1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

  2. ROCKETS GAMEDAY
    The Bulls were 5-20 in their previous 25 games and they still rolled the Rockets Monday night. Come join Dave & Ben for a live discussion the morning after at 10:30am.

    LIVE! ClutchFans on YouTube
Welcome ClutchFans Live

Guitar buying help

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by kevC, May 30, 2010.

Tags:
  1. kevC

    kevC Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2007
    Messages:
    7,394
    Likes Received:
    5,117
    I know a lot of y'all are guitar players so I thought y'all could help me out.

    I've been playing guitar for about 6 years now and now that I am somewhat decent at it and can afford it, I decided to graduate from my $300 Alvarez and buy myself a nicer guitar. I'm looking to spend around $1500 to $2000 on an acoustic and right now am looking at primarily Taylors or Martins.

    Though I've played for a while, I really do not know much about guitars besides brand names. What should I be looking for? I'm a pretty hard strummer and like brighter sounds as opposed to a dark bass sound. I prefer a lower action since I have small hands :X. My friend suggested a Taylor 314-CE but I'm not sure how I feel about cut-aways. I like how they look but I think dreadnoughts sound better. Any suggestions? Should I perhaps think outside the Martin-Taylor box?
     
    #1 kevC, May 30, 2010
  2. paulftsk

    paulftsk Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2009
    Messages:
    730
    Likes Received:
    325
    Typically, Taylors tend to have brighter tones than those of Martins, I believe. Are you looking for an acoustic-electric? Or just full acoustic?
     
    #2 paulftsk, May 30, 2010
  3. kevC

    kevC Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2007
    Messages:
    7,394
    Likes Received:
    5,117
    I'd prefer an acoustic/electric but if I find one I really like that's acoustic I might consider it.
     
    #3 kevC, May 30, 2010
  4. BetterThanI

    BetterThanI Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2007
    Messages:
    4,181
    Likes Received:
    381
    Martin, Martin, Martin. Yes, they have a slightly darker tone overall, but that is more than made up for by the smooth action and purity of sound. Don't get me wrong: Taylor makes a fine guitar, too. But I would invest in a Martin every time, given the chance.

    I'd like to upgrade at some point, but I must admit: I'm pretty happy with the rig I've got:

    [​IMG]

    Ovation Celebrity Super Shallow CC48. Not real pricey, and plays like a dream. Me likey.
     
    #4 BetterThanI, May 30, 2010
  5. KePoW

    KePoW Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2002
    Messages:
    1,530
    Likes Received:
    182
    If the original poster is looking for a brighter tone, then he should go Taylor.

    Personally, I'm a Martin man since I like warmer tones. I bought mine in 1994 and it's aged beautifully and still sounds/plays incredible.
     
    #5 KePoW, May 30, 2010
  6. Special Patrol Group

    Special Patrol Group Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2000
    Messages:
    231
    Likes Received:
    5
    It's at the high end of your price range, but play a Gibson J-45 while you're at it. GC has it for 1999 right now.
     
    #6 Special Patrol Group, May 30, 2010
  7. kevC

    kevC Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2007
    Messages:
    7,394
    Likes Received:
    5,117
    Will try it out thanks.
     
    #7 kevC, May 30, 2010
  8. paulftsk

    paulftsk Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2009
    Messages:
    730
    Likes Received:
    325
    Guitar Center is having a deal where if you buy anything over $300, you get 15% off:

    http://gc.guitarcenter.com/promo/memorial-day/



    I guess it's worth mentioning that I've owned a Taylor for a couple of years now and it still plays beautifully.. Just trying to give Taylors some rep :) If you want something other than a Taylor/Martin, definitely check out Seagull acoustics. I played one a few weeks ago and it was difficult for me to put it down.

    Good luck with finding a guitar and make sure to try every one possible before choosing, you don't want to have any regrets!
     
    #8 paulftsk, May 31, 2010
  9. kevC

    kevC Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2007
    Messages:
    7,394
    Likes Received:
    5,117
    I actually heard about this and looked into it but it has a giant list of excluded brands including Taylor and Martin :(.

    Thanks for the advice though!
     
    #9 kevC, May 31, 2010
  10. GraingerGuy

    GraingerGuy Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    269
    Likes Received:
    10
    Here's another vote for Taylor. I'm one of those people who is horrible and doesn't change my guitar strings for a loooooong time and my guitar still sounds nice and bright.

    I have a 414 CE and I love the thing.
     
    #10 GraingerGuy, May 31, 2010
  11. KePoW

    KePoW Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2002
    Messages:
    1,530
    Likes Received:
    182
    Damn, that's weak as hell.
     
    #11 KePoW, May 31, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page