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Gotta buy an acoustic...


mstreck

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I've been told that our band is going to add an acoustic set. I'm a little reluctant. You see, I have never owned an acoustic.

 

Any make/model suggestions for a guy who is totally in love with his Strat?

 

I want to buy something that will bring me over into the acoustic realm (and hopefully keep me there for a while) without paying through the nose.

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

Petting Hendrix

 

Do you know what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked in the head by an iron boot? Of course you don't--no one does--that never happens.

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http://media.zzounds.com/media/fit,325by400/quality,85/brand,zzounds/D-15_f-27d6ab538ed79fbb84eebf09ce2e79f3.jpg

 

Martin D15

 

Got to 8thstreetmusic.com, they sell for $595.00, then go to zzounds.com and they will lower the price to around 580-590. I just got this in last week and it is a truly beautiful instrument, so much so I have not played it that much, still in the phase of treating it like a newborn baby. Just the smell of the wood when you open the case is amazing...very delicate, not a bang around guitar--got to take care of this one.

My first acoustic is an Epiphone PR-200, it did the job for me as a beginner, too bright for me. Had a lot fo fun with it--just grew out of it. A great acoustic to bang around with--takes the abuse.

 

 

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I have looked at and played a bunch of acoustics over the last few months and it came down to two for me....the Guild D55 and the Gibson Hummingbird.

 

I ordered the Guild but while waiting for it, picked up a Hummingbird. Now I own it.

 

I am still pining away for a D55 though as well...

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Hey, Mike!

 

Will you be wanting an out-and-out acoustic guitar (with or without a pickup, onboard mic, etc.), or, will the stage-volume require a more feedback-resistant acoustic-electric axe? You're gonna be playing along with a full band, drums, bass, 'n' all, right?

 

Would you want to be able to switch between "acoustic" and "electric" tones, or just play a lot of amplified "acoustic" throughout a given song or set?

 

There are a LOT of options out there, most- if not all- of 'em good ones; you're in luck!

Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do?

 

~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~

_ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _

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My Takamine makes every classic sound from Bad Co to Chicago through the pickup without feedback or that cheap peizo sound. I have many friends with expensive acoustics that can't touch the tone of this guitar. Maybe I got lucky, maybe it's my string choice, who knows, Paul.
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Yeah Mike, more information as to what your future intentions and needs for the acoustic are.

What's the dollar amount you're looking at?

 

Our Joint

 

"When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke...

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Both Takamine & Washburn make great acoustic/electric models under $600. I would check them out first before moving onto something like Taylor. The Takamine G-series has several options in their G'Series line. Solid tops, electronics with pre-amps, built in tuners,great sound, & good looks to boot. Good luck in your search.
Check out www.tulsaband.com for great prices on gear.
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Our lead guitrist suggested a Wechter that is a three pickup acoustic-electric that includes a piezo bridge.

 

Saw it on musiciansfriend.com for $399.

Petting Hendrix

 

Do you know what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked in the head by an iron boot? Of course you don't--no one does--that never happens.

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There are many great guitars out there, and as Caevan said, there's a lot of options too.

 

I myself own a Alvarez AD70S acoustic, and I like it. It's onb the bright side, so it may not fit everything, but open chords, oooh what a pleasure! It doesn't have an onboard mic, which I can live without, though it would be cool to have one. I paid 285 for it used (you couldn't notice it) and went for 345 new. I tested a bunch of acoustics, and the other ones that had as good sound as this one cost at least 600 . I haven't regret this purchase.

 

My advice is to go through options, and see what fits you best and then try out different guitars in that category. Buy the one you fall in love with. That usually (if not always) works!

- Bob Freebird

 

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams

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Originally posted by mstreck:

Our lead guitrist suggested a Wechter that is a three pickup acoustic-electric that includes a piezo bridge.

 

Saw it on musiciansfriend.com for $399.

Never played one but it looks interesting.

 

Our Joint

 

"When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke...

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Well, I highly recommend checking out Dean acoustics. I played a 'sweetwood' and I was blown away. I am a Taylor guy, I love Taylor guitars. I will say that this Dean played and sounded as good as any Taylor I have played and it was only $850. If you can't afford that, check out some of their other models. I can't say I have tried them but after playing that one I am sold that they know what they are doing.

 

I am totally biased towards Taylors. I would look into the cheaper Taylors. I don't think Martin has the consistency. Some Martins are awesome but alot of them to me play mediocre and sound like they have a pillow case over them. I also think Elixir strings sound way better than the Martin strings that Martins come stock with, but of course they cost much more.

 

Like I said, some Martins are incredible. With acoustics there is more variation between instruments than electrics. I really think taylor is more consistent. I used to own a taylor 410 about 9 years ago that was their lowest level 6 string at the time and it sounded HUGE. It was a top notch instrument and it was relatively inexpensive. They tend to be a bit brighter than Martins but they also use Elixir strings stock on thier guitars. They add more presence and depth--in my mind. I have heard nothing but good things about Taylor's new pickup system. I know it is probably expensive though, I don't know how much you are willing to spend.

 

I have a Taylor jumbo 12 string with a fishman pickup in it. It sounds good through a board with a preamp.

 

Just my opinion, but it seems like the more electronix a guitar has the deader it sounds. Stay away from those guitars that have a bunch of EQ's built in and shit. In the end it screws with the tone

 

http://flagshipmile.dmusic.com/

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You might consider an Ibanez acoustic or acoustic-electric. I own an Ibanez V70CE-NT dreadnought acoustic-electric, which cost me only $232 at Flag City Music in Findlay, OH. Ibanez offers a wide selection of dreadnoughts, jumbos, and classical acoustics and acoustic-electrics, mostly under $400. My Ibanez sounds good both chording and soloing, and, for an acoustic, the action and playability is great.

Robert J. ("Bob") Welch III

 

"If you were the only person who ever lived, God still would have sent Jesus His only Son to die on the cross for YOU, because that is how much HE LOVES YOU!"

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If you're emphasis is for a plugged-in stage guitar, but you still want it to hold it's own as an acoustic guitar, see if you can find an Ibanez FX72NT to try out.

 

I've got mine set up for ease of play, which means i've got pretty light strings on it (.011-.050), but it plays like "buttah." 12th fret action is the same as my electrics (low side of 2/32"). It doesn't have the bass of a big dreadnought acoustically (it's a "mini-jumbo"), but several of my students have commented on the sound of the guitar. I personally feel it's better as a plugged-in guitar, and not a great, but acceptable acoustic.

 

However it sounds GREAT plugged in. Has piezo and magnetic pickups, a blend control, phase inversion for feedback control, and it is really resistant to feedback unless your monitor is really, really loud.

 

Pretty cheap, too, but they seem to have gone up a bit since I got mine. I bought mine at a local music store for $350-370 (can't membah).

band link: bluepearlband.com

music, lessons, gig schedules at dennyf.com

 

STURGEON'S LAW --98% of everything is bullshit.

 

My Unitarian Jihad Name is: The Jackhammer of Love and Mercy.

Get yours.

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As a Strat guy myself, I've gotta say that I've never played any acoustic that felt like my Strat, or any electric guitar for that matter. However, I've got a couple of acoustic guitars, an Ovation Celebrity Deluxe and a Yamaha CG-101MS classical. I like the Yamaha best for finger picking (which I'll admit I suck at) or the Ovation for slide or alternate tuned playing. I hardly ever play in standard tuning on my Ovation anymore.

 

Personally, I'd look for a Danelectro Convertable or a 59DC. The 59DC is electric, but it sounds a lot like an acoustic.

BlueStrat

a.k.a. "El Guapo" ;)

 

...Better fuzz through science...

 

http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html

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