my opinion on a range of acoustics he was thinking of stocking, and these included Stonebridge and Breedlove.
The first guitar that was thrust into my hands was a Stonebridge Antoine Defour model. This was a stunningly beautiful sounding guitar- lovely balance, beautiful chiming trebles and the finish was first class. Not sure how much one of these would cost but I think its under £2k, and worth every penny in my opinion.
Although not quite a fair comparison, because the Stonebridge was a demo model that had been played in by the UK demonstrator for a year, I was asked to compare it to one of the new Breedlove Oregon series guitars, a handmade in USA OM model, with stain finished myrtle back and sides and a rather dirty looking rock maple neck. The finish of the sitka spruce top was lovely, with herringbone trim to the binding and rosette. I believe they sell for about £1300, which is a good price for an all American guitar. Now this one was 'straight out the box' as they say, and you could certainly tell. It was a little stiff and quiet, and desperately needed a few months playing to get it to open up, a luxury that most music shops do not have. On the strength of this one, I would be a bit disappointed picking this one up and playing it for the first time, but if Music Room decide to keep it I'd be very interested in seeing how it develops. It was certainly the favourite of all the other staff in the shop looks wise. Oh, and it comes with electronics as well.
Lastly I was given a satin finished, cedar/ mahogany Stonebridge, another 'out of the box' one, that goes for about £800-900. And it was just beautiful. Easy to play (a higher and slightly less buzzy action than the Defour), and with its electronics as well, this must be the bargain of the century.
I suppose it all goes to show that cedar top guitars have a more immediate warmth to them, and they were certainly a lot louder and projected more than the OM Breedlove (all three guitars were about the same size).
He is also thinking of stocking Larivee guitars, which I would be very keen to try.
Anyway, Music Room in Portsmouth are looking at becoming a slightly posher 'Hobgoblin' and are going to specialise in acoustic instruments. They have already run their electric stock down quite considerably, and have a good election of cheaper range mandolins, bouzoukis banjos, Ukuleles etc as well as a really decent stock of sheet music. They stock some nice acoustic amps, and amongst their other stock of acoustics include the excellent Faith series (a huge seller for them) Tanglewoods and PRSse series.
Well worth a look the next time you are in Portsmouth (bring the family and then take them over to Gun Warth Keys for lunch and a spot of Christmas shopping
)
Robbie
Although there to buy a violin string the manager was very keen to get my opinion on a range of acoustics he was thinking of stocking, and these included Stonebridge and Breedlove.
The first guitar that was thrust into my hands was a Stonebridge Antoine Defour model. This was a stunningly beautiful sounding guitar- lovely balance, beautiful chiming trebles and the finish was first class. Not sure how much one of these would cost but I think its under £2k, and worth every penny in my opinion.
Although not quite a fair comparison, because the Stonebridge was a demo model that had been played in by the UK demonstrator for a year, I was asked to compare it to one of the new Breedlove Oregon series guitars, a handmade in USA OM model, with stain finished myrtle back and sides and a rather dirty looking rock maple neck. The finish of the sitka spruce top was lovely, with herringbone trim to the binding and rosette. I believe they sell for about £1300, which is a good price for an all American guitar. Now this one was 'straight out the box' as they say, and you could certainly tell. It was a little stiff and quiet, and desperately needed a few months playing to get it to open up, a luxury that most music shops do not have. On the strength of this one, I would be a bit disappointed picking this one up and playing it for the first time, but if Music Room decide to keep it I'd be very interested in seeing how it develops. It was certainly the favourite of all the other staff in the shop looks wise. Oh, and it comes with electronics as well.
Lastly I was given a satin finished, cedar/ mahogany Stonebridge, another 'out of the box' one, that goes for about £800-900. And it was just beautiful. Easy to play (a higher and slightly less buzzy action than the Defour), and with its electronics as well, this must be the bargain of the century.
I suppose it all goes to show that cedar top guitars have a more immediate warmth to them, and they were certainly a lot louder and projected more than the OM Breedlove (all three guitars were about the same size).
He is also thinking of stocking Larivee guitars, which I would be very keen to try.
Anyway, Music Room in Portsmouth are looking at becoming a slightly posher 'Hobgoblin' and are going to specialise in acoustic instruments. They have already run their electric stock down quite considerably, and have a good election of cheaper range mandolins, bouzoukis banjos, Ukuleles etc as well as a really decent stock of sheet music. They stock some nice acoustic amps, and amongst their other stock of acoustics include the excellent Faith series (a huge seller for them) Tanglewoods and PRSse series.
Well worth a look the next time you are in Portsmouth (bring the family and then take them over to Gun Warth Keys for lunch and a spot of Christmas shopping
)Robbie
I've never played a Larrivee, but I have read good things about the brand. Wish they had been stocking the Furch's when I bought mine recently....Would have saved me a trip elsewhere, as I live in Pompey and work about 5 mins away from the Music Room store! Have to give a shout out for Nevada music in Portsmouth too, staff also very friendly and knowledgeable. I just wish I didn't always feel intimidated when I walk into music shops.
Jo whoever he is.
