grandwazoooo Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 hi everyone. i've played electric (strats mostly) my whole life. i'm now in the market for an acoustic, to play in my rock band. basically, i want an acoustic that sounds warm and wooden (acousticy), plays much like an electric, sounds great thru effects pedals and my 1/2 stack. price range $1000-1500. the guitar that got me hooked was an Alvarez something or other. does anyone have any advice? i appreciate it. -adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillWelcome Home Studios Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Line6 Versax Ovation (sound right plugged in) Takamine Those would work well in a live rock band context, though they might not be the choices that an acoustic 'player' might make. The realities of live music make the Line6 the most practical. I've used the Ovations in the past, though right now I'm using an older Washburn. I've got some really nice acoustics, but on a rock stage, it makes little sense except from an ego standpoint to drag out a big dollar acoustic. It doesn't translate anyway. Bill "I believe that entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you set out to make art you're an idiot." Steve Martin Show business: we're all here because we're not all there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillWelcome Home Studios Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Line6 Versax Ovation (sound right plugged in) Takamine Those would work well in a live rock band context, though they might not be the choices that an acoustic 'player' might make. The realities of live music make the Line6 the most practical. I've used the Ovations in the past, though right now I'm using an older Washburn. I've got some really nice acoustics, but on a rock stage, it makes little sense except from an ego standpoint to drag out a big dollar acoustic. It doesn't translate anyway. Bill "I believe that entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you set out to make art you're an idiot." Steve Martin Show business: we're all here because we're not all there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat0124 Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Yo Grand......for that kind of money, and from the sound of the gear you already got, I'm actually surprised at the question. However, if you plan on playing it through your half stack, I wouldn't "fret" over much. A Washburn/Ovation/Takamine/Yamaha will fit that without a hitch. Go play them of course, but have an idea what they are worth (models) both new and used. Now if you're talking getting authentic acoustic tone through a microphone, I can be more help. Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretzel logic Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Originally posted by grandwazoooo: hi everyone. i've played electric (strats mostly) my whole life. i'm now in the market for an acoustic, to play in my rock band. basically, i want an acoustic that sounds warm and wooden (acousticy), plays much like an electric, sounds great thru effects pedals and my 1/2 stack. price range $1000-1500. the guitar that got me hooked was an Alvarez something or other. does anyone have any advice? i appreciate it. -adam[/quote Hey Wazoooo. At that price range there are so many choices. I would try and find a used Godin semi/acoustic. The sound great thru an amp and effects. Very sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Geezer Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Stratacoustic? But seriously folks...I've noodled around with these in the stores (didn't like the neck feel) BUT I've never plugged one in! has anyone tried one plugged in? Lynn G Lynn G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave251 Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 It doesn't sound to me like you're really interested in a true acoustic...the heavier strings that are required from a "real" one for proper tonal response kind of negates "plays like an electric"...The suggestion about Godin is a good one....and here is my offering: http://www.electrocoustic.com/newimage/carlloz50.jpg And here's an mp3...a "quartet of electroCoustics" including mandolin, bass, rhythm guitar and slide.... I Will All of the instruments were recorded miking a JBL speaker cab with the exception of the bass.... I can set the action up greasy low.... Dave Wendler Instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandwazoooo Posted December 18, 2003 Author Share Posted December 18, 2003 well ideally i would want a real acoustic. i said "plays like an electric" because when i was playing my friend's alvarez, it felt comfortable doing lead lines. my other friend has a dreadnaught martin which i love, but is more suited to rhythm, chords, etc. i was able to play the alvarez well. there are those acoustics with the black plastic backs, i know i don't like those. thanks for all those who have offered advice so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat0124 Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Originally posted by grandwazoooo: [QB] my other friend has a dreadnaught martin which i love, but is more suited to rhythm, chords, etc. QB]Man, in the right hands a Martin guitar is a beautiful thing to behold. But granted playing one through a guitar amp isn't the best application. Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Originally posted by grandwazoooo: "...I want an acoustic that sounds warm and wooden (acousticy), plays much like an electric..."...all that, -AND- "...sounds great thru effects pedals and my 1/2 stack."'!!' Getting to be a tall order there; just don't ask for the bag of chips, too! However, this- from Carvin- http://www.carvin.com/images/guitars/AE185-fkta.jpg -just might do it all for you, mixing the magnetic "electric" pickups in with the piezo bridge "acoustic" pickup, especially if you get one made with their "Allen Holdsworth" pickups and a cedar or spruce top. Try stringing one with DR "Zebra" strings- go with .011's or .012's- too, they have an alternating bronze- and nickel/steel-winding on the wound strings. Best of both for both types of pickups! (Click above for a direct link) The 'site doesn't list cedar tops as an option, but their latest catalog does. I'd ask one of their reps about it, you could e-mail them or call their toll-free phone number. Best of luck, let us all know what you try and how you like it! (Oh, hi again, Dave (dave251)! Forgot your guitars- again; sorry!) Yeah, I haven't had the pleasure of trying one of Dave's guitars, http://www.electrocoustic.com/newimage/carllozav.jpg but they look to be very worthy of your consideration. Go scope out his 'site, too! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 What about a Danelectro Convertable or 59 DC? My 59 DC does acoustic through an amp about as good as my Ovation, and I like the way it plays better. http://www.danelectro.com/Convertible.htm http://www.danelectro.com/DC.htm BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baronedo Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 I also play Strats and was in the market for an acoustic-electric. I finally bought an Ovation Elite model. It has a very playable neck, sounds very nice both acoustically and electrically, and also has a nice look to it. It's bowl is not overly deep and thus has a comfortable feel to it, similar to an electric. Alot of acoustic R&D from Kaman engineerig (from Helicopter wave frequency technology) went into the design of it's synthetic sound box body bowl and spruce top and multi-acoustic holes, which really project the sound. I tried the Stratacoustic and did not like its sound at all. It's acoustic sound is just not there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted December 19, 2003 Share Posted December 19, 2003 Yeah, I want a trombone that sounds like a sax too but it ain't gonna happen. The best you're going to get is a bastardization of one or the other. If you want to play acoustic in a rock band you're going to fight feedback problems like crazy. Even if you run a pickup setup & a soundhole plug you're still going to have problems. The stage volume is generally too high for acoustics. That's pretty much why there are the thinline acoustics around now. They help and Dave Wendler's line is the most acoustic sounding solid body guitar you'll ever hear & is more acoustic than lots of true acoustics when run through their pickup systems. Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted December 19, 2003 Share Posted December 19, 2003 Even more than Daklander said... Even a thin-line acoustic like Dave's or Carvin's or Godin's or Gibson's or others are going to sound pretty weak through your regular guitar rig. It's not like it "won't work", it's just that a regular guitar amp isn't meant to reproduce the sound of an acoustic guitar. When you add your pedals... it's even more "un-acoustic"... So what CAN you run your acoustic guitar through? Well there are plenty of deticated acoustic guitar amps, and of course there's always the band PA... direct in or with a "direct box" for a better sound. Dak's comments about feedback are true also. At stage volumes, regular guitars often have trouble. Even with the soundhole covers you often see pro players use. Good luck, hope some of this advice helps! guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 19, 2003 Share Posted December 19, 2003 Yeah, Dak/"Christmas Pup" and Guitplayer are right. Kinda what I was alluding to when I said that was "getting to be a tall order". I just figured I'd try to steer you the best way that I thought would get you the closest to where you wanna be. I figured, it'd be close enough, maybe you'd be satisfied with the Carvin, or one of Dave's axes. And the feedback issue would be at a minimum. BUT- heed Dak's and Guit's words, they really know, so don't get bent out of shape if you can't get results that you are entirely happy with. Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted December 19, 2003 Share Posted December 19, 2003 Geenard, Man, in the right hands a Martin guitar is a beautiful thing to behold. Oh yeah! Geenard, But granted playing one through a guitar amp isn't the best application. I've always thought that my D-18 with the Seymour Duncan SA-1 through my JC-55 sounded "real", just louder. But it probably is not as well suited to lead lix as some others. Note though, that in the store (i.e. from the factory), the Martins are (or at least used to be) set up with HEAVY gage strings. My first string change I went to mediums, then later to lights. I've been using lights for quite a while now (since I wasn't playing regulary for quite a while) and the action is quite a bit easier. Also the sound is not quite as "boomy". Maybe that's why it sounds okay amplified. I also like my 12-string Ovation (with built in electronics) throught the JC-55. Maybe I'm just not that picky (pun not originally intended ), or in tune (pun intended ), about the amplified sound. Dave the Acoustic Dude Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandwazoooo Posted December 19, 2003 Author Share Posted December 19, 2003 thanks again to everyone who has offered advice. and you're probably right about stage sound/feedback. i've been playing in BP w/ an Alvarez and it's been sounding awesome. it sounds LIKE an acoustic, but not exactly like, it sounds almost like a blend, obviously, since it's going thru the amp and effects. i will try out all your suggestions. and also, in my alvarez playing this week, i was at really low volume, so feedback wasn't a problem, but i won't be playing low volume on stage. thanks again everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted December 20, 2003 Share Posted December 20, 2003 grandwazoo, I'm glad to hear it's working out well for you. Dave Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldaze Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 Look at Tacoma. Good price and great tone. Haven't tried one of their acoustic electrics, but I LOVE my dreadnought. DM-10 (cheap) but the sound is fab - if I understand your sound description/requirements correctly -as that is most definitely a personal perception!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 Since this got moved up again, I re-read it. I missed the opinions about amps thing. They're probably right, and may be another reason why I like my acoustics amplified, my Roland Jazz Chorus 55. If you're still not EXACTLY where you want to be with your acoustic sound, you might try a different amp for the acoustic. Maybe a JC-100, to bring the sound up with the big stack? Dave Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 Just in case you're still trying to work this out, here's an ebay listing for an SA-1 (the same one I have, 1980's vintage), soundhole pickup, now at $40, $5 S & H. Also, I happened accross an "Amplifier Blue Book" that listed the JC-55 as $250-$300 in excellent condition, or $175-$225 in very good condition, FWIW. I don't remember the JC120 (I was wrong about the JC100, it's a 120) prices. Dave Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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