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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...

Now for something completely different - guitars

Reply
Created by pueter66 > 9 months ago, 3 Oct 2012
pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
3 Oct 2012 2:01PM
Thumbs Up

Amigos, I am going out to buy a new acoustic guitar up to $3000 I have played a tanglewood for years and i love deep tones that it plays so well. But after hearing it next to a mates maton the other night it sounded a little industrial. I know a lot of you would play the guitar as well so I am after some input with brand and what model that you think is the best. i needitor a long time so it would need to be of a durable construction and sound quality hopefully will improve with age. Another mate purchased a Guild guitar which sounded awesome but fell apart in the central queensland heat.

Gorgo
VIC, 5041 posts
3 Oct 2012 2:44PM
Thumbs Up

The sound of the guitar has more to do with the strings and the player. $3000 for an acoustic guitar is a tad excessive.

I guess it's like buying a new board. The one that you enjoy riding is the best. So go and play a heap and buy the one you love the most.

I have a Maton I have had for 30 odd years and it is brilliant. It was quite expensive but not outrageous. I have a Bolero 12 string (korean made from the 70's) I got when I was 16. It was $64 is 1973. It rocks!!!

My current favourite guitar is a Martin Backpacker steel string. It's basically a hollow stick with some strings on it. It has wolf tones all over the place (acoustic version of feedback). Do a string bend on a wolf tone note and it roars! Play some finger style jazz or tune it to D and add a slide and it's a fantastic toy.

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
3 Oct 2012 3:06PM
Thumbs Up

I had never heard of a Martin Backpacker steel string until this post it sounds like something i want to have a go at though. I dont need to spend $3000 i just have budgeted that much. Thanks for the advice Gorgo i was always going to fly down to a melboune music store to play a number of guitars as that is how i picked the tanglewood. I must have played six of the exact same make tanglewood and the one I bought just sounded better. I really liked the maton and my mate reckons that they get better with age. I play all types of music so i will try to get a good balance. What model maton do you [play. Gorgo

youngbull
QLD, 825 posts
3 Oct 2012 3:11PM
Thumbs Up

Hi pueter66. I'm also a Tanglewood lover, have 2x6 strings and 1x12string. The 12 string sounded alot better than Maton when I purchased it, something about Tanglewood resonates a great sound and good harmonics for tapping.

If you want to spend the bucks, maybe a Cole Clark. I have used a mates a few times and very nice just heavy. Also a fan of aria guitars had 2 acoustics also very nice - took a few years for the timber to harden up though and get that nice sound.

I think you can easily spend 3k on a guitar. IMO I would spend 1.5k on guitar 1k on a AER amp or the new Roland acoustic amp ( I have the Trabadour - just doesn't have the punch ) then the $500 left on a stomp box or boss loop station. Go this route and your a 1 man band.

pweedas
WA, 4642 posts
3 Oct 2012 1:40PM
Thumbs Up

Fortunately I have a very cheap ear so I can hardly tell the difference between a $500 guitar and a $5000 guitar.

I would have to agree with gorgo. I have heard some cheap guitars sound like magic and I have heard some expensive guitars sound like crap.
For the average player an average guitar is more than good enough.
If you're world class stuff then go for a $6000 guitar and then get your money back by selling tickets.
Oh,.. and don't take music advice from your pig. They have notoriously bad taste in music.

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
3 Oct 2012 3:45PM
Thumbs Up

pweedas said...
Fortunately I have a very cheap ear so I can hardly tell the difference between a $500 guitar and a $5000 guitar.

I would have to agree with gorgo. I have heard some cheap guitars sound like magic and I have heard some expensive guitars sound like crap.
For the average player an average guitar is more than good enough.
If you're world class stuff then go for a $6000 guitar and then get your money back by selling tickets.



unfortunatly I am not! But I can afford a well constructed guitar and I just love the tones. The Tanglewood is a great guitar but it just needs that depth of tone. That something that even were i to pluck an open string you can just hear it. Does anyone get this.

Bishnack
WA, 45 posts
3 Oct 2012 2:29PM
Thumbs Up

I've been playing for about 16 years and I love the Maton acoustics.

If your thinking about amping up, I'd consider that now as you don't want to use a guitar hole pick-up or get one inserted later.

I've got a Washburn acoustic and if you are thinking of playing some progressive stuff, I'd recommend you look at them. Really thin sharp neck (like Jackson electric guitars) that allow for heaps of different actions.

If your simply strumming it out, stick with the Matons.

If your spending 3k, I'm guessing you know all this already.

Youngbull, you do tapping on your acoustic? Metal!

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
3 Oct 2012 4:31PM
Thumbs Up

youngbull said...
Hi pueter66. I'm also a Tanglewood lover, have 2x6 strings and 1x12string. The 12 string sounded alot better than Maton when I purchased it, something about Tanglewood resonates a great sound and good harmonics for tapping.

If you want to spend the bucks, maybe a Cole Clark. I have used a mates a few times and very nice just heavy. Also a fan of aria guitars had 2 acoustics also very nice - took a few years for the timber to harden up though and get that nice sound.

I think you can easily spend 3k on a guitar. IMO I would spend 1.5k on guitar 1k on a AER amp or the new Roland acoustic amp ( I have the Trabadour - just doesn't have the punch ) then the $500 left on a stomp box or boss loop station. Go this route and your a 1 man band.


Thanks young bull. I will try a tanglewood in the dreadnought, I hear there pretty nice. Its funny you mentioned the stomp box and loop station they are also on my wish list. We have similar tastes cheers Pete

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
3 Oct 2012 4:37PM
Thumbs Up

Bishnack said...
I've been playing for about 16 years and I love the Maton acoustics.

If your thinking about amping up, I'd consider that now as you don't want to use a guitar hole pick-up or get one inserted later.

I've got a Washburn acoustic and if you are thinking of playing some progressive stuff, I'd recommend you look at them. Really thin sharp neck (like Jackson electric guitars) that allow for heaps of different actions.

If your simply strumming it out, stick with the Matons.

If your spending 3k, I'm guessing you know all this already.

Youngbull, you do tapping on your acoustic? Metal!


Thanks mate havent ever played a washburn, but will add to the list of brands to try. You are right though i will buy a guitar with pickup in it.

Mackerel
WA, 313 posts
3 Oct 2012 4:38PM
Thumbs Up

I bought a Fender Sonoran recently and have to say for the price, it's a really cool sounding guitar. Was so suprised at the cost of music equipment like amps, leads and tuners ect. So cheap.

I used to play guitar and sing in a band when I was younger but sold all my gear before my first daughter was born. It had taken me half my life so far to collect all that stuff - seemed like I was always saving for a bit of kit.

When I decided to start playing again a few weeks ago, I went into a guitar store and bought pretty much everything that I used to have, but brand new for about $3500. A Fender tuner was only $30! My last tuner was $150 or so!!

The iRig and iMic is a bit of fun too if you have an iPad - works quite well for recording too.

TheGoodDr
SA, 216 posts
3 Oct 2012 9:46PM
Thumbs Up

youngbull said...
If you want to spend the bucks, maybe a Cole Clark. I have used a mates a few times and very nice just heavy.


I agree with youngbull. I don't own one but have played them and they are impressive. Fantastic deep tones and volume.

petermac33
WA, 6415 posts
3 Oct 2012 8:30PM
Thumbs Up

My neighbour threw out an electric guitar other week,found it lying on the grass while checking my mail.

It's a Equiphorpe Junior,new condition,problem is i'm the most untalented muso in the world.

lotofwind
NSW, 6451 posts
3 Oct 2012 10:45PM
Thumbs Up

You can borrow my Air guitar if you like. It sounds as good as you can imagin.

Wineman
NSW, 1412 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:37PM
Thumbs Up


Gilet Guitars
Hand made Australian guitars for many top guitarists - Eric Bibb etc

giletguitars.com.au/

BabaORiley
WA, 434 posts
3 Oct 2012 9:42PM
Thumbs Up

Think re-sale when it comes to bying a guitfiddle.
I just sold my Maton at the same price i bought it 2 years ago.
Cant go better than a Aussie Maton. Slim used one ;)

The right strings do make your guitfiddle sound better. Exilir (anti rust)for the slack guitarist.

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
4 Oct 2012 9:30AM
Thumbs Up

Just had a muck around with a cole clark, very impressive. Another one to add to the list. I had a look on the maton website and the construction of the solid guitars looks good. I like the look of the guitar in the blackwood but i will be interested which timber will give the best tone.

Poida
WA, 1916 posts
4 Oct 2012 10:51AM
Thumbs Up

its a great site for beginner guitarists, it got me up and going real fast, at a very low cost, just a lot of hours.

The jester was from the custom shop, I think the messiah is more std. and bigger body for more strumming and deeper tones.

I'm on a 2nd hand bottom end washburn for acoustic, ok sound and good for my purposes. i prefer the range of sounds from the electric guitar and modelling amp with a tube in it (vox VT40).

d1
WA, 304 posts
4 Oct 2012 9:22PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks, pueter66, for the awesome topic.

Worth mentioning that one of the major music shop franchises, Allans, is having a bankrupcy/closing down sale right now, with discounts ranging between 25% and 50%. After reading all the replies to this topic, I went there, twice in 2 days, to buy a nice discounted Maton.. or Martin... or Cole Clark... But after playing all the guitars on their racks, I'd say that the Martins had the best overall sound by far, but there is no way I'm getting one, because their traditional nitrocellulose finish disagrees with my skin chemistry, and gets very sticky around the neck. It's a familiar problem I have with Gibsons. Apparently, 30% of people have this issue. The Maton I would have liked most would be from the BG808xxx series, or the perhaps one of the jumbo shapes. But they were not that impressive, because the Yamahas SG730xxx, and the Yamaha APX series on the adjacent rack outperformed them easily, at 1/4 of the price. The really weird thing is, the best non-Martin guitar on the racks was a $230 Breedlove, apparently US design, but made in Korea. I'm very confused now. Didn't buy anything. Good luck to you! Please try before you buy :)

Oh, almost forgot to mention, Washburn D10xxx series - I have one from the 90's, but it's unfortunately a dog. However, apparently the current ones are really good ... might be worthwhile trying one.

Gorgo
VIC, 5041 posts
5 Oct 2012 10:47AM
Thumbs Up

d1 said.......

Oh, almost forgot to mention, Washburn D10xxx series - I have one from the 90's, but it's unfortunately a dog. ...


You should take it to a luthier. My old 12 string was a bit of a brick. Bolt on some Gotoh machines, a tweak of the action and some new strings and it became glorious. Can't remember what it cost but it wasn't too much.

evlPanda
NSW, 9204 posts
5 Oct 2012 11:01AM
Thumbs Up

Watched this the other night. Awesome.



Jack White would probably say something like "Get a guitar that hates you."

Gorgo
VIC, 5041 posts
5 Oct 2012 11:17AM
Thumbs Up

A different way to look at that is how to get out of a rut and how to avoid getting into a rut. The guitar heroes that own heaps of guitar mainly buy them because a new guitar inspires you to play new things or play the same old things in a new way.

New strings are good for inspiration and energy.

Playing in a different place is good. I get a lift playing up in the bush or sitting on a friend's catamaran.

Alternate tunings can be fun. I love open D. You can go all bluesy with a slide or all country or even get quite orchestral sounds.

Open string chords are fun and sort of my specialty. Identify the main notes in a chord then see how few strings you can hold down to get those notes. All the extra droning strings are going to be a 9th or 11th or 13th or 6th or something cool. Throw in some cross picking on the treble strings to get a really singing sound.

I have checked out the Alans sale and there were no bargains to tempt me. The last two guitars I bought were from ebay. The Acoustic Guitar centre in South Melbourne has lots of stock. I don't know if they're cheap but the Bass Centre (in the same building) has some stuff at very competitive prices.

Prawnhead
NSW, 1317 posts
5 Oct 2012 12:08PM
Thumbs Up

pueter66 said...
Just had a muck around with a cole clark, very impressive. Another one to add to the list. I had a look on the maton website and the construction of the solid guitars looks good. I like the look of the guitar in the blackwood but i will be interested which timber will give the best tone.


i have a cole clark fat lady 2 cutaway ,sounds even better plugged in if you are planning on doing some performing ...best bet is to sit down in the shop and just play a tune you like and see how it feels and sounds to you something will appeal!
takamine guitars as a general rule have pretty good acoustic pickups as well as a great tone
My old K Yairi circa 82 bought for $150 has a tone all of its own!
too many good ones nowdays to choose from !

Bishnack
WA, 45 posts
5 Oct 2012 1:27PM
Thumbs Up

Has anyone tried the ESP acoustics?

Some ESP electrics are awesome, but I have never even seen an acoustic around.

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
5 Oct 2012 10:05PM
Thumbs Up

d1 said...
Thanks, pueter66, for the awesome topic.

Worth mentioning that one of the major music shop franchises, Allans, is having a bankrupcy/closing down sale right now, with discounts ranging between 25% and 50%. After reading all the replies to this topic, I went there, twice in 2 days, to buy a nice discounted Maton.. or Martin... or Cole Clark... But after playing all the guitars on their racks, I'd say that the Martins had the best overall sound by far, but there is no way I'm getting one, because their traditional nitrocellulose finish disagrees with my skin chemistry, and gets very sticky around the neck. It's a familiar problem I have with Gibsons. Apparently, 30% of people have this issue. The Maton I would have liked most would be from the BG808xxx series, or the perhaps one of the jumbo shapes. But they were not that impressive, because the Yamahas SG730xxx, and the Yamaha APX series on the adjacent rack outperformed them easily, at 1/4 of the price. The really weird thing is, the best non-Martin guitar on the racks was a $230 Breedlove, apparently US design, but made in Korea. I'm very confused now. Didn't buy anything. Good luck to you! Please try before you buy :)

Oh, almost forgot to mention, Washburn D10xxx series - I have one from the 90's, but it's unfortunately a dog. However, apparently the current ones are really good ... might be worthwhile trying one.


thanks for the response, i have heard martins are really good, they also have a hell of a price tag to go with it, but i have added them to the list, A lot of people play yamaha,s but i wont go with them i have had a yamaha before, i would like to try something different.

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
5 Oct 2012 10:13PM
Thumbs Up

Gorgo said...
A different way to look at that is how to get out of a rut and how to avoid getting into a rut. The guitar heroes that own heaps of guitar mainly buy them because a new guitar inspires you to play new things or play the same old things in a new way.

New strings are good for inspiration and energy.

Playing in a different place is good. I get a lift playing up in the bush or sitting on a friend's catamaran.

Alternate tunings can be fun. I love open D. You can go all bluesy with a slide or all country or even get quite orchestral sounds.

Open string chords are fun and sort of my specialty. Identify the main notes in a chord then see how few strings you can hold down to get those notes. All the extra droning strings are going to be a 9th or 11th or 13th or 6th or something cool. Throw in some cross picking on the treble strings to get a really singing sound.

I have checked out the Alans sale and there were no bargains to tempt me. The last two guitars I bought were from ebay. The Acoustic Guitar centre in South Melbourne has lots of stock. I don't know if they're cheap but the Bass Centre (in the same building) has some stuff at very competitive prices.


Thanks for the info on the centres I dont really know many down in melbourne so that is really helpfull.

Jefin
VIC, 60 posts
6 Oct 2012 6:37PM
Thumbs Up

Have to do a +1 for the Cole Clark fat lady2. I own have a Maton fantastic guitar really punch's the sound out (good for PJ!). My brother has the fat lady 2, he never gets near it when I'm around. Absolutely love it.

Best bet is to go to the biggest instrument store you can find and play everything you can get your hands on. $3000 is a fair investment so try them all a few times and see what suits you.

PS don't pick up a $10000 guitar, you wont go back to the $3000 guitar

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
6 Oct 2012 7:15PM
Thumbs Up

Jefin said...
Have to do a +1 for the Cole Clark fat lady2. I own have a Maton fantastic guitar really punch's the sound out (good for PJ!). My brother has the fat lady 2, he never gets near it when I'm around. Absolutely love it.

Best bet is to go to the biggest instrument store you can find and play everything you can get your hands on. $3000 is a fair investment so try them all a few times and see what suits you.

PS don't pick up a $10000 guitar, you wont go back to the $3000 guitar


I listened to the fat lady on you tube very nice I am putting this one right up there thankyou

pueter66
QLD, 205 posts
12 Oct 2012 2:56PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks for all your input guys, i was sorely tempted by a number of brands and guitars. but the one at the end that stood out with my budget constraints was the Cole Clark Fat lady 3 it is a beautiful guitar to play and even surprised me I was pretty set on a Maton. So once again thanks for the assist

Bishnack
WA, 45 posts
12 Oct 2012 1:24PM
Thumbs Up

Rock on.

How good is it to own a new guitar!!

Can never have too many.

Jefin
VIC, 60 posts
12 Oct 2012 6:44PM
Thumbs Up

pueter66 said...
Thanks for all your input guys, i was sorely tempted by a number of brands and guitars. but the one at the end that stood out with my budget constraints was the Cole Clark Fat lady 3 it is a beautiful guitar to play and even surprised me I was pretty set on a Maton. So once again thanks for the assist



Great choice! Enjoy

SUPFIN
VIC, 31 posts
12 Oct 2012 9:46PM
Thumbs Up

Great choice I've got the fat lady #2 had it for a couple of years and its just getting better with age they have a great action and there aussie made have fun



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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...


"Now for something completely different - guitars" started by pueter66