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Posted by: 29a Apr 7 2009, 03:30 PM

I fiddled a little bit with an acoustic guitar yesterday and I enjoyed it quite a bit. So now I want to get an acoustic guitar myself. So I read some stuff about acoustics but I'm still quite unsure. So I need your help guys.

First what I wanna play. I guess its mostly picked stuff. I'm not a big fan of crazy strumming. I'm interested in classical pieces, rock and so on. And I want to play the bards song for sure. I hope that makes sense.

So where I am now.

I think classical guitars are not really the right thing for me. They seem to be so clunky. So I guess what I want is a western guitar. They seem to be far less clunky. Now Dreadnought or Jumbo, oh well I have no Idea. I've also noticed ovations roundback guitars. They seem to be quite interesting to me.

I think that one could actually be something for me:
http://www.thomann.de/de/ovation_2778ax5.htm ...at least it looks cool AND it says elite !

As you can see I've got no clue about the subject, please help me.

First how much money does a good acoustic cost?
By good I mean one that will make me wanna play it because it sounds and feels good not a perfect instrument.

Am I right with my assumption that I'm probably better off with a western guitar than a classic concert guitar?

Are Ovations something for me?
Especially the one linked.

What other guitar would you recommend?

Jonas

EDIT: why can't I correct the accoustic in the title

Posted by: Startear Apr 7 2009, 03:40 PM

I have Washburn D10S, it's awesome, take a look at it

http://www.washburn.com/acoustics/d10-series/

Posted by: sted Apr 7 2009, 04:00 PM

Really depends on your useage mate.

Are you looking for an acoustic to do unplugged or primarily still use amp/pa?
What style of music are you looking to play? (fingerstyle, busking etc)
Whats your budget?
whats more important, sound or the name on the headstock (Hey it does matter to some people)

I would have a look at this thread as well, loads of stuff in there!

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=25051&hl=ajmurrell

Posted by: 29a Apr 7 2009, 04:32 PM

Well this is partially my problem. I don't exactly know. I guess I'll only play that acoustic at home so I don't need to play over a PA and generally I don't need to be loud. But I think a pickup would be good for recording anyway but I'll mostly play unplugged.

I don't know where I'm heading sound wise. I guess I'll try to play some classical pieces and rock stuff. I think the bards song is a good example of the kind of acoustic music I'd like to play.

The budget is very variable. But I don't want to spend to much because it's my first acoustic and I don't know how much I'm going to use it. But I want a good one so I will use and enjoy it.

And the brand name doesn't matter much, I'm not planning to resell it later. The looks, well, if it looks good it's a plus. But I'm not going to pay a fortune for the looks (I'd only do that with electrics =P).

Jonas

Posted by: Gilmore Apr 7 2009, 04:39 PM

I own Ovation Custom Legend and a 12 string Legend, and they are outstanding quality, but I don´t know about these Korean made ovations. You could buy one, and if you like it, then mabye move up to the USA made later.

Posted by: Torben Apr 7 2009, 04:59 PM

The reason you find it difficult is because it IS difficult!

I spent many hours in shops to find my Martin guitar. At some point I got extremely confused, since a lot of guitars all have wonderful tone, playability etc. But in the end I kept returning to this one. And I got a nice discount as well..

Personally I'm not much into Ovation guitars. The pricerange you suggest (600 EUR) gives you a lot of choices. The important thing is to listen for the sound that YOU like. It seems to me, that you would like a versatile, robust guitar and since you suggest plugging it for stage, it doesn't need a big sound: hence you don't need a jumbo!
Try out different brands and I will suggest trying different Takamines, since they have build themselves quite a reputation, when it comes to value for money.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Apr 7 2009, 05:41 PM

The best advice I can offer is to go to a Music Store and physically play them!! The difference in sound between different Guitars is so vast that you need to hear it first hand! Also to get the 'feel' of each one as well! I went to my Local Store to buy an Electro/Acoustic. I had a limited budget but he had quite a good range of new and used Guitars. I tried a Gibson, a Fender, an Ovation, a small bodied Martin and several others before finally choosing one. I ended up walking out with a brand new Suzuki Nagoya (Hand built in the Suzuki Violin factory!!) for £300. That was a few years ago and that guitar just gets better sounding with age!!!!

Posted by: 29a Apr 7 2009, 06:26 PM

QUOTE (Sensible Jones @ Apr 7 2009, 06:41 PM)

Posted by: sted Apr 7 2009, 06:43 PM

A good starter point would be to say that you want a semi acoustic with a cutaway for higher fret access, avoid the rounded back types as they are ok for amps but sound rubbish acoustically, I would also be wary of designer types that have fancy soundholes and stuff, guitars have been made a certain way for hundreds of years for a reason!
As far as budget its take your pick! They differ even more than electrics and are harder to tell apart too unless you know what you are looking at.
for your first acoustic I would recommend by Crafter, Takamine and some of the fenders for around the 400-700 euro range, upwards of a 1000 euro you should be looking at Martin, Fylde and the like.
As for size Dread's have a great sound but can be tiresome to play, spanish bodies have a nice tone but can be a little refined if you want to crash a few open G's!
If you want a guitar to treasure why not go see a luthier? You would get a damn fine acoustic for the same as an off the peg job tailored to your needs, it wont say Martin on the headstock but it will be your personal frien for years!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 7 2009, 08:20 PM

I don't know the perfect answers mate, but maybe some things that I write can help:

1. how much money does a good acoustic cost?
This varies from country to country, but I've found the "magic price line" at around 500euros. All above that sounded pretty good to me. The feel was lot smoother, and the sound was full and lusher. The guitars bellow 500e were great as well, but something was always missing, wetter it is the weak sound, bad setup, frets, build, preamp. Everything must be tried out in the end, and I think scanning the stores for couple of weeks and trying out 15-20 acoustic guitars can give you a lot of useful info to determine what you need.

2. Am I right with my assumption that I'm probably better off with a western guitar than a classic concert guitar?
It depends what you wanna play with it I guess. Classic guitar has nylon strings, different sound, and it can be great for classic but not that great for other types of music, western - vice versa. Determining what you wanna get is determined the kind of music you will play with it the most. As always trying both kinds in the stores would only go you good in making a right decision.

3. Are Ovations something for me?
We are all different and have different preferences. If you want my advice, go to the store, try out couple of Ovations, couple of Takamine, Fenders, and Yamahas in the similar price range. This will give you a great idea what exactly are you looking for.

4. What other guitar would you recommend?
As I wrote in the previous answer, trying Takamine, Fender, Yamaha, possibly Martin and Gibson models is something that I recommend. Since you have a good budget, it is good to know all the possibilites.

Hope this helps, cheers mate.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Apr 8 2009, 03:58 PM

QUOTE (29a @ Apr 7 2009, 06:26 PM)

Posted by: Gilmore Apr 8 2009, 04:28 PM

Also check out Epiphone EJ200 Jumbo. It´s very affortable about 400$. I´ve tried it and it´s a great instrument for the price. And it looks great.

Posted by: 29a Apr 8 2009, 04:54 PM

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your help.

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ Apr 7 2009, 09:20 PM)

Posted by: Sircraigery Apr 8 2009, 05:55 PM

QUOTE (29a @ Apr 8 2009, 04:54 PM)

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 9 2009, 10:26 PM

QUOTE (29a @ Apr 8 2009, 05:54 PM)