Need Help Choosing an Acoustic

[monte]

I am a fan of the grand auditorium shape. I especially like the Eric Clapton Martin signature model. What guitars should i look at? It dosen't need to be electric.

Thanks for any help
Monte

[zombywoof]

I thought the Clapton models were 000 auditorium size?

It is impossible to recommend an acoustic for anyone and you will get as many recommendations as threads. The best thing you can do is go out and play as many guitars as you can in your price range.

First though, I would suggest putting your heard-earned bread into a guitar - forget the electronics, you can always have them added later.

Also, the sound of the guitar will depend just as much on the wood and bracing as on the shape and size. A 000 with straight braces will sound different than a 000 with scalloped bracing and so on. So, not all Auditoriums are created equal.

Then there is your budget. I guess you could just go out and buy a Martin 000-28 or 000-45. Also Taylors with model numbers ending in 14 would fit the bill.

Don't want to break the bank? Alavarez makes a few in Auditorium and Grand Auditorium body styles like the MF-80C.

There is the Epiphone EL-00 which is a very nice smaller body guitar. My personal favorite was the Epiphone Blues Master. They don't make 'em anymore but you can still pick them up slightly used. But prices are going up on these as lost of folks seem to be looking for them.

For even less you can get what I think is called the Seagull Folk model although I am not sure if it is the body style you want.

The 000 guitars generally have well balanced bass, mids and highs. You might also want to compare the 000 guitars with an OM (orchestral model) or two - also a smaller body but real articulate and resonant guitars.

Good Luck

[monte]

Wow Zomby....Thanks for taking the time to write that response. That is vey insightful and helpful. You are probably right about the Clapton shape. I will go try out some different brands.
I know that I like the warmer sounding acoustic of Clapton and Mayer. That is why I mentioned that first.
Thanks again for all the suggestions...I will look into them.
Monte

[zombywoof]

I will go try out some different brands.


In over 40 years that is still the best way I have found to getting yourself a good acoustic. Again, just take your time and let your fingers and ears lead you. Remember though, a new or used guitar that has not been played in a bit may take some time to open up. But generally, if it sounds good to you from the first, it will only sound better as time goes on.

Again good luck with the hunt and let us know what ya end up with.

[solitaire]

Definately try out the Aragon/ F-30 and Valencia/ F-40, 47 offerings from Guild. Great bite with a sweet and potent, singing midrange. The Tacoma made ones are currently on sale and you can land one for a song these days.

[jeffrey827]

try breedlove

[jguth]

Try Bourgeois, the best in my opinion, especially with Adirondak tops

[coldfingaz]

Martin has a bunch of great 000 (auditorium) or OM (orchestra, basically the same body size/type) options. Really depends on how much you want to spend, but I believe both the Clapton & Mayer models are pricey as both use very high quality spruce and rosewood.

I'd suggest you try a bunch of Martins (the Guilds mentioned are cool guitars too), including any of these you can get your paws on... anything listed below the SWOMGT will run you $2K or more:

000-15 (all mahogany or sapele body)
000-16GT (spruce top/mahogany back/sides)
SWOMGT (spruce top/cherry back/sides)
000-18 (spruce top/mahogany back/sides)
OM-21 (spruce top/rosewood back/sides)
000-28 (spruce top/rosewood b/s)

[solitaire]

Try Bourgeois, the best in my opinion, especially with Adirondak topsSo says the pricetag too. ;)

[solitaire]

Martin has a bunch of great 000 (auditorium) or OM (orchestra, basically the same body size/type) options.
There's a rather interesting story to the 14 fret 000/ auditorium and the Orchestra Model, you might be familiar with.

[royd]

Acoustic guitar companies fall into three basic categories - large shop like Taylor, Martin, and Larrivee; small shop that build about 500 guitars a year like Lowden, Collings, Santa Cruz, and very small shop that build as few as 12 guitars a year up to maybe 40 or so. The large shop guitars can be wonderful but you get the pluses and minuses of the large shop. Small shop guitars get a lot more personal attention but have less of the advantages of larger scale. Very small shop receive lots of individual attention, are difficult to find one for sale to try, and often cost more than the other types.

In the boutique/small shop realm, Collings and Santa Cruz both build very high quality Martin style guitars so check them out. The Goodall traditional series are likewise well built and sound great. If you are open to a different kind of sound - richer in overtones and a little more complex, check out the Goodall concert, a Lowden F or O, or the Breedloves. And then there are a slew of very small shops that build amazing guitars at a variety of price points up to extremely expensive.

Play as many guitars as possible and try to get to a high end acoustic shop for the wider experience. Even play guitars out of your price range. You may be surprised that you like a less expensive guitar better... or you may decide to bite the bullet or even to save and wait. Let your ears and hands make the decision, not your eyes. ;)

[monte]

thanks guys...i appreciate all the help. i have been researching each builder listed. I am going to try to play some this weekend.