|
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | OK, be honest now.
How many of you when you sit down to play will grab the guitar that feels the best (or has the best action, plays the best etc.) rather than the guitar that you have that sounds the best of them all?
I find the one I grab has the best feeling neck and great action but soundwise is less than a 10. Anyone else? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 146
Location: Germantown, MD | I do the same thing, Bill, but probably for different reasons. A guitar that's easier to play seems to allow me to make the most of my limited talent and skill. A guitar that's harder to play can make me sound worse than I like to think that I am.
Peace,
John |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Yes on the feel, unless I want a particular sound (.076 strung or 12 string).
I find I have little tolerance for a guitar with action issues. I have "borrowed" Yamaha's from two of my buds only to give them back with better action, oiled fretboards and new strings.
Friends don't let friends play crap. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Because I have a limited number of guitars to choose from, it generally comes down to ease of use. I can just pull the Elite out of the case and start in, whereas either of the other two require an amp, and a cord, and...or else, the laptop and the guitar port and a cord and a usb cable and...so, the Ovation sees the most use.
That being said, I prefer the 'feel' of my O to either of my other two guitars...the neck is perfect, the action is just right, the body 'fits'. Oddly enough, when I play the cropper, I wind up misfingering quite a bit because it has more frets clear of the body. The scale is the same, but it just seems like that neck is way and the heck out there. If I play the elite, I avoid that. :)
So, ease of use, then feel. :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | cwk2
I only have a few guitars so I can be a little spoiled. I can't stand poor action and feel so I do whatever it takes to make sure my guitars are comfortable. Now if I owned the equivalent of a guitar store I would probably have to spend my days and nights compulsively adjusting them in some scientific order and never play again. Mandolins tend to hold their settings once they are set up as long as I keep them out of hot car trunks and direct New Mexican sunlight, so they aren't a big problem. My oldest one has worn frets so that needs to be fixed, I still pick on it, but, as you say, it does get a little neglect.
Bailey |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 398
Location: So. Cal. | Definitely sound for me. Firstly, most if not all the O's feel right (but different) anyway. Secondly, great sound motivates me to play. Even scales sound musical when played on a nice Adamas or Viper plugged in. I find myself practicing a lot more since I got my Prenkert classical although it's actually a bit difficult for me with high tension strings. The sound just keeps me captive. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | Well...
When I went to get my first acoustic, I played a lot of guitars. Dozens. All the ones with really bad action at the stores got put right back. You cant tell the tone if you cant play the thing!
If they had good or at least decent action in the store, they kept my attention... and I could then judge the tone.. IF...the strings were not totally dead. I can see why factories like the coated strings.
Now... at home here. I've got a few neck shapes, and the action varies a little, but they're all what I'd consider good, or I'd have done something about it. Hate to say I go for the tone... but its more like just the overall package of the guitar - action, neck finish, not so much neck shape, body (as in weight and hollow or not), and tone. I just go for what I think would be good for what I'm trying to play. I mean there aren't THAT many choices here (see the pic in the photo database), but each has its own character. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | All my guitars have good action, so it comes down to what sound I want at a specific moment. I find I gravitate to my S771-4C Balladeer and my 1777 Legend, though. The Balladeer has a fatter neck, the Legend is slimmer.
My 12-strings are about even in action, but the sound of the Adamas Melissa Etheridge and the Ovation Glen Campbell slothead are vastly different, so it comes down to sound. The ME does play a bit better if I need to go up the neck.
Roger |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I grab the closest one with no regard for feel, sound, electric or acoustic, age, color, string gauge etc. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | but Al, would you still grab it if it said G or T on the peghead?
btw, I hope you're feeling better today, you seem a tad grouchy. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I own a few G's but no T's, I guess I would have to limit it to the guitars that are handy that I own.
Sometimes I do pick up a guitar just to see what the buzz is about. For example a danelectro.
currently on the stand in my tv room are
Adamas wood top dreadnaught
benedetto strat (yes made by Bob benedetto)
tele mutt chandler body, warmouth scalloped fretboard neck, voodoo pickups and hipshot b bender this guitar has 5 strings that are almost rusty
electric dobro mutt chandler reverse headstock neck lipstick pickup and resonator this needs a neck reset
bluebond custom guitar made by a now deceased builder in philadelphia broke a string on this puppy a few days ago so it has 5 strings on it. it makes for interesting restrictive playing. HOpefully I can venture upstairs soon and get some replacement strings
grouchy? nope, all this medication has mellowed me out. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | I tend to sit around with my little 76 balladeer... the neck is great the size is comfy. It definitely doesn't have the deeper tones a AAA top does but it has a crisp sharp tone but the more I drink the richer it sounds... I love the fact that when I walk around with it I don't worry about "hurting" it... It's turned into my favorite "pick up and play" guitar... Used to be the Yairi..... The Yairi still is used tho for richer deeper "wooden" tones when laying down rhythm tracks.. Good question |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | YUP! I always grab my shallow bowl CL 6 string around the apt. Serious comfort level with this thing, though it doesn't really have the best sound of all my guitars.
Never thought about it, but it may just be because it's located closest to the couch!
Johnny
(Lazy Bastard) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | For me feel & Sound go hand in hand. I've never owned a guitar that didn't feel good and sound pretty Good too. In my case though I'd have to say my 1858 12 String Mid Bowl. It's the best of both Worlds. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Am I the only one that's experienced the phenomenon of the guitar all of a sudden sounding much, much better. Sometimes when I play, it sounds fine, but then once in a while, the Elite just seems to take on a life of it's own...the notes ring clear, true and loud; sometimes they 'pop'. Even though I haven't (knowingly or obviously) changed my playing style. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | w-2
i gotta have something with good action and set-up...so agree with you.....but also agree with Baily...if I got one that sounds good and the action playability is shit then i gotta get it right......evidenced by recently sending Elite LX back to Kim for a neck resetting and adjustments.....now guitar sounds great and plays great. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2002
Posts: 153
Location: Huntington Beach, CA | This is a very interesting question. Personally, I'm not happy with anything but the best sound, yet admit that this guitar is not the most comfortable. I've been on this quest to find the one guitar that has both for many years now. Do you think such a thing exists?
I usually rotate through my arsenal with one acoustic (or A/E) and one electric out at any given time. As the mood changes, so do the displays. Kind of like the CD changer in my car.
I have a custom made acoustic that is just awesome. Had the action lowered (shaved the nut and saddle), reset the relief and the feel was outstanding. However, it didn't sound as good (shallow/tinny). I ended up reversing everything. I don't play it as much because it hurts but when I do it sounds fantastic. Why would action adjustment counteract acoustic sound???
D. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | It's the "bluegrass effect." When the action is a little higher, you can play harder, and get more sound out of the top of the guitar; it has more dynamics than one with "electric" action. Bluegrass guitar players know this, and have appropriately higher action than, say, a fingerstyle player.
Acoustic guitars are just funny that way! And since many guitar players today started on electric (a mistake, in my book), they aren't used to playing a well set-up acoustic.
Having started on acoustic, and primarily been an acoustic player for years; I also like my electrics to be set up with a little higher action so I can dig in; more of a 'blues' action rather than 'shredder' or 'speed-metal'; these are generalizations, but I'll bet you know what I mean!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | When I shop for a guitar, I do tend to look for sound and action. Unfortunately, on numerous occassions, I can't have both. :(
These days, I look for the sound, regardless of the action. I figure that most guitars made these days have truss rods to fiddle with, saddles and nuts to file when necessary, and if possible, a knowledgeable luthier in the local area, the guitar's feel and action can always be adjusted as per players' taste and preferences.
I will admit that playing a guitar with a nice feel and action sometimes hides my limited ability to play, as opposed to one with harder action. However, if the guitar's action can be adjusted, I'd definitely shop for a guitar with a nice sound ... then play around with the action later.
Peace!
Gil |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I didn't think I had anything to say on this but I guess I do.
I have my old '71 Balladeer and an Al Dimeola Custom Legend which I have owned for almost 6 months. Both are deep bowls and have great, easy action. The Balladeer is weighs much less and has a more comfortable neck, but I'll pick up the Legend 90% of the time. It sounds better.
Sometimes I'll play old faithful because I beleive it is feeling ignored. (pretty sad, eh?) :(
Brad |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | Interesting...
Not until I "needed" to cull the heard for the most recent addition did "the feel" jump up and stop "that one" from being put on the block. It is sort of a plain Jane... But it is set up / neck feel / something...
I guess like the old sweat shirt that doesn't get pitched... "I might do some painting and need that one." Yea, it probably feels like the security blanket I had when I was 2.
I don't think the sound is the best... I know I have beter... But the feel... Will keep it until the end.
Woz |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Gil and Mikey Mike
You have come very close to defining what is considered a QUALITY guitar, it is one that sounds great and has good action. The traditional canard that only a guitar with unplayable action will give the so called "bluegrass sound" is sheer nonsense, all great bluegrass players play guitars that have great action as well as great sound. Unless you are poor and can't name your poison, DEMAND both!!
Bailey |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7237
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | My old '75 Medallion is on the stand in the control room of the studio. It sounds pretty good, is acoustic only, but it is the easiest to play. I really like that aluminum neck for some reason. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | The rationale that I use as far as which guitar to grab is as folows:
a.) What's the next song on the set list?
b.) Which guitar (6 or 12) would sound best with that song?
3.) Did I break a string on that guitar on the song that I played on it previously?
:D |
|
| |
sound or feel?
