Recommend me an acoustic with electric-like action

mellowsun · September 2015

Having sold my Lowden, I'm missing having a steel string acoustic around. But because of painful joints, I can't play a regular acoustic now.

So what would you recommend for a good quality acoustic with a very low action - is there such a thing? I've played Yamaha APXs but the action is still a bit high.

Budget around £2K.

woody · September 2015

Taylors are always very easy to play,although i wouldnt claim to be a fan..i have a huss&dalton cm custom which plays beautifully..very slim electric like neck..

ThorpyFX · September 2015

mellowsun said:

Having sold my Lowden, I'm missing having a steel string acoustic around. But because of painful joints, I can't play a regular acoustic now.

So what would you recommend for a good quality acoustic with a very low action - is there such a thing? I've played Yamaha APXs but the action is still a bit high.

Budget around £2K.

buy a more budget guitar and have it professionally setup? It'll get you into the low action place faster than any other method

CloudNine · September 2015

I would say Brook. Some of the easiest playing acoustics I have ever come across. Have had quite a few over the years and all were the same. If you don't mind the skinny neck, all good. Budget about right too.

viz · September 2015

Go for an electro-classical nylon strung. Like the alhambra z natural ez.

mellowsun · September 2015

Thanks for the suggestions! I have an electro-classical nylon string already, but am missing that steel string tone (probably down to listening to the new Tommy Emmanuel album recently).

I'll check out Brook and Huss&Dalton.

Like the idea of a cheaper guitar set up properly. Will investigate Faith as these are supposed to be the pick of the bunch.

equalsql · September 2015

Walden.

Especially the Natura series. Solid wood beauties.

Very skinny necks stabilised by twin carbon fibre rods. Seriously low action too so great for electric players wishing to try acoustic. Yes and they sound lush!

richardhomer · September 2015

A shorter scale length, such as a Martin OM or some Gibsons, with 12s (or lighter).

If you aren't concerned about absolute volume and power, a Taylor GS Mini with lightish strings would be a good call.

crunchman · September 2015

Not sure whether Brook or other skinny necks are the best idea. I find it more comfortable playing something with a bit more depth. If you are playing open position chords then Brook are probably not a great idea. The fingerboard is very flat. It's a lot easier to play chords when there is a bit of a radius.

Would echo what has been said about shorter scale lengths so there is less tension.

It's been mentioned above but thin strings are the most obvious. I used to use 10's on my acoustic for a while. They are not ideal tonally but they are ok.

robinbowes · September 2015

How about a Variax?

mellowsun · September 2015

I don't like skinny necks. Sounds like short scale, low tension strings and low action could be a good solution.

On thing I tried before was a set of 10s but with the top E from a set of 12s. This gave a fuller sound.

FelineGuitars · September 2015

I have a great Alvarez that I refretted with jumbo wire after re-doing the inlays with maltese crosses that has very low action.

It's a dreadnought size and also has an Earvana nut so i sounds very in tune.

Solid spruce top and laminate mahogany back and sides

£399 or close offer.

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/19078/

Evilmags · September 2015

Thomastik Infeld do low tension strings with silk wraps under the steel wrap. "Silk and Steel" accoustics are quite specialist but it might be worth trying one.

Bluesman1989 · September 2015

I've got a brand new Collings OM2H going if that would be any good for you? And you could stretch a little past 2k

If not and you could find the time to get down to TAMCO in Brighton, Trevor has a great selection to try

Evilmags · October 2015

The actual action on an acoustic can be adjusted by a tech. If you want to reduce tension then silk and steel is worth a look at as are lighter strings with a lightly braced guitar. (Guitars built to take gauge 13s sound awful with 10s on them). The silk adds weight without adding tension and while it wont sound like a dreadnought with big strings it does sound nicer than very light acoustic strings, which lose the bell like tone that acoustic needs.

guitarfishbay · October 2015

richardhomer said:

A shorter scale length, such as a Martin OM or some Gibsons, with 12s (or lighter).

I agree on short scale length.

The rest is in the setup.

You can get 10-47 sets of daddarios that will be really light to play.

mellowsun · October 2015

Thanks for the further suggestions. I've never tried silk and steels so will check them out.

I don't get on with dreadnoughts unfortunately, OM or OO are more my thing.

ICBM · October 2015

Something like a Taylor 3 size - or whatever they call it now, the smallest one anyway - strung with 10s and with a good set-up will get you electric-like playing ease, and the tone won't suffer anywhere near as much as if you tried the same thing with a Martin Dreadnought for example.

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Recommend me an acoustic with electric-like action

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