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Best guitars for fingerstyle?
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Mark Roffe Date: 15 Jul 99 - 09:38 AM Dan's right, moonchild. The curve of the guitar's body is one of its most sensual parts. Arrrg, now I'm biting my thumbpick just thinking about my Goodall Grand Concert's delightful neck. And those luscious bouts! Don't fall in love with a guitar - it'll only break your heart. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: John in Brisbane Date: 14 Jul 99 - 09:14 PM Don't expect that you see too many Lowden's in the U.S., but if you come across one then I suggest that you give it a whirl. I won't recommend a particular model, mine is cedar and rosewood, but all that I've seen are beautifully made. Here's a blow I just pulled off a web-site.
"When it comes to steel-strung acoustic guitars, several names stand out: Martin, Gibson, Guild, Ovation, Takamine and Taylor all have their devotees, but one Northern Irish company's instruments evoke almost as much passion as that beleagured province itself. Lowden have a reputation for producing flawlessly-made, wonderful-sounding guitars and, what's more, you don't always need a king's ransom to afford one." So wrote Neville Marten in a recent issue of "Total Guitar" The company founder George Lowden originally started out as a clothes salesman but took to guitar making in 1973 reviving an interest he had as a child. Demand for his guitars grew, and during the years 1980-5 he had them built in Japan under licence. The fluctuating Yen pushed up prices for the European market and he decided to bring production back to Ireland. Lowden Guitars was thus established, with George as technical and design consultant. Since the late -1980s Lowden have built on their enviable reputation as a supplier of quality guitars to the discerning player.Their products are now used by musicians the world over, among them Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Richard Thompson and Jan Akkerman. The combination of quality design, fine craftsmanship and materials is the Lowden trademark.
Regards |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: GUY Wolff Date: 14 Jul 99 - 08:28 PM It sounds like you might like a OOO28 Martin. It's wanderfull on a mike and very clean!Go to a music store and try them all ...That will answer your own question. The problem is there are reasons for lots of different boxs.Good Luck.. Guy >>>>>><<<<<<>>>>><<<<>>><<<>><<<>>> |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Dan Date: 14 Jul 99 - 07:17 PM Moonchild, how in the hell am I supposed to concentrate on the thread subject when you insist on writing something like that? |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: moonchild Date: 14 Jul 99 - 03:50 PM I've been a Gibson Girl for 30+ years and wouldn't trade my B-25 for ANY other guitar. It fits my small hands and my right breast nestles perfectly into the curve of the body. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: CarlZen Date: 14 Jul 99 - 12:12 PM An upstroke with the thumb? I'll have to log off and try it! I've never heard of that before. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Chet W. Date: 14 Jul 99 - 11:17 AM Have to say again, forget picks. If you play fingerstyle, you need to grow nails on your right (or whichever you fret with) hand. You don't need much, maybe 2 or 3 mm past the nail bed, but that makes a world of difference in the variety of tones you can get out the guitar you eventually decide on. When you have them just the right length, you'll also be able to hit a string without the nail touching it. Another thing I've learned to do that's helpful sometimes is playing the bass note with the back of the thumb, on the upstroke, in other words. It makes a different sound and can really help you work in a note at the right place sometimes. Good luck, Chet W. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Peter T. Date: 14 Jul 99 - 10:57 AM Dear NightOwl, I bought a nice shiny $300-$500 Seagull about 5 years ago when I knew nothing about guitars, and it has been a big disappointment. It sort of kept me back from working with steel strings. I kept thinking it was my fault. Rick Fielding took a look at it recently and confirmed that it was a dud. I have heard lots of people say good things about Seagulls, but I am a walking ad for (1) knowing something about guitars before you buy one; (2) not every guitar made by a good company is good. I now have a nice Yamaha, which I am very fond of. I was very unhappy about this, because I believe very strongly in Canadian craftsmanship, and I guess I would probably buy a Seagull again, but I would certainly cart Rick or some other guitar god around with me when I checked them out! yours, Peter T. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Liam's Brother Date: 14 Jul 99 - 10:41 AM Take a look at... http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/10U-2567.htm Sorry, you have to color it blue and click it yourself. This could be a candidate in the "Under $2,000" category.
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? - Strings From: Easy Rider Date: 14 Jul 99 - 10:10 AM Murray: Strings are cheap, and you have to change them often, so I suggest that you experiment. You will be surprised at the differences, when you go from one type to another and back again! Nothing fancy, just try the 80/20 Brass(Bronze) type. I like them a lot better than Phosphor/Bronze for fingerstyle. They are not as bright as phosphor/bronze, more mellow instead, but they are more subtle, in tone, and more consistent over their lifetime, and I think the phosphor/bronze strings sound too "brassy" for fingerstyle. If you want strings cheap, try www.webstrings.com People say they are very good, for the money. I bought a dozen sets and will try them, at the end of this month, when I restring my guitars. Another place is Mostly Strings. Have fun, EZR |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: murray@mpce.mq.edu.au Date: 13 Jul 99 - 10:28 PM Easy Rider: I haven't been able to get my hands on an OM yet; but I have heard from others that they are an ideal fingerpicking tool. I tend to use a guitar that is the same size as a classical guitar (00?) and I am very happy with it as a fingerpicking guitar. A friend of mine, after hearing and playing around with my guitar decided that I had the almost perfect tool. He reasoned that since steel strings have more overtones than nylon ones, you should have a slightly bigger body than a classical one to get a good balance. He got the equivalent of a 000 size. To tell the truth, I am not convinced that it is better than mine--but it does sound great. (Just for reference, the guitar's we are dealing with are Matons, made here in Australia. We both use D'Addario phospher/bronze light strings.) Murray |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Easy Rider Date: 13 Jul 99 - 03:09 PM CarlZen: Here is something interesting that Stefan Grossman said about Mississippi John Hurt's Guild guitar and how he acquired it: "He is playing a real crappy Guild Guitar (OO sized body but rounder) that the Newport Folk Foundation paid for. The funny thing was that he had his complete choice of what guitar he could take. I was with him on that day and we went to FRETTED INSTRUMENTS in New York City. They had GREAT old Martins (with inlay and without) plus a few great Gibsons. He opted for the Guild basically because it seemed "less costly" and he didn't want to shake the goodness of the Foundation! What a gentle character." EZR |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Richard Bridge Date: 13 Jul 99 - 02:44 PM I don't play fingerstyle, but my wife does. It all depends what you want. If you want that "clang" Martins are good and Sigmas nearly as good but a lot cheaper. It is easy to lose the beauty of the melody in a lot of "tizz" particularly if you play hard with metal picks and tend to pluck the string upwards rather than push it downwards. I know some players who are very struck on the big Gibson J200s and J 250s, and I like the sound a lot too. I have also seen 3 very old Gibson SJs (dreadnoughts) and I think they sound very nice without a sort of "look at me" shoutiness. The Epiphones might be worth trying. The Jumbos seem to give an articulacy in the treble as well as a nice solid bottom. If you don't want too much boom, try the Finnish Landolas (jumbo not dreadnought) made out of birch. They look the biz, almost as white as Johnny Winter, and can now be had with the wood pre-aged in a kiln for a slightly more mature acoustic and visual aura. Very tight sound, very clean, not at all floppy. My wife plays an old Hagstrom (very rare, big roundshouldered dreadnought, with a proper saddle not a tailpiece). Much the same shape as the new Framuses but bigger I think, and with a 15 fret neck. It has a dark and mellow, almost sinister, sound, but a bit short on sustain for some tastes. But at least it avoids the "banjo effect" sound that some of the very light-topped modern guitars have. I would say Maton 6-strings and Takamine are noticeable for this, and I feel it to be a failing. Some of the modern British luthiers are very good. I don't personally like the Fyldes to excess but I do approve of the zero fret construction, and I notice almost no-one dislikes their sound. Northworthy I feel sound a bit average, and there have been rumours about the stability of the Kincades. Manson is hard to fault (the luthier, not the other one). Brook are getting rave write-ups but I've never heard one. Some Taylors are very nice, but they are very dear indeed (I know one person who has two. One cost GBP (not dollars) 4,000 and the other GBP 7,000. The dished-back Guilds are a bit edgy for my taste. A good Lowden is very nice with a sound that ranges from a choirboy in a cathedral if you play gently to the death bell if you play hard - but there are a lot more average ones than the really nice ones. But they are probably dear in the USA. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: CarlZen Date: 13 Jul 99 - 02:18 PM EZR - Thanks for the detailed info. It was MJH and Libba Cotton who got me interested in fingerpicking 'way back when. I never knew what guitar John played on those albums, though. (I always remembered the Guild ads with the magnificent photograph of him.) I have consequently received the newest Elderly catalog and am right now looking at their Martin pages, studying the OM SECTION. I wonder if you know much about the diference between the OMs and the OOOO, which the catalog claims were formerly known as M size. Would the versatility of the OOOO be useful for when I'm plying with my bluegrass pals and have to get out my unwieldy little flatpick? Basically, I'll be hitting the shops and trying a lot of things out, but this info is extremely useful. -Tak |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Easy Rider Date: 13 Jul 99 - 11:10 AM CarlZen: Everybody here agrees that a dreadnought is NOT an ideal fingerstyle guitar. I think the ideal fingerstyle guitar is an OM (Orchestra Model). I have had one now, for almost a year, and I just LOVE it. I fingerpick exclusively, playing a lot of Mississippi John Hurt, some Libba Cotton, some Dave Van Ronk and a little Ragtime. I LOVE Ragtime! Missippi John Hurt's Vanguard studio albums, from the mid sixties, were recorded with Stefan Grossman's 1930 Martin OM-45. They are available on CD, and you should try and listen to them, to get an idea of the superb sound of the guitar, not to mention MJH's superb playing. The OM was invented by C. F. Martin in 1929, and mine is a vintage reissue of their 1930 OM-28. It is in their current catalog, and copies of it are made by Collings, Santa Cruz and others. The Taylor X12 is about the same size, but there is a major problem, right now, with Taylor's restrictions on its dealers' advertising, a subject for another thread.
What makes an OM?
What does this give you? I too like Rosewood/Spruce for its rich, warm, dark tone and for its subtlety and expressive range. I also like the "Martin Sound", which is unique. I can play very soft or loud, and it still sounds great. I suggest you find a Martin 000-28EC (short scale) and an OM-28VR or their equivalents, and play them side by side, to compare the difference in sound and feel. In the end, the choice is purely personal, but you must try a lot of guitars, to find what is RIGHT for you. Happy shopping, EZR |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Songster Bob Date: 12 Jul 99 - 04:38 PM If you have newsgroup access, go to rec.music.makers.guitars.acoustic and ask the same question. You'll get all the advice you need and then some. bob clayton |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Tony Burns Date: 12 Jul 99 - 04:30 PM Night Owl: I own 2 Seagulls and there are 3 in the house (my son owns the other). I finger pick almost exclusively and the Seagulls respond well. However, I am not an expert guitar player by any means and if price were not an issue I would buy a different guitar. As I said there are 3 Seagulls in this house and the total investment is less than $1,000.00 Canadian including cases. Only 2 guitars have impressed me of those my friends own. One is a Taylor and the other is an early Larivee (I think. Maybe Rick Fielding can verify that. It's Jeff's guitar Rick). Don't take the above to mean I don't like Rick's guitars, I haven't played them. One last word on price. I truly believe that I'd have to spend more than $1,000 to get a better playing/sounding guitar than my $300 Seagull. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: CarlZen Date: 12 Jul 99 - 02:21 PM Thanks to all for the suggestions. Keep them coming in. It may be 6 mos. to a year before I get the new instrument, but this really helps. It especially helps when people give me their personal experiences. Also, when they tell me what they play (instrument) and what they play (when fingerpicking the instrument in question). Bill C. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Paul G. Date: 12 Jul 99 - 01:09 PM Sounds like you're stuck on Rosewood (for sound reason). I would recommend looking at an instrument crafted by Rich Mermer -- Mermer guitars. You can check his stuff out at www.gate.net/~mermer. I've been to the shop, seen him work, played the guitars...all extraordinary. Personally, I selected the Taylor Cedar and Mahogany 514C because I prefer the mellower sound and the incredible sustain which allows you to do more with your left hand (assuming you're a right handed picker). Lot's of choices. Have fun. Paul G. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Night Owl Date: 12 Jul 99 - 01:48 AM Just wondering if any "Seagull" owners could comment here??? |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Wally Macnow Date: 11 Jul 99 - 06:25 PM I've had and used a Martin O-16 NY since 1974 and don't think I'd part with it for anything. Except maybe an O-17. They're just superb finger picking guitars. You would have to get used to a slightly wider neck though. I always have trouble making adjustments to the narrower necked Dreadnought models. The strings aren't where my fingers want 'em to be either on the fret board or the picking end. I bought a big old Guild to play when I was with the Powdered Eagle String Band. It punched out a nice bass but wasn't much louder than the Martin and the treble didn't come through nearly as clearly. Also remember, when you using amplification, you don't need a boomer. Wally |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Mudjack Date: 09 Jul 99 - 11:14 PM I just looked at a Takamine Limited edition(200 made). They're absolutely beautiful Koa wood and sized at 00 with a built in pick up. It had a really nice balance high and low. It just captured my attention as being an exceptional buy at $1000, Very affordable compared to a Santa Cruz or other hand made special guitars.Ten years ago I would'nt give any import a chance to go home with me. I'm afraid I have to fess up and give credit where it's desreved. Those Japanese git-fiddles are as good as they can get. Mudjack |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Dave T Date: 09 Jul 99 - 08:34 PM I now have two main guitars; a Martin OOO-18 and a Martin D-1R. The D-1R is a new addition so I'm not quite used to it yet. However, the OOO-18 is great for solo blues work while the D-1R is better when playing around banjo or in an un-mic'd open stage. The OOO is definitely easier on the fingers and requires a more delicate touch. If you normally play mic'd or DI'd try a smaller body like the OOO or OM series from Martin. The main difference is the shorter scale length (24.9" on the OOO) and the neck width (check www.mguitar.com for details). Other manufacturers make similar body styles. Dave T |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Chet W. Date: 09 Jul 99 - 08:17 PM One thing I highly recommend, as someone did above, is that you check into smaller guitars than dreadnoughts. They were invented in the 30's when a whole band had to play into one microphone for radio or recording, and are bass-heavy by design. I play mostly on a 1933 Gibson L-00, which is the sweetest guitar I've ever heard, and every note from open E bass to way up the neck is the same volume. I play it sometimes plugged in (Barcus-Berry hot dot near the bridgeplate inside) and I don't ever have to use any equalization. It also has a somewhat wider neck, which can be good for fingerstyle. Gibson is making a reissue of the L-1, which is the guitar that Robert Johnson played, and is very similar to mine, but you should be able to find an old one for less money; I'd say around $1000 in good shape. The smaller Martins, like 00's and 000's are usually very good, but that's just a matter of your sound preference. My partner plays a Taylor about the same size that is also wonderful, don't know the model number. But, again, the equalness of the volume of all notes makes a big difference, especially for fingerstyle. And grow some nails! Chet |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Em Date: 09 Jul 99 - 07:16 PM Most of ya'll probably don't play well enough to require all these fancy things 'yer talking about, so get yourself an old Gibson, because they look sweet, feel great and have alot of soul, kinda like your main squeeze, don't you know. No insult intended; don't take yourselves so seriously! Happy pickin'! |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: DWDitty Date: 09 Jul 99 - 01:08 PM For a great fingerstyle guitar contact Gallagher Guitar in Watrace, TN. Doc Watson played a Gallagher for years and maybe still does. They make the Ragtime Special which is specifically designed for fingerstyle. Of course having said this, I play fingerstyle on a Guild F-50R - probably the antithesis of a fingerstyle guitar, but it works for me. DW (Rich Gallagher - no relation, but I hope to purchase my "namesake" guitar one day) |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: catspaw49 Date: 08 Jul 99 - 06:27 PM I'm still a fan of the 0000 series Martin. Great balance all the way around. Another well balanced and great finger style is the Larrivee Small (LS-05=mahog/LS-09=rswd). I honestly don't know anyone who has played an LS-09 who doesn't rave about it. Just more grist for the mill. catspaw |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: DonMeixner Date: 08 Jul 99 - 05:53 PM I used an Martin 0-16 NY and I use now a Guild F-30. I also once played a Guild M-20 that I liked real fine. But for my money its a toss up tween the 0-16 NY and the F-30 Don |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 08 Jul 99 - 05:51 PM CarlZen, The dreadnaught style of guitar like Martin's D-28 was designed for "punch" and tends to be bass heavy, though there is some variance from guitar to guitar even within models and years. You might look for something smaller in size, even among the Martin's. If you want punch, balance and playability and if you have a couple 1,000 bucks, the 810 by Taylor is a wonderful guitar. I have loved everyone I have played, but I ain't got the bread for one of them. They are distinctly different from your 410. Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: catspaw49 Date: 08 Jul 99 - 04:49 PM CarlZen....Type "Info Opinions" in the filter box and set the refresh for 365 days. There are threads on Martin, Gibson, Guild, Taylor and others. Read and have fun. catspaw |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: CarlZen Date: 08 Jul 99 - 04:40 PM I definitely want a rosewood guitar for the crispness which it gives. Presently I play a mahogony dreadnaught which I love, especially for it's warmth, but in certain situations I like the extra clarity and definition of rosewood, plus the extra volume when playing with others. I use medium strings now (high E .013 to low E .056), and changing to the mediums from lights was one of the best pieces of advice I've received, and would recommend to anyone that a good setup and medium or heavier gauge strings can really bring out a lot in a good guitar. I guess what I'm trying to find out are the differences in body styles and how they seem to perform for finger [picking. I play mostly blues and ragtime, but am not restricted to those styles. I'll be looking forward to having fun on my search. I'd also like to go out armed with any pointers and/or information on the big purchase. I'm sure there are many out there who have been there before. Thanks Res and Bert. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Bert Date: 08 Jul 99 - 04:09 PM To hear your guitar, play facing, and standing fairly close to, a wall. I would try experimenting with different strings before I coughed up for a new guitar. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: Res Date: 08 Jul 99 - 03:41 PM I'm certainly no expert on guitars, but just from personal observation, rosewood (and both of my guitars are rosewood), give a huge bass resonence. You might want to try a Mahogany guitar, Martin makes several and them seem to have a rather even tone in all the ranges. I also feel that even the Martin rosewood guitars do the same but perhaps with a bit more bass. My dos centavos. Pardon the spelling errors, I'm just learning how to speil, -Res |
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Subject: Best guitars for fingerstyle? From: CarlZen Date: 08 Jul 99 - 03:27 PM I am in the process of hunting down the "perfect guitar" for my own personal use. The majority of what I play is fingerstyle. My main guitar right now is a Taylor 410, and I really love it's warm and rich tone, but I feel the need for a rosewood guitar to get that extra punch and definiton of tone. I know that ultimately I'll have to play and select, but there are so any different guitars to choose from. I find that the Martin D28 is little too heavy onthe bass end and the high end doesn't really sparkle or have the balance for fingerpicking. I've played a Taylor Dan Crary and was quite impressed. I also know that what I hear playing, from behind and above the guitar, is not always what projects outward from the instrument. When trying out the instrument, what are some ways of discovering those tones? Any suggestions would be appreciated. |
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