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Looking for a louder acoustic guitar

Discussion in 'Music to Your Ears' started by dobrojoe, Apr 20, 2019.

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  1. Apr 20, 2019 #1
    dobrojoe

    dobrojoe Tele-Meister

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    I've been playing acoustic folk and blues lately - no amplification whatsoever - in a large room with about 20 other musicians taking turns. I have a Martin electro acoustic with cutaway which is great when plugged in but has no volume acoustically. I also have a Taylor but it has the same problem. I tend to play lead fills rather than strum chords or I will play fingerstyle to accompany songs I am singing. I have a couple of resonators and two small acoustic amplifiers - a Fishman Loudbox and a Yamaha battery amp but nobody else uses amplification and I am reluctant to go down that route.

    Question, what acoustic guitars should I be looking at to get more volume?
     
  2. Apr 20, 2019 #2
    rze99

    rze99 Poster Extraordinaire

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    I've got a mid '90s USA Westerly Guild D4-NT and it is really very loud. When I play alongside other acoustics I have to be careful not to be too strident. My Martin is sweet but less voluminous.

    Guild D4 NT_2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2019
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  3. Apr 20, 2019 #3
    schmee

    schmee Doctor of Teleocity

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    Basically you need a dreadnaught I suppose. Full size, or a big Gibson J200 etc. Rosewood with spruce top would be my choice probably.
     
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  4. Apr 20, 2019 #4
    suave eddie

    suave eddie Friend of Leo's

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    Guild D-55
     
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  5. Apr 20, 2019 #5
    Flaneur

    Flaneur Friend of Leo's

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    IMG_20161112_141747200.jpg Would it be considered rude, to fire up a resonator? ;)
     
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  6. Apr 20, 2019 #6
    stephent2

    stephent2 Poster Extraordinaire

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    For clarity and projection, think mahogany back and sides or better yet, maple in a dreadnaught size. Red spruce tops can be louder than sitka,..

    My Martin D jr is surprisingly loud and not expensive.
     
  7. Apr 20, 2019 #7
    Stubee

    Stubee Doctor of Teleocity Gold Supporter

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    14EAA0E0-5DB0-4646-9391-232CFD72DBC8.jpeg 676E13E9-7CB0-4E8F-B88C-E780222C1616.jpeg A Gibson Advanced Jumbo RI. I’ve owned one for 16+ years and have played a bunch, all are ‘loud’. Very powerful guitar and a good one is also great sounding in all respects. I didn’t really need that stinkin’ cord in the 2nd pic.
     
  8. Apr 20, 2019 #8
    Shuster

    Shuster Poster Extraordinaire

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    Electric Acoustic, how loud is now up to you;)
     
  9. Apr 20, 2019 #9
    tubejockey

    tubejockey Tele-Holic

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    Check out the Breedloves with the bridge truss. They play fantastic and sound huge. The bridge truss eliminates the torque on the bridge plate, allowing for much thinner top bracing. I bought one of the cheaper ($300-ish) models years ago, and it booms bigger than any old Dreadnought I have heard.
     
  10. Apr 20, 2019 #10
    Beachbum

    Beachbum Friend of Leo's

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    I agree with dreadnought + mahogany. I've got a 1980 MIJ Sigma D10 mahognay that's the loudest acoustic I've ever played.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Apr 20, 2019 #11
    Norris Vulcan

    Norris Vulcan Tele-Afflicted

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    I play a Lowden O-32. Very loud, like a piano. My favourite of all my guitars.
     
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