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Best guitar you've owned yet...
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Subject: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Little Hawk Date: 20 Jan 05 - 10:24 PM It's undoubtedly the rosewood back & sides dreadnought I bought from a friend, Ron Belanger, who is a luthier in my hometown of Orillia, Ontario. This man's guitars are very, very good, and they're still inexpensive. I've owned $3,000 guitars before, but none of them were as good as this one, which I paid $1300 for. It's amazing. I figure I am pretty lucky to be living in the same town with Ron and to know about him. I got a Belanger while they were still cheap! I have owned Martins, Yamahas, Washburns, Guilds, etc...but the Belanger is the best. So, what's the best guitar you have yet owned? Let's hear about it. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: thespionage Date: 20 Jan 05 - 10:29 PM I wish I could tell you; I've only owned my Alvarez acoustic-electric. I love it, but being that it is my only guitar, I couldn't say it's the best. Don't worry, I've got a lot of time left. ;-) Russ Practitioner of Thespionage and Folk Music |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Peace Date: 20 Jan 05 - 10:30 PM Fender Telecaster circa 1962. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Midchuck Date: 20 Jan 05 - 11:20 PM Comin' at ya: Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Little Hawk Date: 20 Jan 05 - 11:31 PM Hey! Nice looking guitars, Peter. Thanks for the link. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Midchuck Date: 20 Jan 05 - 11:59 PM Guitar. He's only ever built one sunburst 12-fret slothead dread. That one. Mine! Mine! Mine! Bwaghhawhawhaw.... Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 21 Jan 05 - 01:47 AM My best ever is an original Framus Nashville. They were made in Bavaria in the early 1960s, and (in the UK at least) are now pretty rare. The tone is very classical, pure and mellow, with almost no buzz,and the action is very light, in short, a joy to play, and I wouldn't exchange it for any that I've heard in the thirty years I've owned it. I know they are very rare in the UK. Does anybody out there own one? Don T. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Grab Date: 21 Jan 05 - 06:50 AM My Lowden O32. Why would I buy another (or another 6-string at least)? |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,John from Tarneybackle Date: 21 Jan 05 - 07:23 AM Lowden 32CE - a real beauty. Greaat balance from the six strings, lovelt action for finger picking and very forgiving for flat picking. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Splott Man Date: 21 Jan 05 - 07:24 AM My Thornbory which I've had for 25 years, Sweet as a nut. Splott Man |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: CStrong Date: 21 Jan 05 - 07:25 AM Martins all: '88 HD-35, '73 D-35, '56 00-28G, '62 00-18. Different days, different moods... |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Seaking Date: 21 Jan 05 - 07:30 AM My HD28 - but always loooking |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: breezy Date: 21 Jan 05 - 08:28 AM Keep trying all different I moved from famus to yamamha to Chris cross, Martin D28, back to C C then found Brook, nice size and weight aswell as sound and appearance. while in Vancouver I tried all the Martins and Larivees in the shops but only one Larivee tempted me. With each guitar I've moved on and my ear for the sound is more critical. I wwould buy again and now prefer British from a patriotic standpoint but they are becoming more expensive. Will keep looking though I'm very happy with what I have to play on. I like the sell on yours little 'awk |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Dreaded Thumbpick Date: 21 Jan 05 - 09:17 AM I've played lots but the one I love best is my 1970 Martin O-16 New York. Wonderful fingerpicking guitar with enough punch for a string band. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Paco Rabanne Date: 21 Jan 05 - 09:22 AM Electric : - An ESP Telecaster with coil taps, far better than a Fender. Flamenco :- A 1970 Rafael Morales. steel strung Acoustic ;- None, they hurt my bloody fingers! |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 21 Jan 05 - 09:59 AM My guitars are like my children. I love them all equally and for different reasons. But, if I had to pick one, I guess the Santa Cruz OM-PW would be it. It's finnicky, overly sensitive to weather changes and only likes expensive Elixir strings. But I've not played another recently made guitar that sounds better when it's "on". I've played some vintage Martins that sound better, but I'd have to sell my entire collection to afford one of them and that ain't gonna happen. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Mooh Date: 21 Jan 05 - 10:02 AM Oh yummy, a guitar thread! Mr. Little Hawk is right, get 'em while they're cheap. Nice choice sir! Gots me a killer Tele thinline, mostly stock, but it's a maple board which will be rosewood when I finds one. Leagues better than the Strat. With the Laney combo amp...heaven! Best flattop acoustic is likely my Marc Beneteau (www.beneteauguitars.com) 6 string. If I could only save one from a fire or something, that would be the one. It's no better than the 12 and baritone from the same maker, but I live in a six string world. Now they've got pricey and my income ain't what it used to be, so another is likely just a dream. So, I found another up and comer, see www.house-guitars.com where there's pictures of mine. I seriously doubt I'd ever replace my best and favourite. It sounds wonderful, practically plays itself, looks cool, and got me through a really rough stretch of life. It's a part of me. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Once Famous Date: 21 Jan 05 - 10:11 AM From my collection: 1971 Martin D-18 bought last year. Unbelievable sounding bluegrass and folk legend. 1962 Gibson LG-3 bought new as a kid April 1963. A quite rare and sweet sounding small guitar. I'm sure no one is surprised by these choices. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 21 Jan 05 - 10:26 AM i absolutely enjoy playing my korean Danelectro re-issues.. great necks for my clumsy stubby fingers.. fantastic tones from lipstick pickups.. and very resonant thinline hollow bodies.. cant remember how many i've got at the moment; but as i can find them from between £50 - £150 ..i've probaly bought the equivalent of one new top range american guitar.. an old battered early 80's aria pro 'Les Paul/SG' beater i found for £65 and a similar period Japanese JV Squier strat i picked up for only £200 .. oh and nothing to me is better than Shergold and Hayman guitar necks from a quarter century ago.. [just a shame the guitars are'nt quite as good as their superb necks..] |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,Jim Date: 21 Jan 05 - 10:29 AM Gotta be my Lowden W23 (an old war-worn O32 type model), but for endurance and knockaboutability/playability my Norman ST68 is still one of my all-time favourites. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,Jim Date: 21 Jan 05 - 10:36 AM "1971 Martin D-18 bought last year. Unbelievable sounding bluegrass and folk legend. 1962 Gibson LG-3 bought new as a kid April 1963. A quite rare and sweet sounding small guitar. I'm sure no one is surprised by these choices." Well , I'm sure most will be surprised by the mention of a Norman ST68 - and maybe even more surprised when I say I went intending to buy a Martin D28 - no regrets on that decision. I am rather surprised at the hype surrounding Martin guitars.... but, hey, each to their own |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Little Hawk Date: 21 Jan 05 - 10:49 AM What I'm surprised by is how often Lowden guitars have come up on this thread. I've never played one of those yet...or maybe even seen one. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,Auggie Date: 21 Jan 05 - 10:55 AM I have a Martin D-41 from their custom shop with an Adirondack top and Brazilian sides and back that definitely lives up to and beyond any pre-conceived expectations. If you can deliver on it, it ain't hype, and this guitar is proof. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,Jim Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:02 AM As I said - each to their own. I wanted to buy the best available with £1100 to spend (back in 1987) - I knew naff all about quality guitars and was told to buy a Martin. Believe me - I wanted to go back to my music jaunts with a Martin under my arm, just for the prestige. I played several, but then picked up this Norman (never heard of 'em) and at less than half the price there was no contest. But what do I know.......... Lowden - just get your hands on one and see/hear for yourself. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: eleanor c Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:08 AM Lowden 012. Feels like driving a big stately car with one of those nice wooden dashboards. Also flatters your playing , hurray. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Once Famous Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:15 AM It seems like Lowden or Norman guitars just don't exist in the U.S. Are there any known American folk, country, or bluegrass players who use these guitars? Sure see plenty of country and bluegrass players using Martins and Gibsons on album covers, videos, performances, etc. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Big Mick Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:22 AM Tough call. I surely do love my 1966 Guild 12 string. Great action and a voice to die for. While I have had, and do have, fine guitars, my favorite (as opposed to best) was my little Seagull SG6 with a cedar top. Got that gem for $225.00 US some years ago from Elderly. It was just one of those. (players know from whence I speak). Very good action, but the sound just got sweeter every year. Really good players would pick it up to noodle and, invariably, ask me where I got it. I wish I had it today. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,Davy Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:26 AM My Fylde goodfellow is right for me. I've Owned Martins, Gibsons,Lowdens, Northworthy's,At the Mo I have an Ayres, and A hawaian Koa wood plus a genuwine national, but still come back to my little English gent. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,Jim Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:27 AM Now there y'go - Big Mick makes a call for a Seagull - made in La Patrie Canada - along with Norman, Simon & Patrick and Art & Lutherie. According to reports this luthier is shipping more units worldwide than anyone else. Martin G's not heard of them yet though so maybe the message hasn't yet hit some parts of the US. Watch this space Martin...... |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: PoppaGator Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:28 AM Should I even bother responding by mentioning, as always, my one and only guitar since 1969, my D-18 Martin? Probably not worth repeating; but this time I have something to add: Over the past month, while my baby was at the luthier's getting new frets and neck surgery, I spent some time in guitar stores "test driving" a variety of guitars (just so that I could get a little playing done ~ I'm a monogamous guitar owner, and was left high and dry without my one and only). I was mostly intereted in checking out resonator models, but one store I went to only had one steel-body National to play, so I tried out a number of their regular acoustic guitars as well. One of the available floor models was a a Lowden, the first I had ever seen or touched in person. I have no idea of the model number, etc.; all I can say is that it was absolutely beautiful, and it sounded even better than it looked. I can't say that I would *trade* my D-18 for it ~ there's just too much sentimental attachment there ~ but this Lowden is the first and only acoustic guitar I'd even played that seemed to me to be objectively *better* than my own. Made me a Lowden believer! |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:28 AM oh.. and the korean Burns Steer reissue is a very nice guitar despite some cheapskate manufacturing shortcuts.. [and its horrible 'authentic' British Racing Green colour] better if you can find one discounted at a more realistic price.. thank you e-bay ! except i've not been able to play it much in the 6 months i've owned one.. cos the mrs dont know i bought it yet.. so its hidden in a box in a back room |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:32 AM http://www.burnsguitars.com/clubseries/steer.php check down the page for the sound sample.. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,DHL Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:34 AM Two years ago I sold my Martin HD 28 and bought a new Martin SP000C-16R. In 1986 I paid one thousand dollars for the HD 28. I sold it for fifteen hundred which is what the new one cost. I'm fifty four years old and this is a smaller/easier guitar ro play. It may not have the punch the D28 did but the sound is lovely. However, the guitar I earn my living with is an Alveraz 12 string that I paid $175 for in 1980. I use extra light strings and it stays in tune until the strings are ready for the trash. DHL |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Grab Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:34 AM Lowdens do exist in the US, but I believe they're rare. Strong European currencies and a weak US currency stopped them going far over there, and they're a small operation (like Collings) so there aren't the numbers of mass-produced boxes like you'd get from Martin or Taylor. You can find them fairly regularly on Ebay though. If you're a flatpicker then you're probably in the wrong place - they're OK but not really suited for it. But if you're a fingerpicker then there really isn't anything like them - IMO they beat the pants of Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Collings et al. There was a schism within the Lowden company a couple of years back though - the main company is now known as Avalon. The high-end guitars are similar to the "Lowden" ones, but there are cheaper ones too. George Lowden has now set up his own business and is again making the same guitars, but his are more expensive and in lower quantities bcos it's a smaller shop (but the quality is probably better than Avalons). This is another reason why you might not have seen them - you're more likely to see them second-hand these days than new. I seem to remember Normans are from the same place that does Seagulls (badge engineering)? I've played a couple and was very impressed - very nice guitars for the price, and a much better instrument than the Washburns, Takemines, Ovations and low-end Martins that generally infest that price-point. Graham. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Once Famous Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:05 PM Guest, Jim No thanks. A $225 Seagull or Norman (oooh, oooh, oooh, ooh) will sound great to someone if that is all they can afford and it is the best for the money they can get. Comparing these student and intermediate guitars to what the Pros use such as Martins or Gibsons or even Guilds for that matter only addresses the question "Best guitar you've owned." It does not address the difference in quality found in a higher end guitar compared to a Norman, a Takemine, or any other secondary brand in the guitar market. I'll pass on those and stick with proven professional models. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,Jim Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:07 PM Norman's were the forerunners of Simon & Patrick/Seagull guitars - Robert Godin bought into Normand Boucher's operation after a fire threatened to put Boucher out of business. After Normand's death Godin carried on the business and Simon & Patrick guitars are selling in their thousands. They are basically the same guitars - just different names/slightly different designs. Lowden's should be played and heard to be believed. As a fingerpicker I have to agree with Grab. Don't buy an Avalon guitar and expect the same quality though. Lowden's are available on Ebay - but don't expect to get one for less than £1000 (what's that - approx $1800?) |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,auggie Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:10 PM I saw an Olson SJ at Elderly Music that looked like it was "to die for". Any body out there with Olson experience? |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: PoppaGator Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:13 PM Hmmm ~ I didn't realize Lowdens might be so rare in the US. I've never seen one before, but then again I don't go guitar shopping like some of you GAS victims. I only ventured into some stores over the past month because that's the only way I could get my hands on a guitar. I should mention that the Lowden I played last weekend had a pricetag of $1700. It was a single-cutaway model with a roundish body ~ like a jumbo, but not as large. The top and the rest of the wood were only slightly different in color ~ back and sides lighter than rosewood or mahogany, top darker than spruce, both sort of caramel-colored, in two slightly different shades. Sorry I can't use more precise terms; when you're not a shopoholic collector, there's little need for an extensive guitar vocabulary. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Once Famous Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:14 PM Yeah, the Olson twins play these. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: C-flat Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:23 PM I picked up a second-hand Manuel Rodriguez steel-strung dreadnought acoustic for £300 a few years ago and I'm amazed at the purity of tone, balance and resonance that this very plain looking instrument has. I own several more expensive guitars and some novel ones, like my plastic Maccaferri, but if I'm taking a guitar off the wall for an unplugged night out the Rodriguez is the one! The nearest thing I've played to it would be a Lowden. C-flat. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: PennyBlack Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:37 PM Guest Jim - have a look at The Martin D15 - a lot of guitar for it's money and will outplay a Norman anyday. My favs: Martin D41 (custom bridge), Lakewood M18 Custom, M.R. Steel Strung Dred (A Lowden Plus - honest), Martin D15, Fylde Arial (Finger Picking), Ovation Longneck tuned down to "C". Workhorse favs: Variax 700 Acoustic (Folky Stuff), Variax 500 (Rock Stuff,), Lakewood D18 Custom B-Band 6 AST/UST Pick-up. But all the others have a special something (or I wouldn't have bought them!) PB |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Big Mick Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:37 PM Martin proves that he is no pro. I am a working musician, and have played with some of the best. While I agree that there are certain brands that have a distinctive sound and a reputation for quality, any player worth his/her salt will tell you to never mind the name and go for the sound. This is why, in a blind test at Mandolin Brothers some years ago, a Yamaha was chosen for sound and action over the better names. Virtually every real pro that I have worked with, that had tried the Seagull brand, indicated that it is an amazing value for the money. The service is great, and they stand behind their product. The woods are hand selected, and the emphasis is on the sound. My working instruments are a vintage Guild 12 string, a Larrivee D-05, and a Freshwater Irish bouzouki. These are all wonderful instruments, and the Larrivee is an exceptional pickers axe. None of them have the warmth of tone, nor is their action any better than my Seagull was. I have played many Martins, and for the most part really enjoyed them. I owned several vintage Gibsons, and felt they deserved their reputation. None of them played any better than the Seagull. And the Seagulls sound (the most important factor) would stand with any of them. Martin should go back to spending his money on toys that he doesn't seem to understand. But they probably look nice in his living room. I wonder if he is smart enough to keep 'em humidified and let real players play them once in a while. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,Anon Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:48 PM I think every every other person who has heard or played Don's Framus would rate it much less favourably. Strange how love is. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Richard Bridge Date: 21 Jan 05 - 12:54 PM Hard, hard. I prefer every single one for something specific. But I keep coming back to my Mugen THE78 for the big big thud in the bass, the bite in the treble, and the ring. If I can only take one guitar and know I will be trying to finger-pick, then it might be the Martin OM1, or the X-braced Hagstrom J-45 (the 15 fret to the body neck comes in so handy sometimes). If I need a 12, then it's the Bjarton BJ-12E. If blues is going to figure highly then the fan-strutted Hag J-45. If it's outside and going to rain, then the Morris! |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Auggie Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:25 PM Actually Martin, it wouldn't hurt to have the Olsen twins income if you go shopping for an Olson 6 string. The one I was looking at was going for $12,000 (that's why I was just LOOKING), and while I don't think I'd be tempted to get one on the advice of Mary Kate or Ashley, I am impressed that periodically folks like David Crosby, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, Sting and James Taylor have been seen with one under their arm. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Auggie Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:27 PM Oh yeah, some guy named McCartney too. |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: GUEST,amateur Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:41 PM theres got to be an income level for rich "pro"s where top price big name guitars can be passed off as tax deductions.. and basically end up costing them 'nothing' which probably explains why such guitars are so cynically overpriced to meet that'top earning artist' income level.. ..and thats on top of the free guitars rich performers get in highlty competitive product endorsement deals.. an interesting and significant historical detail why some brandnames become associated with a 'pro' market |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: mandotim Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:47 PM That nice man Martin Gibson talks about 'secondary guitars'; I've owned a few Martins, and played a lot more, (and not the cheap ones, either), and I've let all of them go. Why? I have a twenty year old Takamine EN20( a secondary guitar, by Martin's description), and it knocks every Martin I've ever owned or played into a cocked hat. It's not pretty or fancy, it's a working man's guitar. Powerful, clear sound, stays in tune forever, withstands knocks on the road, versatile enough to range from fingerpicking to bluegrass, sounds great either plugged in or acoustic. As for pros sticking to Martins and Gibsons, ask Paul McCartney. He owns many Martins and Gibsons, but his working guitar for the last twenty years or so is...a Takamine. Tim from Bit on the Side |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Justa Picker Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:57 PM I don't have 1 "best" guitar. I have 6, that are all KILLERS/KEEPERS and I couldn't part with any of them. (I've already turned away several decent offers for a few of them.) (Each one is an only child, if you know what I mean. :-) I would put the '76 HD-28 up against ANY pre-war D-28, and I have played quite a few pre-war 28's. Yes, it's THAT good an instrument in ALL respects - and even more astonishing as it's a "70s era" Martin - an era that was considered less than their finest hour in terms of quality. However in '76 Martin decided to bring back the "Pre-war D-28, and the result was the reissue of the HD-28 - the only instrument in their line-up at the time, with scalloped braces. (The M-38 would follow a year later.) It's very This pup is nearly 30 years old and it's vintage "voice" is already well there. Based on what I hear (and feel when I play it), I believe that in time MANY people will change their minds about IRW and consider aged IRW superior to the sound of aged BRW. It's ALL there! They are shown towards the bottom of the page here. Nice to see you start a M U S I C thread, LH! |
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Subject: RE: Best guitar you've owned yet... From: Once Famous Date: 21 Jan 05 - 03:05 PM Big Mick I have been and continue to be a pro since the mid 60s, so I do know what I am talking about and you let your bitter ruffled feathers stoop you to a low. I currently play a vintage Martin D-18 and Gibson J-45 in performances Quite frankly, a Seagull is a beginners instrument, intermediate at best. You can say it's as good as a Martin, big Mick. It's not. It's probably as good aor better than a $225 Epiphone. I would say that settling for an instrument of that caliber as a pro obviously has limited you. I don't consider guitars toys. I consider what I have high quality tools for the discriminating professional. Please take your bitterness and anger to another thread. OK? |
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