Advice on buying a new guitar

[Smitty]

Hey all:
So, I'm thinking about buying a new guitar. I have sold off two of mine in the last week, just to make room and augment my purchase fund, but I am just not sure what to get.

I play both electric and acoustic, and lead worship from both. I am a good player with both...not an all-star, but definitely not a slouch either.

I'm leaning toward a new Acoustic/Electric, but I have NOT made up my mind.

Any ideas?

Smitty

[stephen_can_man]

It really depends on your music style and budget. At one point, I needed an acoustic way more than electric...until I decided to start playing songs more like the recorded versions and also started using other instruments/musicians for transitions between songs.

I used to have fewer musicians and would start most, if not all, of the songs myself. When playing an acoustic it is easier to vamp on a few chords and redo a chorus if you feel led. This can be done with an electric played on a clean channel, but it doesn't quite have the feel of the acoustic. If your church's style is more upbeat and rockin, I would buy the electric.

Just off hand I would recommend a Taylor or a Fender. Let us know the budget range and style/preference and I can give you a bunch of suggestions of what to look for and what to avoid.

[ChadBrooks]

I would try to listen to guitar players that are able to do both well...if you want to get technical about it, they are two different instruments that happen to utilize the same tuning and playing method. Try to find guys that can translate the same song either on electric or acoustic. Jeff Tweedy from Wilco is who jumps out to me at first.

[stevenbruce]

I have no idea what your budget is, but I have a Turner Renaissance RS6 Deuce and it's just about the perfect guitar for worship leading. It's very similar to the Crowdster +, but much cheaper. Not many are familiar with Rick Turner's guitars; but he is best known for his Model 1, which is most associated with Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac guitarist)

Turner has a stellar reputation as a guru of acoustic tone. I have heard the Crowdster and the Turner's acoustic tone crushes it. The Deuce has a Turner modified Duncan StagMag (Turner and Duncan are partners)

It allows for awesome acoustic tone and amazing electric tones. If you've ever played a Taylor T5, it's the same idea but leaps and bounds better. It has acoustic strings, which keeps the acoustic tone pure.

Here's a link to some pics of mine. They aren't "cheap", nor are the looks for everyone, but they sure do sound great.

http://gallery.me.com/brucefamily#100008&bgcolor=black&view=grid

If the Turner isn't for you..a T5 sound OK (not really convincing acoustic or electric, but it sure does play nice.)

Good luck with the hunt!

[Joseph]

I Have owned many styles and makes of Guitars Acoustic/Electric. Just recently picked up an Alvarez Acoustic/ Electric. This is probably the best sounding Guitar I`ve owned by far. The Turner is also nice, but as soon as I played the Alvarez. An absolute must to own.

[Smitty]

Wow!
I really appreciate the input. I'm leaning toward a Taylor. I just sold two Strats...I love Fender stuff, and will acquire a Tele pretty soon, but right now I seem to prefer the sound of twin humbuckers. I am building a "boutique" Strat, but taking my time with it. I play a Dean Vendetta...I know...you are shocked, but it is an EXCELLENT guitar (so much so that everyone who has played it has threatened to make off with it!).

As far as playing style is concerned, I prefer melodic to fast, technical leads. I mostly strum, but finger pick and tap as well. I use a capo easily and well, and have no trouble transposing.

When I lead worship (usually about once a month at present), I usually play Acoustic/Electric (Epiphone PR4). I would LOVE to own something a bit more expensive, but My Epi is a sweet guitar, and sounds great.

Smitty

[stephen_can_man]

I purchased my Taylor 314ce in mint condition on ebay for $1000 about 3 years ago. My best purchase ever.

[NLoomis]

I bought my Taylor 514ce from a local guy almost 2 years ago for $1000. He musta really needed the money.

Nathan

[Mike Darley]

If you're looking for a good acoustic and electric tone in one guitar I'd look into a Carvin AE-185. I have one and love it. Has a great electric tone and pretty darn convincing acoustic tone. If you're a hardcore tone snob the acoustic isn't doesn't sound like a high end acoustic, but then again if you're a hardcore tone snob you'd better just live with the fact you're going to need two guitars. :D Seriously, though, everyone I've ever had listen to this guitar has loved it, and at about 1/3 the price of a T5 it'll save you some money.

[matreames]

I would actually recomend a Martin, if you are going Accoustic...

However the Ibanez Articore series of Hollowbody elecrtics are amazing, and cheap too. you should look into it.


Also... despite the rest of the crowd I am a fan of the T5 and would love to play through one.

[NLoomis]

No offense to anyone posting here, but this is a supremely silly thread. Of course you need more than one guitar!!!! Are you joking?!?!?!?! Here are the guitars that every guitar player should want:

Acoustic
Les Paul
Stratocaster
Telecaster
Hollow-body for Jazz, etc.

Now, you're also going to want one of each of the above for every tuning you commonly use. So if you play in Eb, Drop D, open E, EAEEBE, open D, etc. tunings, you'll need one of each for each type of guitar.

So in my mind, the question is not whether you need one guitar or two, its really about whether you need 5 guitars or 25.

:-)

Nathan

[Mike Darley]

no offense to anyone posting here, but this is a supremely silly thread. Of course you need more than one guitar!!!! Are you joking?!?!?!?! Here are the guitars that every guitar player should want:

Acoustic
les paul
stratocaster
telecaster
hollow-body for jazz, etc.

Now, you're also going to want one of each of the above for every tuning you commonly use. So if you play in eb, drop d, open e, eaeebe, open d, etc. Tunings, you'll need one of each for each type of guitar.

So in my mind, the question is not whether you need one guitar or two, its really about whether you need 5 guitars or 25.

:-)

nathan

here, here!!!!!!!!

[Smitty]

Nathan wins again! Dude...I LOVE your logic!....but, can you help me explain it to the wife?

Smitty

[worshiptrench]

Brent uses a Schecter with a piezo...
the rig he has with the new POD is even simpler. He just uses a simple TRS cable at both ends and doesn't have to do some of the voodoo splitting you see here...http://www.worshiptrench.com/?p=28

We'll put a video of our new simpler rig that does the same thing up soon. We both love it AND it allows us to move easily to a true acoustic during the greeting or whatever if we don't want the hybrid of both/and.

[NLoomis]

Nathan wins again! Dude...I LOVE your logic!....but, can you help me explain it to the wife?

Smitty

This very situation is a prime example of why Paul encourages wives to submit to their husbands.

JUST KIDDING! Don't flame me!

Nathan

[free_by_grace]

I am amazed nobody's commented on the Rainsong line. I haven't been able to afford one yet, but I have my eyes on a WS1000. It has incredible tone and great depth. Have any of you played a Rainsong, and what did you like/dislike about it?

[stephen_can_man]

As far as the Rainsong guitars are concerned, the only real advantage is that they are impervious to humidity changes. The sound is consistent but a little harsh. Composite Acoustics look cooler to me than Rainsong...

[NLoomis]

The Rainsong would make a great camp guitar, since there's almost nothing you could do to hurt it. That said, I much prefer the sound of wood.

Nathan

[Smitty]

I played a Taylor I liked...I'll be saving for that. As far as electric goes, I'll stick with what I have. My Strat project guitar is coming along nicely. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Smitty

[Mike Darley]

If you're looking for an acoustic not a hybrid I'd check out a Breedlove. They're made there in Oregon. Not sure how close to you, though. I have one and much prefer it to the Taylors in a similar price range. Taylor, though they're great guitars, tend to sound a bit tinny to me. I'd at least find your way to a music store and check it out.

[worshiptrench]

Rainsong?

Umm, because graphite is for fishing poles and tennis rackets not guitars (oh yes unless you like the crummy sound of an ovation).hahahaha.

[Heisworthy]

In reference to the poster who described the Taylor brand as "tinny sounding" (I forgot to check the "quote messge in reply" box = Newbie error.)

When speaking of the Taylor sound, the word is not "tinny," but bright. :)

Steve (Owner of an 810CE, who previously owned an 410CE that sounded pretty sweet as well.)

[Mike Darley]

I stand corrected. :D