[Giga Hertz]

Heya

I'm finally getting to a music shop tomorrow, so I'm going to try some acoustics and hopefully buy one.

This is mainly for the purposes of at home and Church (style is anywhere from folk-y stuff to pumping out solid barre chords to Hillsong), so a pickup is a necessity.

My question is are there any brands/models of acoustic that may seem decent at the time, but have dodgy pickups, or quite quickly lose their appeal (i.e. dodgy tunings, weak materials, etc.) that you can warn me of?

My budget is somewhere around $700 (I'm much happy to pay less if I have to ).

If I find a reasonably cheap Ovation, I will most likely buy it if nothing else grabs my attention.

So yeah, warnings and recommendations are welcome.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Giga Hertz

Heya

I'm finally getting to a music shop tomorrow, so I'm going to try some acoustics and hopefully buy one.

This is mainly for the purposes of at home and Church (style is anywhere from folk-y stuff to pumping out solid barre chords to Hillsong), so a pickup is a necessity.

My question is are there any brands/models of acoustic that may seem decent at the time, but have dodgy pickups, or quite quickly lose their appeal (i.e. dodgy tunings, weak materials, etc.) that you can warn me of?

My budget is somewhere around $700 (I'm much happy to pay less if I have to ).

If I find a reasonably cheap Ovation, I will most likely buy it if nothing else grabs my attention.

So yeah, warnings and recommendations are welcome.

Seagull, Art & Lutherie, Godin, all reccomended.

[Giga Hertz]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

Seagull, Art & Lutherie, Godin, all reccomended.

Thanks. Are they in a reasonable price range (i.e. there are cheaper models for around $400)?

Not entirely sure if this place stocks them, though. I went about two or three years back and don't remember seeing any of them.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Giga Hertz

Thanks. Are they in a reasonable price range (i.e. there are cheaper models for around $400)?

Not entirely sure if this place stocks them, though. I went about two or three years back and don't remember seeing any of them.

Yes. I do not like ovations myself.

Personally, depending on your climate they can be disasters. Humidity causes the top to swell, but the plastic bowl back does not move, which can lead to separations.

An A & L and seagull are really inexpensive. Personally, I would get a seagull s6 if I were you. I quite like my S12.

My main acoustic is a Gibson J45.

[thesteve]

You're in AUS or NZ, right? Does your local shop carry Maton guitars? I've always heard good things about their acoustic models, though I don't know the price range on them.

[Giga Hertz]

Yeah Im in Australia, so Maton's an option. I'm concerned though because I know someone with a Maton and the tuning goes out something shocking in a short time.

[thesteve]

Huh...well, like I said, I only know them on reputation. If a friend of yours has one that doesn't keep tune, that may be warning enough to steer clear.

[Giga Hertz]

well, I'm assuming it's isolated. I have another friend with a Maton elecrric and it's pretty swell.

[Stratopastor]

Tommy Emmanuel lives in Nashville, where there is, I believe, a plentiful supply of guitars, but he plays Matons and doesn't take anything else on tour. I watched him play for 2 hours last Autumn and despite the level of abuse he gives those guitars he didn't seem to be having any tuning issues.

Personal opinion - I think Ovations lack character.

At a practical level, beware guitars on which it's fiddly to change the battery / batteries.

[Giga Hertz]

Originally Posted by Stratopastor

Tommy Emmanuel lives in Nashville, where there is, I believe, a plentiful supply of guitars, but he plays Matons and doesn't take anything else on tour. I watched him play for 2 hours last Autumn and despite the level of abuse he gives those guitars he didn't seem to be having any tuning issues.

Personal opinion - I think Ovations lack character.

At a practical level, beware guitars on which it's fiddly to change the battery / batteries.

Yeah. I figured it was just the one case. I know the strings on her guitar are nothing to write home about either. Her guitar sounds really great for rock-y type stuff, but is awful for anything else.

As for Ovation, I quite like the one I've played, and would definitely get one if it was feasible and I didn't have access to it any more.

Owning an active bass - I am quite aware.

Thanks

[martinedwards]

+1 on the godin/seagull/ art & lutherie family.

I thought that Matons were further up the price scale than your budget.....

I could be wrong.

Takamine made thier considerable reputation on thier electronics. In my experience, the top end Taks are excellent plugged in AND acousticly.

lower end ones are still very good plugged in but don't cut it as well unplugged.

don't write off the idea of used..... there are bargains to be had........

and Ovations?

well in the 80s when they were on every rock stage, they had the market sewn up because the design was much less prone to feedback at rock volumes than regular acoustics.

BUT, as BillPrestonEsq stated, if you have large or fast humidity changes in your area, it COULD self destruct.

there are a load of them with cracks in the top along the side of the fingerboard..... some worse than just cracks.

I personally don't like the feel of the roundback against my body as I play either....

[Giga Hertz]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

As for humidity, I don't think we get that much around here. It does get a little humid, but I don't think it gets very high.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Giga Hertz

I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

As for humidity, I don't think we get that much around here. It does get a little humid, but I don't think it gets very high.

I'd look into your weather...

Even in southern California where humidity was low and constant, ovations started to show their age badly. The biggest issue I have seen several times is the top disconnecting from the bowl rather violently

I have to a;so agree with Martin that Takamines sound pretty phenomenal if you get the good ones. I prefer a spruce, sold topped takamine, but my guess is in Australian prices that might be out of reach.

[Giga Hertz]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

I'd look into your weather...

Even in southern California where humidity was low and constant, ovations started to show their age badly. The biggest issue I have seen several times is the top disconnecting from the bowl rather violently

Welll... living just 1.5km from the guy who owns the Ovation I've been playing, I think I'd be fairly safe.

I have to a;so agree with Martin that Takamines sound pretty phenomenal if you get the good ones. I prefer a spruce, sold topped takamine, but my guess is in Australian prices that might be out of reach.

I've played an older Takamine, and my experience has been good. I'll definitely be looking there (especially if I can find one within budget).

[Giga Hertz]

Should be in the shop in just under an hour. Thanks for all your help guys. I'll let you know how it turns out.