KVR Audio

danielmm · Post by **danielmm** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 3:58 pm

I'm looking at buying an accoustic guitar and learning enough to accompany some of my songs and perhaps even use as a new tool to write songs.

I want something that is affordable but not bottom of the barrel for quality in build and sound.

There is a Canadian company that currently makes a good medium range guitar by Simon and Patrick that I am told are good value for the dollar. Laminate sides and solid cedar and spruce tops and back. Comes in an electro acoustic also.

I would also buy used but I'm not too sure what to look for.....any ideas on brands and what's good and bad???

dano

herodotus · Post by **herodotus** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:09 pm

Taylor makes good, really easy to play acoustics that won't require you to re-finance your house or anything.

Takamine is also good, while Epiphone, Fender, and Gibson are extremely variable.

But whatever you do, DON'T buy it via mail order!!

Go to a store and play everything. Inspect likely candidates carefully and insist on a good warranty.

If you keep trying, some humble looking guitar will eventually seem to come alive in your hands and say "Please take me home. PLEASE."

androidlove · Post by **androidlove** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:17 pm

I've found nothing to beat Yamaha. I walk through guitar stores strumming each guitar as I pass. After that, I take a closer look at the best sounding ones. I shop for clothes the same way.

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:23 pm

herodotus wrote:Taylor makes good, really easy to play acoustics that won't require you to re-finance your house or anything.

Takamine is also good, while Epiphone, Fender, and Gibson are extremely variable.

But whatever you do, DON'T buy it via mail order!!

Go to a store and play everything. Inspect likely candidates carefully and insist on a good warranty.

If you keep trying, some humble looking guitar will eventually seem to come alive in your hands and say "Please take me home. PLEASE."

As a first guitar I would not recommend either a Taylor or a Takamine. Please tell me of a Taylor that's reasonably priced for a beginner because I have sold many and there aren't any. The Takamine is nice but the construction is shopped out to the lowest builder as opposed to them hand making it. If you want to spend the amount for either of those I would suggest a Seagull.

A beginner guitar though should not break the bank, you may not stick with it. Takamine does make a decent cheapy called Jasmine (under 200 dollars), it's a laminate top and has steel strings, but if you put bronze or brass strings on it it brightens up nicely and the action is good.

Avoid Fender accoustics they're all crap IMHO (and I'm a strictly strat guy). If you're looking for a nice guitar you want a solid top as opposed to a laminate, they sound better and age warmer sounding. Martins, Taylors, Seagull all ahve solid tops as do many othey companies. I suggest getting one with a saddle pick-up and preamp. Ovations of course are also good but they do have their own sound. I like them for recording.

intel · Post by **intel** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 6:38 pm

androidlove wrote:I've found nothing to beat Yamaha. I walk through guitar stores strumming each guitar as I pass. After that, I take a closer look at the best sounding ones. I shop for clothes the same way.

you strum your clothes?

seriously though, I just restrung my Yamaha acoustic and damn does it sound nice for a $125 guitar.

danielmm · Post by **danielmm** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 6:41 pm

good feedback guys...thx

I live just on the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies in the foothills and the climate is very dry. I was told a little about humidifiers in the guitar case and care but only briefly. Is there special care I should be taking in a very dry climate?

dano

pheeleep · Post by **pheeleep** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 6:52 pm

Isn't Alvarez suppose to be good and cheap?

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 7:19 pm

danielmm wrote:good feedback guys...thx

I live just on the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies in the foothills and the climate is very dry. I was told a little about humidifiers in the guitar case and care but only briefly. Is there special care I should be taking in a very dry climate?

dano

buy a seagull, they are handmade in Canada. That's one benefit for us in the states, the exchange rate makes them very nicely priced and they are very nice playing accoustics.

electro · Post by **electro** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 7:24 pm

1st E-Guitar for a keyboard player. I really know nothing, and have become convinced, that guitar is the 1 instrument that VSTIs will never really nail. I will have to play for myself.

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 7:25 pm

pheeleep wrote:Isn't Alvarez suppose to be good and cheap?

It depends on the person, they're not bad...all I have is dean accoustic, black with a cut away and electronics, my song Plight of a Dreamer was done with it...it works for me, though I might buy an Ovation or a Seagull soon. Being primarily an electric player the thin Ovations are nice, but an accoustic should be wood, the Seagulls are sweet, handmade and cheap here in the states. Of course they are solid tops.

First guitar for a keyboard player ???