Is an acoustic your main guitar?

Mine are. Martin & Co.

Electric guitar is something I play primarily by myself, for fun, or for low-tension scale practice. Acoustic guitar (and other strings) captures my ear in a way that electrified music rarely can.

I suppose I'm quite the minority on this board, but I can't be the only one un-plugged. :?:

Nope.
I am happy to say that I have the best acoustic guitar (for me) ever.
It's a James Goodall RCJC.
It has tripled my acoustic play time!

My Larrivee L-03R almost singlehandedly keeps my mortgage payments met, bills paid and my wife and kids fed. So as much as I love my Teles, Strats and Tone King Comet - that acoustic IS my main guitar. It is not, however, unplugged!

Is an acoustic your main guitar? ...

Yes, in more ways than one. I donate my time to playing retirement centers and a nursing home 3 days out of every week. And while I sometimes take a Tele to those gigs, an acoustic goes over best. My Breedlove AD25/SM is my go-to gigging guitar in those situations, and sees at least some playing time at my paying gigs. So in that sense, "an acoustic is my main guitar."

I never owned an electric guitar until four years ago. (I'd played them on occasion, just never owned my own before July of 2008.) I'd played (acoustic) guitar for 40 years before that, so in that sense too "an acoustic is my main guitar."

My most prized guitar is my MIJ Hohner G-940 that I bought in 1983. It is an all solid wood guitar, spruce top, mahogany sides & back, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, maple bindings on the neck and body, with maple inlays on the headstock and as position markers. This guitar has the quality of construction, the playability and the tone to rival any Martin I've ever played. The money to buy her was a gift from several dear friends. So in terms of the guitar's quality, and the sentimentality of having received her as a gift from friends and as an instrument that I've owned for 29 years, this "acoustic is my main guitar."

Mine is a Larrivee that sits in the stand next to my favorite chair at all times , we have gotten to know each other quite well over the years!

Oh, and this thread needs some pictures, IMHO. Here's one that shows you my aforementioned Breedlove and Hohner. The Breedlove is on the left, in my right hand; the Hohner is on the right, in my left hand. (That's my Logan Custom mahogany Tele in the middle.)

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/My_Guitars_-_some_of_them_-_and_me.jpg

Here's a closer/better (?) shot of my beloved Hohner.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/My_Hohner_G940.jpg

Trevor, how about pics of your Larrivee? brookdalebill, how about that James Goodall RCJC? And Cooper, you started all this. How about pics of those Martins?

In the past year my acoustic is played more then my electrics. It's a Martin 000-28 EC. It is also a matter of convenience. The Martin is never in it's case,always leaning on the chair in the living room so I constantly have it in my hands. Perfect example as I'm typing this I'm strumming as I look at other posts.:grin:

^Larry is correct. This thread is worthless without pics.

Here's the big box, a D-18GE '35SB. It sounds exactly like it looks.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t206/mgeimer/D-18GESB_Grv.jpg

This one - Martin 000-15s - was my first Martin. It has a deep, warm, comfortable tone that really suits my voice. It's been set-up perfectly and plays like a dream. Also my best recording guitar in that it needs so little to work well in a mix. I'd grad this one.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t206/mgeimer/000-15s.jpg

Oh dear, my poor Larry is need of a clean up before I can post pics - it's got gunky residue from a previously mounted GK3 pickup - indeed a working guitar.

When I'm back from overseas however this thread is a good reason to pay some overdue TLC on the cosmetic front.

Nope

I play mine every day, usually early in the morning, often for hours.

Yep, play them daily alternating between a 2005 Taylor 210 and a mid-60s Fender Malibu. Plug in the Tele maybe every few months or so.

I played an acoustic in a band for many years, then I went electric and never went back. It seems that I can do so much more with an electric. Side note: when I played acoustic I would often break a string, I have never broken a string on an electric. I'm sure this is because I strum harder on an acoustic.

i "do my chores" on the tele unplugged : work on learning lead guitar, work out my parts on the band stuff, as it is the tele i will play at the gigs. but far and away the guitar that is most in my hands is my cheap little yamaha fs720s acoustic. i've got a 1962 gibson j-50 in the case beside it, quite a friendly guitar, but the yammie sitting on the stand is always the one i pick up.........i dunno about me sometimes. : )

I almost always play acoustic at home. It's what I learn new songs on, what I practice with, what I do for enjoyment or therapy or just plain escape. In my band, I play about 75% electric - I really couldn't do just one or the other.

I play about 60% acoustic. I only gig acoustic. There was a period about 10 years ago where I played acoustic about 90% of the time. Playing louder electric guitar is fun and it's great stress relief. I played a Tele through 4 years of high school jazz band and I gigged in a cover band during 3 years of college (mid 80's) playing a Les Paul and a Music Man amp. I have a lot of fun with electric but the acoustic guitar is my primary instrument.

I have three catagories.....Martin, Larrivee and other.

All three of the Martins have K&K Pure Western's for live use. I use the Pure Preamp and a Fishman Loudbox 100.

Martin OOO15M - OM16GT - D15

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/MartinFamilyAsmall.jpg

Larrivee L03R - P03 - OM03 - The parlor guitar has a K&K Pure Western

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/LarriveeFamilySmall.jpg

Other - Yamaha FG750S - Taylor Big Baby - Seagull Grand Parlor - Taylor GS Mini - Yamaha FG720S12 - Sigma Mandolin on floor - The GS Mini has the ES-Go pickup.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/AcousticMisc.jpg

I also have the Gretsch Americana Gunfighter and Space Ship cowboy guitars (fun stuff).

I've tried doing open mics with both my acoustics and my electrics. Seems to me my show comes across better with the acoustics. I guess if I had a #1 it would be my new Martin DCPA3, but I try to play all four of them regularly.

The electrics (Strat, Tele) are by far easier to play lead licks on and are more comfortable on the "dusty end" of the neck. I guess I'm just too lazy to lug my heavy HRDV amp to the venues. Stay tuned--it might change tomorrow!

If I start gigging regularly, I'll probably take the Martin and one of the electrics and do a set with each one.

Apples & Oranges.

I play a lot of both, and I keep the styles distinct between acoustic and electric. The gigs and the approach are different, and so I can't say that one or the other is my "main" thing. Depends upon the job to be done.

These days, most of my gigs are electric and the Martins just stay at home. In that case, my job is that of a lead guitarist in rock/country/blues settings and I wouldn't bother switching guitars for those shows.

My acoustic gigs are a different matter. This weekend I have to play 4 shows, 2 electric band and 2 acoustic. The acoustic shows will be almost entirely fingerstyle (thumbpick & fingerpicks) in solo and duo settings of modest volume, while the electric shows will be for different audiences and venues.

While some songs might overlap these two groups, I certainly won't play them the same way at all. When I play acoustic, I stick to a very folk-rooted approach, and when I play electric I put my rockin' & string bending hat on.

My accoustic is my main guitar when I'm plyaing it! When I'm not, one of my electrics is!! :lol:

... Playing louder electric guitar is fun and it's great stress relief...


John, I really relate to that statement. I've already talked about how much I play acoustic, though I haven't thought of it in terms of percentage of hours. Guitar playing has always been my therapy. I'm guessing that for all I spend on guitars and gear, I'm probably still getting off light if I compare that to hiring a therapist to try and straighten me out! :oops: :wink:

Yes. Primarily Beneteau flattops www.beneteauguitars.com and House flattops www.houseguitars.com

Plus 2 resonators (Dobro, and Regal), LaPatrie classical, various banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, autoharp.

I sometimes use an electric to teach, but usually use acoustics for everything except the little old cover band.

yupp, guess I haven't thought about it, but my Martin gets played more. Mostly out of laziness. I probably play my Tele more unplugged than plugged which really is a travesty. I use my acoustic more when I play with others so that's why it's number 1 right now. No fuss, sounds amazing right out of the case.

My 1978 Guild F-50 has about 250,000 miles on it. I beleive playing that much acoustic has made me a better electric guitarist.

Yup. Here are a few. Nothing fancy in the pickup department, the only ones I use are old DeArmond 210s.

1942 Gibson J-50

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/Guitars/Gibsons012.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/Guitars/L1000792.jpg


1946-1947 Gibson LG-2

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/Guitars/006-1.jpg


1932 National Duolian & Mid-1930s Kay Kraft round soundhole archtop

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/Guitars/007.jpg

Yes. I have several electrics for the band and general fun, but my primary axes have always been acoustics. Brands: currently Beneteau (www.beneteauguitars.com), House (www.houseguitars.com), LaPatrie (www.lapatrieguitars.com), Dobro, Regal.

My teles and amps haven't seen much love since I started playing a nice acoustic!
My Lowden S-32 lefty!

I play my Ovation acoustic far more than my strat. But, I play both. I play bass more than both of those.

Yes, I play my Alvarez nylon string exclusively because my electric is not at my house right now.

I've always been an acoustic player at heart. My passion is for contemporary arrangements of traditional hymns, played with acoustic instruments and incorporating tight vocal harmonies.

Arthritis prevented me from doing much playing for about a decade. Several years ago, I started from scratch when I was asymptomatic enough to do a passable job with a Telecaster. I always treated the Tele as a "solid body acoustic" and arranged parts as if it were an acoustic.

Back in April, I took a leap of faith and bought an acoustic after not having one for seven or eight years. I've played it every day since. I plan on staying acoustic as long as I am physically able -at least where public performance is concerned. Plans sometimes change, though, and I'm not the acoustic snob I was as a teen, so I might have a change of heart and use the Dot Studio as my main guitar, or go back to the Telecaster that served me so well for the last seven years. For now, though, it's primarily acoustic for me.

T-C

This time of day it is. I play this one every morning, before anyone else is up.

http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz167/hankstank/SBGwithBeatles.jpg

Edit: Oops. I just noticed I said this already, a few months ago when this thread started. I just wanted to post the picture, I guess.

I pick up my grandad's old resonator for a bit of slide a lot more than I plug in my Tele and wait for my amp to warm up. In terms of gigging though, I haven't played acoustic in public for a good few years.

Acoustics were my first love and continue to get 75% of my playing time. I love fingerstyle blues the best, but love to strum my acoustics as well. My three 6 stringers are a 1964 Gibson LG1, a 1993 Taylor 612C and my big box 2005 Gibson Advanced Jumbo. I also have an early 80's Ovation 12 string Custom Balladeer and a 1969 Framus 12 string that get playing time. I usually keep at least one of them tuned to DADGAD or Open G and do a lot of Drop D as well as standerd tuned stuff.

90% acoustic...play the Electric here and there but not often..I just love the sound of an acoustic way better :cool::cool:

Yup, about 70% acoustic, almost all my solo or duo things are on a Tak and that's a couple a week usually. Even when I do a band thing about once a month it's still about 30% acoustic and the Tele, mostly rhythm, for the rest.

Kristina

I seldom play electric at home and half of my gigs are on acoustic. But on to the pics:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/DSC_0005-3.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/Untitled.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/how_lbc.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/DSC_0007-3.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/DSC_0001-7.jpg

I make my living doing music and I've only done two live gigs and one studio gig with my Tele this year, everything else has been acoustic.

I seldom play electric at home and half of my gigs are on acoustic. But on to the pics:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/Untitled.jpg




Lawdy, I am a big fan of Favilla acoustics. It is also rumored Favilla made the Strad-O-Lin mandolins which were so good even Bill Mornoe was said to have kept one around. Anyway, if you ever decide to part with the Favilla drop me a line.

Lawdy, I am a big fan of Favilla acoustics. It is also rumored Favilla made the Strad-O-Lin mandolins which were so good even Bill Mornoe was said to have kept one around. Anyway, if you ever decide to part with the Favilla drop me a line.

It's a cool guitar, sounds great, has a story.

This was the last guitar my friend Frank Moats sold, Frank owned Atlanta Vintage Guitars and played this one around the shop. Frank went into hospice the next day,... so she's a keeper. She's currently on loan to a close friend who's learning acoustic blues fingerpickin'. Frankie's Favilla lives on!

If the guy doing the hiring wants a "plug-in" guitar (as we call electrics around these parts) I will show up with a Tele and a Peavey Classic 30.

If he wants just a guitar, it will be with a Gallagher or Martin.

Haven't played a plug-in guitar while sitting around the house for years. These days it is all acoustic or banjo...or sometimes URB if I am feeling special.

:smile:

Mine are a '91 Martin D35 and a couple of Gibsons J ('64 J50 & '98 Early J45). But righ now I'm again in a Jerry Reed/Chet Atkins mood so I gig with nylon strings - my old '79 Juan Estruch or the '91 Gibson Chet Atkins. Very cutting in a sunday afternoon session with 3 other steel string, a mandolin and a banjo!

I play a Tele -occasionally a Strat- with the band and a Takamine at the monthly jam I host.... but this is probably the one I like playing the most.
(it has the thin finish, so looks a bit less pristine nowadays.....)

Yes, acoustic is where the work is. Then bass, and finally electric guitar.

I play a Tele -occasionally a Strat- with the band and a Takamine at the monthly jam I host.... but this is probably the one I like playing the most.
(it has the thin finish, so looks a bit less pristine nowadays.....)

Mega-cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! Some very nice old and new guitars you guys have here!! Love to see the pics.

As far as the questions goes, as much as I love and play electric, around the house (where the majority of my playing takes place these days) I play acoustic 95% of the time.

Acoustics are a beautiful late 70's, early 80's Larrivee L-09. Contacted Larrivee with the serial #, but a fire in the Victoria shop destryed the records...so, their best guess was between 1978 and 1982. It's in it's case in the closet right now, so the picture is of one from 12th fret that looks similar. Wonderful sounding instrument.

The 98 Epiphone AJ45 gets most of my playing time however since I keep it on a stand next to my chair. Love it!

The 50's Harmony Soverieng is a cool little thing. Nice warm/woody tone.

My #1 tele is a homebrew affair-chambered mahogany body, killer neck from USAGC. Best tele I've ever played.

This my only Acoustic and it's my Main one even though I have two Electrics.....well now I think about it the acoustic is electrified as well. :wink:
Simon and Patrick Woodland Parlor Pro.
http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab156/drunkin_miner_esquire/SAM_1219.jpg

I learned on acoustic and stayed strictly acoustic for about 12 years before ever buying anything electric. I still stay close to my roots and play acoustic 90% of the time. Theres something about a good acoustic that for me even the best electric guitar cant do for me.

i love acoustic and electric guitar ... my acoustics rule because i'm too lazy to find a cord, plug in, and fire up my amp(s) ... and because i live or have lived in an apartment or condo forever ... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7b9Jka7BQlo/S2xRGtyQVQI/AAAAAAAABfE/usle9qY-WFc/s512/blkgtar.jpgi

Never I'd say that an acoustic is my main guit - but this baby is crowding out the rest, and when I get a pickup it's no telling how telling how lonely my other guitars are gonna get.

I have barely played my electric in the year since I got my Bonanzinga. It's by far the greatest guitar I have ever played the only thing that come close is my dad's 64' guild f-30. Here are some photos of the amazingness that is this guitar.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/46082_1393411081340_8026483_n.jpg
One of my favorite view, the brazilian rosewood sides with a big old knot.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320721_629136668374_718686748_n.jpg
close up of sunburst to and sound hole
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/312204_629136698314_1586105083_n.jpg

Yes!

Started on acoustic and when I perform it is with an acoustic. I am finding my way with electrics and amps. Fun stuff those electrics, but my home is acoustics. Here is my heard.

TAYLOR
GC 12-fret Koa Spring Limited (koa/koa)
412ce Spring Limited (sitka/walnut)
NS72CE (cedar/rosewood)
GS Mini (sitka/sapele)

BREEDLOVE
OOO-MM Custom (mahogany/mahogany)
Master Class Northwest Classic (sitka/myrtlewood)
Revival OOO-R Deluxe (adirondack spruce/ei rosewood)
American CM/25 (sitka/mahogany)
Pro C25 CRH (cedar/rosewood)
AC250/SM12 (sitka/sapele)

OTHER
Kremona Orpheus Valley Sofia (cedar/sapele)

no but this fellow does. IDK though ... when does an acoustic really cross over to being an electric.!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-ztuvMsy-c

Maybe when you treat it like this? :mrgreen:

"As the result of his aggressive playing style, Monte has broken the neck of his original guitar four times, causing himself and the Alvarez guitar shop ever-increasing frustration."

My Number One is an Epiphone SST Chat Atkins model in cherry sunburst! It's sort of an acoustic!

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/P1000267.JPG

I played acoustic only for seven years before i bought my first electric. Then it was around 30 years Telecaster. A few years ago I bought a Martin OM-21 and that's about all I play anymore. I'm not even in an electric band at the moment, so all my electrics and all my amps and other stuff are sitting around unused, collecting dust, provoking comments from my wife, "why don't you sell that stuff?"

So, let's see. I play the Martin in an acoustic band. I play the Martin at home. I guess the acoustic has become my main guitar again. It's got five years on it now, and it just sounds better and better.

steven

I gig about "75%-25% Electric vs. Acoustic( though I learned how to play 35+ years ago on the acoustic) - but I play my acoustic 1993 Martin D-1 for hours just about everyday- I love it and it keeps my fingers in shape too for electric gigs- it is a great-sounding and playing friend!:wink:

My main guitar is a Martin D Mahogany 09. My electrics are primarily for couch playing/practice without plugin-in.

I have barely played my electric in the year since I got my Bonanzinga. It's by far the greatest guitar I have ever played the only thing that come close is my dad's 64' guild f-30. Here are some photos of the amazingness that is this guitar.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/46082_1393411081340_8026483_n.jpg
One of my favorite view, the brazilian rosewood sides with a big old knot.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320721_629136668374_718686748_n.jpg
close up of sunburst to and sound hole
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/312204_629136698314_1586105083_n.jpg

That is a gorgeous instrument.

Since I got my Martin (DRS1) a few months back, I've only picked up my Tele about twice,

Maybe I'm in an extended Honeymoon phase? ;)