Acoustic for an electric player

Elwood · February 2015

Morning folks,

I'm looking for a decent acoustic guitar. I'd like to get something with the playability of an electric and the following spec:
Parlour or smaller bodied
14 fret join
Mahogany/Sapele
No electronics required

I'm looking to do some reserch before going and trying some out. The only Parlour guitar I've found that fits my criteria is Auden guitars but as they are a small UK company I can't try out without droping 1500 quid on one!

Any recommendations?

BigLicks67 · February 2015

If you are looking for good quality and I assume a modern slim neck. The action you can take care of later.

Then there's the Martin 00018 or 00028 and Gibson J45 (although its bigger than you may want) all of these have a shorter scale which allow for less tension and easier bends.

I also think the J45 has a sort of jazzy sound to it. Atkin make a J45 copy also. The Martin 000 have smaller and slimmer bodies so less bulky than your traditional dreadnought. There's the 00 series which is smaller and parlour like not sure of the scale though.

Taylor do a Grand Concert which is very small and has a short scale but I'm not a massive fan.

If you've 2k then try a Mcilroy mini jumbo with walnut back and sides not sure they fit your brief but they are excellent guitars.

CHRISB50 · February 2015

What's your budget?

Do you mean Auden?

I would imagine Taylor do something up your street but they seem to be a bit marmite as they can sound pretty bright.

Moon may be worth trying if you can find one.

Faith maybe worth checking out.

Elwood · February 2015

Ideally 600-700. There seem to be some decent Martins available at that price.

Yes, I did mean Auden

Can't seem to find many Taylors available second hand

Will check out moon

Faith look nice but seem to favour gloss and electrics on the models I've looked at.

Duppy03 · February 2015

@Ionian I tried a Faith Saturn and Venus earlier this week. They both blew me away both sound and to play (i'm trying to make the transition from electric to acoustic too).

I would have walked out with the Saturn if it had been a 14th fret join, there's something about that size of guitar that really feels right for me.

I'm now on the holy grail search for something as close to the Saturn as possible with 14th Fret join. So far the Sigma stuff seems as close as I can find at a reasonable price.

Or the Taylor GS Mini.

jimmyguitar · February 2015

I'd recommend a 60's Epiphone Caballero, they seem to fly under the radar as most people think of Epiphone as Gibson's budget brand but that wasn't the case pre 1970. The Epis of that era are USA made and the caballero is the same as a Gibson LG-0. They have quite slim necks/nuts, are small bodied solid mahogany, 14th fret join and sound great. £400-£600 depending on luck! Here's one:
http://www.glennsguitars.com/guitars/gibson/page211/page211.html

richardhomer · February 2015

The Taylor GS Mini would seem the obvious choice.

ThorpyFX · February 2015

I had the same request a few months ago, in the end i bought a Faith Saturn Eclipse from Kris on here. its a dreadnought with a cutaway, but crucially the neck plays just like a les paul. best acoustic i have played (bar my father in laws 1960's guild)

Gassage · February 2015

This might go against the grain, but if you're using it on stage thru amps/pa, look no further than the cruelly under rated Yamaha APX series.

The 1000's are discotinued and very good value at the moment; the 1200 are awesome and built magnificently.

The preamp and EQ in them is sensational.

I know people look down on Yam's but these are superlative guitars as all round perfromance things.

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-apx-1000-natural/45135?gclid=CjwKEAiAyMCnBRDa0Pyex-qswB0SJADKNMKAsVmBBBAG-tp_g9QcKu7_rCBYhKFatLYTb-FDRF4NExoCv1jw_wcB

And I am sure @markGAK or his new man would assist you

MarkGAK · February 2015

Gassage said:

This might go against the grain, but if you're using it on stage thru amps/pa, look no further than the cruelly under rated Yamaha APX series.

The 1000's are discotinued and very good value at the moment; the 1200 are awesome and built magnificently.

The preamp and EQ in them is sensational.

I know people look down on Yam's but these are superlative guitars as all round perfromance things.

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-apx-1000-natural/45135?gclid=CjwKEAiAyMCnBRDa0Pyex-qswB0SJADKNMKAsVmBBBAG-tp_g9QcKu7_rCBYhKFatLYTb-FDRF4NExoCv1jw_wcB

And I am sure @markGAK or his new man would assist you

I'm going to pass this one over to @yoseph as I won't be at GAK after today. He can certainly help.

Gassage · February 2015

MarkGAK said:

Gassage said:

This might go against the grain, but if you're using it on stage thru amps/pa, look no further than the cruelly under rated Yamaha APX series.

The 1000's are discotinued and very good value at the moment; the 1200 are awesome and built magnificently.

The preamp and EQ in them is sensational.

I know people look down on Yam's but these are superlative guitars as all round perfromance things.

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-apx-1000-natural/45135?gclid=CjwKEAiAyMCnBRDa0Pyex-qswB0SJADKNMKAsVmBBBAG-tp_g9QcKu7_rCBYhKFatLYTb-FDRF4NExoCv1jw_wcB

And I am sure @markGAK or his new man would assist you

I'm going to pass this one over to @yoseph as I won't be at GAK after today. He can certainly help.

De-mob happy already!

Yoseph · February 2015

Sure thing.

I'm a bit in love with Faith at the moment, everything they do is amazing at the moment....

Things like...

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/faith-classic-burst-series-mercury-parlour-sized-acoustic-with-scoop-cutaway/105722

But, of course it's a 12 fret join. Martin do the 000RS1, which is completely amazing! Ticks all your boxes (but has a pick-up) Mexican build, solid, awesome!...

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/martin-000rs1/85611

Little bit over budget, but Taylor do the 322 which is everything anyone could ever want!

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/taylor-322-mahogany-top-grand-concert/82124

All great options!

Monkeybone · February 2015

Taylor GS Mini, easy.

Duppy03 · February 2015

What do people thick of the Yamaha LS models?

tone1 · February 2015

I was gassing big style for a Yam Cpx1200 in sunburst but have just acquired a Martin JC16RGTE. NGD to follow soon!

albanov · February 2015

Martin 00-15/000-15 are great and would be available in your budget used, should be easy to try one out in the major guitar shops. Neck is fairly slim so not too much of a leap from electric.

Guild also do the M20 (?) (the Nick Drake one) and F40 in mahogany, not sure if they're current production models. There's also the M-120 from the cheaper GAD line which are pretty good.

Those Epi Cabarello's look nice too.

ICBM · March 2015

Gassage said:

This might go against the grain, but if you're using it on stage thru amps/pa, look no further than the cruelly under rated Yamaha APX series.

The 1000's are discotinued and very good value at the moment; the 1200 are awesome and built magnificently.

The preamp and EQ in them is sensational.

I know people look down on Yam's but these are superlative guitars as all round perfromance things.

I think you're an impostor, I can't believe the real Gassage would say such a thing

.

Yamaha APX... thin plastic-y acoustic tone, horrible electrics that don't sound much better, and often break (Yamaha have now run out of replacements for the older models and there is no equivalent).

Just avoid.

Taylors with Expression System electrics also need to be avoided for reliability reasons. The older ones with Fishmans are OK.

But basically, don't buy anything with electrics if you don't want electrics, even though that drastically reduces the choice in cutaway models. You will *always* get a better guitar for the same money if you go for a plain acoustic, and in almost all cases you will get a better amplified sound if you then fit it with a simple pickup and external preamp - not to mention avoiding the reliability and upgradability issues of onboard systems.

BigLicks67 · March 2015

To be fair Mr Ionian did state that he didn't want electronics - so I think this APX stuff is a bit of cul de sac, although I agree 100% with ICBM - get a good acoustic first, then think about micing it - using transducers etc later. Let's face it most piezos are bobbins and heavy duty onboard electronics ruin the balance of a good acoustic.

xmrchi · March 2015

ICBM;542051" said:
Gassage said:

This might go against the grain, but if you're using it on stage thru amps/pa, look no further than the cruelly under rated Yamaha APX series.

The 1000's are discotinued and very good value at the moment; the 1200 are awesome and built magnificently.

The preamp and EQ in them is sensational.

I know people look down on Yam's but these are superlative guitars as all round perfromance things.

I think you're an impostor, I can't believe the real Gassage would say such a thing .

Yamaha APX... thin plastic-y acoustic tone, horrible electrics that don't sound much better, and often break (Yamaha have now run out of replacements for the older models and there is no equivalent).

Just avoid.

Taylors with Expression System electrics also need to be avoided for reliability reasons. The older ones with Fishmans are OK.

But basically, don't buy anything with electrics if you don't want electrics, even though that drastically reduces the choice in cutaway models. You will *always* get a better guitar for the same money if you go for a plain acoustic, and in almost all cases you will get a better amplified sound if you then fit it with a simple pickup and external preamp - not to mention avoiding the reliability and upgradability issues of onboard systems.

@ICBM Definately some wisdom here but, from my experience, takamines Japanese EA series had one of the nicest unplugged tones I have heard and the amplified tones was fantastic, granted it was not a cut away but I gigged one for ten years and it was stellar!

:-)

jamie · March 2015

I play mostly electrics but just bought a Washburn WD10S Heritage (arrives Monday) because I wanted to do more acoustic work. Washburns tend to have necks similar to electrics (Strats and Teles anyway) so I felt it would make the transition easier. I picked the dreadnought for its projection even though I plan on installing a pickup in it (JJB Electronics). Have you thought about getting an acoustic with dimensions closer to your main electric? Parlor guitars are fun but they just don't seem to me to have the "punch" I would want at a gig. Obviously you understand your needs better than I do but I would look at a thinline acoustic rather than a parlor size. Or, you could do what a friend of mine did. He bought a Crafter FX550 bowl back in the same shade of blue as his Strat, yanked the piezo, installed a JJB 330 system using the Crafter pre-amp and ended up with very sweet sounding acoustic for gigs and session work. The whole shebang cost just under £200 and if he ever puts it down I am going to steal it

)
Just my 2 cents worth, but I may be talking out of my hat. Whatever you do get just enjoy playing the hell out of it!

)

MartinBlythe · March 2015

I have a Taylor GC7 small bodied pure acoustic guitar. Granted its indian rosewood with a cedar top. I mainly use the 814ce but there is something about the GC7 that makes me pick it up. I'm not sure if they make it anymore but you can something pick one up. It has a very warm sound and with it being a smaller body to the 814 it has a slightly compressed sound which I quite like. I use it for fingerstyle playing. Failing that, you can't really go wrong with a 000 Martin.

Elwood · April 2015

Thanks for all the help guys. It's taken a while but looks like I'll be able to get a 00015m.*

A common thread in many threads seems to be some acoustics are better for strumming and some for finger style. Is this like some guitars are considered shred guitars but can do anything really?

* I will post pics when I get it.

ICBM · April 2015

Elwood said:

A common thread in many threads seems to be some acoustics are better for strumming and some for finger style. Is this like some guitars are considered shred guitars but can do anything really?

Sort of. With an acoustic, the construction and inherent tone tend to dictate the use, to some extent. A heavily-built, beefy-sounding guitar like a traditional Dreadnought will generally need to be played harder to get a good response out of it, so it will suit strumming more than fingerpicking and may sound a bit dead played softly. A smaller, lighter-built brighter-sounding guitar will generally be more responsive when picked gently but can be overpowered and sound thrashy if strummed too hard.

Obviously it's a sliding scale and it's possible to get one that's good for both as well, although they tend not to be as great for either extreme unless you're very lucky.

crunchman · April 2015

Neck width is something that seems to factor here. If you just want to strum then something with a relatively narrow neck is fine, and probably easier to play. For fingerpicking a wider neck, and possibly more importantly a wider string spacing where your right hand is, give more room for picking.

CloudNine · April 2015

Not sure on what budget we are talking, but I recently had a Collings C10 which seems like it is close to your criteria, and it was definitely like an electric guitar to play. I sold it as have some other small body guitars I prefer. Build quality is amazing as always with Collings and the resale value very good. I have another larger Collings and have to say, if you find one you love the tone of, they are very hard to beat as an all round package.

Elwood · April 2015

The main issue for me is fret size it would appear. The Martin is lovely except for the teenie tiny frets.

What's wrong with some 6105s!

Strat_a_tat_tat · April 2015

Have you looked at Brook? In my experience they have fast, low actions and the necks are quite nice for electric players.

http://www.brookguitars.com/

The menu button at the top right hand side is a bit obscure... so click on that to get more info on models and dealers etc.

I've had a couple of their guitars... including a Brook Lyn (small bodied). Also played a Brook Creedy (even smaller body) - that I should have bought (but I was too slow).

You can order to your spec... or there are a few dealers (including Ivor Mairants, n London)

crunchman · April 2015

Brook have really flat fingerboard radius, along with a shallow neck. I had to use a classical capo on it because it was so flat. I ended up selling it because I couldn't get on with it.

If you are coming from any mainstream electric (Fender, Gibson, PRS) then the fingerboard radius will seem very flat. It's not the kind of thing you may pick up playing it briefly in a shop, but it became uncomfortable playing it for long periods after I'd bought it.

Some people love the neck and the fingerboard radius, but you definitely want to try before you buy.

I have thought of going back to Brook and asking them to build me a guitar with a more mainstream fingerboard radius and a slightly deeper neck.

Elwood · April 2015

My electric is D shaped 17" radius so flat boards are a not an issue

Evilmags · April 2015

just buy a Lowden. You won't regret it...

CloudNine · April 2015

I definitely wouldn't have Lowden top of the list when it comes to guitars, that 'play like electrics'. They have quite chunky necks (which I quite like) but I personally wouldn't say easy playing at all, in comparison to many other brands...

There seems to be a bit of 'Lowden hype' on the forum at the minute, but I would be wary of recommending them as some sort of holy grail of acoustics. They really aren't, and that is coming from someone who has owned 3 in the past. Great guitars, but they have a very distinctive sound, and it probably won't be the sound a lot of people hear in their head when they think of acoustic guitars.

I went through a phase of trying to like British acoustics, buying Lowden, Brook etc. But all long gone and had to face up to the fact that I massively prefer the American sound.

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