|
|
Post by curmudgeon on Nov 11, 2017 14:05:25 GMT
I also have to say that, with few exceptions, a lot of the 'mid-range' small luthier guitars I've played had just as many 'niggles' as factory made guitars. Make sure you choose a tall luthier then - Colin is shorter than me  Perhaps I should clarify what I wrote yesterday referring to 1934. Whilst most of my guitars were built ni the last 20 years and only two are over fifty, (my 12 strings) I believe that the best designs were made before 1934: the 12 fret dread, the 000,00 and the Gibson L-5 and Roy Smeck (Hawaiian) and the resonators etc. Sure some of these have been improved upon but the basic designs haven't (my personal opinion of course). |
|
|
|
Post by jackorion on Nov 13, 2017 7:28:48 GMT
I should probably clarify as well what I mean by 'niggles'...
Not major faults, or anything that takes away from the tone of the guitar, but little things like a bit of glue overspill, or a not perfectly cut nut, or the guitar needing a light fret dress to play it's best.
There's lots of great sole luthier guitars out there and there are lots of great factory guitars out there - I just don't buy into the general thought sometimes that 'factory' guitars have no care or thought put into them - lots of thought and care is put into the design in the first place, and, when I've visited big guitar factories, a lot of the people working there really know their trade and really care about the quality of the product they produce.
|
|
|
|
Post by bitey on Dec 21, 2017 12:49:32 GMT
In my (somewhat limited) experience I have found that the sound of new solid-top acoustics do gradually open up - and that is one of the pleasures involved.
They do have to played though - they don't open up just through time.
Buying (a well-made) used acoustic guitar can be a mixed blessing - if the guitar has been played regularly and looked after it can really sing, however after some time you may find that the belly behind the bridge may start to raise up and that can lead to lots of problems.
|
|
|
|
Post by robmc on Jul 23, 2018 21:19:02 GMT
My work partner just bought a 1947 J45, imported from 'Daves Guitars' in the States. All original, neck reset. Luckily for me it was delivered to the office so I got to play it. AMAZING guitar, he got lucky, the only thing you would need to do is change the tuners as the originals are too fragile. Chunky neck, light as a feather, great sustain, breathy, beautiful tone, oh my oh my  Just amazing.... Deeply jealous  |
|
|
|
Post by andyhowell on Jul 24, 2018 7:39:39 GMT
There's lots of great sole luthier guitars out there and there are lots of great factory guitars out there - I just don't buy into the general thought sometimes that 'factory' guitars have no care or thought put into them - lots of thought and care is put into the design in the first place, and, when I've visited big guitar factories, a lot of the people working there really know their trade and really care about the quality of the product they produce. Quite true. My little collection involves an immaculately built Santa Cruz OM. It also includes a Martin J40 which has an awesome sound but which must have been built at British Leyland during the 70's. The lacquer peels away if you just look at it. The binding is always coming away. There were/are smudges of glue all over the place that should have been dealt with. The fret wire wore very quickly — far more quickly than on my other guitars. To be honest this Martin is poorly finished .... ... However, when I bought it I didn't notice. All I noticed was that sound :-) |
|
|
|
Post by oustudent on Jul 25, 2018 21:36:55 GMT
I had a discussion with Stefan Grossman about the pro's and con's of old guitars and his opinion is that guitars do peak and perform their best after they have been well played in; however, he also conceded that when they really start to age they can lose their sound and playability. I expect he keeps his Franklin for sentimental reasons not for playability or sound. My own personal view is that major manufacturers and boutique builders are currently making some of the finest guitars ever made. My choice would therefore be new.
|
|
|
|
Post by bleatoid on Jul 25, 2018 22:56:12 GMT
Interesting thread - I wonder how "artificial vintage" works in this context - specifically how these newfangled torrified tops fit into the equation - do they prematurely hurl you into acoustic guitar maturity only to find that you shoot headlong into the decaying performance of old age (a kind of reverse acoustic botox maybe?) or do they really give you the best of both worlds - new guitar build quality from the current age of the finest guitars ever made, plus the warmth and played-in "bloom" of a vintage (but not decrepit) acoustic?
I'm not experienced enough to cast a view - but would welcome input from our luthier community.
Peter
|
|
|
|
Post by grayn on Jul 26, 2018 5:35:53 GMT
There's always got to be a bit of a gamble, buying an old guitar.
It's been around for many a year and heaven knows how it's been treated.
I don't just mean how has it been played and handled.
Has it been left with no strings on.
Strung too tight.
Left in overly high or low humidity.
Or Direct sunlight etc etc.
I've owned a ton of guitars over the years, mostly from new.
From under £200 to 3 grand (used).
And although this may be sacrilege to the lovely folk on this forum.
I think there's a lot of "The Emperor's New Clothes", going on.
We hear descriptions like "it sings", "sustains for ever", "great definition",
"wonderful separation", "penetration", "Full", "sweet", etc etc.
I think it's all relative and our memory of how something sounded isn't as good as we think.
Don't get me wrong, I love hearing what people think of their new/old guitar.
I also love telling people what I think of mine.
Yes there can be some snobbery and reverse snobbery but none of it is definitive, in my view.
Oh yes and in answer to the question, I prefer new or nearly new.
|
|
|
|
Post by robmc on Jul 26, 2018 8:04:18 GMT
Interesting thing about that J45 is that it has single piece back ... and the braces were also unusual compared to most modern guitars, they were scalloped but were very thin and very tall... ... it has a great tone. I'm going to slowly drug him over the next few months and make it mine  |
|
Jo whoever he is.
