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Posted by: Hemlok Aug 15 2007, 09:08 PM

Muris,

Just curious about what acoustic guitars you have, what styles you play on them/what they are best for/price you paid for them?

Thanks

- Hemlok

P.S Anyone else feel free to share if you have a really nice acoustic. I would like to hear of some different ones I can test when I get a chance.

Posted by: shredmandan Aug 15 2007, 09:21 PM

Although Martin is very nice,also consider Taylor, Ovation, ect.They make nice acoustic's and ofcourse Gibson

Posted by: muris Aug 15 2007, 09:29 PM

Thanks for asking Hemlok.

I have Epiphone Chat Atkins nylon model,which I used for some lessons here at GMC.
I gave about 800 euros for it,with case of course.
Another one I have is Tacamine G-116.
That's not expensive guitar at all and I got it second-handed for about 150 euros.
Also nylon stuff,which I prefer regarding to acoustic.
Still looking for fine steel,that'll fit me nice

Posted by: Hemlok Aug 15 2007, 09:33 PM

Ah excellent Muris, i have never ever ever played a nylon string! I would like to because, i learnt the Spanish Romance lesson and im sure it would sound better on a nylon.

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I hope Andrew can reply to this, because i just ordered a Martin D-15 on Ebay US for $650 secondhand. But i have never played one or heard one

Maybe Andrew can give me a little recording of his? pretty please

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I have heard of Taylor and Ovation(only recently), but I really should try one out I think.

Posted by: muris Aug 15 2007, 09:37 PM

Great,you got it on well price!!
Tell us how it works!
And Andrew will give us few shots I'm sure

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 15 2007, 11:18 PM

I love my D-15 - here is a clip of a work in progress - its a rough mix, but the Martins sound good

2 x D-15 rythm tracks panned left and right
1 x D-15 for the lead

Posted by: muris Aug 15 2007, 11:25 PM

MMMM,sounds lovely Andrew

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 15 2007, 11:29 PM

Thanks Muris

Posted by: Hemlok Aug 15 2007, 11:34 PM

Ooh this is a very nice sunny fresh sound Andrew! Very cool, can't wait to hear the finished product.

Well the D-15 sounds great, what are you using to record? or do you have a pickup?

Posted by: tonymiro Aug 15 2007, 11:50 PM

I have a Lowden L27FC Hemlok - one of the old ones when he was making them himself. Lovely acoustic and the tone has aged beautifully. I can remember trying it out years ago and getting one of the shop staff to play it as well as me so that I could listen to it from about 15 feet away - it's an acoustic that actually sounds better if you're in the audience then to the player (sounds wonderful to the player as well mind you ).

I play mainly fingerstyle on it.

I keep meaning to get a nylon string - in the village near my house here in Spain is a guy who is world famous for the flamenco guitars he makes. He's had people like Paco de Lucia buy them (buy as in spend money rather than just get it for free ). My only issue is I don't/can't play flamenco at all so it would be wasted on me . But then again not being able to play never stopped me with my other guitars .

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 16 2007, 12:05 AM

I miked it up with a good quality capacitor mic - a Rode NT-1A, although I have a much better valve mic now (a K2) - really should try some guitar recordingd with that as well.

Posted by: muris Aug 16 2007, 12:17 AM

Oh yeah,Rode is an awesome brand!!
Not much expensive as AKG or som but still works great!

Posted by: shredmandan Aug 16 2007, 12:20 AM

That sounded really good Andrew
The Martin has a real nice deep tone.I miss mine and hemlock sorry about posting on your topic before Muris.I tend to not read every detail and didnt realize it was a question for Muris

Posted by: muris Aug 16 2007, 12:22 AM

No worries,we're all into guitars,right?

Posted by: shredmandan Aug 16 2007, 12:27 AM

Thanks Muris
Hey hemlok how did you come up with your user name?I just noticed your last name and if you re arrange the letter's it makes hemlok is that how you came up with it?

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 16 2007, 12:54 AM

Thanks - yeah, it is a little dark/mellow, but with bright strings on it balnces really nicely for a deep sound as you said. Also records pretty well.

Posted by: JVM Aug 16 2007, 04:15 AM

My first guitar was a baby taylor mahogany, I still have it and it still sounds great. It's a lot of fun to play, but I'd really like a full acoustic as well, though I'm not a big fan of the dreadnoughts, they're just HUGE! I think I'd like something a little thinner My dad had a martin, I forget what, that he traded for another dreadnought martin, but I really preferred the first one, it sounded great and was very comfortable to play.

By the way andrew, your song sounds great

Posted by: Hemlok Aug 16 2007, 06:50 AM

You got it Dan, Hemlok is an anagram of my surname Ekholm.



Bigger is better!

Posted by: rokchik Aug 16 2007, 07:54 AM

Muris I was wondering about the nylon strings. I've never played them before and was wondering what the benefits are compared to regular strings? Also are they more durable or is there more maintenance with them?

Also just a note on different acoustic brands to check out. I have a Garrison G20. I know most people have probably never heard of this brand....I've talked about them before on the forum though. They are made here in Newfoundland with the lower end AG series made in Korea or someplace like that. If you get a chance to check one out I recommend it. I bought mine for about 800 Cdn. Great sounding and it resinates forever. And they were just recently purchased by Gibson!

Posted by: muris Aug 16 2007, 07:57 AM

Hey Rockchik,thanks for stopping by!!
With regular you mean of steel strings or?

Posted by: rokchik Aug 16 2007, 08:37 AM

Sorry I should have been more specific...but yeah I meant steel (I/m using 80/20 bronze Elixirs right now)

I was thinking about a nylon string acoustic as my next acoustic but as I've never played or have experience with one I was just wondering about them.

Posted by: muris Aug 16 2007, 08:48 AM

Got it now,ok

Well,nylon strings are a lot more softer than steel,and sound is really warm and cute.
Having on mind that you're a girl,you'll LOVE it.
But...there might be a problem if bridge on your guitar has pins to hold string.
Deal is,most of the nylon strings sets don't have ball at the end.

Posted by: tonymiro Aug 16 2007, 08:51 AM

From my very limited experience (but I think Muris' Chet Atkins Gibson maybe an exception here) nylon string acoustics tend to have a higher action and a wider, flatter neck profile then most of us who are used to electrics are used to. Also very few will have position markers on the fret board (trivial but it makes a difference to me ).

Cheers,
Tony

ps nice to see you back Rokchik

Sorry finger board is wider and flatter - neck profile is different again...

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 16 2007, 08:59 AM

Yes, basically different sound, feel and technique.

Having no balls on the end of the string is no big deal when you get it down - you just thread through the hole and loop it back through itself - if you ever need to do it I'll post a pic of how to do it

Given your previous comments about small hands and baseball bats, i'd be sure to try one first, the necks are seriously wide.

Posted by: muris Aug 16 2007, 09:00 AM

Yeah Tony,neck IS wider and marking on fretboard is usually only on upper side,which might be hard for the first contact I guess.
Regarding to action...it can be adjusted like everywhere else but tension of the strings is a lot lower and fingers are having nice and soft time while running around.

Posted by: tonymiro Aug 16 2007, 09:05 AM

Just a quickie Muris,
which Chet Atkins do you have? - I remember the MK1 - lovely guitar and much easier (to me) to play then most acoustics - sort of half way between a Gibson semi and an acoustic, bit like a Maccaferri; absolutely wonderful for finger picking and fast runs across and up and down the neck. I heard that the Mk II was even better but have never seen one. Is it still in the Gibson catalogue?

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: muris Aug 16 2007, 09:09 AM

Mine is Epiphone Chet Atkins,not Gibson...
Less expensive,still does the job

Posted by: rokchik Aug 16 2007, 09:14 AM

Thanks Muris. My current acoustic does have pins so I guess there would be an issue. My acoustic now has a rather warm tone to it...it isn't really bassy say like a Martin D 40 or something so yeah I'd enjoy the softer tone. (although I do enjoy the deep bassy sound too especially when busting out some Johnny Cash)



That was actually going to be my next question, about the action and neck. I have a small to average size hand so some wider necks I find harder to play, especially if the action is higher. Are all nylon string acoustics built this way? (although like you said Tony, Muris' guitar seems a bit different.)

PS: It's nice to be back....I missed you guys while on vacation. Thanks!



Thanks Andrew....you pretty muched answered my question. I will definatley try one before I seriously concider them. But are they all built like that?

Posted by: muris Aug 16 2007, 09:18 AM

Just try it first Rock,action and neck wide...
Hope you'll find something that fits you cause nylon has something really unique

Posted by: rokchik Aug 16 2007, 09:20 AM

Thanks Muris....I had never really concidered them before but after your fingerpicking lesson I just really loved the sound. I'll have to wait until my next trip out of here as no guitar shop but I will definatley be trying one out.

Posted by: muris Aug 16 2007, 09:23 AM

I would say Ebay or som,but when it's on guitar(instrument) you just must try it first.
Sorry to hear there's no music shop near you...

Posted by: tonymiro Aug 16 2007, 09:25 AM

Ach my stupid Muris - not paying enough attention . Best of luck Rokchik with finding a good nylon string - try as many as you can and report back .

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: rokchik Aug 16 2007, 09:26 AM

yeah it's kind of a drag. When I was out on vacation I picked up strings and picks...yeah know odds and ends. But yeah it's a pain especially since I just can't go down an play different guitars to see what I like.



Thanks Tony...I'll keep ya posted.