best acoustic brand for recording?

Ted · April 2019

Is there such a thing? My dream is being able to have my songs professionally recorded. I had heard that Taylors were specifically designed for the recording studio - but this could be twoddle. And how do you tell, just from playing it, if a guitar is going to translate well to a professional recording?

Any advice gratefully received.

octatonic · April 2019

There is not- it hugely depends on what you are recording and how you are recording it.
There is no best, just 'best for you' and that changes over time.

CMW335 · April 2019

Best is open to a number of factors but if it helps I think historically a Gibson J45 is the most used acoustic guitar for professional recordings hence the nickname “The Workhorse”

Also need to consider how you are recording, what microphones, room set up etc

BigLicks67 · April 2019

Out of my guitars my J45 tends to sound best recorded, but as previously stated that is generally the result of the mic and room I'm recording in as much as the guitars I'm using.

Lewy · April 2019

Some guitars are said to be "easier" to record (this is often a description given to guitars with mahogany as opposed to rosewood back and sides) but that doesn't necessarily mean the end result is better, and great sounding recordings of just about every guitar imaginable prove that knowing what you're doing in the recording process is way more important.

I'd say by far the most important attributes for a guitar that you're going to be playing in the studio are a) comfort and b) the best possible set up for the style you're playing on it. The last thing you want when you're trying to keep red light fever at bay is to also be fighting with the instrument.

ICBM · April 2019

Recording King.

Sorry

.

I would say the Martin D-28 is actually the most recorded guitar of all. Some studios keep one available in case it's needed.

My Gibson Dove also records brilliantly - a while ago I did a session with it, but for one song I wanted a different vibe so I used the studio owner's Hummingbird, which sounded really nice in the room too. After I heard the result I had to go and do it again with the Dove...

brojangles · April 2019

Yeah I think when people talk about acoustic guitars being easy to record they usually mean that they're "balanced" across the frequency range, and especially that they don't have too much bass. Hence the idea that Gibson J45s - and Taylors - are especially good for recording, because there's less fiddling around with EQing to do.

But but but - there's probably going to be EQing to do anyway, and it's not like there aren't a trillion Martin D28s on records too, so I don't think it's something worth stressing about (as a guitar player - maybe a picky and/or grumpy recording engineer would disagree), especially if - like me - you prefer the bassy/less mid-heavy Martin sound in real life.

richardhomer · April 2019

‘Any’ good sounding guitar records well. If I’m after a part to just sit in a track, I find an SM57 pointed at my D28 sounds great, requiring (usually) no Eq.

p90fool · April 2019

I can turn a fantastic 1940s Martin to shite with a three inch change in mic placement, so there's that consideration too.

If the guitar itself is sound, with good intonation and with no rattles, buzzes or random dead notes it's really down to personal taste, and again, good mic placement.

ESBlonde · April 2019

Many considerations.

Mic selection and placement is critical, often two mics gives a better more even representation. A large Dia condenser and a small Dia condenser placed appropriately, even a third mic over the players right shoulder adds a little 'body' if needed.

The player being still(ish) and having good tone with and even playing response helps.

Generally in the past (vague rule of thumb) is that a Martin will respond better to fingerpicking while a Gibson gives a nicer response to flat picking/strumming, but there are many exceptions to that rule that prove it not very accurate.

Taylors remind me more of the ovation style in that they reproduce well in the troublesome live stage environment, I've heard both recorded well and they typically have a spritely upper mid peak (more modern and expensive taylors less so). This is where a skilled recording engineer with a decent mic cabinet makes all the difference.

But as ever, there is no correct way and being adventurous can led to some interesting sounds.

sweepy · April 2019

I got remarkably good sounds out of a cheap mahogany Sigma, it all depends what you are after tbh

rossyamaha · April 2019

I’ve recorded with a £100 Yamaha F310 and £loadsamoney pre war Martin and everything in between. They all sounded like acoustic guitars.

Creed_Clicks · April 2019

All depends. I'd say the art of recording a guitar would be as important, if not more important than the guitar itself.
Nirvana recorded Something in the Way on a shitty old acoustic with old strings and it didn't do them any harm...

Andy79 · April 2019

Creed_Clicks said:

All depends. I'd say the art of recording a guitar would be as important, if not more important than the guitar itself.
Nirvana recorded Something in the Way on a shitty old acoustic with old strings and it didn't do them any harm...

Harmony 12 string strung with 5 nylons I think...

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best acoustic brand for recording?

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