I've been looking at high-end guitars lately (see my post "sounds like
a J-200") for in-home use only (afraid to take an expensive instrument
to the bars)
Honestly: I don't think that they sound that great for the money
I've been gigging with an Epiphone SST reissue thru my PA & have been
pretty happy with it as a rule (it weighs as much as an electric &
"gets" my back after a gig, so I'm puttin' it on E-Bay soon).
The sound that I'm looking for is a good "midrange" sound that
supports a vocal as opposes to
single string runs.
So, I have two questions: first, are the high-end guitars really
worth the money these days (judging by the raid on Gibson story I'm
guessing that woods that make up a great guitar are no longer
available) & second, any recommendations about that "midrange' sound
that I'm looking for ???
ER
Enquiring Minds, USA
Epiphone Masterbilt acoustic line.
Chuck
Please give us your definition of "high-end guitars"...
--
Larry Pattis
email: LP "at" LarryPattis "dot" com
http://www.LarryPattis.com
Most Gibson's don't qualify, IMHO.
Rick Ruskin
Lion Dog Music - Seattle WA
http://liondogmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/rickruskin
> Due to back problems (as detailed elsewhere) , my electric guitar-
> playing days are just about done I'm only a rhythm player & vocalist,
> so no real loss to the music world)
>
>
> I've been looking at high-end guitars lately (see my post "sounds like
> a J-200") for in-home use only (afraid to take an expensive instrument
> to the bars)
>
>
> Honestly: I don't think that they sound that great for the money
I agree, even though I own a custom '63 that post-Lundberg revoicing
sounded fabulous. It's awaiting rehabilitation.
I heard Kevin Welch last year and he was playing what looked like a
newer J200, which he had tuned down a step under heavy strings. It
sounded terrific, with a growly rumbling kind of easy power to its
voice.
Other side is most of them sound like they're built of 2 x 4's and
planking.
> I've been gigging with an Epiphone SST reissue thru my PA & have been
> pretty happy with it as a rule (it weighs as much as an electric &
> "gets" my back after a gig, so I'm puttin' it on E-Bay soon).
>
>
> The sound that I'm looking for is a good "midrange" sound that
> supports a vocal as opposes to single string runs.
Those don't have to be mutually exclusive parameters.
> So, I have two questions: first, are the high-end guitars really
> worth the money these days (judging by the raid on Gibson story I'm
> guessing that woods that make up a great guitar are no longer
> available)
I guess it depends what one thinks is a high-end guitar. I wouldn't have
looked to Gibson there, unless I could directly engage the custom shop
and I was famous enough for that to make any difference.
How much are you willing to spend?
> & second, any recommendations about that "midrange' sound
> that I'm looking for ???
Older Gibson and Epiphone and Guild slope shoulder J-50'esque in
mahogany or maple or pear/other fruit woods (thinking some of the D
Guilds I've liked), but not any rosewood.
00 and 000 shapes in mahogany, and some in rosewood, too, judging by a
000-28 with which I'm familiar.
OTOH, there are some deals out there that seem pretty good to me.
Something like this might hold its value well:
http://archtop.com/ac_83hd28.html
Or if you want to spend for what you thought you were looking for and
add some money for a luthier to work on the guitar's tone to get you
there, chances are excellent here:
http://archtop.com/ac_52sj200.html
> ER
> Enquiring Minds, USA
--
ha
shut up and play your guitar
Then you shouldn't buy one.
Seriously. If your ears don't hear enough of a difference to justify
the expense, don't buy one. The "increase in quality of sound per
dollar spent" curve rises steeply through about the $1000 range, then
flattens out. To some people, the cost to get a better sound is
justified, to some people it is not.
>
>
> I've been gigging with an Epiphone SST reissue thru my PA & have been
> pretty happy with it as a rule (it weighs as much as an electric &
> "gets" my back after a gig, so I'm puttin' it on E-Bay soon).
I've no idea what an SST is, but are you sure that you need a jumbo? AS
people get older and start getting back and/or shoulder issues, a
smaller 000 or 00-sized guitar is both more comfortable to hold sitting
and lighter when standing. Many people also find the bass-to-treble
more balanced, but a small guitar can put out an amazing amount of bass.
>
>
> The sound that I'm looking for is a good "midrange" sound that
> supports a vocal as opposes to
> single string runs.
To me, Maple-backed guitars tend to be mid-rangey.
>
>
> So, I have two questions: first, are the high-end guitars really
> worth the money these days (judging by the raid on Gibson story I'm
> guessing that woods that make up a great guitar are no longer
> available) & second, any recommendations about that "midrange' sound
> that I'm looking for ???
First, I'd have to ask a question: what is your definition of a
high-end guitar? No disrespect meant to Gibson, but I personally don't
consider most mass-production guitars as "high-end," regardless of
price. (There are exceptions, of course,some Gibsons are fabulous.
Same with Martin, or Taylor.) The thng is, I think that you can get a
far better-sounding instrument per dollar spent by going with either a
very small-volume production guitar, like Collings or Santa Cruz, or
with an even smaller volume small-shop builder. While some are quite
pricey (and yes, I think that my McAlisters are worth what they sell
for. They are once in a lifetime quality.), there are many other
luithers whose instruments are competitively priced with second tier
priced mass-production guitars. I don''t know where you are, but I'll
bet there is someone not far away from you. But as an example I'll use
a couple of people here in the Pac-NW. First is David Webber, who is in
Vancouver BC, and has built over 1000 guitars over the last 20 years.
In the low $2000 range he builds an all solid wood, wood bound
guitar out of EI Rosewood or Mahogany that is fabulous. More esoteric
tonewoods, or things like cutaways or inlays of course add to that. He
builds a very nice Small Jumbo, and can do a custom order. Webber is
known nationally (look on Harmony Central for reviews). A couple more
locally known builders are Brent McElroy, Steve Sheriff (Edwinson
Guitars)Roy Noble and David Haxton, who are known outside the area by
people who've seen their work.
My point is: look further. <G>
Halftime is over. I gotta go.
TW
Rick Ruskin <lio...@isomedia.com> wrote:
>
> Most Gibson's don't qualify, IMHO.
>
>
> Rick Ruskin
> Lion Dog Music - Seattle WA
> http://liondogmusic.com
> http://www.myspace.com/rickruskin
That was essentially my point...
...but I don't want to assume anything about the OP...
My limit is probably $2800
I have an oddball Ovation that I like a lot (late 80's issue designed
for the "Every Rose has Its Thorn" crowd called a Thunderbolt
Some of the newer guitars out there (such as the one pictured here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTa25ZaRl78 ) have the soundhole "up
top" (for lack of a better term). I believe that this is designed to
accentuate the mids & lows-fdoes anyone have any experience with this
type of guitar (they're not in any of my local shops) ???
If that works for a guitar, what prevents me from sinply putting a
pice of duct tape over one soundhole on the Thunderbolt & getting the
same sound ??
The Epiphone SST is a solid body acoustic electric guitar made in
Indonesia-as it has no sound hole I can "crank" it thru the PA with no
feedback (they used to have Chet Atkins name on them & Gibson used to
issue them). Its a practical guitar for the bars, etc. If I didn't
have the back problem this would still be my main instrument as its a
good "utility" guitar, IMO
ER
maybe you should try playing a few real highend and midend guitars.
Not clear at all what you think a highend guitar is or what you have
played. Your mention of Epiphone and Gibson doesn;t insprtie that you
have any experience with a handmade giuitar. maybe you could describe
your experiecne so posters know where to pick up the conversation. But
when you ask if highend guitars are worth it, I can only shake my
head.
What have you played that did/did not speak to you? Have you played
Beneteau,Blanchard,Froggy Bottom, Lowden, Tippin, or other very
affordable handmade guitars?? If not, start playing before you ask
the question about whether they are worth it.
hans
(I am sick of this question)
There's a performer on YouTube who calls himself Baldy Holly who plays
a J-200-I like his style but his J-200 doesn't seem quite as rich &
full as I think that it should for what it costs, IMO
ER
That's a McPherson guitar. If you'll check out their website, you'll
see that the entire guitar is engineered very differently from
conventional guitars. I'm not saying it good or bad; I've never spent
any time with a McPherson, but it is a complex system made to all work
together. Also, they state that the sound hole is a specific size and
located in a specific place to get the effect they want.
Just covering one of two soundholes on a Thunderbolt, isn't going to
accomplish the same thing at all. Different top, different sound hole
and most importantly, very different bracing system.
That said, I don't know whether I'd even like the sound of a McPherson.
It's probably not the same as a more conventional guitar.
-Raf
--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com
The absolutely worst sounding guitar I ever tried was a J-200. It was an
impressive looking guitar and huge. But it sounded BAD. It had rusty
strings that were in really bad shape, so I talked the store guy into
replacing the strings to give it a chance. It didn't make a bit of
difference. Now, there have be good J-200s out there. I know some people
really like them. So my apology to those of you with good J-200s. But this
one was so bad that I would cross to the other side of the street rather
than have to play another one.
I do recommend the J-200 for biker bars. It is durable enough to be used as
a good defensive weapon. It should stop a knife, though it will not stop a
bullet.
You seem torn between electric and acoustic. Electrics are usually heavier
which doesn't sound good for your back. If you go acoustic, you should be
able to find a lighter weight one that may not be such a problem.
Especially if you stick to a concert size guitar. Forget Jumbo or Dread,
they get heavy. Try an 00 or 000. If you are used to electrics, go to a
shorter scale (000 vs OM), it will be more comfortable to play. The mid and
treble is quite good on this size guitar. With on board pickups, even the
bass (if you want it) will be good. I think you may be surprised.
Lots of brands to choose from. I've been happy with my Taylor, but try a
bunch of different guitars and see which you like. As you know some guitars
(within a brand or type) will sound better than others. Of course, if you
WANT to buy a custom, I can probably name a dozen makers whose guitars will
knock your socks off and make you drool at the same time. Is it worth it?
It all depends on the maker and if you have the $.
A good maker should be able to make you a light weight acoustic that does
everything you want and then some.
You may find that with a good acoustic that you have more playing talent
than you thought.
Woods are a whole subject by themselves. Picking a specific combination of
woods WILL NOT guarantee you a good guitar. Also, great sounding guitars
can and are built from more commonly available wood. I would not worry too
much about that. Find a guitar that sounds good to you and plays well for
you and don't worry about the woods unless you a) want a certain appearance
or b) want bragging rights. One thing to watch out for is that a guitar
that is built too lightly (say from China) may sound great today, but fold
in half 6 months from now. You also don't want a guitar that will take 20
years for you to break in (like some of the old Adirondack and Brazilian
Martins that are now so highly prized).
YMMV, of course.
Thus ends the epistle.
Dave Hajicek
"Evil Rev Returns" <evilre...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:20e3d8da-c8bb-4508...@g27g2000yqn.googlegroups.com...
My definition of a high-end guitar is one that is priced at $1500 or
higher. While I didn't state it explicitly, I'm expecting a "high-end"
guitar to have a higher standard of craftsmanship & construction than
the moderately priced guitars coming out of China, Indonesia, etc.
Most of the stores in my area carry Martins (never been a Martin fan
for some reason), Gibsons (I prefer Gibson electric gutars) , Guild
(not impressed with the Guild's coming out of China). Guitar Cener
carries Parkwood, Laravee & a few others
Hans: Your mention of Epiphone and Gibson doesn;t insprtie that you
have any experience with a handmade guitar. maybe you could describe
your experiecne so posters know where to pick up the conversation.
ER: that part's easy-none. Always bought "off the rack"-one might
interpret my general choice of guitars as "utility"
Hans: But when you ask if highend guitars are worth it, I can only
shake my head.
ER: when I play a guitar with a price tag of $1500 or higher & doesn't
seem to sound much better than a guitar at half the price, so do
I :)
hans: Have you played Beneteau,Blanchard,Froggy Bottom, Lowden,
Tippin, or other very affordable handmade guitars??
Nope: these brands don't seem to make it to the local shops
ER
> My limit is probably $2800
I played a maple and sitka spruce Breedlove yesterday that I
liked so much, I might sell the Breedlove that I own to get it.
It was right around twenty-eight.
I appreciate the detailed response
I might not be a "conventional" musician-I'll take Sun-era Elvis,
Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, Carl Perkins, Johnny Burnette Trio & Eddie
Cochran over 90% of what's out there.
ER
I too think that many (not all) top end FACTORY made guitars are not
particularly good value for money, but it is only my opinion.
As far as value for money amongst "midrange" guitars goes, it is a very
difficult question to answer because of personal preferences and the
different uses to which the instrument may be put.
I know that it doesn't really answer your question, but the only way to
find out what suits you is to go round and play a LOT of guitars.
There are many very good quality instruments out there these days, I
don't think that there has ever been a better range of affordable
guitars available than there is now, and don't ignore the Chinese made
ones, some are excellent.
My two favourite guitars are both luthier made (and I'm negotiating
another one), but I have several cheap Chinese guitars that I really like.
I don't know if this ramble will help, but have fun looking, and good luck.
MJRB
Larry A
"Larry Pattis" <Neve...@spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:221120091154226210%Neve...@spam.invalid...
Bob Gebeaux had a mid 50s J-45 that (tonewise) I'd put right up there with
the best of the "high end" guitars I've had a chance to play. He had
re-topped it and did a neck reset along with some other repairs. I wonder
just how Gibson it still was but it was a *great* guitar. I've played a
couple other older Gibsons that were pretty nice guitars. There is only one
recent Gibson I played that was worth a damn (to me)... a Doves In Flight
model. It was a very nice guitar but not quite as good as the (I forget
exactly but close to) $4K price tag (IMO).
Ed
My definition of a high-end guitar is one that is priced at $1500 or
higher. While I didn't state it explicitly, I'm expecting a "high-end"
guitar to have a higher standard of craftsmanship & construction than
the moderately priced guitars coming out of China, Indonesia, etc.
>snip
ER: when I play a guitar with a price tag of $1500 or higher & doesn't
seem to sound much better than a guitar at half the price, so do
I :)
>snip
ER
Dear Evil:
Here's why. Factory guitars are factory guitars. There is no difference in
basic internal construction. Maybe prettier wood, fancier inlays and that
kind of thing. It sounds the same because it is built basically the same.
You are paying for details and fancier items. Gold tuners instead of
nickel. Prettier wood. Fancy binding and perfling. These are real costs
to the maker to add. So you aren't being cheated. They just don't change
the sound.
Some high end models will have scalloped bracing or more attention to tuning
of the top. This will affect the tone. Where that price break is, I can't
say. It's probably above your $2800 figure on many factory guitars and
nearly all custom makers guitars. The low end for custom makers is closer
to $5K these days.
I made a catty remark about Chinese Guitars, but there are good guitars
coming out of China and Indonesia. The problem is finding them. If it is
selling for $150 at K-Mart, it is probably not one of the good ones. But I
have seen good guitars in the $1500 or less range. I just can't help you
find them. As everybody is saying, play lots of guitars until you find one
you like. Go to a reputable guitar store that stands behind it's products
and talk to them.
Dave Hajicek
What is that horrible growth devouring his right arm?
Just to let you know, a lot of folks consider "high-end" to begin over
$5000. There are some makers whose instruments usually get four times
that. That's why folks asked what you consider "high-end".
http://gregboyd.com/instrument_detail.html?instrument_key=109
Greg also has this newish used Gibson that might suit you. They don't
usually put on of these up with praise unless it's worthy.
http://gregboyd.com/instrument_detail.html?instrument_key=721
I've no affiliation with any of these places, though I have done
business with Greg and been treated very well, both selling and buying.
--
ha
shut up and play your guitar
http://www.armadillomusicproductions.com/CarryMeHome.htm
http://hankalrich.com/
90-95 percent of the tone comes from the top. The back and sides color
it. So it is a 5-10 Gibson, and the rest is all Bob.
TW
absolutely without a doubt they are over....it starts the day your born
and goes down hill from there.
Larry A
To expand on David's remarks, production guitars are build to a set of
specifications, which means that each guitar top is the same thickness,
each left rear brace is the same dimensions. What is not accounted for
is the fact that wood is an organic, grown material. Each piece of wood
will vary in density and stiffness. the difference between a
large-scale production guitar like a Gibson and even a small production
guitar like a Collings is that the extra $$ that you spend goes to a
luither individually sanding the wood bits to maximize their ability to
vibrate, with out the tension of the strings causing the guitar to
explode. That is something that takes time, experience and skill, which
the large factories are loathe to spend. Instead, as David said, more
expensive factory guitars usually justify their existence with more
jewelery and prettier, but not necessarily sonically superior, wood.
>
> Some high end models will have scalloped bracing or more attention to tuning
> of the top. This will affect the tone. Where that price break is, I can't
> say. It's probably above your $2800 figure on many factory guitars and
> nearly all custom makers guitars. The low end for custom makers is closer
> to $5K these days.
I would disagree that top tuning can not be found on smal builder
guitars under the Rev's price ceiling. (See my other post on this
thread, and Hank mentioned one of them: Roy Noble. My friend Carl
Tosten, who incidentally also is a Gibson Cliniction, has a Noble
Baritone that is lovely.) Personally I think we have a definition issue
here. Many small builders can and do build custom instruments, and
they do tune tops and bracing. But their custom variations tends to go
more towards different woods, cutaways, neck widths or profiles, etc.
They do not build a true "custom" guitar; rather they customize their
basic guitar design. My friend David Webber builds this way, as does
Froggy Bottom, Santa Cruz, Collings and many other fine builders. To me
a true "custom" builder, as opposed to a small shop or solo hand built
guitar, will also vary bracing thickness, layout, top thickness and
whatnot, to produce a different responsiveness or playing caracteristics
which may be desired by a fingerpicker with a light touch, a flatpicker
with a heavy one, or a slide player. All in the same guitar body, to
outward appearances. My friend Roy McAlister builds in this manner. I
agree with your price bracket for a true custom builder, but I think
that there are many fine builders who do not go to that degree of
customization, but who build fabulous guitars that would be in the upper
end of the Rev's price range.
>
> I made a catty remark about Chinese Guitars, but there are good guitars
> coming out of China and Indonesia. The problem is finding them. If it is
> selling for $150 at K-Mart, it is probably not one of the good ones. But I
> have seen good guitars in the $1500 or less range. I just can't help you
> find them. As everybody is saying, play lots of guitars until you find one
> you like. Go to a reputable guitar store that stands behind it's products
> and talk to them.
>
> Dave Hajicek
>
>
>
Are we talking good guitars, great guitars, or world class guitars.? <G>
TW
Dear Evil ray - the good days aren;'t over and you don;t know what a
highend guitar is. Try playing them when you travel to places where
there are handmade guitars - San Fran, Nashville, NYC, Boston.
Otherwise, don;t worry and enjoy your Gibson and Epiphone.
hans
Sorry to bother ya, Hans
ER
> Try playing them when �you travel to places where there are handmade guitars
> - San Fran, Nashville, NYC, Boston. Otherwise, don;t worry and enjoy your
> Gibson and Epiphone.
We had the World Guitar Congress here in Baltimore about 5-6 years ago with
many new luthiers. Handmade doesn't mean they play well or sound good. After
trying a few I was glad to have experienced (and still own) my Martin as a
means of comparison. Of course it IS handmade, by Martin. Just trying to make
a distinction here.
Regards,
Ty Ford
--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWaPRHMGhGA
Agreed.
I've played several factory guitars that rival or surpass many one-man-shop
guitars.
Spending more money doesn't guarantee anything other than you'll have less
money after the purchase.
There are a few luthiers that I consider to be in the "can't miss" category,
but it's a small list.
dorgan
All together now: "It's a small list after all."
Thanks for the earworm!
dorgan
> All together now: "It's a small list after all."
Now you must die.
--
Howdya like that... we started playing guitar to impress the chicks and wind
up talkin' fingernails with old men.
Ray Boyce - 9.27.09