Getting my first acoustic guitar

[BluePowder]

Hey folks...

I've been picking on electrics my whole life, never ever owned my very own acoustic guitar. I've had two which were terribly cheap hand me downs, the dark period of my life where things were "we'll get you uncle jim's son's guitar to let you have a go and see if you stick at it!"

That was probably 15 years ago.

Then I also played an Aria dreadnought which was left in the trash by some guy. My ex-neighbour saw it while he was in New York and brought it over with him when he came to Singapore. Found out a kid next door was playing guitar and gave it to me. I also took some lessons on acoustic when I was young, had a great fingerpicking teacher who played an amazing sounding Santa Cruz and an Australian made Maton, both of which were dreadnoughts too.

I'm currently on the lookout for a nice acoustic for myself.

I've always had the idea that for the amount of coin shelled out for an acoustic could be better spent on an electric!!!! What a silly mentality I had as a youngster...well I'm still young, there's no 3 in front of my age...yet!

I would like some advice on the different body shapes and the type of tones which correspond to them ie. Dreadnought, OM, auditorium, parlour...and who knows what else!, I know this is real newbie of me.

I've tried out a couple, Larrivee, Lakewood, Blueridge...they were great to say the least.

The kind of tones I'm looking for is a real deep bassy tone with loads of midrange and punch, more for fingerpicking type applications.

I saw a video of Andy Mckee on youtube tearing it up on a Don Ross cover on his custom baritone...wow! I'm a big fan of that type of playing style and tone, in the vein of Preston Reed, Don Ross and Lawrence Juber.

My budget is at the very most USD2k-2.5k

Thanks very much for the help and advice!

Any suggestions are welcome!

:D

[Peppy]

If you're looking for a "real deep bassy tone...more for fingerpicking applications" it's sort of a dichotomy. Deep bass is usually from dreadnoughts...which usually aren't that good at fingerpicking vs. an OM or similar. Having said all that and within your price range, a Santa Cruz D/PW definitely fills the bass requirement yet suprisingly doesn't sound that bad being fingerpicked.

[Lawn Jockey]

Having owned two of the three brands you mentioned (Lakewood & Larrivee) I will tell you this. The Lakewood (D-32DX) I had was the absolute LOUDEST acoustic guitar I have ever heard. Its deep throaty snarl scared the $hit out of many a D28's. Martin Seeliger can indeed build a guitar. If I were looking for a fingerstyle Lakewood it would be his OM.

Larrivee makes incredible and affordable guitars. Their recent price hike got them inline with some of the others however. The Larrivee I'd be looking at for fingerstyle would be either the L-09 or OM-09.

You could also look to Lowden and Breedlove (Ed Gerhard Signature Model). Piano like tones abound.

Good luck with whatever you get!!

:BEER

[vintagegeek]

the santacruz D p/w is also my top choice... but you should try as many guitars as you can- leaning more toward Dreads... martin hd28, larrivee traditional D60 and D09, gibson AJ... etc...

[GuitarsFromMars]

I have a 1959 Martin 0-15 for fingerpicking,and a 1995 Taylor 710 (early El Cajon pre-voicing changes)for the larger sounds.Neither are cutaway models.The Taylor has been an extremely pleasant suprise and,one can be had for not a lot of money,if you shop used.

[BluePowder]

There's someone selling a Larrivee D-03R for a really killer price, just about USD900.

Temptation temptation!!!

Thanks for the advice folks, I really appreciate it.

I've tried out a Lakewood at a local store once, it was a surreal experience, I've never played an acoustic that had such depth and volume to the tone.

Amazing!

[paddywhack]

...if you're checking out a Santa Cruz D/PW....check out the OM/PW too...its well known for its big low end but has the balance a good fingerstyle guitar should have....there have been a lot of them made so the prices on used ones are very good....

[Lawn Jockey]

There's someone selling a Larrivee D-03R for a really killer price, just about USD900.

Temptation temptation!!!

Thanks for the advice folks, I really appreciate it.

I've tried out a Lakewood at a local store once, it was a surreal experience, I've never played an acoustic that had such depth and volume to the tone.

Amazing!

Just remember, the D series Larrivee has the 1 11/16 nut width....the L and OM, and P have the 1 3/4 nut.....fingersytle...fo' sure. I can play fingerstyle on the 1 11/16 but prefer the wider board. YMMV.

[pickaguitar]

I'd recommend a used Santa Cruz, Gibson or Martin.
I already have a nice big dread and now want a small body...like a 00.

Buying used will get you more for your money and the top might already be broken in.

Also note that the advertised map prices on new Martins don't have to be the end all price.
There are great dealers who will sell them for 35% - 40% off the retail price.

[dead mike]

You should really chec out some Guilds. The have a massive sound to them compared to others ive owned and have a neck like your looking for. You could also pick up a nice used Webber for the cahs you plan on spending.

[royd]

In general, a more rounded shape gives you better balance while a dread tends to be bass heavy. Smaller tends to favor the midrange while bigger gives you more bottom and sometimes more top as well.

Andy McKee often plays a Lowden O size which is a big, rounded shape that is pretty balanced and has a huge sound. If you really want a big bottom, you may want to consider a baritone but the good ones are likely out of your price range. I don't know
what the exchange rate is for Singapore or what companies are readily available but I would check out Lowdens in addition to the other builders mentioned. Since it is an Irish company, the exchange rate may be different which may or may not be advantageous.

And as was said... play lots of guitars and try not to let the stereotypes close your mind. Michael Hedges usually played a Martin D and he was an amazing fingerstyle player.

[zombywoof]

Andy used to teach guitar over at our local Fender dealer before he "hit it big." He is a talented guy although his playing ain't my cup of tea.

I would just say get out there and play as many acoustics as you can cuz by the end of this thread you will probably have every guitar maker there is recommended. It may take you awhile and don't be in a hurry and you will find what you are looking for.

Good Luck

[coldfingaz]

My budget is at the very most USD2k-2.5k

Might be off base here, but personally, I'd consider picking up a couple of acoustics given the dynamic range you want.

First, I'd suggest something like a Martin 000-15. It won't give you the deepest or bassiest tones, but it will get you as deep and bassy as you can go with an OM sized guitar given it's all mahogany construction (newer ones are saepele, which I hear is very similar tonally). These are very sweet sounding guitars... great for fingerpicking.

Next, I'd try to find a Guild DV52 (or maybe a D50 or D55 if it keeps you within budget). These are spruce top/rosewood back & sides dreads that sound flat out amazing. It will give you booming, deep & complex tones for years to come, and this would also greatly expand your tonal range if you also have an all mahogany OM.

Then again, you could do the opposite... get an all mahogany (or spruce top with mahogany back/sides) dread and a 000 with spruce top & rosewood back/sides.

Guitar purchases are always a personal preference decision, but thought I'd offer my 2 cents.

Good luck, and enjoy the search!

[Lawn Jockey]

Might be off base here, but personally, I'd consider picking up a couple of acoustics given the dynamic range you want.

First, I'd suggest something like a Martin 000-15. It won't give you the deepest or bassiest tones, but it will get you as deep and bassy as you can go with an OM sized guitar given it's all mahogany construction (newer ones are saepele, which I hear is very similar tonally). These are very sweet sounding guitars... great for fingerpicking.

Next, I'd try to find a Guild DV52 (or maybe a D50 or D55 if it keeps you within budget). These are spruce top/rosewood back & sides dreads that sound flat out amazing. It will give you booming, deep & complex tones for years to come, and this would also greatly expand your tonal range if you also have an all mahogany OM.

Then again, you could do the opposite... get an all mahogany (or spruce top with mahogany back/sides) dread and a 000 with spruce top & rosewood back/sides.

Guitar purchases are always a personal preference decision, but thought I'd offer my 2 cents.

Good luck, and enjoy the search!

I totally agree.

Better yet, you can get an Larrivee L-03R and complete the search in one fell swoop. Outstanding fingerstyle guitar, handles moderate/heavy strumming without breaking up, less than $1K, all solid woods, maple binding, you get the picture.

[BluePowder]

Thanks very much for the tips folks!

I will definitely take the time to try as many guitars as I can!

By the way nice music weleetkaoutlaws! :)

[Lawn Jockey]

By the way nice music weleetkaoutlaws! :)

Thanks for the kind words.

Good luck in your search my friend!!

[Jimmydeez]

Check out the Martin OMC Aura... I love mine. Definitly enough bass and plently of punch.

[devilrob1979]

I love the Martin D-35. Dave's has one. PM me for the price.