Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal

Subject: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 04:35 AM

Seeing as someone posted up a good deal on those archtops the other day, I thought I'd share this one with you:

Mayson all-solid wood grand auditorium acoustic

I spent some time in my local southeast London guitar shop the other day and tried a Mayson guitar - the cheaper, laminated wood version of the solid spruce and mahogany linked to above. The laminate version sounded very good, had a comfortable neck and good spacing for fingerstyle (45mm nut width). This Spanish company on Amazon appear to be offering the all-solid spruce and mahogany version for about the same price.

It's quite hard to find an all-solid wood acoustic for less than £500; this one works out at £390 once postage is included.

I'm tempted...

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: C-flat
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 04:58 AM

I can see why you'd be tempted.
Personally I could never bring myself to buy a guitar I hadn't held and played, they're so individual.
In the 45 years I've been playing/gigging I've been both disappointed by expensive "high end" instruments and amazed by "budget" cheapies and so learned to ignore labels/decals and trust what I can hear and feel.
Thanks for showing us Matt, I'll certainly keep an eye open for these when I'm out browsing the racks.

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 05:06 AM

I agree, only the one exception that I made to that rule provided me with my current guitar, which I love: an all-mahogany OM guitar by Recording King. I took a punt on that one, never having played it, and bought online. Turned out to be fantastic.

Mayson, being an obscure relatively new brand, aren't in many stores. I was surprised to see them in my local shop in Penge. They also do an all-ovangkol model: now that's one I am very curious to play.

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 05:12 AM

" In the 45 years I've been playing/gigging I've been both disappointed by expensive "high end" instruments and amazed by "budget" cheapies and so learned to ignore labels/decals and trust what I can hear and feel."

Yes, well it was my birthday last Friday and I took the day off and basically tried out guitars in London music shops all afternoon.

I played quite a few high-end Taylors and Martins, quite a few Eastmans too. And lots of cheapies–mid-range by Crafter, Faith and Vintage. I liked the Mayson laminate version of the guitar I linked to above; I also liked the Cort L500: they were very very similar guitars.

But the guitar that probably impressed me the most was the Seagull S6 Cedar Folk, retailing around £450. Has a moderate satin rather than a gloss finish, so the sound rings out. Cedar gives it a depth that similar spruce guitars around the same price didn't have. Tone didn't blow me away at first, but every time I picked a different guitar from the rack the Seagull was the clear winner. It really grew on me.

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: C-flat
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 08:41 AM

Matt, it's very interesting to hear how the Recording King worked out well for you. I bought the ROS-06 on a whim after playing one in Durham.
It was one of those "amazed" moments.
I think I use that guitar more than any other, sounds great through a PA too!

Trust your ears, that Seagull was talking to you.

Hope you get what you want.

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 09:39 AM

I'd like to reassure folks that buying guitars sight unseen off the internet isn't something to be so wary of these days....

Providing you stick with reputable online shops with good after-sales care.

Factory quality control has improved vastly on low to medium budget guitars.

Though the same can't be said for much more expensive Gibson...!!!
[but at least Gibson European office are superbly helpful with warranty issues and repairs...]

I have bought well over a hundred mail order guitars since the 1990s,
and only a small percent needed to be returned for exchange.

Any faults that were cosmetic, or merely needing minor adjustment
were a good opportunity to haggle a decent partial refund instead of the hassle of exchange.

However, I only buy electric guitars, and accept that they may not be as individually 'unique' as acoustics.

Having said that, since I reached 'mature' middle age, I now mostly buy classic style rockabilly semi-acoustics and arch-tops.
Closer to acoustics than I have ever been since my early teens
The Korean made guitars are excellent for the price, and the Chinese not far behind in build quality consistency...

The Chinese Epiphone with 3 P90s and a Bigsby is a good 8 out of 10 for factory guitar manufacture...

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: GUEST,Trad junkie
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 11:30 AM

Take a butchers at this. Bet a Yammie ll 16 ARE would top it though.
Rosewood is best!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mayson-MS5-guitar-all-solid-near-mint-with-double-stereo-amplification/323295257347?hash=item4b45e62303:g:B3QAAOSwAaJaNPht

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 12:17 PM

About 10 years ago my son bought an Ibanez JEM7V. We went to a place in Leeds and tried one. And as ever noone knows if a 15 year old kid is serious or not. He was and can play it well. I found one on line to buy from Paris for about £1300 (he bought it with his money not mine - good paper round) but the guy in Leeds had said phone if you get a deal and I'll see if I can do it. So I did.

When the guitar arrived it had some major problems and I was glad that we could drive it down the road and get it replaced. Swings and roundabouts. Makes you realise how much you can discount a guitar.

So then he changed the pickups and the tremolo so basically it's a piece of wood with bits attached. Nice to play though.

Then bought a 7 string Ibanez on ebay from a lovely guy in Scotland.

I still like to have my old reference point (1972 Yamaha FG180 which cost £54 when I bought it new) just to check whether paying £00's for a guitar is actually sensible. I have just never really liked the neck on it as I have small hands.

I went a played a couple of Faith guitars (at a similar sort of price bracket) that a friend had recommended and may try them again. But my immediate reaction was a very bright sound and no warmth and depth. Could be wrong until I go back

And I have listened to and played friend's Lowdens, Martins, Taylors and Gibsons but never quite found what I was looking for that was worth it for the player I am that I could justify spending the money

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 12:23 PM

But I need to have to play it in my hand otherwise I don't know whether I like it or not. My other guitar was a Tanglewood that i really liked but I have broken the neck for a second time (in a different place) and it probably isn't worth mending again. but that suited my hands and I liked it

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 12:33 PM

Nick - the good online shops accept returns for a set period after purchase,
if you don't get on with a neck or the overall 'feel' of a guitar...

I just take pot luck and can adjust to anything if I get a good enough bargain...

My guitar necks range from telegraph poles to toothpicks...

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 01:03 PM

I always could only play one at a time so haven't got many. Well seven including the mandolin and the basses. And one broken one.

Thinking about a new one

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 01:15 PM

Nick - I am an ocd hoarder - no excuses... it's my weakness and downfall....

But it is good to know I can have all the pickup configuration tonalities;
and any tuning I like permanently on stand-by,
with the intonation properly set up and as accurate as possible...

I'll be 60 soon so seriously need to start culling the herd
to give the mrs less of a headache dealing with disposing my stuff for cash
if / when I go first...

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 01:21 PM

You young people

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 01:27 PM

wellll... errrr.... no bloke in my immediate family has made it to 70 since approx 1950...

bugger optimism....

I can just see my mrs at a car boot sale, letting my favourites go for less than a fiver each...

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 01:28 PM

Is that what you told her they cost? (Old joke)

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 01:51 PM

well.. I don't always let her even know a new one is being delivered while she's at work..
..and for a long time I only bought black or red guitars, so she wouldn't notice...

..now it's vintage tobacco or sun burst...
fortunately she likes these classic finishes...

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: C-flat
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 03:51 AM

Just a follow up to punkfolkrocker's comment about buying electric guitars on-line;
I don't believe it's the same as buying an acoustic.
The natural tone, resonance, tonal balance across the strings, projection, etc, etc, are essential in the selection process and these can be quite unique to a particular acoustic guitar.
Electric guitars are affected by all these factors but to a much lesser degree. If an electric guitar is well put together using decent materials (they generally all are these days)and decent pick ups installed, the sound is going to be more or less determined by what you play it through and with what effects-processing.
The inspiration to play and create comes from the tone of the instrument which an acoustic instrument must possess "naturally", which the solid-body electric can "aquire" by other means.
I love playing both and did once buy a cheap Fender Strat online to use as a back-up. Turned out to be a very good instrument but I wouldn't risk a lot of money buying an untried acoustic.

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 06:23 AM

C-flat -agree totally. When I was 50 my wife said 'go and buy a new guitar' and went and played lots across a pretty huge range of prices. And in the end bought a very basic Tanglewood that felt like and I liked the feel of.

I remember sitting in a session playing once and a guy asked me what the guitar was and asked to play it. And being a nice natured person occasionally I said yes (thinking 'ahh you just want to join in and play in the session and couldn't be arsed to bring a guitar'). So he played along and then explained that he worked for PRS guitars and they were developing acoustics and he thought the sound was nice - and on balance I believed him. And my friend who has a very nice old Martin D 18 also liked playing it and was surprised at the sound. I just liked the feel of the neck and the action and sound. First time I took it to play I thumped it with a large lump of metal in the pub that fell on it and nearly cried...

And then realised it was part of the wearing in process

Be sharp (hoho)

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 07:14 AM

About 20 years ago I bought a low priced Tanglewood copy of a Gibson ES-335
which was superior to the more expensive Epiphone equivalent.

The Tanglewood felt alive and responsive, the Epi was stiff and dead.

I initially judge the quality of an electric guitar by playing it unplugged
to feel it's acoustic resonance.

In a guitar magazine review, that particular Tanglewood was compared positively
to the real Gibson which was about 10 times more expensive.
The reviewer suggested there was not much real difference.

Later I tried a new Gibson 335 in a shop and found the frets to be sharp and uncomfortable...

I think that was the first guitar that convinced me the Chinese had become established as good guitar manufacturers,
even though at that time they were still making cheap nasty guitars.
It depended on individual factories and their standards of craftsmanship and quality control.

Now 2 decades later, most Chinese factories have raised their standards on a par with Indonesia and Korea.

The best Korean guitars are as good as those made in Japan..

I'd suggest Japanese made guitars have been superior to USA Gibson and Fender since the early 1980s...
Though these days the retail prices for Japanese guitars are as expensive as American.

British and European made electric guitars are low in numbers and too expensive, even if you can find them in shops here in the UK

Where I live in South West England all the local guitar shops have closed down since the internet.
The nearest are in the big cities miles away.

Hence my pragmatic adjustment to online shopping....

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 07:30 AM

Btw.. I accept distance is culturally relative, and the British 'miles away' is probably just a short hop by USA standards.
But I don't drive, and rely on the deteriorating expensive/inadequate UK public transport system.
My nearest cities, are Bristol, Bath, and Exeter which do have great guitar shops,
but they tend to be way out of my price range...

I can get the guitars I want brand new boxed at half price or less off the internet
if I wait long enough for them to be discontinued...

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: C-flat
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 08:00 AM

"First time I took it to play I thumped it with a large lump of metal in the pub that fell on it and nearly cried...
And then realised it was part of the wearing in process"

Nick, my guitars, like me, bear the marks of passing time. As long as it isn't catastrophic, it adds character and is part of the instruments "story".
I can't bring myself to worry too much about it, nor am I planning any cosmetic surgery for myself. It is what it is..... haha

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 08:19 AM

Before the internet I would look in small town junk shops for beat up unloved old guitars at lowest prices...

Since the internet, most of these shops are no more,
and such guitars have mysteriously become overpriced 'vintage collector's items' on ebay...???

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: C-flat
Date: 04 Jul 18 - 10:10 AM

I'm always amused by the "relic" ranges. Effectively paying someone else to beat up your guitar until it looks old.
"Vintage" is a pleasant way to describe the ravages of time whilst adding perceived value.
There's some smart marketeers out there....

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 09:30 AM

Spotted a little Takamine EG560C for £100 and might go and try it. I'm in temptation mood (don't like the blue colour but there you go)

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 10:55 AM

"Nick, my guitars, like me, bear the marks of passing time."

Indeed. But not on Day Two of ownership. It had hardly been born yet alone lived by then :)

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 11:12 AM

Nick - for many years my absolute limit for a guitar was £200,
which I rarely ever reached because of my liking for 20 - 50 quid Exchange and Mart used bargains...

[one of the few things I miss about living in London]

One time I broke my self imposed rule for a brand new Burns reissue at over £350,
merely hours after delivery I decided to take a screw driver to it for minor bridge adjustment...

you can guess the rest....

Subject: RE: Review: Another interesting acoustic guitar deal
From: Nick
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 07:18 PM

Exchange and mart.

I loved exchange and mart. I spent unreasonable amounts of my time trying to get my dad to buy a full size slate bed snooker table from any church hall that was throwing it out

His fault. He took me to visit his friend somewhere near Leicester and his son (older than me) loved two things. Acoustic blues and snooker.

Such is life