What is your favourite acoustic guitar?

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Mudweasel
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 07:24 PM

A few years ago, I spent my life savings (approx. $400 at that time) on a used 1959 Morris 9-String.

Her sound is full and rich but not quite so jangly as a 12-string, and the neck is narrower too.

Even better, a few years ago, I strung this guitar with Martin .115's and now she NEVER GOES OUT OF TUNE!!!

Well, I mean if you stick her in the trunk of a car and take her out 2 hours later and change the temperature, she might slide a little, but wouldn't you? Realistically, I only have to check the tuning once every 2 weeks or so.

I love this guitar. She's the best stringed instrument in the world. (at least, that I've ever seen.)

-Mudweasel

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Dave T
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 10:44 PM

My first is a new (about 6 months old) Oskar Graf handmade; cutaway, Sitka spruce top, Ziricote back & sides. It has a great tone, good balance between bass and trebles and the mids are clear. There doesn't seem to be a weak note anywhere on the fingerboard; and to think it's only going to get better over the next few years. It works well for any style of music.
My next is a 1967 Martin OOO-18. It's nice and crisp; I wouldn't use it for Bluegrass, but it's great for fingerpicking, blues and sound good with a slide in open tunings too. The Graf is my definite favourite though. Here's a link to his web-site for those of you who are interested: Oskar Graf Guitars .

- Dave T

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: ddw
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 12:15 AM

Mudchick — I know you're right. I've already put the jacks in my two other guitars to plug into the Thinline transducers laid under the bridge. I run thru a Fishman preamp and get a pretty good sound out of it, but I just can't bring myself to do it with the Guild. It's sorta like a Jaguar mechanic said to me one time when I was thinking about putting a Chevy V8 in the XJ6 I had.

"It'll make it a better car, but you'll ruin it!"

Don't know how else to explain it.....

david

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: ddw
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 12:17 AM

Midchuck....

sorry 'bout the transposition of letters in your name....

david, being 'shamed.....

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: MAG
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 01:10 AM

How come it's the guys who wax eloquent about their guitars?

I'm not in your league as a guitarist but we have to balance this a little!

I played only my Tak for 25+ years. I was shopping for something smaller, as my rt. shoulder froze up all the time. I fell in love at Folklife Festival '99, and put my David Webber OO on layaway with guitar emporium in Seattle. It happens to be very pretty, which isn't why I fell in love with it -- it practically plays itself. I haven't touched the Tak since picking up the Webber for my birthday 2 years ago. The bright sound blends well with the contra band I play in. It doesn't reproach me for not practicing more when I do pull it out just for myself. It's got that crisp quality someone mentioned above. I'm a happy monogamous guitar owner.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: 53
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 08:29 AM

to mag, i also have a takamine that almost plays itself, but i also have other guitars which i enjoy playing also. bob.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: 53
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 09:43 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: 53
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 10:12 PM

probably a gibson,taylor and takamine.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 04:17 AM

Just played a lovely Martin Sing Out (special edition) which I would like to covet but it's 1800 sovs!!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 09:59 AM

I always promised myself that, when I became seriously rich,(i.e. no worries about the mortgage) I would by myself a Martin.(I would tell you the reason why but it might sound like name dropping) So, when the day came, I went down to the music store and played every guitar they had including several Martins - the result, I bought a Landola. A jumbo, much larger than I had planned and very blonde. The reason was (and is) it is so easy to play and sounds really nice - a bit trebly for some maybe but I play with a Lowden guitarist and that is bassy so we hit the whole spectrum.

Oh, and it is about £300 cheaper than the Martin and comes with Fishman pickups and pre-amp built in. I also play a Freshwater mandolin and the tale there is similar in that I played all the Guilds etc in the shop and the Freshwater had such a mellow tone and delivered really well that I couldn't resist.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: BluesMojo
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 10:21 AM

The guitar that I love I only love because it's mine. Actually, there are two of them. I have an Epiphone 12-string, which probably isn't the best 12-string on the market but it plays really well. It sounds good and is one of the few 12-strings I've played that are easy to fingerpick on and still get the full sound out of each string. The neck isn't freakishly wide and it's fairly easy to play. My other guitar is a Galveston something or other resonator guitar, with the beautiful chrome-plated body. I currently have those big thick resonator strings on it, plus the action is naturally a bit high, so it's a fairly difficult guitar to play, but it gets a really good sound. I also have one of those cheap little things you can put on the nut to raise the strings and turn it into a lap steel type of thing. I drive my roommate nuts by playing Wildwood Flower on it for an average of two hours a day.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: mooman
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 12:12 PM

Yes Landola,

Although a confirmed Lakewoodophile, I've played several Landolas and agree they're very nice and underrated guitars. Plus they're made by the world's wackiest people...the Finns. What could be better! There's a nice Landola thinline classical with Fishman at my local guitar shop...now if only I had the spondulix!

mooman

P.S. Or should that be markkas?

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Kaleea
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 10:37 PM

I got my good ole 1964 Gibson J-45 in 1976 (used) after looking at lots of newguitars of all brands. It's the only guitar I have, and I've never found one I like better. I have played many guitars, as I have taught guitar for many years & tried out the ones my students owned, but I plan to keep playing mine until the arthritis turns my fingers into knots!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: musicmick
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 01:29 AM

I've been playing for over forty years and I've had several fine instruments. When I find a guitar that I love, I sell my old one and replace it with the new. I am presently in love with a light as air Appolo flattop (it was made by luthier, Nick Appolonio, and it's the first handmade guitar I've ever liked). To afford it, I sold my 1973 Gibson B-25. It wasn't even close. I will never sell my 1962 Guild F-50. The best nylon string guitar I've had was a Gibson C-1, but it succumbed to age and neglect. As a rule, the Guild Mark series were terrific boxes, easy to play and inexpensive. The best value was Harmony classics made in the 50s and 60s. The 910 model was cheap and durable. You could use it as an canoe paddle and it wouldn't warp. Their 173 model was even better.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: 53
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 10:23 PM

i also had a gibson c-1 classic but i had to pawn it cause i was strapped for cash at that time,and i never could get it back, i still kick myself in the ass every time i think aboutit , and i've also had some old harmony guitars and they were ok but nothing to brag about.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Acrobut
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 10:41 PM

I have a 1998 Taylor 414, with a Mimesis Dual EQ P/U system. I really appreciate the completely satin finish, which means no fingermarks etc. On the day I bought it, I played it at a gig and it stole the show. I was so delighted that I wrote a song about it.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 19 Oct 01 - 03:33 PM

My Rob Armstrong "Viking" [only called that because he put a viking helmet on the truss rod cover for me] cos I think he loves guitars and you can feel it.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: SharonA
Date: 19 Oct 01 - 06:36 PM

Haven't found it yet. Till I do, I'm rather fond of my workhorse, a Martin D35. I also have a soft spot in my heart for the guitar I learned on, though acoustically it's no virtuoso: my father's 1950s-vintage F-hole archtop Kalamazoo (economy-line Gibson).

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: 53
Date: 28 Oct 01 - 10:51 PM

i played a nice larivee yesterday, one of the middle priced ones and one of these days i think that i'll probably get one, and it had elixir strings on it and boy was it nice. BOB

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: breezy
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 06:01 PM

Chris Cross died JUNE 2001. iN HIS TIME HE MADE ABOUT 300 GUITARS.aLL ARE WORKS OF A TALENTED CRAFTSMAN.I am so fortunate to own at least one, and they are a dream to play and to be heard.Rest in peace Chris and thanks.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 08:52 PM

Interesting thread, this. My favorites that I didn't own were

Martins - two 0017s, a '57 00018 and a '75 0025K

a Euphenon -couldn't even afford the case, but the best all- round accoustic I've ever played a ca. 1918 Gibson L7 - only one known.

My no.1 is a Bacon and Day Senorita S6H, which is ideal for blues, but my street guitars are a Seagull Grand and an Epiphone Olympic electric.

John Mclaughlin once told me that the best guitar he'd ever had was a rosewood Gibson J200

What I've noticed is no-one mentions the bad guitars - eg. I've never found a Gibson Hummingbird I liked, and ladder- strutted Guilds sound good but usually look like a guitar repairer's practice piece after a few years

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: 53
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 11:21 PM

i'm still thinking about that larivee, boy it was nice. BOB

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Watersong
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 12:37 PM

Bought my new Gibson J-50 in Jacksonville in 1966 for its big noise ability to stand up to banjos, etc.. It has aged into the warmest sounding "boomer" I've encountered. Had the neck and frets completely reworked by George Youngblood in 1985 ... the action now is as warm as the sound. My Martin D 28 friends all like to play this J-50 for its honest heat. Was doing an Irish gig 2 years ago and a dealer gave me a Larrivee OM-9 to get through some tender finger-picking work. YES! Found a used one a month ago and bought it ... sound and action phenominal ... compares to any money...balanced bright timbre like a good '50's Martin D 28 .

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: jup
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 09:16 PM

I have 3 aussie Matons and I love all of them.They have had no problems and I like the wider neck to the taka.You do need to avoid the cheap end of the range though. I have a 1954 F hole , CW80 12 1979 and an overlander 1990. All have pickups.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 10:38 PM

The ol' bobert is with Lanfranc.... I'll take my '64 Martin D-18 over all the rest of my beaters combined...

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 01:58 PM

Hi all I've just come in on this thread so a bit late. Never mind, for what its worth I have several very nice guitars collected over many years. The current inventory is a 1980 Custom CFM D-45, a recent CFM D-18VS (slope shoulder 12 fretter), a 1980 Custom CFM OM -28 herringbone Brazilian, a CFM 000-15S, a Collings OM-3, and a Tom Mates Custom 12 string in Brazilian and cedar.

My favourite? Well if I could only take one to my desert island it would have to be the CFM OM-28. Its power, projection and cut are simply breathtaking.

In value for money terms nothing, but nothing comes close to the plain Jane of the set....the Martin 000-15S. A sensational guitar and one year ago it cost just £650 new with a hard case. John Collyer

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Frankham
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 04:07 PM

I love my old Martin 0021. Mary (my wife) has one too and we occasionally play them together.

I first played a 0021 in the early fifties. Bess Lomax Hawes had one that was either given or purchased from Josh White. I fell it love with it immediately.

The 0021 has pretty much been my first instrument. It has a good bite for accoustic rhythm jazz guitar (ala Hot Club) as well as a nice finger picking balance. I like it because it's not too bass heavy but you can lay into it under other instruments such as loud banjos and it will have presence.

It's a great accompaniment instrument for singing also. I use a Sunrise pickup in mine when we do small venues requiring some amplification. Sunrise is one of the best but I understand it sounds even better with an expensive pre-amp.

The 0021 was one of Martin's first made instruments. They seemed to always have it on hand when there was a request for it although you don't see many today.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Beer
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 07:12 PM

I have to go with the first guitar I've ever purchased. That was a " Yamaha 180", Got it in 1963 and have been told that the Yamaha's back then were hand made. Can anyone tell me if this would be true? This guitar has been through hell but with a nice new set of strings, wow.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: iceboy
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 11:14 PM

er.......um, isn't this a little like asking what your favorite shoe is? It depends on whether you're going backpacking, running, or dancing. A few of my all time favorites-1922 Martin 2-17-sounds like church bells in a small chapel. Clear, bell tones,beautiful! 1935 Naional Trojan-very plunky, percussive mid-range like a combination of banjo, guitar, and piano. 1938 Regal parlor guitar-cheapest wood in the world painted grain(!) but balanced between the bass and top end like you wouldn't believe and loud as thunderstorm. 1996 Martin DM-18-another well balanced guitar. Nothing exotic, but durable and versatile as hell with amazing dynamic range and plenty of separation and definition. I could go on and on...............

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: X
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 09:35 PM

My 1937 Gibson RB-17 Top Tension. That's my favourite guitar;-)

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Townes
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 12:43 AM

Three years ago I purchased Thompson. made by Ted Thompson who lives in BC Canada.I'm a bloody long way from Canada and Ted but it's a great guitar and I would recommend them to anyone. regards Townes.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 03:01 AM

"Baby", my old Martin 000-18. Taught me how to play, and I always come back to it. An all around guitar, flat picking, finger picking, old-timey, blues, even acoustic rockers. My second good one is a Gallagher G-45. More of a problem because you have to 'push' it and use a lot of attack to get it to sound good, but a great guitar up the neck.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 04:14 AM

Mine

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Stringkiller - Taylor and Parker contented u
Date: 19 Oct 02 - 09:16 PM

Acoustic
Gibson Hummbingbird
see http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/4089/guitars.html
Electro acoustic
Taylor
see http://www.geocities.com/alecds/g1.html
Electro acoustic
Parker Fly
see Pictures http://www.geocities.com/alecds/index.htm
Text http://www.ifrance.com/parkerguitar/mp.html
Ciao
Stringkiller
http://www.geocities.com/stringkiller

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Oct 02 - 09:29 PM

My favorite: my 1964 Martin D-18 that I've owned for over 30 years now. Yep, she 's been with me thru a lot of good times, as well as bad. The ol' gal is a tad beat but still sounds and plays great.

My most played: my 70's Fender LeBrea cut-away with the gold Schallers and internal pickup. Plays great, sounds great and is more forgiving than the Martin.

Bobert

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 19 Oct 02 - 09:44 PM

I don't have a favorite. I love them all equally. However, if someone should happen to leave a 1963 D-28 Martin at my doorstep I might have to reconsider the matter.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: 53
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 11:16 AM

Gibson J-40

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 01:52 PM

Yeah, I've been telling you about those Larivees, Bob. Hard to beat. However, I have never yet owned one.

I have owned several Martins (D-28, D-35, Shenandoah, M-38) and eventually sold them all. I think I liked the Shenandoah the best, and it was the least expensive of the lot, strangely enough.

Had a Washburn that was very nice.

Had a Jasmine that was a delight to play (nice setup) but sounded like a cardboard box. :-)

Had a Yamaha 12-string that was pretty amazing, and a small body Yamaha 6-string acoustic/electric that was very good.

Had a huge old Guild 12-string that was extremely gutsy.

Had a couple of very nice Takamines, still got one of them.

Had a couple of homemades by local luthiers you will not have heard of.

But...my all time favourite remains: my Yamaha FG-461S with a Fishman pickup under the bridge. What a sweet guitar! It looks great, plays great, has a wonderful treble end and an equally nice bass end...even right across the whole range...and has an uncanny ability to stay in tune almost indefinitely.

- LH

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,guitarfixer
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:24 PM

I think it is really hard to do better than a Lakewood in Cherry or Brazilian Rosewood. If somebody said a Collings in Indian Rosewood or a Walnut Goodall I wouldn't disagree. What a time we are living in to have such instruments available!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: KJ
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 07:08 AM

FYLDE,can't beat a good one.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Midchuck
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 09:22 AM

Last September, I said, on this thread:

It occurred to me that a 12-fret slothead 000 made by Collings should theoretically come as close as possible to the ideal guitar. Then I was in Brattleboro and got to play a 000-2H at Maple Leaf Music and found out my theory was right. Damn. Now I'm in love again and the money's gone.

More gigs!

In March of this year I found a 000-2H on eBay that went for 'way under the usual price, just because it had one good case-latch ding and some finish crazing. Nothing structural. So I was able to buy it.

I have had no significant GAS since I got it. I know there are even better instruments out there, mostly by tiny shops or individual luthiers, but a better guitar than this would be wasted on me, and would be so valuable I couldn't take it anywhere.

Most of my other instruments are now being neglected. Some have been sold or are for sale.

Peter.

PS: There was a thread on the Martin forum, about neglecting instruments, and whether it upsets them not to get played. Someone said: "Don't anthromorphize your instruments. They hate that."

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Venthony
Date: 22 Oct 02 - 03:58 AM

I think it's the first good guitar you buy, get, steal or are given. Mine was a 76 Mossman "Flint Hills." I paid $400 for it, and it was worth it, even though it meant not eating for a week.

Then there was the 82 Lowden cutaway -- kind of like a sophisticated city woman after the girl next door dumps you and you go away to college.

And -- yes -- my vintage Telecaster. The guitar that paid the bills. A painted lady and a seducer and a slut, but I loved her. Inevitably she betrayed me -- she let me get old before I could jam with Eric Clapton.

And now, there's the Larravee, the guitar of my old age. Sweet and clean with a conveniently low action for weak, arthritic hands.

I think the L. is the last one, but they were all so dear ...

Tony

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Richard Bridge (cookie and format C)
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 05:30 PM

Of course they're all different.

I spent the lunchtime today going along Denmark Street (London, England) trying out to see if anything could replace my trouble and strife's 1961 Hagstrom.

Tried a lot of things I knew she would not like.

Found one Collings - enough bass (that's pretty big), clean, clear mids and trebles, no splash or jangle, and good sustain.

Found one Santa Cruz, nearly as good.

Maybe 4 or 5 as good as my Mugen (totally different sound).

All way out of the price range I had in mind.

But the two best I've ever seen have to be William Pint's Goodall,
and Jay Turner's Armstrong.

I'm surprised no-one suggests a Levin Goliath.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: AgingBohemian
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 05:40 PM

I had a Lowden, an 015C I think. I loved that guitar. I stopped playing out professionally, and my left hand started bothering me. The Lowden requires some strength, and I was worrried that my hand needed a gentler neck. So, with some regret, I sold the Lowden and bought a Weber. I didn't think any guitar could replace the Lowden, but I was wrong. The Weber has a different personality, but is, for me, a perfect instrument. It plays well at any volume, is rich and balanced (not an easy feat on a cutaway), and the neck is just what my weak left wrist needs.

-Paul

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: 53
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 06:06 PM

Try a Taylor Big Baby.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Ralphie
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 05:49 PM

53
Just brought a Taylor Big Baby.....For its price.....astonishing...
Perfect for throwing over your shoulder for a session...
A little lacking in the Bass department....but, Hey...for 300 British Pounds. An absolute delight !
Regards Ralphie
Still love me Fylde though!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: The Barden of England
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 08:49 AM

My Fylde Oberon. Nothing quite like it. Always wanted a Martin J40 too mind you.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Frankham
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 09:22 AM

Jack,

For years now I have loved my Martin 0021, wide neck, channelled head and 12 frets. Martin has always made this guitar. I originally found out about it through the playing of Josh White who used them exclusively after his black and white Gibson was stolen.

The Guilds are also great. Clean response without too many overtones which is great for recording.

I have a little 3/4 Tacoma (backpacker style) which really speaks out and I use it for gigs all the time. It works great with my wife's 0021.


You mentioned Mac MacCormick who is one of the best kept secrets around. He's repaired and fixed up my banjos and is great at being able to design combinations of instruments. My friend Bill Rutan had a specially designed "mandolute" (tenor banjo neck mandolin body) as well as a great uke (tenor banjo neck on a uke body played in tenor banjo tuning) which he uses all the time on gigs. Mac has also made guitars (one archtop which was in the Columbus GA museum).

You're getting some good advice. To me, the most important aside from tone is the balance of the strings. Dreadnaughts are always so bass-heavy. Many of the Martins are these days but since I only do a limited amount of finger-picking these days, I mostly use a flat pick, I like a well-balanced guitar for accompaniment to singing or backup (bluegrass included). My Martin has a bite that projects under a bluegrass banjo and can be strummed ala Django too for early jazz standards.

That's my two cents. Hope you find the guitar you're lookin' for.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 02:43 PM

My favourite would be a Fylde Caliban. I bought mine around 1980. Unfortunately, in a lean spell, I sold it to a girlfriend. Later, when she was living in Kenya, it was stolen. I wonder where it is now?
And who's playing it!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Merritt
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 03:12 PM

I have two favorites.

1. In 1969 I bought a new Standel 00-size 6-string in Media, Pennsylvania. Traded a structurally challenged Fender Villager 12 plus $200 for it. Just an easy playing, sweet sounding acoustic with an arched back. The Standel line was designed by Sam Koontz under contract with the old Standel Amp Co. Koontz worked for the Harptone Case Co in New Jersey. Now that it's getting old and fragile, I keep in Open D tuning, but it still gets played pretty much every day.

2. My current guitar for 80% of playing/gigging is a Martin 000C-15E with a solid mahogany body and Fishman on-board electronics.

- Merritt

"It's all one big note." - F. Zappa