Who here plays cedar top acoustics?

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Mar 02 - 12:46 PM

I too have a Simon and Patrick cedar top dread. Very good guitar for the money. As for sound however, mine was much improved with a bone nut and saddle, played much better after a fret dressing, and stays in tune better with a set of Grovers. Even with the alterations I paid less than list as it was a factory second and the store cut me a very good deal. Best beater I've owned.

I really like the timbre of cedar. Had I to do it again, one of my custom guitars would be cedar. This S&P is really growing on me and seems to be opening up alot faster than spruce instruments I've had.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: JenEllen
Date: 06 Mar 02 - 12:40 PM

Another Seagull convert checking in.
I was good and followed all the advice about playing different instruments before making a choice, but kept coming back to the same guitars. And yes, you can't beat the sound/dollar either.
~J

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: John P
Date: 06 Mar 02 - 09:23 AM

I have an old cedar/mahogany Lowden jumbo and a cedar/rosewood Sobell cittern. I love them both. They are both quite old and I have had no problems with splitting or dinging. Both are very loud and are beautifully balanced -- warm, powerful bass and shimmering, clear trebles. I used to play a cedar top Seagull and still think it is the best guitar for the money, although no guitar with laminated back and sides will have the depth of tone available from a good solid wood instrument. The only guitar I've played on recently that I like better than my Lowden is a Goodall.

My wife also has a jumbo Lowden with a cedar top and mahogany back and sides. It's getting a new neck put on it right now and then she's going to sell it so she can get a slightly smaller one. Hers was badly beat up cosmetically by the previous owner but has a glorious sound. If anyone is looking for a funky looking but great sounding Lowden jumbo for a good price, email me.

John Peekstok

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Mikey joe
Date: 06 Mar 02 - 06:20 AM

I have a cedar top Simon and Patrick S&P6. I am very happy with it so far. Although I only have it two weeks.

Mj

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: AndyJim
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 11:53 PM

From another Seagull (F6) owner. I'm not sure I've heard anything in any price range that beats the rich, lyrical treble this thing has. Mine's new, so I can't address the slitting question. In my opinion cedar leaves something to be desired in the bass range, and tends to break up just a bit with hard play, but all in all the Seagull is an unbeatable buy for the dollars. Sounds like a much more expensive instrument. But a fairly light touch to the top with your nails will scratch it.

Best, Andrew

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: BK
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 11:13 PM

I've got 3 solid cedar-topped guitars; 1] cheap korean - not impressed; 2] small Seagull; ok, but sharp, not warm (yet?) & 3] Seagull 12-string bought broken, waiting for time to repair it & we'll see, but the cedar Seagull 12's Ive heard so far were all very nice, indeed. It is DEFINITELY VERY SOFT WOOD; have to be extra careful of dings & scratches. I've played a Simon & Patrick dreadnaught w/solid Cedar top which was very rich & sweet sounding; might consider one of those sometime.

Cheers, BK

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 10:52 PM

Cedar and spruce are very similar from the sound point of view. My big worry about buying a cedar top guitar would be that cedar is very prone to split along the grain. That is one of the reasons that cedar is so popular for shakes.

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: GUEST,Gorgeous Gary
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 10:46 PM

Permit me to cast two more votes for Seagulls...one for my 6-string and one for my 12-string.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: harpmaker
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 07:24 PM

Ive got an octave mandola, ceder top, mahogany back and sides, Its parlour body guitar shape. Built by a local luthier-It sounds great, very warm. I think he hit this one just right because the sustain goes on forever, and Its very loud. Sadly, The same guy is into photography now. Ohh Well, never mind 'er.

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: folkmonster
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 04:12 PM

Got a Fylde Goodfellow with a cedar top. Had it for 20 years and wouldn't part with it for anything. Oh allright then, maybe a fylde Oberon ...

;O)

FM

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 03:47 PM

My Lowden 12 string has ovankol back and sides with a cedar top. What I'd always heard about cedar tops is that they don't need to "warm up" - that they are more open sounding fresh out of the box. The other thing I've heard is that cedar is a softer material than spruce so it tends to "ding" easier than a lot of other top materials. It's a little more delicate.

My 12 string has a few dings in the top but the guy I bought it from is an agressive player. Lots of slide. Good luck with whatever you purchase.

I must admit I'm not a Taylor fan but the ones I've liked the most were the cedar topped 514C's. Very nice.

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: MichaelAnthony
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 02:45 PM

Thanks for the posts. Wish I could hear a lowden. Anyone near Roanoke,VA? Will check out the gulls.

Gary, let me know how it goes. It was the 714ce that impressed me the most...I think they had another cedar-top but this was that one I liked. Wouldn't stay in tune, though, even after attempts at thoroughly stretching the strings.

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: GUEST,garydon986
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 01:17 PM

Great timely thread for me as well. Last week end spent 3 hours playing various cedar tops. Taylor, Santa Cruz, Lowden, and Goodall. Saw one that they said couldn't be done. A cedar/maple combination 3 piece back that actually sounded good a Taylor 514c custom. But I was looking for a guitar for my O'Carolan pieces which I flat pick. Soft mellow round harpish tone. Got it down to two guitars. Taylor 514c Cedar/Mahogany and a Lowden F25c Cedar/Rosewood. I left the Lowden O10 out as I have a Jumbo already. Of the two I chose the Taylor but did not purchase it as I am haunted by "What does the Lowden f25c with the Clairo Mahogany back sound like?" If I order it I can find out I was told but then I'd have to keep it. While I liked the idea I hate buying before hearing.

By the By folks, What are you doing to amp the cedars. I like the LR Baggs I-Beam into a Baggs PreAmp to a Fender acoustic amp for my Guild J30. Any sugestions

Gary®

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Paul G.
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 10:34 PM

I play a Taylor 514C -- cedar top, mahogany back and sides. A great fingerstylist's instrument with ripe, mellow tones (sounds like a wine tasting, eh?). Anyway, I love the thing.

Paul

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 10:27 PM

Chalk up another vote for Seagull

;-)

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 10:10 PM

I have a tayloy K14C with a cedar top that sounds great. I once had a fylde orsino with a cedar top that I also liked a great deal.

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: michaelr
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 10:00 PM

My Lowden O10 has a cedar top and mehogany back and sides. I LOVE the full but mellow tone, perfect for fingerpicking but great flatpicking sound, too. I've never heard spruce top guitars that sound this warm.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Piek
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 09:49 PM

Hi Michael, if the Taylor you've tried is what you're looking for soundwise, you've should of made it your own. You may never find one like it. It is not the wood that makes the guitar, it is the craftsman that builds it and the musician that plays it...

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Gary T
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 09:45 PM

I've got a Simon & Patrick cedartop. It's the budget line from the company that makes Seagulls, yet still with a solid top. I was impressed with the its sound when new. It should cost less than the equivalent Seagull model. The main difference, as far as I know, is that it has laminated back and sides.

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: van lingle
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 09:25 PM

hi michael, i own a L27f lowden w/ cedar top and rosewood back and sides and i love it's shimmery tones. i'd always heard that cedar doesn't have quite the volume that you get out of spruce but i used to take it to regular bluegrass jams and it more than held it's own with all the martins present(not just my opinion, either). nowadays, i mostly keep it in Dsus and open D tuning and play it fingerstyle. i know larrivee has some cedars available and they might also be worth listening to if you're looking for bang for your buck. good luck, dave.

Subject: RE: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: Big Mick
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 09:12 PM

Give serious consideration to the Seagull SG6. I had one for 13 years until the United Airlines goons busted it up. I must tell you that it was a wonderful buy, and that the sound just got better and better with age. I took it with me to Boston last summer and some very good players (including Dan Milner and Shay Walker) were very impressed with its sound and action. You can buy it without electronics for $300 to $350. I believe that these are some of the finest buys around.

Mick

Subject: Who here plays cedar top acoustics?
From: MichaelAnthony
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 08:48 PM

I've got a classical, and am considering getting a steel string with a cedar top and rosewood sides.

Seems like the right sound for me, because that's what my classical has and the taylor I tried at the music store had what I wanted sound-wise. Haven't found a more affordable one, but haven't looked beyond this yet.