Looking for a new acoustic with built in mic

[Niklas Nilsson]

I'm thinking about getting rid of my Ovation for a new acoustic. I want something more traditional sounding. This is what I want:

Cutaway
Built in mic/mics that sound great ( really important! )
Thicker neck before slimmer
25.5 scale
Bigger bodyshape

Price isn't that important. I was down at my local store and tried out a few Taylors. All of them sounded great unplugged, but pretty much all of them sounded so so plugged in. I played through a Bose PA system, so it could have been that. The sound was kind of lacking in the mids, sounded cold and almost out of phase.

The cheaper guitars with just a piezo under the bridge sounded great however http://www.hugeracksinc.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

So, any tips? What do you guys like? Takamine, Yamaha?

[earthlydescent]

First off, the Bose PA system is junk. The new Fishman SoloAmp is great however. Try this out next time.

I agree with you that the Taylor Expression system isn't that great sounding. Requires a EQ to really dial it in, then it sounds nice.

I played a Martin JC16Aura that sounded great. The Aura is really comprehensive and sounds pretty damn good. I would also recommend a Alvarez-Yairi. The WY1 is a great small bodied picker and the DY84C is a great all-around player. I'd take a Yairi over a Taylor any day. The Yamaha CPX series is good too.

[JohnSS]

You might wish to check out the Wechter Pathmaker series. They have a combination of mic, magnetic and under saddle pickups, and also have both 1/4" and balanced XLR jacks.

[Joseph Hanna]

First off, the Bose PA system is junk. The new Fishman SoloAmp is great however.

I currently have a Fishman SoloAmp and have previously owned a Bose and where I agree for simple, straight forward acoustic guitar sounds the Fishman is an easier beast to get great sounds from, that in and of itself of course does not indict the Bose. However the Bose (in the right hands) is ANYTHING but junk.

I'd encourage anyone looking at very portable, small PA's to give the Bose a try. It takes some work and it takes some investment of time and understanding. It's not by any means "plug and play" and it is certainly not for everyone. That said... it is not junk.

[solitaire]

Why not a Guild? That new D-Tar, though I've never tested it, is supposed to be really great. These thingies sound bigger than they are and have a really nice Gibsonesque neck profile.

Got a Willy Porter signature that has the Fishman Eclipse with both UST and mic and I really like how the two blend together.

What's your budget and prefernce in tonewood?

[Niklas Nilsson]

Why not a Guild? That new D-Tar, though I've never tested it, is supposed to be really great. These thingies sound bigger than they are and have a really nice Gibsonesque neck profile.

Got a Willy Porter signature that has the Fishman Eclipse with both UST and mic and I really like how the two blend together.

What's your budget and prefernce in tonewood?

Budget is not that important, but I'm looking to spend about what a Taylor 800 series goes for ( which is about 3100-3200 euros ). On the woods, I tend to like more traditional woods like spruce, rosewood and mahogany for body and necks.