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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: St. Louis Missouri
Posts: 1,454
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Acoustic/Electric guitars
I am shopping for an acoustic/electric guitar. I have had a Sigma (by Martin) dreadnought for 18 years and the bridge is cracked and the strings are too high off the fretboard, but I love the sound.
I thought I would get a Martin, probably with the Aura electronics. Then I played a Takamine ENVS with the CoolTube. It sounds good acoustic, and absolutely awesome, plugged in. Every guitar shop I go to, I find a new favorite. I was planning on a Martin but the Takamine made me rethink that. I prefer spruce solid top with mahogany or cherry sides. Martin has a "sustainable woods" model with cherry and it sounds great but it doesn't have the electronics. I have played rosewood and it sounds focused but not alive. All mahogany sounded pretty good too. Any thoughts on this? I was planning to stay under $1000. Now I am thinking $1800 is my upper limit (just $100 a year, if I keep it 18 years!). I play a lot of fingerstyle (haven't used a pick in 3 years), lean towards blues/folk/rock. Once I get the guitar I will be playing one of the church services so that is the "go ahead" trigger... |
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11-08-2006, 09:10 AM
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If you fingerpick, take a look at Blueridge guitars. They are styled after the old Martins and are well made and moderate price. If you're playing for Church, this one is cool http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/BR343.htm
or maybe try a Seagull S6, which also have a great sound. Good luck.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------- "There is nothing to be learned from the second kick of a mule" - Mark Twain |
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11-08-2006, 09:23 AM
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Unoffended by naked girls
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I have both a Martin D12-20 and an Alvarez with Martin transducers under the bridge. Easy install. You have to file the bridgepiece to make up for the thickness of the transducer, and drill a hole in the end to replace the straplock with one with a 1/4" jack in it, but no more that 1/2 hour's time.
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Dan 1969 911T (sold) 2008 FXDL www.labreaprecision.com www.concealedcarrymidwest.com |
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11-08-2006, 09:26 AM
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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Have you considered taking the Sigma to a good luthier (stringed instrument craftsman) and have it tweaked to your spec.?
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone  1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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11-08-2006, 09:47 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: So. Cal.
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Go with Taylor!
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David 1972 911T/S MFI Survivor |
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11-08-2006, 09:58 AM
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The guy that uses one of these is pretty good at finger style. It is a Turner
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63 356 So Called Outlaw 76 930 |
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11-08-2006, 09:59 AM
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Saw him Sunday night and He does amazing things with it!
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------- "There is nothing to be learned from the second kick of a mule" - Mark Twain |
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11-08-2006, 10:02 AM
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One of the unheralded guitarist out there under the radar.
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63 356 So Called Outlaw 76 930 |
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11-08-2006, 10:03 AM
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Location: St. Louis Missouri
Posts: 1,454
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who???
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11-08-2006, 10:48 AM
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Registered
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Location: St. Louis Missouri
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the Sigma is toast. I told our guitar tech around these parts (he was clapton's road man for some time, rumor has it) and he said - time for a new guitar!
It's my travel guitar now. If it comes back splintered, no big deal. I was out of town for 2 weeks and turned on my TV only once, for the end of the World Series. 
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11-08-2006, 10:50 AM
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Location: St. Louis Missouri
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this is quite the headstock - just a little 'over the top'. haha
http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/20N/BR343_headstock-front.jpg |
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11-08-2006, 10:53 AM
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 This guy
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63 356 So Called Outlaw 76 930 |
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11-08-2006, 10:55 AM
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B58/732
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Hot as Hell, AZ
Posts: 12,313
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Taylor
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ I don't always talk to vegetarians--but when I do, it's with a mouthful of bacon. |
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11-08-2006, 10:58 AM
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I'm a Country Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,420
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If you'd like something high qualtity, with excellent electroniocs and perhaps a little different from the Martins and Taylors that every one in the US has- check out Maton. They are available in the US, they are very quality and they have been since around 1946 in Melbourne, AUS. Ive owned two. The one solid wood cutaway dreadnought I currently own- while outside your stated price range- is the best guiatr Ive ever owned (and there has been a few). The one Ive linked is an orchestra sized guitar, these are a great little axe. Not a major brand in the US, but they are available.
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Stuart To know what is the right thing to do and not do it is the greatest cowardice. Last edited by stuartj; 11-08-2006 at 03:44 PM.. |
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11-08-2006, 03:41 PM
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1983 Porsche 911sc Cabriolet 3.0
1969 Porsche 911 T 2.0 L
2012 1963 356
The Beast, rocket sled The 930
