Best guitars for fingerstyle?

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 13 Feb 13 - 12:14 PM

For me, after a few decades of trial and error, it's my Collings OM1A and my F14 Froggy Bottom. Both made of adirondack (red) spruce and mahogany. That combination and the OM string spacing, 1 3/4" at the nut and 2 5/16" at the bridge work very well for me.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 13 Feb 13 - 11:59 AM

Nice looking guitar for under $300, Mark. Pity about the slotted head, though, pain in the backside when it comes to re-stringing.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 12 Feb 13 - 03:52 PM

RECORDING KING ROS-06 12-FRET 000

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 12 Feb 13 - 03:48 PM

Check out the Recording King 12 fret OOO's. Under $300.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 12 Feb 13 - 12:47 PM

There are so many good ideas to wade through here. My two cents: get a guitar that has a balanced tone from treble to bass. I like Martin 00's for this but early Gibsons and an occasional Washburn would do the job. Style has a lot to do with it. Many National Cone guitars give you the early blues feel that you hear by early blues players.
The best thing you can do is to locate the players whose sound you like and find out what they use. They will all be different and ultimately you'll have to create your own sound. Rosewood looks pretty but in a recording studio, they have a lot of overtones to compensate for.

If you're into Atkins, the Tenneseean or the acoustic/electric jobs might be something.

Classical guitars are not especially good for blues or ragtime.

I would avoid pickups, though. Don't mutilate your guitar. You know they never sound as good as the natural sound of a guitar or with a sensitive condensor mic.

One of the best natural sounds with fingerstyle that I have heard is Josh White who used to have an old Gibson that was stolen and then went to Martin 0021's (12 frets, wider neck). I like the wider neck for finger style because you can get a freer attack in between the spaced strings.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 12 Feb 13 - 08:31 AM

I haven't heard anything that beats my Martin OM-35.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 12 Feb 13 - 12:16 AM

Dave Van Ronk played a Gibson J200 for a while, but switched to a Guild F50 because he could use light gauge strings rather than the phone cables necessary to get good sound out of the Gibson,

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 11:46 PM

No matter what generalizations you come up with regarding the best and worst guitars for finger-picking, there are always going to be exceptions. The conventional wisdom is that dreadnoughts and jumbos are poor choices for fingerstyle playing. I guess Doc Watson and Reverend Gary Davis were busy playing on the day that memo was circulated.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Padre
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 10:54 PM

For the last few years, I have been playing a Martin 000-15S - 12 frets to the body, wider neck, mahogany all around. It suits my playing and singing style, and the price is within reason.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 08:43 PM

Like about 90%

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: ollaimh
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 05:41 PM

a certain amount is in the player

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: ollaimh
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 05:40 PM

i play almost totally finger style, in fact i think you should have to play five years minium before you get a flatpick licence.

i like a mahagony lowden with a cedar top. jumbos are often better with mahagony, and a ted thompson smaller bodied spruce and rosewood. dofferent but great sounds. i also have a rizyani and a local fitzsimmons that both are great pickers guitars.

i don't like many martins for finger style, nor many taylors. i have liked guilds. and i have fifties gibson j 45 which is close to the others. but its a specail j 45.

i had a 1954 martin d 28 that was unusually good but i sold it as i had the lowden and the thompson and needed the money. the thompson out shines them all and is equal tyo any guitar i have ever heard. he still sells from british columbia. a t2 is $3600 and as good or better than ten thousand dollar hand made guitars.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,Rev Bayes
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 01:49 PM

Super-necro thread.

Bottom line is, first guitar you buy won't be the last because *you* know nothing about guitars other than what you read on a forum and what some dude in the shop told you.

So buy something at a sensible price that comes well made and that you can get support for.

Yamaha for my money. If it's good enough for Bert Jansch, etc, etc.

And get it set up straight away. And see a teacher once in a while even if you can't afford regular lessons.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,tony Rath aka Tonyteach
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 01:07 PM

Martin D15 12 fretter here and a Yammy CPX900 - built like a tank (like me ) and gives a good amplified sound and reliable. Personally I would not want to take a very expensive guitar into a pub or folk club - not because of theft although that happens but sheer wear and tear

Point for discussion - do you think many in the audience can tell the difference between most midrange guitars apart from another player

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: kendall
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 12:36 PM

I wish you could play one of Nick Apollonio's hand made guitars. All others pale in comparison for finger picking.
I prefer it to my Taylor 810. For Bluegrass? nother story.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,guitarseifer
Date: 10 Feb 13 - 04:11 PM

I have a Martin GPCPA4 Rosewood. I really love it. It's got the solid rosewood back and sides and a spruce top. It's a tad larger than an OM. (Think Grand Auditorium) It sounds great and it's pretty even while preserving the rosewood sound and crispness. It's also fairly affordable. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention price here but you can google it. They're readily available. Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 May 07 - 08:31 AM

the thing about Yamhas is that their quality control is pretty good, well actually its excellent. And you generally get something playable. Get a medium priced one and it is always a pleasure to play. Perhaps not the optimum pleasure - but definitely a pleasure.

Sadly I don't think you could say that about many guitar firms. Generally they guarantee the guitar is made out of decent quality materials, but you really do need a good set up to get the best from it.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: orangeslice
Date: 24 May 07 - 08:14 AM

lol, I am very anti-Yamaha instruments...though, I must admit I do respect them since my idle Elliott Smith played one, lol.

I've heard that the Martins are very "bassy"

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 May 07 - 05:18 PM

Not really I paid £150 for a solid wood Faith second hand on the net, and £150 for s shopsoliled Faith Jupiter Eclipse.

The Solid wood Cort 360m - I got for about £330 from a an Italian website Lucky Music in Milan, but they are distributed from staeside - Oregon. So they should be even cheaper for you.

Yamhas cost us a lotbut 2nd hand hand they don't really keep their value, and in anycase - you pay about half as much as we europeans do.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,Janice now in Western NY State
Date: 23 May 07 - 04:37 PM

I would recommend a Martin 00-18 or 000-18.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: orangeslice
Date: 23 May 07 - 07:05 AM

Hmm...I'll have to look into all of those. Though they all sound pricey...

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 May 07 - 12:21 AM

I've got a Faith Saturn and a Jupiter. they are the best guitars for my style of playing I have ever owned. I play finger style. they all need a set up from a good luthier, but they are exceptional value. All solid wood apart from the Eclipse series( easily recognised - they are jet black) which are great amplified. however the have a wide Gibsonish fingerboard, albeit on a thin neck.

If you want a VERY narrow neck, almost like a strat - look at the Yamaha compass range - the CPX15cm - if you can find one - the only one they do with a cedar top. Good sound amplified, perhaps not really 'kick ass' in a session. But definitely with that punchy cedar sound for ragtime and blues and that sort of thing.

If you must have solid wood look at the Cort 360m - feels like an old fashioned Martin D35.

Apart from the Yamaha CPX15cm, which is a workshop one (I am told that means they make a hundred a week not a thousand). they all will benefit from an immediate set up from a good luthier - so factor that into your price.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 20 May 07 - 09:43 AM

Try something from the Avalon Legacy range You will not be disappointed.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: DoctorJug
Date: 20 May 07 - 09:09 AM

I recommended a Faith Saturn in error. It's the Faith Jupiter that's the good fingerpickin' jumbo, and it's a punchy flatpicker too.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Songster Bob
Date: 15 May 07 - 03:16 PM

Try Running Dog guitars, particularly the jumbo, mini-jumbo, or (from the looks, anyway) the Ash(re)born.

http://www.vtguitars.com/

That's what I play (a concert jumbo), when I'm not playing my 1943 Martin 0-18.

They're pricey, I'll admit, but mmm, mmm, good!

Bob

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: orangeslice
Date: 15 May 07 - 02:12 PM

Yeah, it's settled then...HouseCat put the nail in the coffin...cedar top Alvarez, here I come...well, in a few months, ha ha!!

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: HouseCat
Date: 15 May 07 - 10:27 AM

I have an Alvarez that finger-picks like a dream, cedar top. I've had it for around 30 years. Nice resonant bass and a lovely ring and sustain on the highs.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,Kiwi Guest
Date: 15 May 07 - 02:01 AM

I play around a little making my own instruments. I wouldn't say I'm a good luthier, or that I know a great deal. I am also exclusively a fingerpicker. I think that , everybody's perception of the sound and playability that they want is personal to them. I have however noticed that smaller bodied guitars seem to be more responsive to finger picking. Sometimes 12 fret to the body guitars are more responsive.
I have quite big fingers. I have noticed that a wider string spacing or neck, particularly up near where you strike the strings allows me to play with my whole finger rather than just my nails. I think that this allows me to vary the tone more and save my nails.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Don Firth
Date: 14 May 07 - 08:17 PM

I dunno about the Alvarez steel-string guitars, but one of my guitar pupils has an Alvarez classic (AC60S) with a red cedar soundboard and mahogany back and sides. It sounds good, and all-in-all, it's a darn nice instrument, especially for the money (I think she paid about $270 for it). Alvarez quality seems to be okay.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: orangeslice
Date: 14 May 07 - 07:46 PM

Hmm, I'm still opposed to the classical guitars. The body isn't too bad feeling, and the slightly wider neck of those Taylors sounds like a pretty good idea...I do wish the dreadnaught neck was a LITTLE wider. The Taylor Grand Auditoriums sound interesting...buttt, I can't afford a Taylor, lol.
    I like my callouses and steel strings. I have a soft voice, so I don't need a really loud guitar, and when I need to fill a room...that's what the electric part of acoustic/electric is for, lol.

    Picks, of any sort, I don't like. I have an (I think) unorthodox playing style and using picks interferes with that.

    The Alvarez that I've kinda set my eye on now...it has a cedar top and mahogany sides...and again, from what was just posted about the attributes of mahogany sound...seems like what I'm looking for...

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Don Firth
Date: 14 May 07 - 05:56 PM

At one time I had two Martin classics, one a 00-28-G (rosewood back and sides) and a Martin 00-18-G (mahogany back and sides). There was about $100 difference in price at the time—the late 1950s (the rosewood guitar was the more expensive of the two, of course). The rosewood guitar had a deep, rich, resonant tone, and was great for classic—very dignified. The mahogany guitar was nice and rich, but it had a somewhat brighter tone. I found that I liked that one better for song accompaniment.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 14 May 07 - 04:55 PM

Do you think that the early blues and country musicians when they were being recorded by pioneer producers were playing the best guitars available?

From what I've read, Okeh and the other labels that sponsored blues-artist searches through the south generally supplied their scout-engineers with Stella guitars that their "discoveries" could play for field recordings. The Stellas were relatively cheap, but very often of much higher quality than whatever intruments the players owned themselves.

****************

As I've remarked elsewhere, I'm generally skeptical and/or confused about assertions that this or that guitar is "better for fingerpicking" than another ~ especially because I'm a Martin owner and a fingerpicker, and so many of you guys keep telling me that Martins are no good for pingerpicking ~ and I can't buy that argument!

One thing that I have learned through these discussions is that many Martin dreadnaughts, including all the more expensive "classic" models with fancy trim and inlay, have rosewood bodies, while the bottom-of-the-line no-frills D-18s (like mine) are made out of mahogany.

Many people seem to agree that the defining difference between these two tonewoods is that rosewood tends to emphasize the blended sound of chords while mahogany highlights the separate sounds of the individual strings. Insofar as this may be the case, it seems logical that D-18s and other mahogany-bodied instruments may well be more suitable sound-wise for fingerpicking than are 28s and 35s and all other rosewood guitars. This, of course, is entirely beside all questions of body size, neck width, etc.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Don Firth
Date: 14 May 07 - 04:15 PM

It's possible to find nylon string guitars (classics) with a fingerboard that is not quite as wide as standard for classics (2 inches), I've seen a few with a 1-7/8 inch fingerboard (measuring at the nut). That's only a smidgen wider than most steel-string guitars. Taylor makes a couple of models:   Clicky

Now, you might think "Nylon-strings? For finger-picking!??" But nylon-string guitars have certain qualities that a lot of steel-string players (folkies in particular) often miss. I've been playing classic guitars (full-width neck) for over fifty years; some classic pieces and a bit of flamenco, but mostly song accompaniment. And, yes, finger-picking. I have yet to hear even a very good steel-string guitar that could really fill a large auditorium without amplification of some sort. Even dreadnaught models (which, frankly, I'm not all that impressed with—may be good for laying down a bass when playing with a group, but they're not very well balanced for solo playing or song accompaniment). A well-made nylon-string guitar (thinner soundboard with lighter bracing) can bounce the sound off the back wall of a large auditorium.

And they're a lot easier on the left-hand fingers, which translates into greater facility. And as far as the right hand is concerned, you don't need fingerpicks to get a good, punchy sount.

Your mileage may vary.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: orangeslice
Date: 14 May 07 - 03:10 PM

Northworthy Wyaston...Faith Saturn...I've not heard of either of them, but I smell high prices, lol. I'll look at them though. And there's no way I'm going with a classical guitar, lol...the wide fretboard...nah ah!

    Yeah, Graham...I think that pretty much makes my mind up about what guitar I'm going to buy. I can check out the Northworthy and Faith guitars, but I'm not going to be able to play them. I've played quite a few Alvarez guitars from the local music store, and I liked the sound of all of them, but they only had one that was acoustic electric...which was the maple guitar, which I thought was perfect except that it didn't have enough bass for me, but I've read that the maple is exactly why it doesn't have much bass.
    A mellow instrument for fingerpicking and accompaniment with voice is exactly what I'm looking for...an if an Alvarez sounds like an Alvarez and the wood is just fine tuning (and cedar sounds like what I'm looking...lol, another pun) then this seems like just the guitar that I want. :) It's in my price range too and...looks really nice...now I just have to buy a case to go with it, lol

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: DoctorJug
Date: 14 May 07 - 12:31 PM

From personal experience:
Best: Northworthy Wyaston.
Best value: Faith Saturn.
Both have a pronounced waist. I'd also suggest that classical guitars could be used more by folk fingerpickers.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Grab
Date: 14 May 07 - 08:50 AM

Cedar has a mellower tone than spruce, but that has the downside that you don't generally get the same attack out of it. If you want a mellow instrument for fingerpicking an accompaniment to your voice, cedar is good. If you want a lead instrument with more dynamics, spruce might be more your thing.

But more important than both of those is the instrument construction. A Taylor will sound like a Taylor and a Lowden like a Lowden, regardless of what they're made of. Wood selection is really just fine-tuning after you've already made a decision on the instrument maker you prefer. (Although "maker" can be a loose concept, given that many of them are imitating Martins for better or worse.)

Graham.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: orangeslice
Date: 13 May 07 - 02:47 PM

Oo wow, I just looked at the Alvarez website and found this guitar that might be to my liking...it's also and Alvarez and has the thinner body and neck, but it has a Western Cedar top which they say is supposed to accent the bass more.

Any comments on the sound of Western Cedar tops?

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: orangeslice
Date: 13 May 07 - 01:27 PM

Wow, yeah that's great advice Frank and guest. I'm afraid to mail order a guitar for about six-hundred dollars and I haven't played it yet. It makes me nervous. I agree that it's in the hands of the guitarist to decide which guitar is best for him or her...pun intended. I'll probably drop by the music store again and see if they have anything new and if that Alvarez is still there I'll play it again. I'll probably go with the Alvarez...has most of what I like and looks hella sexy too...wine red :P

    The Yairi is tempting but...aren't they like...about $2,000? I'll check it out though and I'll keep you all posted...thanks :)

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,Another guest.
Date: 13 May 07 - 12:59 PM

I would avoid buying anything mail order/ ebay- never buy a guitar you haven't had in your hands unless you know the model well. Most fingerpickers prefer smaller bodied guitars. Try to get one with a solid top but don't worry too much about the back and sides. Recognise that probably no guitar will give you everything (bit like buying a house). Wait until you can get to a big city where they have lots of choice but if you can't wait and you the Alvarez gives you most of what you want, go for it. Good luck

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 May 07 - 12:11 PM

the best bet is to go to a guitar fair. all the makers show off their wares and often they choose a player who they think will show off their guitar to best advantage.

I believe Alvarez is some sort of offshoot of Yairi - so maybe the Yairi models may be a place to look for you - if the Alvarez is nearly right.

Steve Hicks demonstrates Yairi - check out his website to hear one.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 13 May 07 - 11:50 AM

What matters more than the guitar is the player. You can talk all you want about the pros and cons of different brands but everyone plays a little differently. The best guitar for fingerstyle or any other style is the one that you as an individual enjoy practicing and playing with the sound coming back at you the way you like it.

I've heard the worst guitars in the world sound great in the hands of a certain player. Do you think that the early blues and country musicians when they were being recorded by pioneer producers were playing the best guitars available?

The research in selecting a guitar can't be answered by anyone else than the player. Important is the sound and the action. The rest is what sounds good to you.

The best thing you can do is try out as many guitars as you can without avoiding the less expensive ones which for your needs may be the best.

Frank

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: orangeslice
Date: 13 May 07 - 11:17 AM

Hmm, I've been looking around the web (still in the process of it actually) at some of the guitars that you recommended. The Masterbuilt is pretty interesting. It's not bad looking either. I haven't gotten to the searching for Chinese guitars and used guitars yet. I would like one that's acoustic/electric though...

    Our music store sells Alvarez, Talkamine, Fender...and I think maybe a couple more, but I wasn't really impressed by any of them except the Fusion Alvarez, but I wanted more bass from it...still it felt really awesome to play with the thin neck and slimmer body. I absolutely hate the thickness of the neck on my Rogue, really restricts my playing.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 13 May 07 - 08:29 AM

Look into any of the many guitars coming out of China these days. Very well made, mostly, material quality is good and the price is right. Also look at Seagulls from Canada. Many Catter's like them a ton.

I'd be looking hard at a Guild GAD F-30. A solid wood Blueridge from a few years ago. An Epiphone Masterbuilt.

And don't avoid the used market. Many good buys to be had there.

Don

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST,orangeslice
Date: 12 May 07 - 07:29 PM

I have read most of the posts about people's preferences as far as guitars for fingerstyle, and I'm certainly not a master guitar player, but I have a Rogue RA100D acoustic, and for the most part, I like the sound of it. I like the heavy bass of the dreadnaught, but I do wish that the mids and highs were a bit clearer. The only real probably I have with it is that it's really not that comfortable. I don't like the thickness of the neck, and I wish that the body were a little thinner.

I'm really, like the originator of this post...wondering about what would be a good guitar to buy to replace my Rogue...but I only want to spend 300-maybe 600 dollars at the most. I have been considering an Alvarez Folk body of the Fusion series which I played at the local music store and liked a lot, but I'm wondering if I should look around more and see what's available...unfortunately our music store sucks, and I live in a small town, so playing a lot of different guitars to test the sound isn't an option for me.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 May 07 - 07:21 PM

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 11:12 PM

Dan'l, no wonder you cringe. I've heard of a few ways of breaking in guitars (like subjecting them to super-amplified speakers to rattle them for a few days), but jumping off the stage to literally break the top in has got to be the scariest yet.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: j0_77
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 02:35 PM

Harumph ... try before ya buy - :) Used to be a Fender Acoustic was a good fall back but nowadays there are sooo many other starter Guitars you gotter try em all. Sigma. Seagul and so on. There is just one thing you better make sure is OK, the spacing of the strings on the neck! If too close you cannot fret a chord cleanly sooo even if the sound is good playing is a chore and no fun. I prefer smaller Guitars for finger picking :) Make errr if I like the sound then I play em if not I igniore em.

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Dan'l (inactive)
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 02:03 PM

I love my Guild D40, which happens to have a bad bridge right now, for classical and ballads I like nylon strings. I have the same type of guitar that Willie Nelson owns, but I bought a version that didn't have a finish on it. the reason they did this always evaded me though. During an open air concert one time I jumped off the stage at rehearsal and crack the top. It never had the same sound again after I repaired it. My other favorite is an Ovation nylon, but I wouldn't recommend it to classic guitarists, because it has a tendency to slide on the left knee. These guitars I have had for over 30 years and I would not trade. Once you find a guitar, I feel you have to keep working on it until it fits you. I've seen a lot of nice guitars, but I cringe when I think about what it takes to break them in.

Dan'l

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Res
Date: 15 Jul 99 - 04:02 PM

And they'll only string you along. R

Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
From: Peter T.
Date: 15 Jul 99 - 10:43 AM

It'll make you fret.