Acoustic-only?

TheBigDipper · August 2019

thecolourbox said:

I'd like to get into acoustic playing as a sort of no-nonsense no-frills kind of experience, similar to how I enjoy the piano as it's standalone and requires no extra kit than just the instrument. I like the idea of some kind of epiphany such as that described above but I'm fairly sure it's exactly just that - I like the idea of it but the reality just wouldn't do it for me.

That could be, as somebody else has said, because I have a less-than-ideal instrument (Big baby taylor) that it hurts to play for too long as I'm used to electric strings and action. Anything bigger might sound better, but I can't reach to play it (I'm fairly minimal in terms of size), anything smaller and they don't seem to sound any good. Upgrading to a decent one seems to cost a lot more than elecrics. Also as the tone (frequencies?) of the acoustic guitar does not seem to suit my voice registers, I think a Baritone range of notes would work better but they are even more money for me to not get on with it!

I also don't get on very well with the disconnect of sound. I find they sound better to the listener in front of the instrument than to the player because of projection. As I use my ears for trying to vary dynamics and touch etc that is hard, especially as I suffer from not being able to focus on sounds if there is background noise.

I'd have to look into what I could do about the neck action and strings befoe I could give it a fair crack of the whip but I'm not sure the outlay to get it done would be worth it for my purposes

If you can, try playing facing a flat hard wall - about 6ft away or so. That works for me. I've also played a couple of (too expensive) guitars with sound ports on the upper small bout and that seems to help give the player the full tone of the instrument that is otherwise lost by projection.

ToneControl · August 2019

TheBigDipper said:

thecolourbox said:

I'd like to get into acoustic playing as a sort of no-nonsense no-frills kind of experience, similar to how I enjoy the piano as it's standalone and requires no extra kit than just the instrument. I like the idea of some kind of epiphany such as that described above but I'm fairly sure it's exactly just that - I like the idea of it but the reality just wouldn't do it for me.

That could be, as somebody else has said, because I have a less-than-ideal instrument (Big baby taylor) that it hurts to play for too long as I'm used to electric strings and action. Anything bigger might sound better, but I can't reach to play it (I'm fairly minimal in terms of size), anything smaller and they don't seem to sound any good. Upgrading to a decent one seems to cost a lot more than elecrics. Also as the tone (frequencies?) of the acoustic guitar does not seem to suit my voice registers, I think a Baritone range of notes would work better but they are even more money for me to not get on with it!

I also don't get on very well with the disconnect of sound. I find they sound better to the listener in front of the instrument than to the player because of projection. As I use my ears for trying to vary dynamics and touch etc that is hard, especially as I suffer from not being able to focus on sounds if there is background noise.

I'd have to look into what I could do about the neck action and strings befoe I could give it a fair crack of the whip but I'm not sure the outlay to get it done would be worth it for my purposes

If you can, try playing facing a flat hard wall - about 6ft away or so. That works for me. I've also played a couple of (too expensive) guitars with sound ports on the upper small bout and that seems to help give the player the full tone of the instrument that is otherwise lost by projection.

same advice from me

TheOtherDennis · August 2019

TTony said:

^^
I went with LOL, but Wisdom would have been equally appropriate.

Happy with either, thanks

MichaelWatts · August 2019

Welcome to the acoustic side of things, it's very beautiful!

The steel string guitar has been my main instrument since my teens and I love it in all its forms. I still play some electric but I'd say I'm 85% unplugged

Chris_J · August 2019

MichaelWatts said:

Welcome to the acoustic side of things, it's very beautiful!

The steel string guitar has been my main instrument since my teens and I love it in all its forms. I still play some electric but I'd say I'm 85% unplugged

I could have written that.

I still pay electric occasionally, but, the lack of time I spend playing electric shows these days. Still enjoy it though! I depped for a band on electric last year and found it really hard adjusting when I play acoustic almost daily.

ToneControl · August 2019

I played electric last night, was a bit rusty, mostly not familiar with the string tensions

Schnozz · August 2019

I don't think I could go OOO/OM only - I really like Les Pauls and Jazz Basses too.

...And get the urge for a Superstrat now and then.

brojangles · August 2019

I could happily live with just an acoustic. I very rarely plug an electric in at home - they're for volume! And yes, less satisfying in a solo context. (Good for low volume sofa noodling when not plugged in though.) Sometimes I think about selling all my gear and just getting a nice D28.

CHRISB50 · August 2019

I did it.

Sold all my electrics and kept one acoustic.

A lovely Lowden O22C, mahogany b&s and redwood cedar top.

I then sold that and gave up guitar. Haven’t looked back since

Careful what you wish for!

thomasross20 · August 2019

Sorry for tardy replies from me - it's been a rough couple days!

@ToneControl - what did you learn at the John Renbourne workshop?
Does Tony McManus live near me lol!?
I've seen Clive Carrol at IGF years ago and it left an impression (not sure if with his wife).
I also prefer more "acoustic style" on an acoustic. Also not into acoustic "drumming"
And while I like some instrumental stuff, I REALLY like fingerstyle PLUS singing (like Lindsay Buckingham)

@TTony I need to plug my electric in so I don't forget how....!
Ooooh nice boxset - I miss the days of leafing through CD booklets (I just buy mp3s now)

@TheOtherDennis you are too kind!! Best thing about band was the Wednesday rehearsal - something social to break up the week. Apparently there are lots of folk-type things in Edinburgh so I'll have to get along. Do you have recordings?

@DLM hehe

Thanks for song suggestions!!

thomasross20 · August 2019

@CHRISB50 crikey lol!
I'd like to try a guitar with a soundport!

ToneControl · August 2019

thomasross20 said:

Sorry for tardy replies from me - it's been a rough couple days!

@ToneControl - what did you learn at the John Renbourne workshop?
Does Tony McManus live near me lol!?
I've seen Clive Carrol at IGF years ago and it left an impression (not sure if with his wife).
I also prefer more "acoustic style" on an acoustic. Also not into acoustic "drumming"
And while I like some instrumental stuff, I REALLY like fingerstyle PLUS singing (like Lindsay Buckingham)

What did I learn? More about other gutiarists really, I was there for one day out of 3
Watched his great performance in the evening though

Tony McManus is from Paisley, I think he used to perform around your way a lot
It seems he now lives in Ontario

the guitar percussion thing sounds gimmicky to me

I used to listen to Martin Taylor a lot, have loads of his CDs
Then one day I realised it would sound better with a bassist playing the bass part, etc.
Since then, whenever I hear someone trying to "do it all" on one instrument, other than as a one off piece, I wish they had got someone else to assist

thomasross20 · August 2019

Paisley!? Christ...!!

That's how I feel when I hear a lot of instrumental stuff. I prefer guitar + singing.

Fifty9 · August 2019

CHRISB50 said:

I did it.

Sold all my electrics and kept one acoustic.

A lovely Lowden O22C, mahogany b&s and redwood cedar top.

I then sold that and gave up guitar. Haven’t looked back since

Careful what you wish for!

Just curious but why do you come on here then if you’ve given it all up?

earwighoney · August 2019

ToneControl said:

the guitar percussion thing sounds gimmicky to me

Percussive acoustic players are the shredders of the acoustic world. Well not really, Gypsy Jazzers are the real shredders of the acoustic world, or flamenco players.

I'm not sure what my point is now.

ToneControl · August 2019

earwighoney said:

ToneControl said:

the guitar percussion thing sounds gimmicky to me

Percussive acoustic players are the shredders of the acoustic world. Well not really, Gypsy Jazzers are the real shredders of the acoustic world, or flamenco players.

I'm not sure what my point is now.

To me it sounds 2.2% as good as getting a drummer, or even a drum machine

thomasross20 · August 2019

Tried my electric tonight for first time in ages.
"Rusty" doesn't even cover it...!!

CHRISB50 · August 2019

Fifty9 said:

CHRISB50 said:

I did it.

Sold all my electrics and kept one acoustic.

A lovely Lowden O22C, mahogany b&s and redwood cedar top.

I then sold that and gave up guitar. Haven’t looked back since

Careful what you wish for!

Just curious but why do you come on here then if you’ve given it all up?

It's a good community, and it's partly habit

My first moves of every day are - Get up, Berocca, Espresso, BBC News, Fretboard.

I joined Music Radar to sell an amp and then just started posting more regularly. Once Music Radar went down and this place started I joined up. I still played guitar then. I sold my Lowden about 2 years ago. I promised myself if I ever felt the urge I'd start again, but I'm still waiting.

I only really frequent Off Topic and BCD as obviously I don't have much interest in things with strings anymore.

Jalapeno · August 2019

Glad you're enjoying acoustic fingerstyle - don't sell up entirely as you never know when the muse will strike.

clare_bear · August 2019

I play my acoustic exclusively at the moment. Mostly because my main motivation is writing songs now.

TTony · August 2019

thomasross20 said:

Tried my electric tonight for first time in ages.
"Rusty" doesn't even cover it...!!

Store it somewhere less damp

thomasross20 · August 2019

Hehe

GOod to hear from you @TTony and @clare_bear! ;
@Jalapeno ; - definitely....

fields5069 · August 2019

I'm coming to the same conclusion - with an acoustic guitar you have the complete accompaniment. I'm glad I bought an electric guitar the last time I had money, as that's the only electric I want (3 x P90 orange flying V

) and I can see myself selling some other stuff to buy another acoustic. At the moment I have a Simon & Patrick mahogany slot-head folk guitar which is very nice for finger-picking and not bad for strumming, plus a cheap Yamaha dread which I want to upgrade, maybe for something slightly bigger than a folk.

thomasross20 · August 2019

I played my electric a second time the other night. I've still got it - phew!
Though another realisation has hit me. I'm never going to be a rock star lol.
Also played a bit acoustic last night. I've got a list of 60 quite challenging songs and I'm 43 songs in. It's satisfying getting the guitar parts down so well that you can focus on the singing (eek - THAT needs practice!) - very satisfying playing whole songs. Can still see how the full power of a band is awesome, but the logistics of getting one makes me doubt if it'll happen again. ALl good for now!

fields5069 · August 2019

I forgot to add - check out Damien Jurado, especially the last 2 releases and the releases before the Maraqopa (sp?) trilogy. Really nice songs IMO. He can pick pretty well, but some of his best stuff is just strummed, I think on a smaller-bodied acoustic. The Maraqopa stuff is nice as well, more varied and less folky. Listening to him, it seems so easy to pick out a few chords and a melody and write a song. In practice though.......

DLM · August 2019

thomasross20 said:

Tried my electric tonight for first time in ages.
"Rusty" doesn't even cover it...!!

Oh goody, I could really use a Rocky IV style training montage right now. \m/

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