a new guitar

geordief

Some general (slightly specific also maybe) advice on this.
I have had an Ibanez 6 string metal stringed acoustic guitar for the past 35 years and only now am I starting to feel that I might benefit from a better instrument.
At the time I think I paid over £150 for this -so it wasn't cheap.
But , even though I haven't played one I have a feeling that Gibson (acoustic) or a Martin would probably be too expensive and maybe unjustified for me .So I am wondering what would be a good option in guitars that are maybe not quite so good but also noticeably cheaper.
I did take my present guitar into the guitar repairer in Galway last year or so and quizzed him as to whether it was worth maintaining (its monetary worth must be quite neglible) and he was happy to do a job on it-didn't seem to regard it as really crap.
So ,as I do seem to want to get something a little bit better (keep the old one ,maybe , for open tunings) what should I go for ? If money is tight should I still think of biting the bullet and getting one of those big name makes (maybe second hand?)?

Malice

Moved to Instruments.

geordief

thanks

Malice

Okay, having read your post, you're asking quite a few questions so I'll try to provide some answers.

geordief wrote: »

But , even though I haven't played one I have a feeling that Gibson (acoustic) or a Martin would probably be too expensive and maybe unjustified for me .

Too expensive is relative. If you spend a few thousand Euro on a Martin acoustic but you get years of pleasurable playing from it then isn't it worth it? It's not like buying a car where, even with the best will in the world it's going to depreciate and need to be replaced eventually. As for justification, that's your own issue, I find an attack of GAS serves as enough justification for me .

geordief wrote:

So I am wondering what would be a good option in guitars that are maybe not quite so good but also noticeably cheaper.

I had a Takamine acoustic for a while a few years ago and it was pretty cheap but it did the job.

geordief wrote:

So ,as I do seem to want to get something a little bit better (keep the old one ,maybe , for open tunings) what should I go for ? If money is tight should I still think of biting the bullet and getting one of those big name makes (maybe second hand?)?

I'm not too familiar with acoustic guitars so someone else might be able to offer more specific advice. Definitely keep an eye out for second hand guitars as you could easily pick up a bargain.

I_am_LOST

You mention Gibson and Martin acoustics - so are you looking for an acoustic of electric? For home use or recording/gigging?

Im a big believer in buying second hand so check out www.adverts.ie and see if anything takes your fancy there. Of course, you have to be careful but in general, sellers there are reputable. Generally, there seems to be more top quality electrics than acoustics for sale there though.

geordief

it would be an acoustic and just for personal use.

Yes I can see how a second hand would be worth looking at .I wonder what you should be looking for when handling the instrument.It seems so simple but are there any pitfalls?
After playing mine for so many years when I was afraid to turn the key to bend the iron bar in the neck and so lower the action (it was so stiff I was frightened I would strip the thread) I tend to put a premium on the physical playability but I wonder if these days that is a fairly basic requirement as manufacturing quality must have improved immensely in the 35 years since I was in the market for one.
If you are accounting for the value in an acoustic guitar would most of it just be down to tonal quality?

Ravelleman

I think that you should certainly expect a minimum physical standard for any guitar, yes. I think this should be regardless of how much you paid for it or what brand it is, because no matter how cheap your instrument is, you should definitely be able to find one for around the same price that functions properly.

In terms of construction, I think you can expect a lot more from guitars made nowadays compared to 35 years ago, especially if you want something cheap.

Obviously you want to look for any physical defects on the guitar - bad fretwork, misaligned bridge and so forth. My general philosophy is that if buying cheaper instruments, it's better to look for something with a simpler design. The reasoning behind this is that there should be less potential for problems with the guitar. Simpler inlays, for example, almost always have less filler around them than fancier designs on cheap guitars.

The hope is that with a simpler design more money goes towards better woods, which is quite important when buying an acoustic instrument.

Beyond this, I think the thing you should most rely on is yourself and your expectations. Try some different acoustic guitars and find one that sounds nice to your ears and feels right to your hands.

I can't tell you if a Martin would be worth it for you. Personally, I think the D28 is great but you might find something you prefer for an even lower price!

Just go out and try a few guitars. If you like something then buy it. If not then just buy yourself an ice cream or something!

bayles

I worked in a well known music shop in dublin city for many years and have played pretty much every top brand of acoustic on the market yet the one i own and play the most is only a bottom of the range and fairly inexpensive one , What im trying to get accross to you is that a guitar to a certain degree is a bit like liking a woman its all about personal taste and feel , I have played €3500 gibson acoustics and have hated the neck then picked up one of there lesser epiphone models and loved it .

Even ovation guitars are loved by so many people yet i hate the dome back on them as im sure lots of other guys do although there is a great sound out of them .

If you want my 10cents worth you should look at the second hand market , a great and relativly inexpensive guitar is a Takamine G series it also uses a fishman pick up which are really good , a good quality g series can be got for a good price .

When looking at second hand guitars check that the neck is true , if your a bit unsure then make sure you bring your tuner with you and check the intonation this can be done by plugging in your tuner play an open E then check it on the 12th fret and make sure it is also registering an E , do this with all the strings if the neck is twisted the tuning will be wrong . the neck tends to fall out of whack if the instrument is stored wrong or left against a radiator .

Also check the bottom of the guitar for cracks or splits if it wasnt kept on a stand this is likley to happen . put the guitar flat on your lap "strings down" and press the back of the body to try and feel for loose struts inside more often than not if they are loose you will hear a creaking sound or feel the back of the body move .

What you have to remember is that wood breathes so where it was stored is important . Wood expands and contracts depending on conditions , you may find that you have tuned a guitar perfectly then put it in a warm room only to come back in an hour later to find it out of tune this is because the timber is expanding and streaching the strings so when looking 2nd hand its vital to look closley at the body to make sure the veneer is not flaking from bad storage conditions.

Finally keep in mind that every instrument has a life cycle but the better looked after instruments have a longer one . imagin a graph up the left is 0 to 10 ,starting at 0 draw a line up to 10 this is when the instrument is getting better all the time and then is at its maturity . then from 10 back down to 0 draw a line this is when its quality and sound is in decline if you know what i mean . you want to find an instrument half way between 0 and 10 .

Hope this helps a little

Bayles

Malice

Some very informative posts on this thread, thanks folks!
Bayles, I reformatted your post a bit to make it more readable. Hope you don't mind.

bayles

No bodder mate , check the time i posted at , i was on my way to bed no time for puncuation.