Looking for a beautiful guitar

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: cumbrian
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 05:50 PM

From the point of view of finding a small, beautifully made guitar with a rich harmonic response, I would certainly check out the Fylde Ariel. This is a concert/parlour size instrument with a cedar top/ mahogany back and sides. Being a 12 fret to the body neck, this guitar is very comfortable to play as far as the left hand is concerned, while the small body means that your right hand sits right where it should without having to get round the body, standing or seated. I don't own an Ariel personally, but do have a 30th Anniversary Fylde which I love dearly for it's playabilty, build, looks and tone.
Another very impressive smaller bodied guitar, which I do own, is a Lakewood A32. This German made instrument has many of the advatages of the Fylde Ariel, but, being a spruce/rosewood guitar, has a different tonality, very harmonically lively but not as warm as Ariels that I have played

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: GUEST,Blackford John
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 07:51 AM

I play (or is it caress) my Lowden F32 - fairly small body, very balanced and alcks the heaviness/clinical sound of a Martin.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 08:40 AM

I think that the information we're gathering here is great. There are lots of reasons to look for a small guitar, not just mine. Grant talked about selling a small one recently to Anne Murray, who is a mere 5'3" or so.

I think I'm off to 12th fret again this afternoon. I need to learn to breathe the air if I'm going to live on the planet.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 10:01 AM

I'm getting along very well with my new House small body steel string. Mahogany back and sides, spruce top, volute, Gotohs, and a cool light green line in the binding. It is viewable at House's website (www.house-guitars.com). I got it primarily to teach with (but it'll see lots of other duty) so it stays in standard tuning most of the time. About a week after getting it, it suddenly decided to open up, and it continues to develop a very nice timbre.

I would also recommend anything built by Marc Beneteau (www.beneteauguitars.com). One of mine, a 1995 6 string, has a nice tight waist and a big sound worthy of any player (Tony McManus liked it this past August). It's my first call guitar.

A former student of mine has a Thompson which always impressed me.

Glen Reid makes some nice and not overly expensive instruments.

These are all Canadian builders. I figured this was what you were aiming for.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 12:27 PM

Canadian. Yes, Mooh. I fell in love with a certain cutaway Larrivee last Friday, but it's too big for me. The search continues.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Justa Picker
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 12:42 PM

See if the Fret has a Martin OO-18V.
Lovely fingerstyle guitar and cosy/comfortable to play.
I'd suggest something with a solid headstock, regardless.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 01:31 PM

Dave asked about the DM and he should go try them IMHO, we bought one here and it is a beauty in every possible way - but being a Dread it may not suit some body sizes. Can't say enough nice things about these models. Oddly I had already tried and rejected a D 28 some years ago, but now having tried the 16's and 17's basic model Martins I might have selected one instead. Ours is just now opening up and that to me is totaly unexpected. Great value for the money we paid for it.

If I was into a smaller box it would definitely be either a Martin or a Taylor since these are also very nice to play upon. Still the Martin does keep its value while a Taylor may not. But from a professional playing evaluation either would be fine. The Taylors I tried love being played - reminded me of early Fender acoustics..

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Noah Zacharin
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 01:56 PM

I had a discussion with the late and great and quite beautiful Rick Fielding once about this subject. Through the past 5 years I have often had problems with wrist and elbow that seemed to originate mostly from work but which would be exacerbated by playing. I cut my proverbial musical teeth on a Gibson J-50 that had possibly the thinnest neck I've ever encountered--played it for about 20 years. I then bought myself a Collings OM with a wider neck and found that it caused pain in my hands and wrists (hence the discussion with aforementioned beautiful musician) that resolved over time, but initially made me realize how delicate the entire balance is. My Collings was stolen, and I bought a Lowden O25. It has a wider neck still, but I have grown used to it, and to love it. As a veteran of lovely guitars as well as of chronic pain, I'd suggest you need to try an instrument and see how it affects your body. As for the 000 Collings that a number of the folks have suggested--a buddy of mine has one, and although it does make grand and glorious noise, it has an even more uncomfortable neck than my Lowden. I still plan to get one but I know I'll have to get used to it. So what am I saying? Try out the instruments beforehand, and critically assess your technique to make certain that is not where the pain is coming from. 'nuff said. Enjoy.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 05:04 PM

What about posture and positioning? No guitar is going to be comfortable to play unless it is presented to the player in the right attitude for left and right hands. Do you play seated or standing up? I found that if I sit down and the guitar feels comfortable then the strap must be adjusted so that the guitar hangs exactly as if I was sitting down. Until I did this, I was suffering from problems with my wrists and tennis elbow.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: GLoux
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 05:34 PM

I had my Collings 000 made with a 1 11/16" nut width, which is narrower than the standard. I had this done because all of my other guitars are 1 11/16" (except for my banjo-guitar) and I like to cross-pick (not on my banjo-guitar) which for me demands consistency across my guitars. So Noah, perhaps I am lucky to have avoided the pain you endured. If you're serious about getting a Collings 000, I seriously recommend that you have a custom width neck built to your specifications. I couldn't be happier with mine.

-Greg

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: PennyBlack
Date: 14 Sep 04 - 01:18 PM

Not had a chance to play or hear one but, Have a look at thais chaps offerings lovely...


PB

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 05:22 AM

Penny
You are spot on with that site I particularly like aflower inlaid fretboard but am concerned it might bring on hayfever!

Andy

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: PennyBlack
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 01:53 PM

More inlay than wood?

must get someone to get these here in the UK - have mailed for shipping cost but no answer yet

pete

PB

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 09:23 AM

I came home from my third trip to the 12th Fret with a new Larrivee. It's not my dream guitar (all gussied up, shiny black with a full moon inlay and milky way???!) but it's a truly lovely little instrument which outshone everything in its price range. I think I must have tried every small guitar in the store.

It's an OM O1. Nice size for me...a bit bigger than a parlour. Not a cutaway. The sound just rings in and out of it. And to think it will get better with age. Not a zillion overtones like the higher end models, but quite beautiful to listen to and play nontheless.

The neck and body aren't deep, so there's nothing for my left hand or right arm to get overly stressed about.

Price: a mere $900 CAN. I'll have to get a p/u installed, which will add to the cost of course. But I've got a good instrument here, and one that's not so dear that I'd have to cringe about whenever it leaves the case. A good gig/travelling/song circle/fun guitar!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: GLoux
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 09:27 AM

Congratulations...good luck with it...

But don't stop listening to and playing others that intrigue you...it's an ongoing process that doesn't have to stop.

-Greg

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 10:31 AM

I have no intention of stopping that, Greg. In fact, I'm starting guitar lessons (open tunings) at the 12th Fret starting next week, so I'll be tempted OFTEN!!!

~black walnut (wondering if my dream guitar should be black walnut, like my harp and dulcimer???)

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Mooh
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 10:41 AM

Oh bw, it's serious now isn't it? Welcome to the slippery slope of GAS, and congratulations! I find myself covetous of everyone's new guitar, even though I'm happy with what I've got.

Enjoy!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 06:11 PM

I'm on a slippery mountain, Mooh. Mt. MIAS. I can't count my instruments on fingers and toes anymore.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: GUEST,matai
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 03:07 AM

I doubt you could go past a hand-made guitar from a good luthier near where you live, especially if they make to order. Apparently Martin makes a guitar designed especially for women. I've had a small bodied Washburn for years. With light handwound strings and low action it has minimal effect on my chronic neck and shoulder pain. Other musicians I know love it and keep trying to take it off me. They get hooked in by the tone. As for loudness, how about a small amp?

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 05:39 PM

I've had the Larrivee for about about a week now. It's great! I may not even need to look for that 'dream guitar' for a while. There's something about the sound of this that is much like a harp - which is one of the other instruments I play. It rings. It's nice to sing along with. It's comfortable. (The only discomfort I feel is in my right wrist, from playing my DADGAD excercises far too much - slow down, girl!). Ulnar nerve seems fine - hallelujah!   My 'open-tuning' teacher, Dave Martin, says that he really likes the look of my guitar -he says that it looks like it was made by the Amish or Shakers. It does - very simple, but pretty. He thinks that the OM-01s are top notch - "a real guitar".

When I'm able, I'm hanging the guitar in front of a speaker and playing Bruce Cockburn CDs to it - really really loud. If you don't know why - read this article by Rick Turner. . It's a fascinating article.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 05:20 PM

This is the correct link (I think) for Kinkade (I spelt it wrong before)

Kinkade

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 08:26 AM

I just want to say, mid-November, that I'm still so happy with my Larrivee.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: GUEST,Songster Bob
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 10:54 PM

I play a Running Dog, from Rick Davis, of Richmond, VT. It has a spruce top and sycamore sides and back, and it's wonderful. I don't know how much they are now, but they're something close to $2500 or so. I haven't checked out his other models, but he makes several sizes and materials (he won't make a dreadnought).

Anyway, go to vermontguitars.com and have a look-see.

Or see mine on users.starpower.net/knitpick/


Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Cluin
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:58 PM

The luthier William Cumpiano has designed an ergonometric guitar to avoid repetive injury to the guitarist.

And Grit Laskin has made a few design changes towards that end too.

Might be a bit of a wait to have a beautiful machine made by one of these guys though. Other luthiers have been playing with altering the traditional designs for easier playability too. Try looking up Linda Manzer or Glen Reid or True North Guitars, etc.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: oombanjo
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 12:57 PM

There is a Gallagher on sale at Electro music in Doncaster. If its good enough for Doc Watson why say more,looks good plays like a dream.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Grab
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 01:35 PM

Cluin, slightly off-topic, but the alternative to a wedge-shaped guitar is to use some kind of rig to slant a normal-shaped guitar outwards. See my page here for something I put together to do just that.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:38 PM

Interesting option, Graham.

It wouldn't apply to me very much since my main working axe is a thinner bodied Guild electric-acoustic and I usually switch a lot between guitar and mandolin anyway, but it looks like a technique for less strain on the shoulder for sure.

How is it for stability? Does it slip around when you move a lot (`cause I move a lot when I play). Also, I'm a flatplicker (I keep my fingernail trimmed short and could never get used to finger picks, so my fingerpicking is pretty muted) and often strum pretty furiously; It looks like that cord going across the guitar face would get in my way. Besides, my strap attaches to a button at the neck heel.

But thanks for the heads up on your solution.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 12:11 AM

Go lookin' for a nice used model, no name brand. They've got a lot of soul.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 12:15 AM

The ones that are most beautiful to me have years of playing on them.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 09:29 AM

I'm STILL loving my Larrivee OM-01 (see above). And nice to see that Serena Rider and Suzie Vinnick play OM-01's too, so I'm definitely in good company.

It may not be my dream guitar - there's nothing fancy about it, but it sure plays well in DADGAD, and that's all I really need and care about at the moment. In the love life of music, it's one of my best lovers.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 29 Sep 05 - 05:43 PM

Well I've had my Nick Benjamin guitar since June. Fantastic action, good balance, bright and responsive when pushed, mellow when laid back. It's a jumbo orchestra model (JOM) made with Brazillian Rosewood back and sides, Adirondack top, Mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard, fitted with black Gotohs and a satin finish. LR Baggs saddle pickup and eq. He spends time talking to you about what you want from a guitar and better still sits patiently through excruciating examples of your playing to do his best to build a guitar suited for your needs. He has a large range of woods and styles to suit and keeps in regular contact to let you know what is happening, for clarification of finer points and is happy for you to visit to see the guitar in its various stages of construction. A diamond geezer building diamond guitars.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: black walnut
Date: 30 Sep 05 - 02:11 PM

Benjamin has a nice website too. The Terz sounds quite interesting. People laugh at me when I play in DADGAD with my capo on the 10th fret... Maybe I need a Terz!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Looking for a beautiful guitar
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 30 Sep 05 - 07:04 PM

Absolutely. His web site is so informative that I was pretty well able to decide on what I needed before I went to see him.

At least with a Terz, you would only be capoing on the seventh fret! Alternatively, would a baritone capoed on the second or third fret work or would the frets be too far apart? DADGAD capoed on the 10th is CGCFGC so couldn't you stick heavy strings on and tune down? It might be a bit of a stretch but it would sound pretty good.

I hadn't heard of the guitarist Eric Roche until I discovered Nick Benjamin. Having heard his album Spin, Eric's passing is a sad loss indeed.