What is your favourite acoustic guitar?

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 10:35 AM

Martin D-28. I've had it for 38 years. Love it.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Midchuck
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 10:10 AM

I recently bought a CA Legacy AE - beautiful Tobacco Sunburst finish. Well balanced voice and very clean. Don't make mistakes - she'll tell on you. She sounds better than 90% of the guitars I've heard through the years.

Guest Tony, you make me feel like a very clever fellow...I just nailed one (if all goes well) last night.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2385&item=3746343357&rd=1

Peter.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 10:04 AM

Ted
Thats very sensible indeed, I cant understand why it didnt occur to me that f stood for fsetas or should it be furos

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 09:58 AM

Actually Andy, the answer is quite sensible. It's price range. 1 being the cheapest, 9 being the most expensive.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 09:54 AM

Go on Ted whats a 7F guitar and how does it differ from a 9F guitar
(Am I alone in predicting the answer)

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: mooman
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:27 AM

Actually, while I still love my Lakewood custom M-18 as mentioned below, the guitar I play almost all of the time now and am inseparable from is, surprisingly, a mid-price Czech-made Regal steel-bodied resonator. This guitar rocks like no other acoustic I've ever played and sounds better to me than some old Dobros and Nationals.

Perhaps my move towards a more blues-based repertoire is influencing me..?

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:52 AM

Alhambra 9f peghead
Granados 7f peghead
Rafael Morales peghead
Yamaha CG171SF
Manuel Lopes peghead

There, have you ever seen such a glorious fleet of flamenco guitars? And they are all mine!Ha!
             flamenco, the true path
                   el ted
                  Beverley

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,tony
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 01:24 AM

OK. I have 2 favorites now.

My first love is my Collings D2H. Those who don't agree with me about the way she sounds - are only jealous cause they don't have one. It doesn't matter how hard or soft I play, she will always play the song sweeter than I can sing it. It has real presence.

Now my #2 choice is sure to generate comments. I recently bought a CA Legacy AE - beautiful Tobacco Sunburst finish. Well balanced voice and very clean. Don't make mistakes - she'll tell on you. She sounds better than 90% of the guitars I've heard through the years. She can't shout as loud as the Collings on her own. But she is equipped with Fishman electronics - so when it's needed I can give her a bigger voice. The electronics do a faithful job of keeping the acoustic guitar sounding like and acoustic guitar.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Grenvilleter
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 12:15 AM

I've owned & played a Beneteau (Marc)dreadnaught since 1985. I'll never part with it. So far I have only found 1 guitar that sounds superior and a few which is it's equal. The one that sounded better was a old beat up 1957 Martin D-28. Guitars of the calibre of the '57 Martin in question are very rare indeed even among other Martin's, (including other exact same models).
My friend bought a 1985 D-28 herringbone Special Edition Vintage Martin at about the same time as I purchased my Beneteau. Neither of us can tell the difference in the tone of the herringbone or the Beneteau when strung with identical strings. I could go into great detail on the many reasons why I like the Beneteau (tone, sound projection, neck width, and it dosn't crap out when pounding it like many other axes I've played). Many will argue that the Beneteau will not appreciate like a Martin, and this is true however it only applies to instruments to which one buys to resell and not to play for keeps.

I also know a couple of other Canadian builders who build 1st class guitars and I would be proud to own an axe built by James Spooner of Athens, Ontario or a Timberline guitar built in Killaloe, Ontario by Kevin Hall. Both are first rate builders and take exceptional pride in thier work.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 04 - 03:29 PM

Has anyone any information on a Yamaha G70D , great sound

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Vic at work
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 03:13 PM

Any instrument with an A on the headstock, its an Armstrong -Buy, steal, trade in your children but get one.
I still love to hit a note and "watch" it walk round the room and sustain to die for.
Rob Armstrong, Coventry Uk. He is also a long time performer and jolly good egg.
Vic.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 02:05 PM

When at polytechnic in Portsmouth, (Hampshire England) I was able to buy from a friend of a friend a Framus Texan, due to a fine that needed paying next day or end up in gaol - never knew the owners name, but I was delighted to find my little hand fits around the neck.
The only other guitar I have been able to play easily was the very first guitar I owned. It was an odd thing like a small cello with long s or f shapes holes. It was killed by a man called Adrian Bell who claimed to be the fifth Spinner, and that he could mend it after an accident on the Underground in London. I said no but he went ahead anyway. Even the young me knew you don't mend guitars with Araldite two part epoxy.

So I remain faithful to my ol'guitar My ol'guitar, handiest friend I ever had by far - I wonder if that song is in the DT

Anne

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Cindy
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 10:05 AM

A strange looking asymetrical minimalist Tacoma with the comma shaped sound hole near the top instead of behind the strings. Bought on impulse second hand in the local music store. The next person who asks me if I keep my sandwiches inside is dead.
I also love my very old battered Michael Gee classical guitar.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 09:30 AM

I have owned and played loads of guitars. Sometimes i find the memory of the one night stand stays in my mind longer than the machines I have had long time working relationaships with.

This friend of mine had a martin HD something or other, and when you strummed it - it sort of tickled you through the wood on the tum.

It was no good for the noisy sods i play to - having no electricity - so the relationship just remained a sweet memory.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,marty31
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 07:33 AM

used to be a takamine till i tried a mid range crafter.wow i love that baby!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 02:34 PM

I have a friend, a very good guitarist, who swears by Beneteau guitars. He has a 6 string and it's great. He is having Marc Beneteau build him another...a 12 string.

Check 'em out here:

Beneteau Guitars

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 02:27 PM

Check out my favorite luthier. He built one for me, a OOOO-18, in 1974. It is the best, sweetest, loudest, brassiest..... I could go on for a long time. I've never found on that moved me the way this one does.

Here's his website;
http://leedsguitar.com/pages/about.html
"Ivon Schmukler began repairing guitars in 1965, was one of the first CF Martin-approved independent repairmen, and, in 1972, began making individually-hand-crafted steel-string guitars. He is one of the leading restorers of vintage Martin guitars. He has taught woodworking at the State University of New York Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn, New York."

Check him out.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Spot
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:48 AM

Duncan....
             Slight drift here...sorry...!! Have to agree re Oakwood stuff..I have a Teardrop Special mando that blows the socks off anything else I've EVER played..Somebody always comments about its power and I think its a beautiful piece of woodwork , to boot.Never played Martyn's guitars but would be interested...

                Regards to all....Spot

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Duncan McFarlane
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 11:37 AM

Fave guitar of mine is one handmade in West Yorkshire, an 'Oakwood' (Tempest model) - the neck modified to my own specification. They made two for me - one with mahogany back and sides, the other with rosewood back and sides. Both sound well, but the rosewood model is DEFINITELY 'the one'. It stays permanently in my favoured C modal tuning (yes, I know that's not exact enough for pedants - but the term, as a description, is fairly well understood) and the mahogany one stays around standard (drop D most usually).
These Leeds instrument makers are first class - and will accomodate your every wish - well, nearly! They also made the melodeon that, sadly, was recently stolen from Spiers and Boden - what news on that front?

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: mooman
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 11:31 AM

Good Man scflint!

You cannot do better than a Lakewood!

Peace,

moo (resident Lakewood nerd and M-18 owner)

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From:
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 10:29 AM

After an exhaustive search for a high-end acoustic--I played everything from Gibsons, Martins, Taylors, Breedloves, et.al.--I discovered a Lakewood M-38 soft cutaway. I bought it on the spot. This instrument was clearly built for music, a mission explicitly articulated in its appearance (no pearl inlaid dancing lawn gnomes or exotic tiki ceremonial waterpipe wood veneers), its playability (the action is just right--not so light that you lose expressiveness, but not so heavy that you feel compelled to hitchhike to the crossroads), and most importantly its tone (balance and timbre up and down the fretboard, and plenty of punch when you want it). Best $2500 I ever spent (even including that swedish woman from my military days)

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Mooh
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 09:12 PM

Beneteau acoustic baritone, spruce top, flame maple back and sides, ebony everywhere else, Schaller tuners, jumbo body size....sometimes my favourite is another Beneteau 6 string, but I'm a guitar whore.

Sometimes my favourite is the one I'm holding at any one time.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Amos
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 08:10 PM

I am in love with a Martin Dreadnought who is perfect for me. She's a lady with class, can be as sweet as flowers and as strong as good gospel. She never lets me down even when I have had a few cups too many. A perfect companion for my difficult self...


A

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Guestspot
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 03:53 PM

Evenin' all... !! (Remember 'Im??)
               
Read all previous threads.. sorry people, the only one, the one and only one... is my Lowden 032. (Mind you.. just sampled Avalon jobby - hmmm....not bad..!!). Dont stop up too late arguin' the toss - such a personal thing...!
                Regards to all

                           Spot

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 03:37 PM

My 1962 Gibson LG-3 bought new in 1963 at age 13

Also love my 1969 Gibson J-45 and my 1963 Harmony Sovereign

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

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: 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: 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: 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: 53
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 06:06 PM

Try a Taylor Big Baby.

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: 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: 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: 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: KJ
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 07:08 AM

FYLDE,can't beat a good one.

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: 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: 53
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 11:16 AM

Gibson J-40

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: 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: 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: fat B****rd
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 04:14 AM

Mine

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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