UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45
The Beginnings of a NAG Journey Minefield
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It has been a very long time since I last posted on here. I’m almost at a point funds wise where I can purchase a high end acoustic after a huge gear purge.
I have a US Taylor 415 Jumbo owned from new since 2005. Truth is I have never really bonded due to its shape, size and neck profile, it does has sentimental value, I funded it with money left by my grandmother when she passed away in 2003. Before the 415 I did have a US Taylor Big Baby which I loved but stupidly sold to my Stepdad.
As a kind of last resort I’ve got the Taylor booked in for a proper setup and much needed restring at Charlie Chandler Guitar Experience.
So far I have only been to GAK and Guitar Guitar in Epsom. After a bit of online research I have only tried a Gibson J-45 50’s and Standard, Gibson Original Heritage Hummingbird, Atkin 43, Martin 000-18.
The J-45’s were nice but in all honesty didn’t completely blow me away but I loved the short scale necks, I preferred the 50’s J-45 with the chunky neck.
The Atkin The Forty Three was beautiful and I was immediately drawn to the extreme resonance, aged looks and playability. The Atkin definitely ousted the Gibson variety.
The Hummingbird was beautiful in the looks department and a standout favourite as an all rounder, great for strumming loud, quiet and picking, but then I tried a Martin 000-18, I loved how comfortable the Martin was to hold, I liked the much smaller body shape, the neck finish was comfortable and so smooth.
I think I am drawn to smaller concert bodied guitars (but not the Ed Sheeran variety) I am a singer, I finger pick occasionally, flat pick and strum with a little bit of string bending.
Another brand I am intrigued by but yet to try is the Guild M-25e or M-20 does anyone have any experience of these? I have heard great things in terms of comfort, sound and playability. I think I have a long way to go before making a decision.
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Both are good or *can* be if you find a good example. Personally, i prefer a Bird over a J45 but both gig well.
Charlie is the guy I use. Kim there is a very good tech.
Also bear in mind that in the UK you're paying a huge premium for Gibsons and Martins, and domestic brands like Atkin provide relatively good value. To get equivalent specs and quality on a US model you're looking at Collings or Martin custom shop prices. Given the quality of UK acoustic brands we have today, I'm not sure I'd consider buying a new USA built guitar in the context of price hikes and a weak pound. So I'd also add Lowden, Fylde and Patrick Eggle to the list of brands to consider.
I'm far from holding a sentimental and nationalistic "buy British" mentality. It's down to economics and being fortunate enough to reside somewhere with many fine acoustic manufacturers.
With Lowdens, if a smaller body is what you're after the S-series may be a contender. Arguably more for the soloist/fingerstyle market than singer-songwriter though.
Also to say that I'm a huge Guild fan (I have 5), and they are great guitars. I've not tried the M25 but the M20 is lovely. But they're generally outclassed by Atkin and Lowden in my experience.
All that said, there's no substitute for simply trying out a load of guitars and choosing the one that appeals to you most. You're doing the right thing by not rushing in or buying online just based off specs. GuitarGuitar Epsom has a very nice acoustic room and I'd also recommend Coda Music slightly further afield. Guitar Village is also nearby if you don't mind paying through the nose and being exposed to the mercurial whims of its owner.
In the other corner, I have a Bourgeois Aged Tone Mahogany D, which is their D18-alike. Obviously quite different to the Atkin and it's the most meat & potatoes acoustic design there is, but it's an incredible sounding thing. I got mine the last time I was in the US, so I'm not sure the economics work out in the UK vs Atkin, but worth trying one if you have a chance.
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
Experiences of Coda, Guitar Village etc?
I am not into places with the sales pitch and where you have to ask to get one or two guitars taken off the wall for you (which is rife in one relatively local store here). Imo if going to drop £££ you want time on your own when you can play every single guitar you fancy grabbing.
Btw I agree there are quality British brands which are more affordable than inflated US brands these days
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Same for Coda but it was a return. Both great if need to return. Stock in both looks good, Coda is more en-route.
Will have to check Mak's.
It would be remiss of me to not mention Larrivee, @builttospill ... But defo get the guitars in hand. For me, if it doesn't feel right.. it ends there. Then it's about the sound. Then it's... Has this guitar had you sitting playing it for ages? As that's the guitar you really want!
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just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
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