Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj

Post to this Thread - Sort Descending - Printer Friendly - Home


Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___

Steve in Idaho 01 May 02 - 09:08 PM
kendall 01 May 02 - 09:19 PM
GUEST,Midchuck downstairs 01 May 02 - 09:26 PM
Anahootz 01 May 02 - 09:27 PM
Bobert 01 May 02 - 09:39 PM
Rolfyboy6 01 May 02 - 09:46 PM
catspaw49 01 May 02 - 09:56 PM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 12:06 AM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 12:14 AM
michaelr 02 May 02 - 12:16 AM
Rolfyboy6 02 May 02 - 12:21 AM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 12:21 AM
Big Mick 02 May 02 - 12:30 AM
Anahootz 02 May 02 - 01:48 AM
Dear Hubby 02 May 02 - 02:13 AM
michaelr 02 May 02 - 02:30 AM
kendall 02 May 02 - 08:23 AM
GUEST,Strollin' Johnny 02 May 02 - 09:00 AM
RichM 02 May 02 - 10:00 AM
Rick Fielding 02 May 02 - 12:15 PM
Bill D 02 May 02 - 02:01 PM
Bill D 02 May 02 - 02:14 PM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 05:44 PM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 05:46 PM
Sorcha 02 May 02 - 05:51 PM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 06:18 PM
Sorcha 02 May 02 - 06:24 PM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 09:04 PM
Midchuck 02 May 02 - 09:50 PM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 11:29 PM
Steve in Idaho 02 May 02 - 11:37 PM
GUEST,Strollin' Johnny 03 May 02 - 04:54 AM
Lanfranc 03 May 02 - 05:38 AM
kendall 03 May 02 - 07:01 AM
Midchuck 03 May 02 - 07:28 AM
catspaw49 03 May 02 - 07:33 AM
Steve in Idaho 03 May 02 - 08:37 AM
catspaw49 03 May 02 - 09:19 AM
Steve in Idaho 03 May 02 - 12:10 PM
Dear Hubby 03 May 02 - 06:20 PM
Escamillo 04 May 02 - 12:17 AM
Steve in Idaho 04 May 02 - 08:27 AM
53 04 May 02 - 10:59 AM
GUEST,Blues=Life 05 May 02 - 12:23 AM
Share Thread
more
Lyrics & Knowledge Search [Advanced]
DT  Forum Child
Sort (Forum) by:relevance date
DT Lyrics:







Subject: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 01 May 02 - 09:08 PM

What do you think??

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: kendall
Date: 01 May 02 - 09:19 PM

I played one of these last summer, was not impressed.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: GUEST,Midchuck downstairs
Date: 01 May 02 - 09:26 PM

Me too!

(Steve, would you be interested in a 414 - no cutaway, unamplified - for just under half the "buy it now" price on that one? Not as purty, but nice sound.)

Peter.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Anahootz
Date: 01 May 02 - 09:27 PM

Hmmm...I dunno, thats about 70-80% of the new price (depending on who you trust) and it's ok looking...but I have a few for you to gaze at.

Taylor 612CE, $2059
C. Fox Napa, $1329
A. Lawrence Smart D, $1650

All pretty good axes, all distinctive, all probably sound great, and certainly all eye candy...Have fun deciding, let us know what you get.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Bobert
Date: 01 May 02 - 09:39 PM

So just how many bids do you see, Steve? Hmmmmm? One day left and no bids? Hmmmmm? Get my drift? Plus, why would you want a Taylor when ya' can own (ducks back into his foxhole..) a Martin or Guild? Ouch, now who threw that?


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 01 May 02 - 09:46 PM

That bid price is already close to actual store prices of comparable or even better guitars. Check out the cutaways at Phil's Guitars only 80 miles away from the e-Bay sellers. Including a Taylor 810CE for $1,595, a Martin MC-28 for $1,695, and a Larivee C-05 for $1,275. Seems to me the ad prose is a bit breathless.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 May 02 - 09:56 PM

Take a pass Pard......You can do better. Are you hooked on a Taylor for sure or..........Several nice axes mentioned here already. What specifiacally are you looking for (and will Ol' Mose accept it into the family?)

Spaw


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:06 AM

All good questions - and Thanks Spaw and Kendall. I have to tell you. The luthier that had all of the fancy wood and such, remember he was going to build me one? Bum - he and ZZ-top are making so much money he can't be bothered with a little run of acoustics.

Bobert - that is why I put it here. I've just had a want a new guitar for years and am bound and determined to have one. I fell in love with Ferrara's Gurian and have initiated negotiations with her - we're trying to figure out how much it is worth. Guilds are a bit too "boomy" and I've never cared for Martins. Nice instruments - just never did find one that sounded right to me.

Peter - is the 414 a spanish style like in the picture? Remember I'm a flat picker. I was more interested in what everyone thought of the price/value. I have to start from ground zero.

Rolfy - I get your point there. Answered another piece of the question.

I've wanted a second guitar, Ol Mose will accept it if I casually introduce the newby as a "friend from down the street here to play for a while." Mose is a beater. He has the best sound of any instrument I've ever been around (not predjudiced am I?). But I'd like a bit smaller neck, don't care about the cutaway (be nice for some of the blues things I've been doing), but it does need to be "Purty" as well.

Goes back to my earlier discussion of what makes a guitar sound the way it does. Walnut or Mahogany back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, Ebony fingerboard and bridge, and something fancy -

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:14 AM

Geez Rolfyboy - that Taylor is pretty!

Anahootz - where are those first two guitars at?

Oh crap - I got it bad -

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: michaelr
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:16 AM

Anahootz - C. Fox works in my neighborhood, and I'd rather have one of his than any mass-produced (by computer-controlled machinery) Taylor. They're gorgeous!

IMO, Taylors are vastly overrated.

Michael


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:21 AM

We are your fellow sufferers. I regularly drive my self nuts with the Phil's guitars website. The guy is a great musician himself and knows guitars.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:21 AM

Michael - hae you played some of Fox's instruments?

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:30 AM

Steve, I will be in Elderly tomorrow if you would like me to check out that A. Lawrence Smart.

Michael, I agree with you about Taylors. Nice guitars, but over rated. This particular one is nice, but no bargain. If I were going to pay that price I would buy it through Elderly so I could have their setup shop.

Mick


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Anahootz
Date: 02 May 02 - 01:48 AM

The Fox and the Taylor are both at 12th fret.

I have heard an unsubstantiated rumor that Charles Fox is no longer building guitars...hmmm.

For those of you that don't recognize the name, A. Lawrence Smart is one of the luminaries of the mandolin-building world. His instruments are easily comparable to Gilchrists, Nuggets, Gibson Master Models, and in my opinion (I have played a whoooole lotta mandolins) they are superior due to their accesibility by those of limited means. His mandos sell for $6800, and are worth every penny (Gils are $20K with a 5 year wait, Nuggets are $16K with a 2-3 year wait, and alot of master models are spoken for at $10K or so)...But I digress. Smart is an exceptional luthier, but I have never played a guitar of his, so I have no idea what they are comparable to, tonewise.

Gee aint it fun shoppin for wires n wood? Before you decide, check out Charles Johnson's page, he has a Tony Rice, a new Lowden, and a Taylor 814 custom for sale, all less than $2500. He is a great guy to have looking for an instrument, he got me a great deal on a D-28


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Dear Hubby
Date: 02 May 02 - 02:13 AM

Áine and I have a bit of familiarity with Taylors, seeing as we own two (a 710 and an 815ce) and I did a bit of research before parting with that nice chunk 'o change, so I'll see if my 2 cents buys you anything.

First off -- That 615ce is probably a decent price at less than $1,800 (assuming it really is in mint condition). You're not going to be able to get a new one for less than $2,100 (give or take a C-note).

One thing to keep in mind with this particular guitar, is that it is maple back and sides; which means it will be much brighter sounding than one made of rosewood (700 and 800 series) or mahagony (500 series).

This might be just to your liking; but, if you prefer a darker, fuller sound, you might be disappointed. (All a matter of taste, don't you know).

Now, I'm obviously a big Taylor fan; even though Taylor-bashing seems to be very fashionable, particularly amongst the Martin camp. Now, if Martin would ship their guitars with a decent setup, I might give them the time of day (Ahh it's gettin warm now! Save me TGG, my love!).

That being said -- proceed with caution. I mean, unless you cashed in on your dotcom before the crash, $2k is an investment you want to put some thought into.

Do some research at the Taylor website. Then, check out Martin, Larrivée, Gibson, and any others in the same general ballpark money-wise that strike your fancy.

Then try to play as many as you can get your hands on. Guitar Center carries a good selection of Larrivées, Taylors, Martins and Gibsons (Just don't buy one there, you'll pay way too much.)

In general, a guitar in the $1,500 - $2,000 range is going to be a fine instrument, no matter whose name is on it. It really comes down to which one fits YOU best. It's worth the extra time finding out.

And really, that's half the fun of a good GAS attack!

(PM me if you have questions)

-- Dear Hubby


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: michaelr
Date: 02 May 02 - 02:30 AM

Norton - yes, as I said, C. Fox is in my area, so the main local acoustic guitar store, Tall Toad Music in Petaluma, CA, has had several of his wonderful instruments on display, which I have had the privilege to try. They are meticulously crafted instruments with excellent tone and unusual design accents.

If you have more questions about C. Fox guitars, I'm sure there's a website that can sate your curiosity.

Regards,
Michael


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: kendall
Date: 02 May 02 - 08:23 AM

Hubby, the reason Martin sets their guitars up with high action is, that's the only way to get any power out of them! and, those bluegrass pickers have to blow each other out of the water with their slamming contests. I hate to say this, but, there was a time when you could count on Taylor to produce all their guitars with the same quality and sound. No more. Some of them are just adequate, some outstanding. Kinda like Martins. If you notice performers on tv these days, you will see more and more Taylors; so, they must be doing something right. I've owned most of them, Gibson j45, Mossman, Guild D50, Martin hd28, plus a bunch of cheaper axes, such as Ibanez, Kalamazoo, Carlo Robelli and Yamaha. I wouldn't trade the Taylor for ALL of them put together. Now, a Santa Cruz that could tempt me. As far as over rated goes, Martins.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 02 May 02 - 09:00 AM

You're all trying to tempt me to start raving about Lowdens again. They're not made by computers They ARE hand-made from real tree-wood in comparatively small quantities by skilled luthiers. They're loud, sound fantastic and look sophisticated and classy. SJ


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: RichM
Date: 02 May 02 - 10:00 AM

My 3 current guitars (alright, I have more than that!) --the ones that I play most-- were pre-owned; a '78 Larriveé, a '67 Brazil Rosewood Martin D-21, and (my fave) an '84 Marc Beneteau dreadnought...

I played each one of these for an extended period, before I bought. I compared them with other similar guitars that were available. For instance, the D21 I bought from George Gruhn's in Nashville. I played EVERY d21 in Gruhn's that day. Wonderful place; they took me upstairs, uncased all the D21's and left me to play as long as I wanted.

The point is, I won't buy any guitar unless I play it. Don't care how impressive it LOOKS--sound and playability are what counts. Most of us pick a guitar like we do a spouse: with the intent of a long relationship!.

Good luck in your search. GAS can be painful! :)

Rich McCarthy


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:15 PM

Poor Norton....guess it's time you joined me at GAS-ANON, buddy!

I have to go along (partly, as usual) with Kendall. Taylor's vaunted quality control ain't what it used to be (nor is Larrivee's)

I simply wouldn't buy ANYTHING without playing it....for a couple of hours AND in at least two different rooms (with different acoustics.

I've played three of the C-Fox guitars and have been mightily impressed (by the sound...but not the peg-head design)

Cheers

Rick


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Bill D
Date: 02 May 02 - 02:01 PM

well....Norton only played Ferrara's Gurian for a couple hours..in one room..*grin*...guess he'd better fly back here and play it in the basement awhile...

tempt? us?...nawwwww


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Bill D
Date: 02 May 02 - 02:14 PM

we'd NEVER tempt

(It was a great evening)


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 05:44 PM

I'll tell you guys something - I have played so many different guitars over the last several weeks they are starting to blur. And Rick - if I can't play it I am not going to buy it. The one I put in the start of this thread was attractive due to the "play it and if you don't like it return it" mode of the seller. Yeah some shipping charges but that is nothing. I've been at GAS-anon for the last 25 years - I'm surrendering!! I want a nice guitar I can sit down at home with a few friends, or just to make my partner smile, and play. Ol' Mose can handle the rough crowds. And Mose confided in me that he "needs" *BG* a feminine companion.

Maybe it was just the company, not that I am putting Bill and Rita in a "just company" thing. They are superb hosts and great people. But that Gurian of Rita's blew me away. I should have negotiated a price then and there and brought it home.

Today I played a couple of Loudens, Taylors, Martins, several Alvarez Yairi's (nicest was a DY-40C for $1300), a Santa Cruz, and I kept thinking back to that Gurian. There were some real "eye candies" that were horrid, and a couple of Simple Steves that had pretty good sound.

Bottom line - Rita and I are in negotiation. Sorry Bill - I wish I could come back for the weekend and make some more music with you guys - and the group that is coming for the weekend - but alas - my plane fare is in transitory status. I'm hoping that I can play that Gurian in my little sound room to make sure it "fits" just right. *wink*

I have got to "Thank" all of you as usual. Anytime I need some formal, or informal, assistance with music related things you're all right there. And I value your opinions and expertise. Got to go for now -

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 05:46 PM

And yes you would tempt Bill!!!!!

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 May 02 - 05:51 PM

Get "Beano"....it helps.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 06:18 PM

Actually Sorcha I'm just "strung" out :-)

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 May 02 - 06:24 PM

LOL! I'm afraid I have IAS.....Instrument Aquisition Syndrome. You wouldn't believe what I have that I can't/don't play.....and I want MORE!


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 09:04 PM

I understand - and nothing seems to help. Now Rick Fielding has figured a way to stop the pain for a few weeks at a time - perhaps we should consult with the expert?

Steve Har har har


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Midchuck
Date: 02 May 02 - 09:50 PM

Caution: self-serving commercial post follows!

Here's some things to consider....

Peter.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 11:29 PM

Oh that's dirty Peter - -

I don't know anymore - - -

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 May 02 - 11:37 PM

Yours look like this Peter?

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 03 May 02 - 04:54 AM

OK guys, I'm a thick Brit. What does GAS stand for (other than a fart)? SJ


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Lanfranc
Date: 03 May 02 - 05:38 AM

GAS = Guitar Acquisition Syndrome (incurable)

The next person who puts up a link to the Elderly site dies!

Anyone know anything about Docherty guitars (see the Martin Carthy thread).

I've just sold two guitars. According to house rules, that means that I can now acquire another two! I'm off to the Trevor Durrant GAS Clinic (Colchester branch) and Peach tomorrow in search of temporary relief from my sufferings.

Alan


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: kendall
Date: 03 May 02 - 07:01 AM

If it has a solid top, gotta be worth it.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Midchuck
Date: 03 May 02 - 07:28 AM

Yours look like this Peter?

Yes, but more like this.

P.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 May 02 - 07:33 AM

Taylor 414

Spaw


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 03 May 02 - 08:37 AM

Nice one both of you - wonder what he wants for the Taylor?

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 May 02 - 09:19 AM

I dunno' Steve, but the one Peter has is Ovangkol back and sides which is a very fine and pretty wood for guitars and he's only asking $900. And I'm sure that Peter's stuff is properly set up.

Spaw

BTW......ALL OF YOU REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS TO THE GAS THREADS:
Murray Adelman......murray@mpce.mq.edu.au.......One of our regular contributors to the instrument threads has died. Bob Bolton posted the Obit last night.....Click for Murray's Obit Thread. I know many of us will really miss his fine insights and sense of humor. He was one of the very first members of Mudcat.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 03 May 02 - 12:10 PM

Spaw - The one you book marked has an "E" designation. Does that mean "Electronics" on board? Taylor website doesn't show that model. Peter's guitar is the same size as Mose.

GAS - Maybe a good dose of Beano would help :-)

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Dear Hubby
Date: 03 May 02 - 06:20 PM

Steve,

Yes, the E stands for electronics. Also C stands for cutaway. Most of the current Taylor production lines are either standard body or 'CE'. This one is either a custom or an older model. (I think they used to have off-the-shelf cutaway only and electronic only -- I know Larrivee still does)

Oh, and Sorcha, it's still GAS even if it isn't a guitar -- you just expand the acronym (if you'll pardon the expression) to Gear Acquisition Syndrome. A much more expensive malady as it not only includes guitars, but any and all music-related toys: keyboards, mandolins, mics and mixers, OH MY!

- Dear Hubby


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Escamillo
Date: 04 May 02 - 12:17 AM

I'm going to respectfully feed your GAS. See the thread I started today, named "Seriously, guitars made in Argentina".

Un abrazo - Andrés


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 04 May 02 - 08:27 AM

Unfortunately I have had a small reversal of fortune. A daughter that can't seem to find her place in the world. So any instrument purchase has been postponed.

I'm still going to play everything I can and in a couple of months should be back able to seriously start negotiating again.

Steve


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: 53
Date: 04 May 02 - 10:59 AM

This thread does not help my problem at all. It only makes things worse, for I also have G.A.S. Bob


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Help: I've got GAS - Opinions please___
From: GUEST,Blues=Life
Date: 05 May 02 - 12:23 AM

I, too, suffer from GAS, but my last innoculation suprised the hell out of me. I was looking for a jumbo, something with a lot of bass, and bought a Tacoma PR-40 PARLOR guitar. Too much abalone (who needs it, pretty as it is) and much smaller than I was looking for. Only one reason to spend that much money, and that was a nuclear TONE!! Could not believe it, and couldn't put it down. Amazing bass and volume from a small guitar. Then last month was talking with a guy in an Irish band in LA who was playing a DR-20 (the 20 has less abalone, but is made with the same level of workmanship from what I could see.) He agreed with me that the Tacomas are amazing. Not all of them are perfect, but play a few at your local shop, and if you find a good one, be warned! It's hard to dicker on the price when you won't let go of the guitar.

Blues


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate
  Share Thread:
More...

Reply to Thread
Subject:  Help
From:
Preview   Automatic Linebreaks   Make a link ("blue clicky")


Mudcat time: 25 April 2:06 PM EDT

[ Home ]

All original material is copyright © 2022 by the Mudcat Café Music Foundation. All photos, music, images, etc. are copyright © by their rightful owners. Every effort is taken to attribute appropriate copyright to images, content, music, etc. We are not a copyright resource.