What is your favourite acoustic guitar?

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 12:41 PM

My favorite is my 1975 S.L. Mossman "Tennessee Flat Top." I've owned a couple of Gibsons, had a fair Takamine cutaway when I first played with a group, but this Mossman. As Doc Watson said - It rings like a bell, articulates very nicely, and can be heard over a banjo or fiddle if pressed. The people I play with mostly play Martins of the D-18 variety. A couple of pretty nice old Gibsons in the crew also but this Mossman will hold its own against any of them. I love the wide thick neck - I have very large hands - and it frets very nicely. I had electronics put in the bridge and have used them a time or two but straight up it is a very fine instrument.

I have also owned it since it was brand new - I played the first notes on her and only a couple of other hands have held her. My Tennessee has outlasted two wives (living well with my third), several drunken bar room brawls, was packed on a mule for nearly a year, lived through a fairly hideous car wreck that put my banjo picker in surgery and left me picking glass out of the back of my head, always tunes up well and holds the tune till the strings quit.

I've abused the instrument, dropped the hot ash off of several joints on the side (ah memories of an incredibly well misspent youth), played it too loudly, knocked a jerk out with the pointy end of the headstock one night in a rowdy bar, but it just keeps on playing.

I've fantasized about getting a higher end Mossman but most likely wouldn't play it - I Love this guitar. Next to my wife I'm not sure who is the best friend - only who's been with me the longest.

Peace - Steve

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 11:57 AM

My Martin D1RL. It's the lower end price range $800.00 to $1,200.00. I like it because it is built for a lefty, not just a turned around version of a right handed one. Bout, balance, saddle and nut definately made for left handers.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 10:27 PM

I am looking at a new guitar to replace a souless Ovation Elite. I need a shallow body, narrow neck, single cut a away 6 String. Because its for the band I need some solid electronics anf they can be onboard or on the floor for all I care.

As Shakespeare sorta said. "The play(ing) is the thing."

I'll take an accoustic with the preamp and equalizer fastened to the strap so I can easily work the tones but I want an accoustic axe. $1,000.00Plus is my spendable right now. Any serious recomends? Used is prefered and age isn't an issue.

How are new 00 Martins with the Mahogany laminates on the back and side and the solid M top?

Elderly has a re-issue F-30 Guild ($850.00)that I may consider if the neck matches the one I own now.

I like the Seagul sound and action but the neck is too wide for me.

Don

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 08:56 PM

A "Conde Hermanos" built in Madrid in the guitarrería in 1963.
There is nothing to beat this sound. I wish I had a Paco Pena to play it for me
Frankly, it is wasted on me.
Annraoi

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Midchuck
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 08:25 PM

At the moment, It's a close call between the Collings D2H I bought from Jack Lawrence when he put it up for sale on the flatpick list, after he got his Merrill and pretty much stopped playing the Collings(If you should acquire the Sevastapol video, "Doc and Dawg," on which Jack plays with Dr. Watson and Mr. Grisman, you can see and hear that guitar. But it doesn't sound like that any more.)and my new Martin 000-15S. The Collings has the best sound of anything I've ever owned. But I think the 12-fret slothead 000 size is possibly the ideal size and shape for a steel-string, flattop acoustic, in terms of getting the most, and fullest, sound out of a body of a convenient size. And the 000-15S is probably the best guitar for the money that I've ever had.

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!

Peter.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Lanfranc
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 06:32 PM

My '69 Martin D18, which I have owned for over 30 years, is still my favourite. It has a really well-articulated, slightly bass-heavy sound, but the treble is true and rings beautifully. Perhaps the SPD16 I bought last year will be as good in 30 years, but I doubt if I'll be around to judge.

The old D18 is a bit battered, but so is its owner! I had it set up, partially refretted and a couple of its "dings" restored by Trevor Durrant in Colchester a couple of years ago, and it now plays better than ever. I don't take it out much, that's why I bought the SPD, but I play it for pleasure and on PalTalk.

I've said before, my D18 and my wife have a lot in common: I love them both dearly, and I don't take either of them out as much as I used to. However, the D18 isn't jealous of my other 9 guitars, I am sure my wife would be if I had 9 other women!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: kendall
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 04:24 PM

two out of three aint bad!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Troll
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 04:24 PM

Gotta be my pre-war Recording King made by Regal for Monkey Ward. Loooove that BASS!

troll

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 04:00 PM

Just like its owner .....

Murray

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: kendall
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 02:53 PM

I've raved on about my Taylor in other threads, so, wont do so here, but, I'll say only this it is, Smooth, Sweet and sassy.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 02:37 PM

My favorite will be the one I am building at the moment. When it is completed, hopefully by Christmas, my low-end Martin will make a graceful parabolic trajectory into the nearest dumpster.

Murray

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 01:17 PM

Great thread, but it hits me at the wrong time. My Seagull has been rendered into scrap by the gorilla's at United. Nothing special. Just a base model S6 with the flat finish Cedar top. Damn cedar, always splitting. But this one was just one of those guitars. The action was spot on, it played wonderfully. The tone was warm and easy on the ears. Invariably when someone picked it up they would remark on it. I always chuckled because I paid a lousy $225 for it 10 or so years ago. I am sick at its loss.

But I still have my wonderful vintage Guild 12 string. It is a wonderful sounding guitar, and is an old friend. I will take my time finding another 6. Won't be easy to find one I like as well though.

Mick

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: mooman
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 01:17 PM

I've owned Guilds, Gibsons, Mansons, Lowdens and some lesser makes like Stellas, Hofners and Framuses. But my favourite guitar is my current Lakewood M series. I loved the aesthetics, design and beautiful woods when I first saw it but when I picked it up the very individual sound and feel made it a must-have even though I was skint at the time and had to pay for it in several instalments before I could take it home. This and my Eccleshall A.5 mandolin are the two instruments I will NEVER sell!

mooman

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 01:03 PM

My Fylde Falstaff is in need of a little attention but it is still my favourite. It's tone is something very special - I know 3 or 4 people who would like to have it including its previous owner - he bought a Martin that didn't suit him in any way, had a Santa Cruz, got another Fylde... but still prefers mine.

Having said that I like other tones, particularly the bass of some Martins I have tried and I like the way they play - I find the neck on my Fylde too wide. Maybe one day...

Jon

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 12:01 PM

If I had to only pick 1 out of my current tribe (which in and of itself would be a tough decision) I would have say my 1947 Martin OOO-21. My other two "favorites" are a 5 year old custom Martin D-42 and a 22 year old Martin M-38. I gravitate towards higher end Martins, although I owned a Collings OM3H which was exquisite. But it was sactificed for the '47 OOO-21, and I've never regretted that decision. A post war D-18 is on the horizon.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 11:56 AM

Seagull A Series "Folk"... I love 'em so much I had to have 2!

And I'm happy as all hell that I got them BEFORE seagull started doing the headstock logo in Mother of Pearl!

I love the twins... set up is a breeze... set one by ear, and then just set the other exactly the same... And the small body size is great for humping gear all over town... The LR Baggs electronics sound good enough for the girls I go with, and are usually way too much for even the biggest, loudest rooms that I've played...

But bring 'em home and set 'em up in rehearsal hall, and they sound the best... in a "dark and empty room", as the song says...

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 11:55 AM

My current darlin' is a '74 Martin D-18: Crisp 'n' clean. It's stablemate, a '65 D-28 is also much loved, a bit more bass, not quite so much middle. Then there's the '89 Santa Cruz F-128-12 string - Oh, what the heck, love 'em all......

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: John Hardly
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 11:25 AM

By the way, last night I added a song to your song challenge.

And I am still waiting for you to send me a jpg of that redone J-45!

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: John Hardly
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 11:24 AM

Rob,

. "The Seagull also projects well but even when you punch a chord you can still hear each note distinctly. is there a term for this?"

This is what I've always heard referred to as "articulation"

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 11:15 AM

no Kendall, no Joke or troll. I'm trying to write a song and I want it to be conversational so I'm doing a little poll of people who love their guitars about what they love about their guitars. So the responses have been wonderful. Thank you dougboywonder, DonMeixner and John Hardly.

Right now I have three guitars with I love, The first is a little Yamaha Classical which I have owned for ten years. Nothing special a $200 guitar but the tones are clear as a bell the action is nice and for a nylon string I think that it hold tuning very well.

I have a fairly new Seagull "A" series, a truly beautiful guitar, Spruce top Flame maple back and sides, gold machine heads with mother of pearl keys. Tons of projection, and the LR Baggs electronics are amazing I think it may sound better plugged in. I am also particularly attached to it because It was made in Canada from Canadian materials. I'm a Newfoundlander living in Georgia and it is a little piece of home.

My pride and joy is a 1964 Gibson J45 which I bought from a gentleman in a bar. Harold is a philosopher and a storyteller with many stories. He had apparently bought and sold this guitar on three different occasions it had come back to him but now it has a home.

When he first bought it the finish was cracked causing him to believe that the guitar was quite a bit older than it was. so he sanded her down and refinished her himself. and while he had done a passable job she was as pretty as she could be. There was a buzz on a couple of the frets when I got the guitar so when I took her to my favourite luthier Mac McCormick to get the frets dressed I asked him about restoring the guitar. We couldn't tell exactly what she used to look like so I gave him a picture of a 1940's J45 and had him match it. I also had him replace the adjustable bridge When I got her back she looked brand new but still had the rich warm sound of a guitar which has been played regularly for at least 25 years.

I believe the Gibson has a "tight" sound when you play a chord the notes blend into one and you can almost feel them in your chest. The Seagull also projects well but even when you punch a chord you can still hear each note distinctly. is there a term for this?

I would like your help on the terminology. I'd never noticed much about the tonal qualities about a guitar before besides maybe jangly or not jangly have I described the tone in the proper terms?

Thanks everyone

Rob

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: John Hardly
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 09:19 AM

Man Don,

Those old F-30's are sweet guitars. Easy on the eyes too. I've got big hands and I'm used to playing a wider neck these days (1.75), but I could get real used to that narrow neck for that hummy sound and comfortable size.

My favorite guitar (these days) is either the Santa Cruz Norman Blake model--slope-shoulder dred, mahogany back and sides, spruce top, simple herringbone and ivoroid trim, 12 fret, slotted peghead. I like it for its elegant beauty, great materials and workmanship, but mostly for its sound. To my ear it's the perfect combination of dry, crisp, register, volume, and articulation. Its neck is too fat.

The other, and I'd buy it tomorrow if I had the money, is also a Santa Cruz. It's what they call their VJ. Also a slope dred, mahogany, but in this case it's the ultimate in pared-down elegance. Simplest of trim, clean top. And the sound is more bell-like than the Norman Blake, but it does plenty fine on leads and fiddle tunes, and still has a great register even if that bass isn't quite as boomy. It's neck is a more standard (by modern standards) slim, 1.75, and it plays wonderfully. There's something about the slopeshoulder's style that is more comfortable than a standard dred. The only way I can explain it is that I don't feel like I'm sitting behind the guitar as much. I fit around it better.

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 08:15 AM

So far a 1967 O-16 NY and a 1959-60 Guild F-30, in that order. Both are smaller and both play extremely well. Guild has very good bass for a guitar its size and nice even trebles across its range. The neck plays like an electric neck. I could get more attack with a higher action. I use bronze lites exclusively on it. The Martin is full balanced with a delicate yet commanding tone and is built to finger pick on. I play La Bella silk and steel on it but I have used bronze lites before on it and it handles them well.

Don

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: dougboywonder
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 07:32 AM

Oh, go on...

Canadian Tacoma thinline (can't remeber the model name) It has a pointy cutaway, like an old gibson, and It has a Fishman Rare earth pickup fitted and It sounds fantastic. Unfortunately it had its headstock snapped off, but I get it back next week....

Of course, it technically belongs to Jim Moray, but still...

Subject: RE: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: kendall
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 05:56 AM

You're joking, right? Or trolling.

Subject: What is your favourite acoustic guitar?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 04:14 AM

What is your favourite acoustic guitar? What do you like about it, why is it your favourite. I don't necessarily want a long answer but I do want to hear details?

Thanks

Rob