Which Guitar [Archive] - The Paceline Forum

rounder

01-10-2013, 09:47 PM

DarkStar

01-10-2013, 10:00 PM

It's going to be a long list. As for acoustics I like and own Larrivees and Guild, electrics by Gibson, Fender, Yamaha, Kramer and Hagstrom.
My guitar want list is far longer than my bike want list, lack of cash also an issue.

Fixed

01-10-2013, 10:02 PM

I like the pat martino Gibson ,I used to have a Howard Roberts that I sold a long time ago ,I am looking for another one now ,Old guitars and old bikes are a lot alike ,imho
Cheers

cmbicycles

01-10-2013, 10:09 PM

For Acoustic, I love my Breedlove C5. It has a beautiful cedar top and myrtyl wood back and sides, it sounds awesome... evverytime I go to a guitar store and play some wunder martin/taylor I go home and am wowed by how nice mine actually sounds. I've had it for 15 years and used it a lot so it shows some wear, but it sounds gorgeous and keeps getting better with age... unlike me.

I have an Olson guitar on my short list, but my are they some $$$. I too share the lack of funds for my taste in guitars (and bikes) problem previously mentioned.

Steve in SLO

01-10-2013, 10:30 PM

Martins, Gibsons, Guilds, Larrivees and Yairis here. I am really starting to love the playability of the Yairis.
Oh, and an odd Strat and Les Paul for 'lectric.

rounder

01-10-2013, 10:30 PM

I got a Kay banjo in high school. I did not know much about music. Other than i liked it. A friend said that i should fix it up, which i did. Carved the head stock. Got new components. Frailed at it but still could not play the thing.

Sold it cheap to a Flatt and Scruggs friend. Got a guitar and hacked at it. I could play...but was not good.

jtakeda

01-10-2013, 10:31 PM

I like the looks of the ampeg Dan Armstrong. Sound isn't the best unless you're playing super loud rock n roll.

So the answer to your question is ampeg Dan Armstrong.

Steve in SLO

01-10-2013, 10:41 PM

FYI, Rounder, this is basically what you're asking:

Just wondering. I know that folks have preferences about best guitars, components, coffee makers, etc. What about bikes. I know that a Specialized Tarmac or Trek Madone are not directly comparable to a Surly Cross Check. But they are pretty much standard for what they are. What about custom. What else is out there. Thanks.

rounder

01-10-2013, 10:51 PM

As horrible as i am at guitar playing compared to as horrible as i am at bike riding, i think i am equally horrible at both...talent wise. As far as what i like doing, i like doing both.
I now have an HD-28 Martin which is my main guitar. I like it alot. As far as dream guitars go, i could live with the HD-28 forever.

Steve in SLO

01-10-2013, 10:55 PM

They are both wonderful pastimes.

alessandro

01-10-2013, 10:58 PM

What are you looking for, and what do you have?

If it's electric that you seek: Twenty years ago, in a previous career, I did an article for a local newspaper on Paul Reed Smith--that was a fun story. And I've always been in awe of Alembics because of a certain 9 1/2-fingered deceased picker.

For acoustic, I don't know about custom, but just go to Elderly Instruments' site and imagine the possibilities--a lot of nice vintage there.

Spin71

01-10-2013, 11:57 PM

Collings. Electric or acoustic.

Louis

01-11-2013, 01:46 AM

I don't know squat about guitars, but someone has to mention Gretsch, if only because they used to make a limited edition model named after a member of this very forum.

soulspinner

01-11-2013, 03:30 AM

Travis Bean

davidlee

01-11-2013, 06:16 AM

hey thanks for the plug Louis!
Guitars are similar to bikes in the sense that 99% of the playability is in the set up of said instrument.
That being said , i never get tired of playing a Gretsch and they are loud enough that you can play 'em unplugged, no problems.
DL

cash05458

01-11-2013, 06:42 AM

Check out Rickenbackers...you can't go wrong...the 360's are gorgeous and play nice...but for my money, a 620 can't be beat....

stephenyi

01-11-2013, 07:50 AM

I spend more time on guitar forums than bike forums these days. For high-end/custom guitar gear, I would recommend checking out thegearpage.net

Personally, I lean more toward the Fender-side of the fence for electric guitars. My #1 is a Custom Shop Nocaster. For Gibson-style guitars, I would recommend Collings Guitars. I also own three Taylor acoustics including an R. Taylor.

boxerboxer

01-11-2013, 09:47 AM

For custom Fender-y (and other) stuff done right, check out Tom Anderson (http://www.andersonguitars.com/product_information/models/models.cfm).

Ray

01-11-2013, 10:19 AM

Travis Bean

They still making them in lucite?

-Ray

pinkshogun

01-11-2013, 10:24 AM

when i went to Mandolin Brothers years ago i kept coming back to the Martin HD-28

OtayBW

01-11-2013, 10:29 AM

gregj

01-11-2013, 11:27 AM

+1 on thegearpage also.

If you think there are gear snobs in the bike world, it's triple that in the guitar/amp world.

Over the years, I've had more boutique guitars and amps (20+) than fancy bikes (maybe 10), because guitars and amps can be flipped more easily than bikes, because for the most part they're one-size-fits-all. Except for neck carves, but still....

I think Tom Anderson is probably the equivalent of a Serotta -- corporate but not huge, a team of employees, rather than a 1, 2, or 3 man shop. And maybe Taylor for acoustics.

My favorites boutique guitars have been Lentz (for fender style guitars) and Baker (for gibson style guitars). Santa Cruz for acoustics, but I've never played a Collings/Huss/etc. Amps are even harder, due to the endless possibilities in schematics, tubes, speaker configurations. There's usually a flavor of the month in that regard.

Other cool and unique guitars include Koll, Motorave, Fano, McInturff, Kauer, Huber, Ian Anderson, Gustavvson, Grosh (I'm excluding people who make copies of fenders, which is a long and revered list in its own).

Greg

sc53

01-11-2013, 12:56 PM

For Christmas, my nephew got a Paul Reed Smith electric guitar that cost $3500. It's beautiful to look at, and he claims its sound is superb. I had never heard of that brand before but I guess musical people know.

559Rando

01-11-2013, 01:05 PM

There's a lot of nice guitars out there and you'll find that two 'identical' guitars are often more different than two 'identical' bikes.

Over the years, I've been fortunate to have a lot of nice guitars and amp. These days, my playing time is limited and comes at hours when I can't make much noise.

Because of this, I've switched over to Line6. I have their Variax 700 guitar (bought used for a good price), which was the top of the line of their previous generation. Great sounds, well made Japanese guitar. I plug that (using a CAT5 cable) into their previous generation top of the line (also bought used for a good price) Line6 Pod X3 Live. Some Audio Technica cans and I'm set. I can track all night and hardly make a sound.

If my situation were different, I would love to have some P-90 guitars (solid maple-capped Les Paul, fully hollow Epi Casino) and an EMG-equipped hardtail Strat. I love Gretsch Jets, both with Dynasonics and Filtertrons, too.

I'd get a smattering of blackface Fenders. I especially love the Deluxe Reverb. The Custom Shop Vibro King is also an amazing amp and apparantely Zinky offers his idealized verion of the Vibro King which Fender deemed too expensive to produce.

There lots and lots of good guitar stuff out there.

559Rando

01-11-2013, 01:08 PM

Check out Rickenbackers...you can't go wrong...the 360's are gorgeous and play nice...but for my money, a 620 can't be beat....

I think you can definitely go wrong with a Ric. Skinny necks, bright, bright, bright tone. I think they're cool when other people play them. I cannot.

For Christmas, my nephew got a Paul Reed Smith electric guitar that cost $3500. It's beautiful to look at, and he claims its sound is superb. I had never heard of that brand before but I guess musical people know.

I thnk PRS guitars are a little polarizing. I don't think any of my guitar buddies has one currently, although a few have tried to love 'em.

cash05458

01-11-2013, 01:25 PM

I think you can definitely go wrong with a Ric. Skinny necks, bright, bright, bright tone. I think they're cool when other people play them. I cannot.

I thnk PRS guitars are a little polarizing. I don't think any of my guitar buddies has one currently, although a few have tried to love 'em.

Ricks are alot more versatile than some think...the 360 is bright...most buy the 360 and it is the most famous one... but not alot of the other models...you can get a fat tone aka a les paul with the 620 no problem...the 650 has a fat neck as well...little wider than a tele...nice guitar as well...I have a 650 D ...body and headstock made of walnut...unvarnished neck...mini humbuckers and schaeller tuners and bridge....sold originally for 750 if I remember...very meaty sounding...

soulspinner

01-11-2013, 01:52 PM

[QUOTE=Ray;1271896]They still making them in lucite?

malcolm

01-11-2013, 02:24 PM

I'm surprised no one mentioned McNaught. He is one of the more meticulous of the botique builders. Very nice beautiful guitars. McInturff and baker are also very nice.

Paul Reed Smith, the old ones with matched tops are beautiful the new ones are just another guitar.

If you like a thin neck some of the older high end Jackson's play well and sound good, but I've not seen one that didn't have a thin neck.

If you like fender style guitars, check out Melancon. They are made in south Lousiana by a long time player and the ones I've seen are quite nice and not terribly expensive unless you get it really maxed out.

559Rando

01-11-2013, 02:53 PM

Ricks are alot more versatile than some think...the 360 is bright...most buy the 360 and it is the most famous one... but not alot of the other models...you can get a fat tone aka a les paul with the 620 no problem...the 650 has a fat neck as well...little wider than a tele...nice guitar as well...I have a 650 D ...body and headstock made of walnut...unvarnished neck...mini humbuckers and schaeller tuners and bridge....sold originally for 750 if I remember...very meaty sounding...

The narrow string spacing on the classic models has been an issue for myself and friends.

They're made not too far from where I live, but I believe they still aren't doing factory tours :confused:

Worth noting are G&L (also made locally) are arguably the pinnacle of Leo Fender's design. Their prices are reasonable given the quality. Some of the tooling and shapes were used on vintage Fenders but the electronics are very "hi-fi" (for lack of a better word).

Spin71

01-11-2013, 05:38 PM

Travis Bean

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3669/garciaplaysbean64080.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/garciaplaysbean64080.jpg/)

cash05458

01-11-2013, 06:27 PM

The narrow string spacing on the classic models has been an issue for myself and friends.

They're made not too far from where I live, but I believe they still aren't doing factory tours :confused:

Worth noting are G&L (also made locally) are arguably the pinnacle of Leo Fender's design. Their prices are reasonable given the quality. Some of the tooling and shapes were used on vintage Fenders but the electronics are very "hi-fi" (for lack of a better word).

via the tours...I know Rickenbacker doesn't do those which is too bad as it would be a cool tour...and actually their customer service is pretty bad...write them about a problem and you won't even get a response from them, my experience anyhow...the other problem with ricks is they pretty much almost doubled their price on some models a few years ago and all of them went up drastically in one swoop...4003 basses could be gotten 6 or 7 years ago or so for 900...now they are 1800! The 620 was 900 bucks up until a few years ago and now it is 1600 I think...I love their guitars but they are getting a lil outta hand I think...

flydhest

01-11-2013, 07:14 PM

My electric is a Fender American Strat. Sort of the CAAD9 of guitars. Not the most expensive or fanciest, but is all about business and is better than most of its users.

boxerboxer

01-11-2013, 10:08 PM

My electric is a Fender American Strat. Sort of the CAAD9 of guitars. Not the most expensive or fanciest, but is all about business and is better than most of its users.

Jeff Beck could totally still podium on your Strat.

rounder

01-11-2013, 10:18 PM

I went on tours at Martin a couple of times. They explain that when they buy the wood, it is graded and numbered. It is stacked on end and they control it. At the time, not sure if it still is, people in the process were responsible for a certain part of the process: carve the neck, mold the sides, do the top, do the bottom, assemble, finish etc, We were told that a new employee would be there seven years before he was capable of building the whole guitar.

The place is a geat place to visit. Not sure what it is like at other Guitar places. You can obviously see the workmanship in the finished guitars. Bet it is not all that different than what you would see if you went to a handmade bike builder.

pistolpete

01-11-2013, 10:32 PM

I have a Washburn that I love but if you are set between those two the Martin is the way to go imho

djg

01-12-2013, 08:26 AM

Just wondering. I know that folks have preferences about best bikes, components, coffee makers, etc. What about guitars. I know that a Gibson ES-335 or Fender Stratocaster are not directly comparable to a Martin D-28. But they are pretty much standard for what they are. What about custom. What else is out there. Thanks.

The mind boggles. Of the three you listed, the Martin D-28 is likely the best for bluegrass. I'll say that the Strat is the worst, on the theory that the rest of the band won't let you to plug it in -- and you might get at least some useful sound out of the ES-335, if not that much. Definitely swap the Martin for the Strat for the Hendrix tribute band.

I've no idea what you should look at. As you already know, lots of guitar shops have specialties, some more special than other, and there are well-known shops that will offer, for example, the ability to try way more than the standard offerings. I reckon that's a starting point, although if you're asking about custom, what you play might not be what they build for you, and you'll want to know what to ask for. Then there's setup, strings, etc.

Here's a review of some OM style guitars from higher-end builders -- all cool guitars as far as I know (I've played a few of the reviewed guitars, and own one, but haven't tried them all) and the review and clips might show you some shops with which you're not familiar. Could all be barking up the wrong tree, of course.

http://www.acguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=27570

rounder

01-12-2013, 08:42 AM

Thanks all. I wasn't asking so much for myself. Already like what i have. I was really more interested in what everyone else likes.

malcolm

01-12-2013, 08:48 AM

My electric is a Fender American Strat. Sort of the CAAD9 of guitars. Not the most expensive or fanciest, but is all about business and is better than most of its users.

Funny you say that. I've owned some very nice guitars over the years and my playing could only be described as sucks. My 12 year old daughter is better than me and she is no prodigy. Some of the best players I've ever seen that you never heard of or don't make a real living doing it have been playing asian strats and eipphones the schwinns of guitars.

Plum Hill

01-12-2013, 08:59 AM

Curious if anyone knows of Zuni Guitars.

The Shawnee Forest of southern Illinois has some fantastic cycling. Passing through the little town of Alto Pass, I stopped in at The Root Beer Saloon (www.rootbeersaloon.com). Starting talking to the owner and found out part of the building (the light colored left side in the photo) was filled with hardwood blanks. Turns out he is a wood supplier to many guitar makers. He is also the luthier of Zuni (www.zuniguitars.com). Beautiful to look at.

Since I'm a bigger guitar hack (I can play notes but not music) than cycling hack, thought I'd inquire.

And if your travels take you to southern Illinois, ride the Shawnee Wine Trail.

djg

01-12-2013, 09:06 AM

Thanks all. I wasn't asking so much for myself. Already like what i have. I was really more interested in what everyone else likes.

Gotcha. Well, the three you listed are all cool guitars IMO. Not sure I deserved to have an opinion on the myriad electric offerings, even when I was playing electric (and it's been a while), but to take the acoustic (steel string/flat top) category and focus on the particular niche of OM style guitars in the review I pasted above (patterned after, or extrapolated from, Martin's 1929 "orchestra model" guitar), I happen to have a Santa Cruz OM and I love it -- great guitar, and especially for what I want/like. I think that most of the guitars they sell are custom (maybe more like 60% than 90%), although mine was bought off the rack a little over 15 years ago, at the end of a binge of looking for something and trying many, many things -- mostly in DC-area shops (we have some good options), and just folks' offers for a try, but also on excursions to Gruhn, in Nashville, and Mandolin Bros., in NY, that I'd bundled with other things.

Bob Ross

01-12-2013, 09:37 AM

I think PRS guitars are a little polarizing.

Indeed. I was just recently participating in a thread about "PRS versus Gibson" guitars over on the GearSlutz forum, and it's remarkable how polarizing they can be! The vitriol comes out in spades.

fwiw, I've owned a PRS since 2000, and I owned a Gibson when I was younger, played & owned a bazillion different guitars over the years... PRS are definitely nice guitars that do some things extremely well, but it seems like too many people want or expect them to be a substitute for a Gibson or a Fender (or both*) and that just ain't gonna happen.

*keeping this somewhat relevant to a cycling forum, what I said on that gearSlutz thread was "I think of [PRS] sort of the same way I do hybrid bikes: They're a compromise between, rather than the best of, their two ingrediants (mountain & road bikes, or Fenders & Gibsons). The PRS does beat the living snot out of any Fender or Gibson I've ever heard for hi-gain applications -- it's an incredible nu metal machine -- but it doesn't offer the versatility (idiosyncratic as it may be) of a good Les Paul or Telecaster."

rounder

01-12-2013, 09:57 AM

Gotcha. Well, the three you listed are all cool guitars IMO. Not sure I deserved to have an opinion on the myriad electric offerings, even when I was playing electric (and it's been a while), but to take the acoustic (steel string/flat top) category and focus on the particular niche of OM style guitars in the review I pasted above (patterned after, or extrapolated from, Martin's 1929 "orchestra model" guitar), I happen to uss & have a Santa Cruz OM and I love it -- great guitar, and especially for what I want/like. I think that most of the guitars they sell are custom (maybe more like 60% than 90%), although mine was bought off the rack a little over 15 years ago, at the end of a binge of looking for something and trying many, many things -- mostly in DC-area shops (we have some good options), and just folks' offers for a try, but also on excursions to Gruhn, in Nashville, and Mandolin Bros., in NY, that I'd bundled with other things.

If i ever get another guitar, it would be an OM. There is a Guitar Store near where i live, and when there, go to the back room and try the different guitars, mainly Gibsons and Martins. I would love to try a Collins OM or something from Huss & Dalton, Santa Cruz also. I have subscribed to Accoustic Guitar for years and have read the article.

I am definitely not a good guitar player, but have played for years and do not intend to give it up. I have owned a Guild classic, Gibson ES-345, Martin D-28 (stolen) and a Martin HD-28.