An acoustic guitar question.

[Andy in Sig]

I suppose this one is mainly directed at the likes of Big on a Bianchi, Rhythm Thief and others with the knowledge. Can you recommend a decent acoustic guitar for playing blues (not particularly bottleneck so the action can be quite low). I would like it to have a fairly narrow neck like an electric guitar and to have a warm but clean tone. Say up to around 600 quid, absolute max of 750. I've seen some that seem to have fibre glass or plastic bodies which have a plug for a lead. Are they better than wooden ones? Any suggestions?

 

[Llama]

if its just for fun and your learning, a vintage v300 canot be beaten at the price £100, at a little more £200+ crafter are good. With a plug just means that you can plug it into an amp - you will have to spend a little more to get a decent pickup in the guitar.


Check out reviews for guitars online - also theres loads of guitar shops just off charing cross rd/denmark street in london - also check out hobgoblin music (thye do mail order as well and are excellent).

Hopefully others will have more advice for you for further up the price ranges!

 

[Mr Pig]

My mate has an Ovation electro-acoustic with the rounded plastic back but I don't like the sound of it. Not as nice as a wooden body.

As far as I can tell they're just acoustic guitars with pickups built in, some have tone controls too, but you can also fit pickups in any acoustic guitar you like.

There, I've told you everything I know about electro-acoustic guitars :0)

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Not sure about the blues specific, but when I bought mine (a Canadian make - 'Norman') I got it from 'The Acoustic Centre' in Wapping. Might be worth asking them, this was about 10 or so years ago but I'll bet they're still there.


Edit: They've got a web site - http://www.acousticcentre.com/index.html

 

[very-near]

I've got a Crafter. If I were to trade it, I'd get a Takamine. I like the tone of them

 

[GordyFaeEdinburgh]

You might get a Martin D-15 near the max end of your budget. I wouldn't spend that sort of money without trying one though.

 

[purplepolly]

These yairis always get good write ups and can be got for about £650

http://www.yairi.com/gtrmdspc/kymd_spc/g1f_page/g1_f_fin.html

http://www.acousticmagazine.com/acousticlife/forums/showthread.php?t=1381

 

[yashicamat]

I've got a Takamine G-series, was about £200 at a Guitar Show (340SC I think is the model off the top of my head). Normal retail about £280. Cracking guitar, plays and sounds fantastic. I've played on £1300 Taylors and while the aesthetics are nicer, it's a case of diminishing returns.

With that budget you can get yourself a seriously nice guitar. However, I'd suggest knocking £90 off that price and getting yourself a good Hiscox case to protect what you buy.

 

[Lardyboy]

Go to your local guitar emporium, ask their advice and play a few. See which you prefer.

 

[Andy in Sig]

Thanks for the tips. I think a trip to a shop is in order. Meanwhile I've been having a bit of a google and have fallen for this:

http://www.thomann.de/de/ovation_vxtbk.htm

It's supposed to be a hybrid between an acoustic and an electric. Looks delicious. Anybody ever played one?

 

[yashicamat]

Thanks for the tips. I think a trip to a shop is in order. Meanwhile I've been having a bit of a google and have fallen for this:

http://www.thomann.de/de/ovation_vxtbk.htm

It's supposed to be a hybrid between an acoustic and an electric. Looks delicious. Anybody ever played one?

If it's like the "hybrids" I've seen, then it's basically just an electric with a piezo pickup to give "acoustic" tone. To be honest, they are nothing like an acoustic guitar. Part of the joy of the acoustic is you work to make the sound as there isn't anything helping you out. Result is it sounds amazing and it makes you concentrate more, which results in you learning to play more precisely. I'd suggest, as has been already said, to get down to a good guitar shop and play around with some acoustics to get a feel for them.

A good acoustic will reward you for years and years, plus one with a solid top (and ideally solid back and sides but this is less important) will just sound better and better as you play it more over the years.

Also, have you seen the price? Given the current exchange rate, that's about £1200 ish . . although it might not be quite so steep over there.

 

[maverick]

Thanks for the tips. I think a trip to a shop is in order. Meanwhile I've been having a bit of a google and have fallen for this:

http://www.thomann.de/de/ovation_vxtbk.htm

It's supposed to be a hybrid between an acoustic and an electric. Looks delicious. Anybody ever played one?

Have a look at the Fender Model F 75 Acoustic Guitar if you can source one Andy. Narrow neck, beautiful action all the way to the body and an amazing sound once you've got it's 'feel'.

 

[Mr Pig]

However, I'd suggest getting Hiscox case to protect what you buy.

Do you get them off the peg for acoustics? My son has one fpr his two SG-style guitars but acoustics are all shapes and sizes. Certainly good cases, really tough. At that money I'd expect a guitar to come with a case.

 

[Cubist]

Thanks for the tips. I think a trip to a shop is in order. Meanwhile I've been having a bit of a google and have fallen for this:

http://www.thomann.de/de/ovation_vxtbk.htm

It's supposed to be a hybrid between an acoustic and an electric. Looks delicious. Anybody ever played one?

Uhh, horrible bloody things. Get a quality steelstring and a Seymour Duncan Woody pickup.

Try Tanglewood. I have a TW900, big and warm.

 

[yashicamat]

Do you get them off the peg for acoustics? My son has one fpr his two SG-style guitars but acoustics are all shapes and sizes. Certainly good cases, really tough. At that money I'd expect a guitar to come with a case.

Hiscox pretty much cover any "usual" size guitar. Full size dreadnoughts are a fairly standard shape, although there is some variation. Pretty sure you can get one to fit although I just have a cheapy Gator case for my Takamine as it rarely leaves the house (Baby Taylor holds that job). I have a Hiscox for my Les Paul and like you say, super tough cases.