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I need some help from my fellow 'rooster guitarists (and from reading around here I know there are a S**load of you!) I have REALLY got the bug to upgrade my acoustic guitar and have started looking and playing around for a new one. My current acoustic is a Taylor Big Baby (which I L_O_V_E and will keep forever as my take everywhere git fiddle).
I know I want a short scale (small girl, small hands ) Taylor and Martin both have some awesome short scales and I have found a couple of both in approximately the same price range. Which do you guys think is the better buy? I know, you get the guitar you like best, but honestly, I can't decide! I have fallen in and out of love with D-18s, D-0028s, 710 L9s..., 612s.....sigh. HELP! What are some of your good/bad experiences with Taylor/Martins????
Post by poopzilla33 on Apr 22, 2007 0:05:57 GMT -5
i've never owned a martin, but i really think you should go with the taylor. whata re you looking to spend? taylor guitars are some of the finest made guitars in the world and the mroe you're willign to shell otu the better they're gonna be. you have a big baby now so i'm guessing your strumming style has evolved into an aggresive one (correct me if i'm wrong or if you mostly fingerpick). i could ramble forever due to my extreme tiredness, but i wont. tell me everything, your style, what your looking to use it for, your price range, acoustic electric or just acoustic, what tone your looking for. i'll give you my opinion in the morrow when i have slept ;D
LOL!!! You sound like me when I get on a jag, I didn't think that was possible....Hee!
OK, let's see.....yes, my strumming style is, shall we say, aggressive. Not a finger picker atall, flat picker definitely. BUT I definitely like the lower action, which with the aggressive strumming means I have to be kinda careful or I get major buzz if the setup isn't spot on. Price range, always as little as I can get away with (HA!) but obviously I'm looking for the best value/quality combo....I won't go more than $2000 and I would really rather get a good condition used than a new one. Course as soon as I say that I'll fall in love with a $2500 one and find a way to justify the extra $500! As for acoustic or acoustic/electric, don't really care. Don't really NEED the electronics since I don't really plug in that much, but I really like the cutaway and it's sometimes hard to find that WITHOUT the electronics unless you special order. Did I miss anything? Thanks!!
Post by roolacksreality on Apr 22, 2007 10:04:49 GMT -5
I only play a little guitar, my instrument is bass. Anyways, my friend has a Martin and the tone is sooooooo nice. Their strings are great, too. Taylors are good and they have a price that is hard to beat. In the end, I think Martin takes the prize. Then again it all depends on what tone you are looking for.
I only play a little guitar, my instrument is bass. Anyways, my friend has a Martin and the tone is sooooooo nice. Their strings are great, too. Taylors are good and they have a price that is hard to beat. In the end, I think Martin takes the prize. Then again it all depends on what tone you are looking for.
Yeah, that's what is so hard, they both sound really good, but they sound so different. And I like the way they both sound. Usually people seem to like one or the other better. Or, I can see that Martins would have a better tone for recording (less "boomy" or "ringy"), but since I don't record....that doesn't help either. I'm just too darn indecisive.... ???
Post by poopzilla33 on Apr 22, 2007 20:00:03 GMT -5
Koa: Oilier than Mahogany or Walnut, its denser than Mahogany but not as bright as Walnut, due to its actual makeup. It’s an oilier wood like Rosewood, and that dampens some highs in the attack. But then its density makes up for it a little. Think of the highs as present, but compressed. They don’t jump out like glass breaking. They are more omnipresent. And they are more in the upper midrange than the highs. That’s either a very musical sound for someone interested in fundamental, or a less expressive sound for someone into playing hard picking blues.
Thanks for the link, that's a great article. I learned a lot. It's funny, I was actually looking at a couple of walnut Taylors the other day, now I understand why. Interesting. Don't think I have seen/played a Koa though. They must be more rare (re expensive!). Or maybe I just haven't been looking
Kinda torn on the fretboard though....I have an ebony now and I really like it, it's really durable and seeing how easily I tend to ding the neck I would worry I might be a little too rough on a softer wood.
Post by poopzilla33 on Apr 22, 2007 20:50:19 GMT -5
have you tried alverez? its my favortie brand, and i think it mixes whats best about taylor and martin. check out this guitar i recomend it to any acoustic player
I've played a few of the lower end Alvarez, but nothing in this range. I've heard (or read, can't remember) a few things about Yairi guitars. Best I can recall whatever I heard/read was very positive. So this is a good mix of the smoothness and midrange of a Martin and the consistency, feel and personality of a Taylor? I'll have to see if my local guitar shop has this one. They are an Alvarez dealer. I'd like to play one and see what it feels/sounds like. Don't guess it comes in a short scale huh??
Post by poopzilla33 on Apr 22, 2007 21:44:17 GMT -5
ani difranco is an alverez fanatic and she has some of the shortest hands ever. honestly i don't think you need a short scale with it. safe to try it first though
Definitely I'll try it out. You can't ever tell. My electric is actually a shorter scale neck than my BB, but the neck isn't as smooth so it's actually harder to play for me. So go figure!
BTW...I finally got around to giving you karma for all your advice and help...sorry it took so long. I am one scattered person. But you have probably figured that out already Thanks Mucho!!
guitars are a personal choice. i love Taylor's for their playability. they are probably one of the best deals out there for an overall general acoustic. i tend to prefer the fuller sound of Martins, but my skinny little fingers find it hard to fit around the neck and fretboard.
Collings also makes some killer guitars....i think you can get into a Collings for $3K.
Not familiar with Collings, I'll have to look into them. Thanks!
I know what you mean with the Martins, the neck is a bit thick. That's why I tend to go with the smaller, palor size ones. The neck isn't really that much different, probably more psychological than anything, but it does seem to make a difference to me.
) Taylor and Martin both have some awesome short scales and I have found a couple of both in approximately the same price range. Which do you guys think is the better buy? I know, you get the guitar you like best, but honestly, I can't decide! I have fallen in and out of love with D-18s, D-0028s, 710 L9s..., 612s.....sigh. HELP! What are some of your good/bad experiences with Taylor/Martins????
Thanks!!
