Guitars..what do you play?

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Terry
Date: 12 Nov 98 - 01:00 AM

I've played 'em all, and, for bluegrass flatpicking, nothing beats the Martin HD-28 strung with medium D'Addario phosphor bronze. I don't care if it's pre-war, post-war, Brazilian or Indian rosewood. Nothing beats the sound and playability. Martin rules, and everything else drools!!!

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From:
Date: 12 Nov 98 - 02:25 AM

I am one of the lite string users. I do mostly fingerpicking with soujorns into bottleneck. I find that the D'Adarrio EJ16 are light enought to fingerpick for hours without sore fingers, but still have enough backbone when I use open tuning. The e string even supports the bottleneck when I tune it down to b. (For open D-6 tuning).

Until I started using open tuning, I liked Plectrum AC112 for fingerpicking; but I found that the treble strings are too "flabby" when tuned down.

Murray

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Kris
Date: 12 Nov 98 - 04:18 AM

Bert Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't know where to start on why my current guitar is really aweful. Apart from when bits fall off I bung on freebie old bits from the local music shop, and they don't always suit. It has never had anything other than a very dull sound, and was as nothing compared to the very cheap and cheerful old one my sister had at school, which I grabbed off her and painted up in bright colours for my little daughter one christmas. That one I loved - until someone (dog or daughter I suspect) fell throught it. BUT - I hadn't thought of actually trying anything scientific to make my current one better. So, I'll contemplate that as a project (the last thing I took apart it still apart tho). I may actually come to love it like the other one .... I still yearn for a nice new one for 'best' though....

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Kris
Date: 12 Nov 98 - 04:18 AM

Bert Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't know where to start on why my current guitar is really aweful. Apart from when bits fall off I bung on freebie old bits from the local music shop, and they don't always suit. It has never had anything other than a very dull sound, and was as nothing compared to the very cheap and cheerful old one my sister had at school, which I grabbed off her and painted up in bright colours for my little daughter one christmas. That one I loved - until someone (dog or daughter I suspect) fell throught it. BUT - I hadn't thought of actually trying anything scientific to make my current one better. So, I'll contemplate that as a project (the last thing I took apart it still apart tho). I may actually come to love it like the other one .... I still yearn for a nice new one for 'best' though....

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 12 Nov 98 - 08:28 PM

I wasn't going to add anything more to this thread, EXCEPT that tonight I mananged to break 2 strings (B and D ) each in different places so I can't complain about a particular fret (just had the top 6 re-done) or pectrum. I know I play "heavy" but this is getting beyond a joke. I've been through D'Addario's Dean Markley's, Albions (or whatever they are called now.. good old Brit strings), wouldn't touch Martin strings they're a joke...
Pleckie is medium gauge Gibson.. I did try Heavy because the mediums tend to bend during a session and I need that good old bass vamp, but I gave up on the hard ones after about 2 minutes..
And to refer to Big Mick.. tomorrow (Friday) is THE night .. I'll be playing for about 4 1/2 hours so I expect something else to break.. if not my nerves...
Keep the threads coming in

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Gene E
Date: 12 Nov 98 - 11:31 PM

My favorite guitar is a plywood Dobro F60 with a spyder bridge and a round neck. I'm so glued to it I've left specific instructions that it go with me to the next life when I pass on.

Gene

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Jon W.
Date: 13 Nov 98 - 10:39 AM

I've got a Washburn D-12 I got back in 1983 for $165. It's well set up and nice sounding (though lacking in volume), and good looking, not like the cheap Korean Washburns they sell now. And my other guitar is a banjo, and a disgustingly cheap piece of pawnshop junk at that.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Bert
Date: 13 Nov 98 - 02:22 PM

Kris,
For a 'dull sounding' guitar you could try some different strings. I think someone even markets strings called 'Brights'.

As a last resort (if the guitar has no sentimental value) try removing some of the finish from the sound board.
Some of those old cheapies had a thick layer of muck on them.
If you can get your hand inside or if you fancy removing the back you might try shaving the braces down a little.
It all depends how desperate you are. You should be able to make a little improvement which will keep you going while you are saving your pennies.
Also, do keep your eye open at yard sales and thrift stores. I go to our local Goodwill regularly and I buy every guitar they have that is less that $30. At the very worst they give me something on which to practice repair techniques. I average about one guitar every 6 months, but it's fun.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Nov 98 - 10:19 PM

Strings are as individual as Scotch, " Will that be Blended or Single malt.?" I have some pretty serious string requirements as much do some major finger injuries as well as sound and durability. I can't physically play anything heavier than lites. GHS Phosphor Bronze have some formula that allows the acid in my fingers to destroy the string over nite. They just go dead.

When I could play my Martin 0-16 NY I used silk and steel LaBellas for daily wear and I'd put on a set of Bronze lites for an evening performance. I'd then go back to the Silk and steels the next day. It was expensive but the guitar sounded great with Bronze lites and Mike Longworth said the guitar could handle it. Now I play rhythym guitar in an Irish band and I use any brand of bronze lite but GHS on a Ovation Adamas style guitar. I must say I don't like the guitar at all except for the neck and action. My Guild F-30 from 1959 or 60 gets Marquis lites. My Ode longneck gets Vega Longscale Banjo strings. I will put on a made up set of GHS banjo strings now and then with heavier strings than standard because I flat pick this instrument as well as frail it.

24 (sometimes 26)- 20- 16- 11- 11 are the guages I buy when I mix the set.

Except for my dislike of GHS guitar strings, I'm not convinced that in general strings make a big deference in sound. Granted a Dobro wouldn't want smooth wrapped strings on it but as long as you buy quality and all other things being equall, strings is strings. Jerry Garcia used Black Diamonds and changed them when they broke.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Peter Stanley (Bojangles)
Date: 13 Nov 98 - 11:55 PM

I play a guitar that I built from scratch, and in the 21 years since I built it I have let my two Martins ..a 1958 00-21 and a 1967 D-28S...both made with Brazilian Rosewood...lapse into semi-retirement. I play my "Homemade" an estimated 98% of the 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day that I spend playing guitar I resolved to spare no amount of effort, time or expense to make the very best guitar I could to the exact specifications I wanted. I worked all day every day on the project which my log reveals took from Feb 27, 1977 until the last log entry which reads "Friday, April 15, 1977 I put the strings on.." My "Homemade" has the same body as a D-28S, but it has a 14 fret neck instead of the stock 12 fret on the D-28S. The string length (scale) is 26.25 inches instead of 25.625 on the Martin. The result is a somewhat tighter string which I think gives a bit of extra volume and a brighter tone. Strings seem to go dead less quickly, as well. I was talking with and visiting the Martin people in Nazareth, Pa as I did the redesign. It involved moving the bridge and soundhole forward, making appropriate adjustments in the bracing. Recapturing the 2 frets of upper "bout" space sacrificed in the redesign that produced the D-28 was primarily responsible for most of the design shifts.The Martin people, particularly Mike Longsworth, were a great help, and urged me on with what they seemed to feel was a worthy experiment. After all, Old Man Martin had said in private that he had given up some tonal quality by cutting down the upper bouts to get those 2 extra frets that were in such demand. My experiment would retain all 14 frets and have the same larger body volume that may have been responsible for the better tone of the big Drednaughts of years gone by. I also got help from master builder and repairman, Don Teeter, and from Joseph Wallo, who had built several guitars for Charlie Byrd. My greatest debt of gratitude, though, goes to my brother-in-law, Alfred Scott, who had built three lovely guitars and was responsible for talking me into doing the project. (He has gone on to building all-wood airplanes. See website: [e-mail]) An art student drew for me a gorgeous tree-of-life that I inlayed into the African ebony fingerboard with the use of used dentist's drill bits, a jewler's saw, and a Dremel Tool. The inlay work took a week of every non-sleeping moment. It took 40 hours to build the mold in which I bent the rosewood sides after taking them down to the right thickness. The body of the guitar stayed in the mold until the bookmatched rosewood back and slightly arched German spruce top were in place. I'd paid $75 to Wallo for that piece of spruce, which is a lot to spend on a board. Using the best materials you possibly can is crucially important, however, if you are truly persuing quality in the final result. I wrote a computer program to compute the distance between frets for a 26.5 inch scale and optimistically carried out the computations to an accuracy of a thousandth of an inch. Then came the setting of the neck to the body of the guitar using a hand carved, filed, and sanded dovetail joint - for my money the most agonizing step in the whole guitar-building process. Aligning the neck with the body from every angle so that when the clamps are removed after glueing you have a perfect bond at a perfect angle so that when the guitar is strung up the action is correct and the strings are just the right distance from and parallel to the edges of the fingerboard. Luthier David Russel Young says that if you miss this angle you would be wise to simply trash the guitar and start over. Some builders try to compensate for the error by adjusting tension rods -- generally an act of futility.

My three grown sons all play guitar -- sometimes professionally -- and each of them has a Martin. When we gather on weekends and holidays and the guitars are out they get pretty freely passed around. I notice that the "Homemade"is in play the most and the boys will confirm that. Martin's principal concern was that the instrument was untested and might pull itself apart in a few years of playing. At this point it's made it for 21 years and the action hasn't needed adjustment. I expect that it is likely to outlast its original owner.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Steve in Wisconsin
Date: 14 Nov 98 - 09:19 PM

I find it interesting that Martin Guitars have really dominated this thread. I love them, but is anyone else wary of the hype and the added price to their fame? I've heard some great sounding Taylors too. However, when it came time to go beyond my American-made Epiphone 20 years ago, I fell in love with a Mossman Tennessee Flat Top. Steve Mossman was a great luthier-though, apprently, not a great businessman.

My guitar was originally set-up for medium gauge strings, but I changed to light. It isn't as pretty as it once was, but it sure sounds sweet.

If you were guitar shopping today, what would you all buy? I don't look around as much as when I was a kid especially because I have seen some custom manufacturers like Bruce Petros and, until the lottery numbers come my way, I won't be buying one soon. What about some of the other brands out there? Collings? Taylor? Etc.

Cheers,

Steve

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Nov 98 - 12:29 AM

My wife has a Gurian that some guitar players have praised...Jumbo Mahogany, if I remember right..(sort of for sale)She may pop on & describe it herself..

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Kris
Date: 15 Nov 98 - 06:11 AM

Bert. That makes perfect sense. The reason the other guitar was better was probably because I sanded off all the varnishy stuff so I could paint it up - but then I varnished over the paint - so maybe not. Anyway I shall get out the sandpaper and have a go. There is very little to loose. Cheers Kris

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Kris
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 07:43 AM

Bert I sanded off the varnish, and it may be my imagination but it does seem much improved. So next I'll get some decent strings. Then, I'll try fiddling with its innards. What are the braces, and why would I be shaving them?

Kris

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Bert
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 10:22 AM

Kris,

The luthiers among us will kill me for this, but the braces are just bits of wood stuck on the underside of the top to stop it vibrating too much.

If your guitar sounds dull it's probably because the top isn't vibrating enough. So after you've done all you can with the finish you might want to take a look inside. Don't take too much off and don't take anything off around the sound hole.

As you say there is little to lose and it's a great learning experience.

You don't need to do anthing to the back, compared to the top, it has little to contribute to the tone.

Have fun. Bert.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 08:08 PM

Perhaps I should have entitled this thread "guitar workshop"
It's amazing what you guys know.
So we've done guitars/strings (though I still haven't found a really good set)/plectrums (mine's a medium gibson by the way).. anyone got any views on cases?
There must be more of you out there who want to wax lyrical about their guitars.. Keep them coming in.
Cheers
Mick

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From:
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 09:19 PM

Bert, I think the braces serve another function!! They strengthen the soundboard so it can withstand the tension of the strings. You can wind up with a buckled top and other horrors if you use strings too heavy for the bracing.

Martin experimented with a lighter bracing; but the guitars using it require that light strings be used.

Mick. I would be interested in veiws on cases. Especially ones that allow you to carry your instrument on your back and still offer more protection than a gigbag.

Murray

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Kris
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 05:01 AM

Murray, I shall shave my bracings with caution.

Kris

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Songbob
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 04:52 PM

Bill D. told me a week ago about this thread, so now I've seen it. Some thoughts, commments, and answers to various questions:

Bill D's wife's guitar is a Gurian J-R (jumbo rosewood) and is a killer finger-picking guitar. Very nice indeed.

Some one wrote: >By the way, here is a question for the experts. A steel string guitar seems to always have the place where the strings go over the bridge (be it the bridge itself or the saddle) angled while a classical guitar doesn't. This is of course to compensate for intonation; but is it for the strings or the body design. That is, if you do put nylon strings on a steel-string guitar, should you remove the angle of the saddle?<

The intonation correction is needed because of the stiffness of the first unwound string (the B string), and the difference between the strings in "trueness." This is not nearly so evident in nylon strings, so a classical guitar typically has no angle to the saddle at all. HOWEVER, this does not mean that you should re-string your steel-string guitar with nylon strings, because the scale length is different, and you risk popping strings like crazy putting nylons on a long-scale steel string guitar.

Now, about my guitars. I play whatever I feel fits the song, or, alternately, whatever is easiest to get out when it's time to play. I have, in no particular order, these guitars:

1963 Martin D-28 with replacement top. There is a story about this instrument, a story I've put into a song. I think I may have even included said song on my web-page at http://members.aol.com/rjclayton/ -- I'm not 100% sure this song (called "Reunion") is there, but if it isn't, I'll send it to Digitrad (if I haven't already done that!). My main guitar, the one I prefer to sing with and play in Sidekicks, my band.

1942 Martin 0-18. A gift from my late mother-in-law's at-the-time boyfirend. Lovely little thing, but the action is too high, and I'm gonna hafta fix that one of these days.

1942 Orpheum 17" archtop, made by Kay. Thick, no-steel bar (wartime, you know) neck. Fun to play; good for jazzy stuff or Carter Family songs.

1930s May Belle. Flat-top steel string guitar with classical-style (flat) fingerboard. Nice for bluesy fingerpicking, but good enough all-round guitar.

1950s Valco-made National resophonic guitar. Single cutaway solid-body style guitar with short (22") scale and biscuit-style resonator in it. Has an after-market lipstick pickup someone added, making it a bastardized "Reso-lectric." Fun to play, but not as loud acoustically as I'd like.

1998 Strato-clone. Odd guitar; BC Rich neck on a Dean strat body. Two single-coils and a humbucker, with fancy tremelo bridge (I've blocked it off). Adequate beginner electric, but nothing to shout about. I'd probably trade it for a Squier strat, just to have something that's all factory-made instead of cobbled together, but that would depend on the pickups. They'd have to be an improvement, or why trade?

Unknown date classicals (two). One is Brazilian, and needs a higher bridge (not just saddle, but bridge -- the fingerboard is too thick and I can't get the action high enough), and the other is a Spanish almost-flamenco guitar that I like a lot.

1990s Golden-tone guitar-banjo. Strictly speaking, not a guitar, but it plays like one. Fender-style neck makes chords easy, but the balance is truly awful -- it rotates to "five o'clock" at the slightest excuse, and I haven't been able to get it to stay in playing position without basically holding it there at all times. Might hafta put a hook-eye in the neck itself, which I hate to think of.

I think that covers the guitars. Let me know when the banjo thread starts. I have five five-stringers, a banjo-mandolin, a tenor, and one or two banjo-ukes.

Great bragging thread, ain't it?

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 11:33 PM

SongBob:

The intonation of the bridge bone is as much to accomodate the different diameter of the steel strings as anything else. Classical strings have less variation in diameter and thereb fore need little or no intonation.

Your MayBell guitar was given away as a prize for selling seeds according to a guitar historian I met once. I have a Maybell too. Mine was turned into a dobro clone years back with the help of a resonator and bridge I found someplace.

Kris,

Brace shaping is a common occurance in the guitar voicing biz. But be delicate. Don't use a blade to shape the braces, use medium sandpapre glued to a piece of wood. Forces you to go slow. Lets not hurry as we potentially damage an old Martin, or even a good guitar like a Guild. ( snicker, snicker)

Don

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From:
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 02:35 AM

Songbob, I was the one who asked the question about the angled bridge.

What made me think of the question was the Martin Backpacker which comes in a classical and a "standard" (steel-string) model. As far as I could see the bodies are the same and neither has a truss rod, so I wondered if you could buy, say the classical one, and then put steel strings on it if you didn't like the nylon sound. Your comment about the scale is one I hadn't thought of. (actually I don't know if these two models of BPs have a different scale.)

Murray

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From:
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 07:16 AM

A very interesting thread.

Maybe the Lowdens in the USA are more consistent that over here, but I have heard one good, one OK; and a lot not worth anywhere near their price. Fylde sound good but I have often found the action hard work. Likewise Guild. Kincade are recommended but I have heard of structural worries. I find more Takamines thatI don't like than those I do, the bigger bodied ones in particular suffering from "banjo effect" (a big coarse plunky sound with no sweetness). I don't like Ovations. They sound like a big plastic washing-up bowl. Wonder why! Seagulls and Normans good value for money: sweet and with character but perhaps short on force. A friend has just junked his Washburn (supplied new with a non-straight neck)for one. I play a Mugen (which is Daion under a different name) dreadnought which I got when a foolish friend of mine wanted to trade it in for a Tanglewood (personally I'd wait another 10 years before buying a Tanglewood to see how they settle in - I have my doubts, and only some sound good). I got a very nice huge sound with bite as well as bass by playing 13/58 Phosphor-bronze D'Acquistos, but it unstabilised the table so now I play Martin 12/52s (which is nice and lazy for string tension too) in bronze (not phosphor) to avoid them being too thin and trebly. It's a choice I would recommend. I haven't got the undersaddle pickup (my modification, not original) working right yet. I know of one luthier over here who plays a small-body Daion, but he's taken the brass-finish alloy nut off and replaced it with bone. He says this balances the open strings better to fretted ones, but I think it softens the whole sound.

My wife plays (and this is where I'd like some input) a very old (about 1964) Hagstrom acoustic dreadnought. It was originally priced about the same as the big Gibsons or Levins (funny no-one else mentions them) but is now past its prime. It has round shoulders for a dreadnought (a bit like the current Framus range) and a proper flat-top, not like some of the other Hagstroms which had ladder strutting and tailpieces. The action is almost as easy as some electric planks, despite the fact she plays 13/56 Martin bronze. It also has a 15, not 14 fret neck, and we're looking for a replacement with a 15 fret neck, and an undersaddle pickup. We don't want the edgy, twangy, modern, Martin-ish sound, but rather the old fashioned round sound. Some may think today that it's short on overtones and sustain, but that's what we're looking for. Any suggestions? The best idea so far is to ask Rob Armstrong to make one.

By the way, to change the subject and mention mandolins, I play a Saga Kentucky flatiron (Japanese made), which I bought new in England. Within 6 months the table cracked, so I traced Saga and read them the one-year guarantee off their label visible through the soundhole. Even when I told them I was a lawyer (true, alas) they were not prepared to help me because I had not bought it from an authorised US baased distributor (which the label does not mention). So be wary if dealing with Saga Musical Instruments of San Francisco.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: lesblank
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 05:27 PM

Been a long time since we discussed -- I play (and own) four guitars and which one I use depends on the situation in which I am playing (or singing or both):

My favorite is an Alvarez wide neck classic -- I play this one when alone; I love classical guitar but am not as proficient as I'd like.

My second choice is a 1965 Ovation Balladeer on which I play acoustic music only -- I do not and have never used the pickup electronics.

My second choice is a 1959 Guild F-20, a small flattop box that is as smooth as silk. I usually play for the kids with this.

My last second choice is a 1949 Fender Jaguar !! It's a fossil left over from my R & R days. Doesn't get played much at all anymore. I've put it in the want-ads twice, get lots of response and just couldn't bring myself to do it Afterall, it's only 15 years younger than I..

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Barbara
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 06:03 PM

Hey les, did you get rid of that - I forget the name - german guitar, started with an H?

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: lesblank
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 09:29 PM

Sorry, I think you've got me mixed up w/ someone else. There are two others in the Mudcat group with Les in their names.

But now you've me curious -- If anyone knows the full name , please let us know.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Crystal Patterson in Arkansas
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 09:46 PM

I grew up in a bluegrass band so naturally I favor Martins. I just got my dad's 1950 HD28 last summer. Before I got it, I had bragged to all my friends that my Taylor sounded just as good as any Martin....I soon ate those words!!!! Man, there ain't nothin' like the sound of a Martin guitar. Of course, "if it ain't played on a Martin, it ain't bluegrass!!!!"

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From:
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 06:46 AM

Well there is a guitar called a Hoffner. I don't know if it is actually from Germany.

Murray

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 08:22 PM

Chrystal
You are SO RIGHT.. goes for Irish as well..
Though here I should like to thank everyone who contributed to this link.. It has been very educational..
Cheers
Mick

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: JAMES STANLEY
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 10:29 PM

Epiphone Flat top acoustic 1993, Oscar Schmidt acoustic-electric 1994, Harmony classic 1965, Yamaha 12 string FG 1969, Epiphone Sheraton II 1997 and a 1998 Vintage Reissue Fender Telecaster.

I previously played a Stella flat top (first guitar) and a Regal F-hole acoustic.

Other than the Fender, which was my 50th birthday present, they are all cheap, somewhat battered and fun (just like their owner.)

PAX

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Richard McD. Bridge
Date: 22 Nov 98 - 06:29 PM

I forgot to put my name on my last posting to this thread: It started off by suggesting that perhaps all the good Lowdens went to the USA, 'cos there are some over here that are not all that: But then the Irish have for centuries preferred their best exports not to go to England, and who can really blame them. Anyway, enough politics.

The purpose of this posting is two-fold. First, I do like Taylors a lot, so I think Crystal's conversion to Martins is unwise!. Perhaps the best Taylors come to England for silly prices. The first one I saw was when I was looking for something for my wife to play while her Hagstrom went in for some work (I was playing a Washburn D10 then, and quite rightly she wouldn't touch it with a bargepole) and I was very taken with it. I thought it was reasonably priced too. A week later I went back half intending to buy it - and discovered that the price tag I thought had said GBP300 ($450, roughly) in truth had said GBP 3,300 (nearly $5,000). It stayed in the shop. I would rather have had it than any Martin I've ever seen. To diverge for a moment the nicest sounding Martin I've ever heard is a small-body (perhaps an 000) about 30 years old owned by a cider-drinking (and I do mean drinking) friend who has only 3 fingers on his right hand and is very influenced by Martin Carthy. It has a huge and subtle sound despite the previous owner having varnished it with yacht varnish (true, I swear) which is still on it. But the action is very high, and the neck is neither straight nor true to the body, which makes for great fun re-tuning after every song but usually to a different tuning anyway. He mostly favours DADGAD one tone (step, I think, in American) down, but also plays DADEAD one tone down, and open C. Hence he uses heavy guage strings (yes I mean heavy, not 13/56 (or 58) which counts as medium) and swears by Daddario. A great sound and horrid to play.

The second reason for posting again is this. I've been less than complimentary about Washburns this and last posting so I guess I'd better mention a good one. I saw it in my local shop and really liked it. It was less than GBP 300 ($450) too. It was a light-strutted DM34S, with a 12 fret neck, and a slightly wider than usual neck. Nice sweet sound, easy to play, not hugely loud, but no use to my wife who wanted and still wants a 15 fret neck.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 22 Nov 98 - 07:39 PM

I play a Martin herringbone (HD28) that is just right for me, and I have no need of any other guitar. However, I've played Martins that were like bricks, and weren't worth having. It depends on the guitar and how it's set up.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Grubby
Date: 22 Nov 98 - 09:38 PM

Guess I'm in minority here. I hoped there would be other folk out there that played a Thompson. Thompsons are named after the luthier Ted Thompson of British Columbia. I brought mine locally here in Tasmania from a music store that imports them. It is truly a beautiful guitar. At present I am running Tomastik light gauge plectrum strings for a rich bright sound.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From:
Date: 22 Nov 98 - 11:04 PM

I share your place in the minority, Grubby. I didn't noitce anyone else saying they played a Maton ;}

Tell me more about Thompsons. I have never seen one here in Sydney.

Murray

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: plankity
Date: 24 Nov 98 - 01:11 PM

I'll probably get people stewed, because I consider electrics to be folk and blues instruments... My main acoustic squeeze is a Gibson L-1 (1918). My electrics are a mid 80's ESP Tele copy (about as low tech as you can go and still be wired to an amp) and a Martin D-28-E, with flat wound strings and DeArmond pick ups (1959) -- a great guitar for playing with good drummers and bands with BIG sounds (I used it in the Swamp Stompers doing cajun/swing/zydeco). It's the best for getting that Martin feel and still working in a show band! Looks cool, too!

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: wlisk
Date: 24 Nov 98 - 02:09 PM

Have owned several Martins, aCollings, Taylor and others but prefer my 77 Mossman (Stuart Mossman) and my 49 Gibson SJ. I flat and fingerpick mostly oldtime, folk and celtic tunes. The setup of the guitar makes a huge impact on its playability and sound. Don Teeter reset the neck on the SJ 10 yrs ago and did a great job. Bill

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Jenny
Date: 24 Nov 98 - 11:17 PM

I bought my Gibson B-25 in 1966 for $90 and have never had the desire to play any other instrument. We fit each other like spoons. Have any of y'll heard of a luthier in Beaufort, NC, by the name of Bobby Talton? jenny

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 24 Nov 98 - 11:52 PM

Jenny,

My Guild F-30 came to me out of a trash dumpster. It needed a new bridge and a bit of fret work but when repaired proved to be the perfect axe for me. I have two perfect instruments, the other being an 0-16 NY Martin my wife gave me for Christmas 14 years ago. I love them both as great instruments. They fit me so well, like spoons, that I would never consider other instruments had it not been for a table saw injury and some fairly successful reattachment surgery. Now I am stuck playing an Ovation that has great action and a sweet neck like my Guild. Ovations have no soul but they are nearly damage proof.

Don Meixner

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: CarterNut
Date: 25 Nov 98 - 12:04 AM

Well, I play much of the Original Carter Family songs, using the technique created by Mother Maybelle Carter(The Carter Scratch). When I went shopping for a guitar I wanted one that would give the same basic sound as her 1929 Gibson L5 gave. I settled on a 1938 KG21 Gibson Kalamazoo label archtop. It has the same uniquely vibrant sound. I am very pleased with it. I have been given many compliments on its appearance and especially sound. I am always asked if Maybelle played one because of the likeness in the sound of the instrument and my successful manipulation of her immortal technique.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Kris
Date: 30 Nov 98 - 08:32 AM

I finally got my long-desired new guitar. I tried various in the shop, and came away with a Norman (Canadian) acoustic thingy. It is really delicious - and my fingertips are killing me because I just can't leave it alone. It may not be the best thing around - but I am happy.

Kris

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Nov 98 - 10:31 AM

Kris,

Make beautiful music, and congrats on your new guitar.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: karen k
Date: 30 Nov 98 - 12:17 PM

I just have one and it suits me just fine. It's a 1968, Martin D-21 that I paid $200 for in 1968. Love it.

k

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 30 Nov 98 - 08:30 PM

I forgot one. I keep it at my true love's house. It is an Alvarez 12-string. I had the nut recut to accommodate a heavy duty set of strings set-up like Lead Belly's. It is tuned down to B. Not a great guitar, but then I guess Lead Belly's Stella was not a top of line guitar either.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Harry O
Date: 30 Nov 98 - 08:35 PM

I play a "Conde Hermanos", hand built in Madrid more than thirty years ago and still the envy of guitarists owning Laudens. Any other proud owners of same out there ? Harry

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 05 Dec 98 - 10:38 AM

More on my $300 Sigma wonder machine... I forgot to mention that in addition to having a solid 3-piece neck and a top that looks like it was once a vinyl floor tile (mahogany look-alike vinyl floor tile, that is), it also has a much-desired Large Sound Hole as per the famous Tony Rice D-28. One source says this helps the sound come out faster... much better for backing-up speed merchant Irish tune players. Just wanted to let everyone know about the wonder machine's additional feature.

All the best.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: David A. Rice
Date: 05 Dec 98 - 02:29 PM

I have had many, including a Martin D28 (Which was indeed beautiful), but now have an Alvarez-Yairi DY-91 (or maybe just DY-9) that is a miraculous instrument, truly inspiring. Hawaiian Koa sides/back, spruce top. Of course playing style etc. are very relevant, but I defy anyone to pick this baby up and not fall in love. Stands tall next to $15,000 Taylors.

David

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 08 Dec 98 - 08:36 PM

Just thought I'd round this thread off with its 100th message by thanking everyone who has contributed to it.
It has been entertaining and very educational
Sessions greetings to you all
Cheers
Mick

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Harald
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 08:27 PM

To all ye good Martin Players:

I'm riding a Harley-Davidson Bike and I know, there exists a Martin Guitar, which is so small and had a loud and warm sound that I can carry it on my back (haven't got a car).

But I never will give up playing my old Lowden-Guitar from Northern Ireland. This guitar reminds me of my youth and the sound is brilliant, too.

So good guys: What kind of bikes are you riding :-)))???

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Lopaka
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 09:17 PM

I play the Bass with a band in a resort in Hawaii. In the early 70's my wife bought me a "Takeharu" made by Kiso Suzuki Violin Company. I never heard of the brand but it does the job. One night while the band was in a Jazz Mode, a bald-headed guy smoking a cigar asked us if he could sit in. He said he played the guitar and all I had was my Takeharu. He made my guitar sound like a million bucks. He was the late Joe Pass. I'm keeping my Takeharu. " Happy Holidays Everybody " MELE KALIKIMAKA MEKA HAUOLI MAKAHIKI HOU

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Anne
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 08:28 PM

Hey Folks:

Anybody ever heard of a Castilla Guitar? Someone just gave my son an old guitar that their son used to play 30 years ago? I don't want him to learn to play on a guitar that is more valuable than a student guitar. Any suggestions?

Thanks, Anne

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Nora
Date: 19 Dec 98 - 03:30 PM

Hi

I haven't logged on to Mudcat in ages because, as it happens, I just acquired my first guitar and I am spending all my time playing it - no time for computerized diversions. Funny I should come across this thread.... Guitars are all I want to talk about.

It's a Washburn jumbo D-25S (got it for *very* cheap). It's loud and quite bassy (makes me sing louder), and the action is a little high; it feels best with light gauge strings. I may get around to adjusting the action some, but it feels pretty good as is. I've played quite a few friends' Martins, Taylors, Yamahas, Alvarez', Takamines and others. One pal just got a Lowden and it sounds wonderful. The other night I played a hacked-up old Harmony that another friend picked up as junk and glued back together. It sounds pretty good and feels great. you really never know.

I've never really played guitar before, but am seeing some progress already. I have become a pretty lame guitarist. Soon I hope to be moderately competent. I am having a blast, which is the point, really.

Nora