Guitars..what do you play?

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 06 May 07 - 04:14 PM

Currently I have three tayors, not because I've got a vested interest in the company, but just had these guitars I had to get. The workhorse is a K-14c with cedar and koa. The other two are a 30th anniversary spruce and rosewood and a GS cedar and mahagony model. I've had a couple different santa cruz's, a breedlove, and first real high end guitar I ever had was a fylde orsino (again with cedar top). If I see a guitar that inspires guitar lust, I have to figure out which guitar I'm going to sell, because I determined I wasn't a collector.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: guitar
Date: 06 May 07 - 04:33 PM

i play a left handed guitar and it comes from Australia called a sussex hand made and the great thing about being left handed is that no one who is right handed can borrow your guitar.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Mooh
Date: 06 May 07 - 04:52 PM

Phil Cooper (above) has great ears and hands, and always has great guitars! Some players can always be trusted to find the good ones, and are able to get great tone from them too.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 06 May 07 - 11:23 PM

Always liked that baritone guitar you have, Mooh. As I recall it was tuned in open G and really sang out the time I played it. If I'm not recovering from joint surgery this summer I'm hoping to make it up to visit for the festival.

--Phil

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Mooh
Date: 07 May 07 - 08:42 AM

The baritone is another Beneteau acoustic. Jumbo shape, maple back and sides, spruce top, ebony fingerboard & bridge, bone nut & saddle, 27" scale, maple neck. Sometimes I tune it to open G intervals, though usually open F or Eb pitches. Other times it's tuned in strange tunings, and lately I've even tried Robert Fripp's New Standard Tuning, (normally CGDAEG) tuned down to Bb, F, C, G, D, F...but it requires weird string guages which I don't always have on hand. The 27" scale is ideal for C and D type tunings on the 6th string, so even standard tuning down 2 or 3 half steps works great.

Been toying with the idea of having a side port cut in the upper side, but I haven't spoken to the builder about it yet.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,Doc Williams
Date: 11 May 08 - 07:53 AM

I've owned a Martin D-28 and a D-18 but after more than 30 years I still treasure my '61 Gibson Hummingbird. It's just gets better and better with age. Sound engineers just love the sound when they're setting mics up around it. Ok, it's not the greatest guitar for blasting over other instruments in a noisy bar (leave that to my ol' D-28), but that Gibson's got such a sweet, deep tone. I'll never give it up.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: mattkeen
Date: 12 May 08 - 06:16 AM

I have a Book "Taw and A Brook "Lyn".
The Lyn is an 000 type 12 fret with a European spruce top and rio back and sides and is the best guitar I have ever played.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Zen
Date: 12 May 08 - 07:53 AM

Washburn R316SWK 125th anniversary model parlour guitar (fingerpicking and blues, normal tuning) and Norman B20F for open tunings. Neither terribly expensive but both very good.

Zen

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,Noud Koevoets
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 03:00 PM

Hello Folks

Interesting to see and hear all those expierences but all depends
on what you expect to hear from a guitar and I must say I really
let myself surprise by all kinds of guitars. Not every D-18 by
Martin sounds equal. Even weather circumstances have their influence
in the sound of a guitar. furthermore it has a lot to do with moods combinations with other instruments the kind of music you play how you play aso.

I have some Martins that are built very well and their sound is
widely known of course but recently it is my goal to find guitars
of lesser known brands that are of the same quality. Nobody mentioned
the TAMA guitars and the early Ibanez artwoods (the higher grade ones) K. Yairi has some great instruments as well. and recently
the Asturias models from Japan though quite hard to get.
There is a lot to discover in the Japanese instruments of the seventies / eighties. And with factory built instruments of that time
it may occur that you're happy to find that one guitar where everything seems to match! And of course materials are important
but vision really makes the difference.

i'm not writing this to mention my collection again. I can say i'm just happy to own such wonderful guitars.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 03:14 PM

Tama are certainly mentioned on the 'cat. I know a man who has a very good one. I know another man with a very dark finished guitar made by a pianomaker - it sounds fabulous in some tunings, less so in others.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 03:29 PM

I've dreamed of owning a Larrivée for 25 years and finally bought one - an OM-03E - a coupleof years ago. It's all I dreamed it would be, and I expect to play it (God willin' and the creek don't rise) for the rest of my life. I've sat in guitar shops and played Martins and Gibsons that cost three times as much as my Larrivée, and I've yet to hear a sound I like better.

I also keep a Seagull S-6 Folk in the house - I enjoy the darker sound you get from the cedar top. But my Larrivée is my pride and joy.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 03:40 PM

Each to his own........

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,Captain Farrell
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 03:44 PM

Played one Martin not as good as I thought it would be. Played one Breedlove bought it so that proves you cant please everybody.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: mousethief
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 04:14 PM

Tacoma Chief. Cutaway, with offcenter hole and built-in preamp.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: JHW
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 05:38 PM

Gurian Jumbo C series like this one
Tried Taylors, Fyldes, Martins in Grant's shop in Edinburgh (long gone now) as the guy kept passing them to me, tuning each in the time it took him to cross the shop floor. Then the Gurian which I'd never heard of and they'd just stopped making.
Exactly what I needed to accompany folk songs.
Use D'Addario jazz light p/bronze strings as fitted ever since. Tried others but always returned.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 06:58 PM

I play a Martin HD-28 that has the perfect sound for my style of playing. I love it. Also have a Taylor Grand Concert - Koa guitar which is a wonderfully sweet instrument in every way.

Regarding the Martins...they vary a lot. I've played some Martins I was not much impressed with at all, and others that were great. The one I have now is the 7th or 8th I've owned in the last 4 decades and it's the best of them all so far.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Lox
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 07:09 PM

My favourite all time guitar is a solid body electric made by Gordon-Smith.

My acoustic is a Martin, my semi-acoustic is a Peerless, and my classical is a Yamaha.

If Gordon Smith made an acoustic I would buy it.

I've played 50's and 60's gretch's and gibsons, not to metion PRS's and Fenders, all worth thousands of pounds, but none of them holds a candle to my GS-60 slimline which I got for £250.

My next Hollow body will be a GS Galaxy.

I don't need any other manufacturer any more thank you.

If you are looking for an electric or a hollow or semi hollow, check out the Gordon Smith website.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 07:23 PM

Gordon Smiths are great, generally. I might if I were an electric player use one but change the pickups for Jackson C-90s. I have played a Charvel that used that pickup and it was huge and dirty. I put a splitter switch in it that made it more versatile.

Acoustically, I have heard many but only two that have totally walked on my pair of Mugens (a THE-78 and a THE-78-12). Max played my 6 at Ash and seemed to like it. I have a Martin OM1 that is their equal but in different ways, and I love my Hagstrom J-45s but they are middier and more rounded: less aggressive (apart from the redburst which is a honky-tonk piano disguised as a guitar). They are of equal value but different. I also like my red label Yamaha FG-360 and it might be better still if I got a neck-set and refret. Big boom but not the bite of the Mugens.

The killers I have heard are:

Andy Cavan's Armstrong was still powerful streets away.

William Pint's Koa Goodall was quite awesome in the style I like - huge bass and extreme penetration, all the time with sweetness.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: John P
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 07:43 PM

William Pint's Goodall is, indeed, awesome. I've played on it a few times and was completely blown away. I've played on a few other Goodalls and they were all great. If I had the extra money I'd sell my Lowden and get one. That said, my Lowden is a wonderful guitar, very easy to play and equally suited to fingerpicking and driving flatpick work. I get compliments on the tone every time I play in front of people.

I also have an Art & Lutherie "camping" guitar. For $200 it's a great instrument. Plays very easy and sounds better than many guitars that cost two or three times as much.

I few years back I bought an old Martin tenor guitar that I thought I was going to play Celtic tunes on, but every time I pick it up I start playing the blues.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 07:54 PM

Goodall is a UK make, I presume?

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: John P
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 08:01 PM

Nope, Goodall is in Hawaii.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Lox
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 11:44 AM

John P

"I get compliments on the tone every time I play in front of people."

Being a guitarist of some experience, I have to inform you that you may have to take some of the credit for this ...

... I haven't heard you play, but a good guitar is only as good as its master.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: buzzer64
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 12:54 PM

Quite right John P! It's up to the player of the instrument in many ways! I'm a beginner (well I suppose intermediate by now) and up to three years ago I was struggling to make an old Encore. Then I bought a Fender acoustic for £60 on a boot sale in Canterbury...I love it!! And get comments on the quality of sound it makes. I can't afford a Martin but I do compromise by using Martin strings!!
By the way, here's a tip for anyone who doesn't like the sound their guitar makes....SING LOUDER!!

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 12:59 PM

I had a look at the Goodall Guitars site. Hoo-wee!!! Expensive! They've got a lovely looking Dreadnought there for a cool $10,000. Very elegant. All I can say is...for that price they'd damned well BETTER be good!

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 12:31 AM

I have several guitars, a 12 string Yamaha FG-512, a J-54 Eko (Ranger Electra), a cheap but very playable Lyon solid body electric and an acoustic BC Rich BW-4000.
The BC Rich outfitted with a Schaller pickup is what I use mostly when on stage. I bought the guitar (almost a steal) second hand from a music store for $100. The pickup I bought on sale later, reduced from $189.95 to $79 at another music store. I've been playing it for about 20 years now so it owes me nothing but I will never part with it! It is a better guitar than I am a player as I mostly just chord to accompany my voice. Far better players than myself can bring out its potential so I know how it sounds in the hand of a master.
If I were to buy another guitar it would be surely a top end Godin line Norman or Seagull. I would covet a Norman above any Martin below the D-40's level.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 07:22 AM

My 3 yr old Crafter 6v string often gets admired by Martin players, has a great sound and great styling

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,bubblyrat
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 07:47 AM

I have owned & enjoyed a cedar-topped Avalon for about ten years now ( needs a re-fret !),and many,many people have admired its sound and tone,so I shall keep it going.My other guitar is a Guild GAD-40C ; spruce top,mahogany back & sides ,beautiful if somewhat bright tone,easy to play & handle, lovely standard of finish ,simple yet elegant appearance, nice Martin-like (snowflake) fret markers & inlays,great leather-effect case ; all-in-all I really love it to bits !

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,bubblyrat
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 08:01 AM

Incidentally ; regarding the Guild ; at present,it has a basic Fishman under-saddle Piezzo pick-up,which is less than superb for plugged-in playing. I was thinking of installing one of those Fishman combo under-saddle & sound-hole "swan neck" mic. systems ; anyone care to comment as to their efficacy ??

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Spot
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 02:18 PM

Allo everybody... ;-)

Got Fishman Blend in me Lowden 032... very, very, very good!! ;-)

Regards to all..etc   Spot ;-)

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: MissouriMud
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 10:44 AM

I play a rebuilt Gibson L-00 (1938 but with a newer top)for my Old Timey stuff and a newer Martin 000-28 Norman Blake (slot head)for much of the rest. I've got a few others that I play occasionally for specific purposes, but those two are the mainstays.   As I get older I find the smaller body guitars are easier for me to play - both those two have plenty of volume and great tone.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 11:39 AM

I am appraising a Martin electro acoustic with view to purchase. Was concerned that it might be light in bottom end but I'm warming to the 'cut', its just so easy to play. My Fylde Oberon has beautiful but very 'intimate' sound. I did try Freshman Apollo DC2 which nearly won me over but a little 'brittle'.
As someone at our session commented 'you can never have too many guitars'. I'm glad my wife was in ear shot!
We are all fans of Mr B's Avalon - thankfully in safe hands.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Mooh
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 12:09 PM

Still use the acoustic Beneteaus (www.beneteauguitars.com) the most though I have added another from 1979 since I last posted here. Also use acoustic guitars by Josh House (www.houseguitars.com), and a LaPatrie classical. For electrics it's currently 2 Telecasters, a Strat, and 6 Godins. I need to get rid of a couple.

The acoustics all have different uses. Not as much duplication as it looks. There are a couple of regular 6 strings, a nylon, 12, baritone, one or two for alternate tunings, one zouk-guitar, etc. I want different tones as much as possible.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Chris Green
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 02:33 PM

I have a 2008 Armstrong. I tried Martins, Taylors, Fyldes and God knows how many others before I made the decision to ask Rob to build me one. It's the best instrument I've ever played, enables me to play stuff that I quite simply can't play on other guitars and sings like a nightingale every time I take it out of the case. I've just turned 33 and look forward to the pair of us growing old together! :-)

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Brian May
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 04:27 PM

I'm down to three guitars now . . .

Fulfilling a promise made to myself over 40 years ago, I've bought the following:

Martin 000-28 - a beautiful little 'comfortable' acoustic, minimum bling, quality woods

Martin D-28 - minimum bling, quality woods and killer sound

Martin D12-28 - minimum bling, quality woods and the nicest 12 string I've ever played in my life.

On the 6 strings, I have Elixirs, on the 12 Martin Marquis (with Elixirs waiting in the wings.

G7/Shubb brass and Kyser capos - all work well, favourite is G7.

Soft leather straps, made in England of gorgeously soft and attractive cowhide.

Oh, I forgot - I love playing all of them, when I don't play, I just get a huge kick out of looking at them.

[IMG]http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq174/brianwmay/Martin%20D12-28/IMG_0016.jpg[/IMG]

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Brian May
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 04:30 PM

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq174/brianwmay/Martin%20D12-28/IMG_0016.jpg

Try that

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: maeve
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 04:34 PM

Brian May's link

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,Richard in Manchester
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 04:35 PM

Two Kinkades, both Kingsdowns, 1984 mahogany and 2006 rosewood. Can't beat 'em.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 06:08 PM

Tha's a very nice trio of guitars, Brian. I'll have to try out a Martin 12-string sometime and see what they're like.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Sarah McQuaid
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 05:05 AM

On tour I play a guitar made for me by Andy Manson (www.sarahmcquaid.com), but for recording and for going out to the odd session when I'm at home I still love my 1965 Martin D-28. I also have a Guild 12-string c. 1985 and still have my first guitar, a Yamaha FG-375S that my mother bought for me in 1980 or thereabouts. It's actually a really good guitar, so I'm keeping hold of it in case one of my kids decides to take up the instrument. I also still have my mother's old classical guitar. And an old Weymann open-back 5-string and a beautiful old Martin uke, neither of which I've yet learnt to play ... and I think that's about it!

Sarah McQuaid
http://www.sarahmcquaid.com

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Sarah McQuaid
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 05:06 AM

Eeek! I put my website instead of Andy's -- he's at www.andymanson.com -- really sorry, think my own website address is burnt into my fingers at this stage.

S

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 05:11 AM

Rainsong OM1000.

I recently took £2K into a shop to check out Martins, Taylors, etc etc blah blah..

They had a second hand Fylde that interested me. My working guitar was a yamaha at the time so the Fylde did look promising...

But next to the Fylde was a Rainsong, carbon fibre graphite guitar. It was mine the very next day/

They don't go out of tune under stage lights or being transferred from a cold van to an overheated dressing room. Don't warp on a plane and aren't affected by hot countries followed by cold countries.

Sound?

The strong point...   No bracing means no dead resonance nodes. the sound is very very pure, with the clarity of a piano. The LR Baggs pickup was a bonus too.

I love the bugger, really really do.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Midchuck
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 07:43 AM

Guest Steamin/ Willie and I are on just the same page.

I note I last posted to this thread in April of '07. In August of '07 Mizchuck and I took our annual pilgrimage to Montana to see the "kids." Since we'd had a more than usually traumatic flight the year before, and we had a nice new car, we elected to drive out. Naturally, we had to avoid greater Chicago, and we had to visit Elderly if we were within a couple of hours, so we turned northwest at Toledo, went to Lansing and then took the ferry across Lake Michigan.

At Elderly, I took down a Rainsong, the OM-1000. I'd played one five or six years previously, and been unimpressed. They worked on 'em some since. After I'd been playing it for an hour, the credit card came out.

I've used it ever since, almost any time I've played outside the house. It's not the best sounding guitar I have, by any means. But the ones that sound better don't sound enough better to justify the risk of traveling with them, and trying to protect them from heat, cold, humidity, dryness, and drunks. One doesn't even have to think about any of those things with a carbon fiber instrument. And you can transport it safely in a cheap gigbag and save your back.

On the other hand, I'm planning a road trip this weekend, to the Main coast. This may result in a drastic change of habits.

Peter

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: GUEST,josep
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 07:37 PM

I have Seagull, Framus (1961), Epiphone (1965), Takamine, La Patrie, Washburn, Dean, Gretsch and Tacoma.

The Tacoma is probably the best of them but they all handle pretty well. I've played Martins and Larrivees and they are very nice guitars but I simply will not spend that kind of money on a guitar. My Gretsch archtop was $1600 and that is my limit. Frankly, I'm not that good a performer or songwriter to justify splurging on a Martin although I would if it was worth it to me.

But shelling out $2800 or more at my level of proficiency is pointless. I feel guilty owning some of the guitars that I do have.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 07:42 PM

Trouble with instruments is they hide in your car while you are in the music shop. Then they sneak into dark corners of yer house and lurk unplayed in the shadows.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 07:50 PM

Well, I have just downsized from 12 stringed instruments to 4 and happy about it... These are what I play:

1. The "Back Porcher" 5 stringed slab electric custom built by Ted Crocker and the prototype of the geetars that Ted made Danyy Glover for the movie "The Honeydripper"...

2. My "Lowebow" cigar box which is a cross between a diddle bow and a geetar with two 1 1/4 inch dowel rods for a neck... All electric and plays like a dream...

3. The last remaining flat top acoustic having beat out my '66 Martin D-18 which I gave to my niece: it's a 60's S. Yairi parlor style... Still getting it set up the way I need it to be before takin' it on stage...

4. Washburn ES-10 reonator which is my main performing geetar... It has a Beard cone and electrics and plays and sounds great...

That's it...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 02:03 PM

I've been given a Saez 7/8 size nylon string guitar. It sounds wonderful and is easy for me to play. I especially like it for songs in minor keys or where the classical sound is preferred. Other times I have the continuing loan of my sweetheart's small Louden steel string. It's lovely and sparkly with good bass. When I have the opportunity, though, my favorite is to play his Huss & Dalton parlor guitar. That little instrument rings like a bell AND booms and nearly jumps out of my still-beginner hands, it's so responsive. It's a new guitar. That thing is going to grow to be a giant.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 02:21 PM

Hey, Midchuck, going to see Nick Appolonio, eh? You lucky dog. ;-) I nearly had that guitar, and I'll be very interested to hear your report on it. Do you live very far from Maine? I'm in Ontario.

I'm quite intrigued about the Rainsong carbon fiber guitars and am going to go have a look at their website.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Midchuck
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 02:39 PM

LH, you cost me about a thousand bucks. I'll getcha for that. (Actually, if I'd gotten it for what it was going for until the last minute or so, my conscience would bother me. Having retired from lawyering, I can afford to have a conscience again, and I have to get used to it a little at a time.)

I live in western central Vermont, maybe 5 hours from Mr. A., or a little more. I'm going to drive over Saturday morning, taking the northern route through the narrow top of New Hampshire and winding my way through backwoods Maine. He's offered me a lunch of lobster, which I like and don't get very often, living inland. After we've completed the transaction and he's shown me whatever I need to know about adjustments &c., I'll drive down the coast to Kendall and Jacqui's,where Kendall and I will play duets on Apollonio 12-strings until the neighbors call the cops. I'll sack in there and come back by the southern route early Sunday.

If I don't drop dead and the engine doesn't fall out and the Boston drivers don't get me.

P.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 03:11 PM

Boy, that sounds great. I wish I was located a bit closer to Maine, I'd go and visit Nick and take a look at his instruments, maybe get some lobster too. I love lobster! I was pretty sure I was going to get that guitar with a bid of $2,011...but I wasn't counting on you lurking in the shadows either. ;-)

I found a video with a guy named Erik Mongrain, and he's playing a really fine instrumental he wrote on a Rainsong guitar. Sounds very good. Have a look at the thread I launched about it.

Subject: RE: Guitars..what do you play?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 03:14 PM

vintage guitar