Need help deciding on what to get

[Mark Davis]

Next guitar is gonna be an acoustic. I just saw Tommy Emmanuel live Sat night so Im hooked again on acoustic.

Here is what I want. Low action easy to play 000 or OM size.

My $$ range is gonna be around $750-1500.

Ive been looking at mostly Blueridge and Martins.

What would you guys get?

The last time I shopped for an acoustic was in the early 70's when I sold all my electric gear so I could play James Taylor and Neil Young songs.

What I ended up with back then was a real nice Ventura Japanese copy of a Martin D-35. So Im not hung up on brand names just want a good solid guitar I can just sit in my recliner and play. Thats why I want the smaller body size.

[blue metalflake]

Can't believe you're asking advice Mark.

I fulfilled a lifetime ambition earlier this year, when I got a Martin. Laid out lots of money, but it was worth every penny. Always thought there was nothing to sound like them, and I'm more convinced than ever.

In other words - a Martin.

[CharlieO]

Will you buy a used guitar? If you will, I'd suggest taking a stab at this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Martin-Co-000-16...QQcmdZViewItem

Not a bad way to go, and if it isn't right for you, you probably won't lose when you sell it. There are a couple of new ones on eBay also, if you'd rather go that route.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by blue metalflake

Can't believe you're asking advice Mark.

I fulfilled a lifetime ambition earlier this year, when I got a Martin. Laid out lots of money, but it was worth every penny. Always thought there was nothing to sound like them, and I'm more convinced than ever.

In other words - a Martin.

Ya Im totally out of the loop as far as acoustics go. So when you dont know ask questions! LOL

[tele12]

I like the little mahogany Martins alot , the 000-15 and the 00-15.
The 00 body being slightly smaller. I do believe the difference in Martin's numbering system between the 000 and the OM is the width at the nut, with the 000 being 1 11/16" and the OM being 1 3/4".
I don't think any of the OM Martins sell for under $1500 street. They do have the 000-15S which has a 12 fret body,1 3/4" nut and slothead, retails for $1250.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tar?sku=514769

It has been a long time since I played a Blueridge, when I did the Blueridge was selling for about $350 and the Martin 000-15 was selling for about $600 and I thought it was worth the difference in price. Of course now the Martin retails for $950 and seems like Blueridges run from about $400 to over $3000.

Other guitars to look at are the Taylor 214or 414 series, they fall into your price range,generally have a little lower action compared to a Martin but have a brighter more trebely sound.

Larrivee also makes some very nice guitars in that price range.

I really like my 000-15 Martin, and when I bought it a few years ago I didn't think there was anything comparable in its price range ($600), but prices on the Martin 15 series has risen to $950 street.

[amp boy]

i have been impressed with vintage guild acoustics, compare their price and tone to new 1-2 grand guitars. it freaks me out that this 2k gibson acoustic in the shop is 2k, 'cause i played a $600.00 D25 Guild from the late 70's, and it was ridiculas how much more character the notes had.
So try taking a look at some used ones.
The blueridges are a good "new" value guitar.

....though their is something to a guitar, when it's quality, and made at home. The United States of America.
it's kinda an ideal, the sound that spoke of the nation.
now i'm getting nostalgic about some of the things i like.
hahhaa.......

i just say no to made in china whenever i can.

[johnnytronics]

000-18 , $1556 at Maury's music. He'll walk across the street and pick it up for you. Very sweet guitar. Sitka spruce, mohagany back and sides. 1 /11/16 nut but still nice for occasional fingerstyle. Bit less string tension as it's 24.9 scale.
Love mine, and I mean love.

[johnnytronics]

Oh yeah, sorry, it's a Martin.

[tele12]

Maury's Music site has some video clips of Blueridges and Martins.

http://www.maurysmusic.com/blueridge_vs__martin

http://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_guitar_video_clips

http://www.maurysmusic.com/blueridge_video_clips

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by johnnytronics

000-18 , $1556 at Maury's music. He'll walk across the street and pick it up for you. Very sweet guitar. Sitka spruce, mohagany back and sides. 1 /11/16 nut but still nice for occasional fingerstyle. Bit less string tension as it's 24.9 scale.
Love mine, and I mean love.

Thats one of them Im looking at. Also the 000-18 Golden Era which is alot more but not as bad used.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by tele12

Maury's Music site has some video clips of Blueridges and Martins.

http://www.maurysmusic.com/blueridge_vs__martin

http://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_guitar_video_clips

http://www.maurysmusic.com/blueridge_video_clips

Strange most of the Blueridges sound alot alike. Where the Martins all sound different.

Thanks hearing them helps alot.

The one I like the very best is the D-18 Authentic but its out of my price range. I could go as high as $1750 so will probably end up with a Martin.

[johnnytronics]

Mark,
If you end up shopping at Maury's, he'll do a nice setup for you ( $60 ) prior to shipping. Martins can tend to be a little high on the action out of the factory.
I had mine set up at 5/64th's at the 12th fret and it's very player friendly.
( no affiliation by the way, just great service )

[BB]

As much as I dig Martins, Larrivees remain one of the best sounding, ( IMHO of course ) best bang for the buck acoustics out there. Check out a Larrivee OM03 Mark. You won't be sorry! The venerable L-09 is a great guitar too. Not quite the O body style, but cool nonetheless. I have a beautiful 1978 L-09 and it continues to inspire. Wonderful guitar that just gets better and better..

Of course, you could look for a Maton. I was blessed to be able to use a killer EB808 ( like one of Tommy E's many Matons ) and an EM325C for a month while in Australia. As much as I liked the EM325C, I absolutely fell in love with the EB808. While the majority of the Matons I played lacked the acoustic volume of a Martin or Larrivee, they had a very sweet, complex tone. Plugged in, the Matons just KILL!

The Epiphone EF-500RA Master Builts are good too. I played a few in a local store that amazed me. For the money, they are major bang for buck.

[Big Mike Simpson]

Go do a blindfolded playing test and have them hand you everything you think you like and make sure one is a Larivee.

Personally I prefer vintage Gibsons but they are usually above your $1500 limit these days.

[tbp0701]

When I went shopping earlier this year, I wound up with a Martin 000-15. I love it. (I bought it from Maury). Of all the ones I tried, the other main contender--and it was almost a toss-up--was a Larrivee L-03. (The "L" body is akin to a classical and is Larrivee's own design. Larrivee also has an OM).

[PK]

IMHO, we're in the golden age of guitar building. Probably at the top end of your bubdget, but if you shop wisely (pre-owned) you should get your hands on a small shop like Santa Cruz, Huss Dalton, Collings, etc. I'm pretty sure I read that Jean Larrivee came up thru the ranks at Santa Cruz. I love my Santa Cruz! It's hard to believe how great she sounds (blows my Martin HD28 out of the water). SCGC makes OO styles, I have their basic orginal "D".... Richard Hoover has gained a great following at SCGC, but there are many other true bench style luthiers. The small shop guys will likely hand pick better wood. My SC D has RW side/back, and the sitka spruce top came from a 200 year old dead standing tree! The aging of wood, and the opening up of a guitar, has to do with resins in the wood hardening and crytalizing over a long period of time. The science at work here, is when the resin crystalizes, the organic matter shrinks and the natural pores of the wood "open up". My guitar sounded like a pre=war oldy out of the box due to great selection of the top along with great bracing (bracing effects tone perhaps more than the wood but nobody talks about it)and building techniques. With an acoustic, there's a much wider range within the same builders line regarding tone and quality (my opinion of course). Good builders will have better consistancy but even Martin puts out a turd once in awhile. A small shop builder has almost zero chance of handing you an expesive turd.

PK

[dbirchett]

Before you buy anything, check out a Larrivee OM-03 in Sapele or Rosewood. (Occasionally you can find them in Walnut or Maple and there are used ones in Koa, Autstralian Blackwood and Honduran Mahogany)

These are solid wood guitars, made in Canada with spruce tops, ebony fingerboards, bridge and peghead with a bound fingerboard. The body is bound with maple, sometimes figured, sometimes not. The bracing pattern is the same as the most expensive Larrivees so the sound is very similar.

The sound is somewhat different from a Martin, less bass punch but a more balanced tone. the OM-03 in any of the woods can be had for well under a grand and is a great buy. Check them out.

[Caper]

Keep an eye out for a Yamaha LL-11 or an LL-16. The 16 is all solid woods. Both are a little smaller than the traditional dreadnought bodies. I picked up an 80's LD-10S five years ago in new condition for $450 and would never part with it.

[tweeddeluxe]

Mark,

At the lower end pricewise you might want to consider an Epi EF500--OOO size, 1.75" nut with V profile neck. All solid wood, available in mahogany or rosewood. All for about $500. Very nice

Tom

[zombywoof]

I agree with Big Mike on older Gibsons.

The one small body guitar that I thought was a bargain for the money was an Epiphone Blues Master. They do not make then any longer but they are not that hard to find used. Nice little 12 fret, X-braced body guitar. Will also leave a bunch of cash in your pocket.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by tweeddeluxe

Mark,

At the lower end pricewise you might want to consider an Epi EF500--OOO size, 1.75" nut with V profile neck. All solid wood, available in mahogany or rosewood. All for about $500. Very nice

Tom

Those are definatly ones Im considering. Ive heard nothing but good things about the Epis.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

I agree with Big Mike on older Gibsons.

The one small body guitar that I thought was a bargain for the money was an Epiphone Blues Master. They do not make then any longer but they are not that hard to find used. Nice little 12 fret, X-braced body guitar. Will also leave a bunch of cash in your pocket.

I love the Gibson nesks always have thats what I learned on an ES335.

IM still looking at the CJ-165 too just gotta play one first to be sure I like the neck feel.

[studio1087]

Buy a 15 (Martin). Keep it forever. I love mine.

Standard 1 11/16 Nut



Wider 1 3/4 Nut



15's are just warm and beautiful sounding guitars.

[Pvee]

Larrivee OM-03 is an awesome acoustic guitar.

You can get it with Mahogany, rosewood, and with a pickup if wanted.

I have a left arm hand weakness due to nerve damage that is still healing, so I wanted a short scale acoustic and the Gibsons and Taylors were in the 2000.00 range then I discovered the Seagull which are all short scale so I bought one with a cedar top and I really like it also. They can be had for around 500-700 dollars.

Originally Posted by BB

As much as I dig Martins, Larrivees remain one of the best sounding, ( IMHO of course ) best bang for the buck acoustics out there. Check out a Larrivee OM03 Mark. You won't be sorry! The venerable L-09 is a great guitar too. Not quite the O body style, but cool nonetheless. I have a beautiful 1978 L-09 and it continues to inspire. Wonderful guitar that just gets better and better..

Of course, you could look for a Maton. I was blessed to be able to use a killer EB808 ( like one of Tommy E's many Matons ) and an EM325C for a month while in Australia. As much as I liked the EM325C, I absolutely fell in love with the EB808. While the majority of the Matons I played lacked the acoustic volume of a Martin or Larrivee, they had a very sweet, complex tone. Plugged in, the Matons just KILL!

The Epiphone EF-500RA Master Builts are good too. I played a few in a local store that amazed me. For the money, they are major bang for buck.