technical specs for acoustics

[Misanthrope189]

Hey guys,
I know a good deal of information about electric guitars--body wood, strings, pickups, neck construction, fretboards, and tonal variations and stuff like that. I was interested in getting an acoustic guitar, but like when I was first shopping for an electric, I don't know much about them! Can anyone help with information about acoustic guitars? I know a tiny bit about body types and generally that the real wood acoustics are better than the laminate or plastic ones, kinda like what ovation makes. I know the big names, Martin and Taylor, and I know Takamine through my guitar teacher years back. Can anyone give me some info on neck construction, or wood types, the differences and all that? Just the basic info to help me make a better purchasing descision. Also, I have about 1000 dollars to spend on an acoustic, so that's my price range.

Thanks!

Cheers,
Nick

[BTB007]

Hmmm, I don't know if I can help you or make your decision a lot harder? I'm not a big fan of acoustic guitars, but I need one for use at my church. I've been searching for over a year for the perfect A/E that suits my needs. I started with a Takamine EG523SC, which is actually a very nice guitar for the money. But, the electronics are not that good and it didn't stay in tune very good. I know, I could have switched them both out but I don't have the inclination to want to do that.

Well, I decided I'd sell it and try a Taylor 110. Taylors, to me, all pretty much have the same type of sound. So, I really don't see the need to pay $3000 on one when you can buy a 110 for $550. I have small hands and the Taylor made me cramp very bad, so bye bye...

Next, it was back to Takamines since I like the necks on them. I bought a LTD-2003. I then got a LTD-2004 at the same time. They were both very nice, but I was having feedback problems through the PA and my hands were still cramping with them. So, I sold them both.



Next...
I just had to buy a Takamine with the Cool Tube preamp because it was getting so much attention. And, it did actually sound really good and no feedback problems any more either. But, yep, hands still cramped up. And, I tried hand exercises and even warmed up before having to play. I don't have this problem when playing electric guitars, so I know it is not a warm up or not exercising properly kind of problem. My hands are just small!
Takamine TF250SMC


Well, one last try. I'm a huge Vai fan, so I thought that if the necks on the EP7 Euphoria are any thing like that on a Jem, I'd be in acoustic heaven. So, I bought one and was pleasantly surprised. The neck was quite comfortable. It is very similar to Takamine necks, but a little more thin. It does thicken up some up around the 9th fret, but not that much to make my hand cramp. And, as a Vai fan I approved of the way it looks. I get more comments on this guitar than any that I have ever had before. I did end up selling the Euphoria to get a Variax 500, but I have since bought another to replace it (you know, I'm a huge Vai fan...). Oh yeah, the Variax kicks butt, and I think I might get a 600 soon.

This is my first EP7, haven't been able to take pictures of my new one yet. I also need to hunt down another case for it.

So, I hope you have more luck than me on finding an acoustic you like. I would recommend going to a nice guitar store that has many different ones in stock so you can just play each one until you find something you like.
And, have fun!

Brian

[lesmondo]

Hey Nick,

Just my 2c. A couple of years ago I wanted an acoustic after only ever playing electric. I ended up with an Ovation T357 Tangent. Ok, it's not a US model but for a Korean instrument I think it's pretty well made. It's def. an acoustolectric and might not be what you're after, but I'm crazy about mine. I like the thin neck (no cramps there), low-ish action and ease of amping it up / recording. And the tone of course.

I wouldn't say that all-wood bodies are better than the composite bowl back, just different. Most of the tone comes from the sound board anyway and I've heard people say that composite bowls project better. But there again, I'm always happy to give technology a go (which is why I'm also Pod crazy) and a composite back didn't put me off at all.

So to answer about specs, mines spruce top (bright sound), composite back, rosewood fingerboard (hey it's a budget model). I'm not too big on the different types of bracing - most decent acoustic books have a chapter on construction. Oh and most importantly, it's black

Reckon I've said enough flame bait there...

So I'd say just try a few until you find something you like the sound of.


L

[Misanthrope189]

Thanks for all the tips; I have pretty damn large hands, so I don't think the size of the neck will be an issue, per se. I do play left-handed... ...so that does tend to shorten the spectrum of available guitars. I have gotten fairly good at playing right-handed guitars left-handed, so I suppose I could still try them out anyway. And of course...I'd like a black acoustic, but that doesn't mean it's a must; I won't put the color over quality.

Also, what do you know about cat gut strings, as opposed to nylon, or stainless?

Thanks a lot,
Nick

[Flatpicker]

Take a look at the LaSiDo lines. Seagull is one of those.
Very nice guitars once they get a good setup.

Another would be a used Favilla F5. Usa made, mahogany top, neck, back, and sides. Rosewood fingerboard.
Ebay tends to have them for $100 or less as they are underappreciated in the market.

[skorb]

there are a lot of great acoustic guitars (I have two nice ones, a Charvel 6 and an Ibanez 12), but if you want the best, get a Taylor. like someone said above, get the under $1000 Taylor and you're set. they are by far the best made and nicest sounding acoustic guitars I've ever heard, and I play acoustic a lot.

the sound just jumps off them, there are no other guitars like them.

some people don't like them for that reason, but to me, they are the most alive sounding acoustics I've ever played. the $3000 Gibsons sound dead next to a $900 Taylor. it's that noticable.

the only reason I don't have one right now is I'm trying to be responsible with the fundage. but I'll get one eventually.

[The Eristic]

Check out these forums:

http://www.acousticplayermagazine.com/forum/index.php

http://www.13thfret.com/phpBB2/index.php

They're pretty much the ultimate acoustic guitar resources. Lots of big and small name boutique guys post there daily.

[hippietim]

Just go to a *nice* store with a good acoustic room.

You are in MD so go to Chuck Levin's in Wheaton. Ask for Bill Brooks, Paul Schein, or Brian Meader. Those guys know their shit and always go the distance to get you what you want. I have been buying gear from those guys for about 25 years. They have a good acoustic room. And their prices are excellent - I know they were SUBSTANTIALLY lower priced on the two Taylors I bought from them in the last couple years than anywhere else.

[GWARGHOUL]

I don't think Taylor is "the best".
I've had Alvarez Yairi's that looked, played and sound better.
Had them in the shop I worked at, at least.

Rainsong makes soem nice innovative stuff too.

Believe it or not, The Dean Exotica series are great values for the money.

[Misanthrope189]

Yeah, I've had experience playing a Taylor, and I enjoyed it. Also, I live in Maryland just a few miles from the Maryland/Pennsylvania border, so the drive to Wheaton would be a long and expensive one.

What do you guys know about Guild? I found this nice Guild for 700 bucks with a bone nut and saddle, rosewood and spruce body, and a rosewood fretboard. The finish is sunburst, which I guess I'm not wild about, but I can't figure out why it's so cheap for the materials it's made of.

I did find this nice left-handed Martin that I liked until upon review of the specs, it has a Micarta fretboard. Micarta, a composite material used to make gun handle grips and knife grips. I like wood.

The Taylor 310 seems to have everything that I'd like: ebony fretboard, mahogany back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck, pearl inlays, a truss rod, and a 1 3/4 neck width at the nut. They use this material called Tusq for the nut and saddle, but I looked into it, and it seems to come recommended by guitar enthusiasts and luthiers. So that seems my best bet so far.

Interesting thing I've noticed; acoustic guitars remind me of motorcycles. The basic high-quality guitar or motorcycle can be pretty cheap, but once you start adding flare with abalone rosette and binding on the guitar, and custom chrome on the bike, you really rack up the price.

Thanks again for all the assistance.

Cheers,
Nick

[hippietim]

I don't think Taylor is "the best".
I've had Alvarez Yairi's that looked, played and sound better.
Had them in the shop I worked at, at least.

Rainsong makes soem nice innovative stuff too.

Believe it or not, The Dean Exotica series are great values for the money.

Wow, talk about 100% opposite opinions. I've played the Alvarez Yairi's and thought they were ok - nothing special - I'd rather get a Takamine in that league. Rainsongs were indeed innovative but for that money you can get something better.

Those Dean's are terrible sounding. They feel cheap. From a distance they look nice. In fact, the Schenker one is pretty cool looking. But you can get a new Taylor Big Baby for 50 bucks more - those Dean's aren't even close to the same league.