It's a crap shoot...

[riffmeister]

....ordering acoustic guitars over the net.

I'm 0/3.........tried three, returned three.

It seems I *have to* play/hear it in person to know if it "right" for me.

[evhtone]

Riff, bad timing for this topic!! LOL I just received my D2H and I am waiting to open it up until it slowly adjusts to room temperature.

I hope it's a good'un.

BTW, which guitars were on the 0/3 list?

Greg

[Gazza]

What have you ordered?

[Jon Silberman]

The single biggest gear mistake I ever made - ever - was ordering a custom Taylor. It took only a few strums out of the case to understand that here, after all the $$$ and waiting, was a total dud.

Took me a few years to fully admit it and finally sell it but I did and it was the right decision. I'll never again buy an acoustic guitar I haven't played personally first and you shouldn't either.

[Gazza]

A small, small builder's guitars are okay to buy sight unseen if you have played at least one of the guitar you plan to buy prior and liked it. Production guitars are a no-no. Brings back memories of a really bad HD-28V I once bought.

[Praline]

I would have a hard time buying an acoustic without playing it.

The sound and feel can be so different and so inexplicable!

[fretnot]

I am 2 for 3 with buying unplayed acoustics. Well, actually 1/2, because I don't really count my cheap Larrivee in that group because I wasn't expecting a $3000 sound out of a $500 guitar. Anyway, I bought a Breedlove over the internet, and it was the WORST "high end" acoustic I have ever owned. My $500 Larrivee blew it away. I also bought a Collings D3 from a guy privately without playing it, and it is a killer acoustic. But acoustics way more than electrics in terms of having to play them first in my opinion. I got killer deals on the acoustics, otherwise I would have definitely spent a few extra bucks and bought guitars in a store where I could test them out first.

[sundaypunch]

You can say the same thing about electrics. For some reason the stakes seem to be much higher with acoustics though. I'd also never buy one w/o playing it.

[riffmeister]

I would have a hard time buying an acoustic without playing it. The sound and feel can be so different and so inexplicable!

true. even with small builders. I returned two Goodalls, a Jumbo and and Concert Jumbo, and about to return a Lowden F. Ironically, I had tried different examples of these models before ordering.


evhtone: Honestly, Collings guitars are remarkably consistent. If you like the sound of dreadnoughts, I have little doubt that you will be thoroghly impressed and happy with your D2H. Every single Collings dread that I have tried in stores was a knockout.

[slipperyfingers]

I'm waiting for the arrival of a Collings D1SB. I've never even played a Collings before...I bought it used, so if I don't bond with it, I can get back most of my money.

I bought a Breedlove also from eBay, and it had these wierd tiny places all over the sides that didn't have stain on them...but was clear-coated over the top of the imperfections (you couldn't feel them). The seller refunded all but the cost of shipping back...so that was ok.

I bought five Andersons over the net also, they were all nice guitars, but I sold all of them....except for the one. As soon as I wrapped my hand around the neck...that was it..magic. I'm hoping the Collings will be love at first strum too!

The Collings is a day late...and I'm a little nervous being close to Christmas and all. FedEx and UPS get so busy. It's coming FedEx...you guys cross your fingers too.

Happy Holidays!
-SF

[retro]

Never met a Collings I didn't like.

[smoove]

I picked up a Breedlove C25 from Ebay and it's absolutely gorgeous and sounds great. But, when I fist got it, it showed up with a cracked top that somehow happened in shipping. Back to Breedlove it went, and it got a new top under warranty.

So long process, but it's a great guitar.

I also sold a 1979 Yairi 9-string in great condition over Ebay and the recipient was absolutely ecstatic. Good deals do happen every now and again.

[evhtone]

Well, my new Collings is the second acoustic I have bought over the internet. My first was a Gibson AJ and it sounds great. Does it sound as nice as my new D2H? No. I will probably sell the Gibson now.

This D2H is incredible. I have played various Collings dreads before at the Podium and this sounds just like the ones I've played. Big bass, never muddy, balanced tonal spectrum, etc. It's a winner!

The only thing that is weird is the weight of the guitar. But it seems to resonate so well! Quite a different feel from a Santa Cruz which I also like but worry about the structural integrity being they are so light.

[waxnsteel]

The single biggest gear mistake I ever made - ever - was ordering a custom Taylor. It took only a few strums out of the case to understand that here, after all the $$$ and waiting, was a total dud.

Took me a few years to fully admit it and finally sell it but I did and it was the right decision. I'll never again buy an acoustic guitar I haven't played personally first and you shouldn't either.

Dude, that sucks! I've ordered 3. The 914 was outstanding from the get-go(1999). I was a little disappointed by the 614 at first, but after about 5-6 months, it opened up and as far as I'm concerned is an absolute killer live guitar. same with the 655. I've played other Taylor maples that stuck around in stores that sounded just like mine(when I first got it) in the store, and stayed on the wall for a LONG time. There was this red burst 614 at a local shop, and it was down to like $1700 or so, I played it, and by this point(~5-6 months in the shop), it sounded like my 614 at home. Shoulda pulled the trigger, cause the next time I went, it was gone...

Suck is suck though, and if your guitar didn't have it, it didn't have it.

[Gazza]

I will probably sell the Gibson now.



Really, how much?

[evhtone]

Really, how much?


Not really sure yet. If you are interested I will give you first crack at her. To be honest I would love to keep it but you know how it goes...too mcuh music gear and not enough $$$!!! LOL

Did you see the pic of it in my "'Grasser" thread? It's the most beautiful finish I have ever seen on a USA Gibson AJ. Plus, it does sound great. I had Marty from The Podium install a bone nut and saddle and bridge pins. He also set it up and does a fine job. I asked him what he thought of the guitar and he said it was one of the "good ones" when referring to the USA AJ's.

My wife wants me to keep the AJ because it's prettier. :D

[royd]

it is less of a crap shoot from the smaller shops where each instrument gets a bit more attention and they really stand or fall on the sound of individual guitars.
I've purchased a number of acoustics unplayed including a custom Lowden that replaced a stolen one... couldn't be happier with it (you can hear them in the link in my sig - the older guitat in the pieces with the stonehenge graphic and the newer one in the others)

[Scott Peterson]

For me, the only gear I absolutely *have* to play before I buy is an acoustic guitar. I am 2/12 for keepers in that area over the net. Jamie Mintzer now owns one of the "2" to boot. :D

[riffmeister]

This D2H is incredible. I have played various Collings dreads before at the Podium and this sounds just like the ones I've played. Big bass, never muddy, balanced tonal spectrum, etc. It's a winner!

I am not surprised, Collings guitars are very consistent, and very awesome!

[slipperyfingers]

but I've got to wait a while to open it. I guess it's right at freezing here today in MD. It got here at 3:00 EST...the seller has asked me to wait six hours before I open the case....it's gonna be a long six hours.

Review to follow:

-SF

[r9player]

BTW Riffmeister what kind of sound and setup are you looking to get from your acoustic?
personally I love the way Goodall's sound think they are pretty amazing.
I had a Lowden that sounded nice.

Well as far as acoustics go, obviously if the neck isn't your thing its over, but in general action and sound can be tweaked quite well.
Things like Nut, Bridge, Bridge pin upgrades are fairly easy.
Using Elixer, Phosphor Bronze or Silk Wound Steel of different gauges adjusts the sound and feel and action as well.
The big clincher is New vs. Played in acoustic, often it takes a little time for an acoustic that is new to really get its full potential in sound ... (although you probably know that stuff already since you are buying some REALLY NICE guitars)

[Bryan T]

I've found that ordering guitars sight-unseen is risky. I've only ordered one acoustic in my life, the rest have been bought off of racks. My general rule is that if the guitar inspires me to play at the store, then it will inspire me to play at home. The one acoustic that I ordered was a baritone with some special woods - not something that I would typically find in a shop.

I do think that some makers are more consistent than others. I've found Goodalls to be consistent and Santa Cruz nearly as consistent. However, if I were ordering either of those guitars it would be in a wood combination that I was familiar with. Unplayed/unheard is not the time to try a redwood topped, Ziricote backed guitar if you've never played one before. Stick to the woods that you know you like and it will probably work out.

Bryan

[riffmeister]

BTW Riffmeister what kind of sound and setup are you looking to get from your acoustic?

The big clincher is New vs. Played in acoustic, often it takes a little time for an acoustic that is new to really get its full potential in sound ...

Well, I played this Lowden F at Acoustic Roots and was ecstatic with how great it sounded/responded for fingerstyle. But it was one the more "dressed up" models and I knew I could save about $1K if I got a less fancy version, which I did by ordering from a store in Minneapolis. The one that I ordered (and just returned today) looked/played/responded beautifully, but DANG, there was something about it's voicing that I really did not like, quite different than the one I tried locally which sounded great.

And yes, I know all too well about the New vs Played in factor. In the mid-90s I went through three high end classical guitars, all bought new. I owned each one for about a year. With each one, the sound had changed over time, in ways I did not like, so I wound up selling each one. My next classical was preowned, built in 1978. I've had it for 5 years and *still* love it every single time I pick it up! And.....it has *appreciated* in value. Earlier this year, I picked up two more from the same builder, one from 1966, the other from 1972. In addition to sounding beautiful, these three classicals are something of an investment for me. I think I'll do considerably better with these than I have on the stock market! ;)

[retro]

I had Marty from The Podium install a bone nut and saddle and bridge pins. He also set it up and does a fine job. I asked him what he thought of the guitar and he said it was one of the "good ones" when referring to the USA AJ's.

My wife wants me to keep the AJ because it's prettier. :D


He (Marty) is one of the "good ones" too.

[slackandsteel]

I guess I got lucky. The only acoustic guitar I bought sight unseen was a Taylor 612-CE back in 1994 and it is an exceptional guitar and I still own it today. Purchased from Wildwood Music in Coshocton, Ohio. Nice folks, great price.