Show your Acoustic Guitar (or bass) thread - (56K no way)

SamJ · #1 08-11-2006, 09:57 AM

(edited 8/31/06) to include new Martin D42

I looked and there were no threads dedicated to us bass players who also dabble with the acoustic guitar.. I started out some 24 years ago on the guitar, but quickly transitioned to bass, and have been happy with that decision; however I've since gone back to playing guitar too both because I enjoy it and also because I think it adds to my overall understanding of my instrument better buy learning all of the chords.

Both the Taylor and Martin have been fitted with Pre-Ban (legal) Elephant Ivory saddles, and bridge pins, as well as the strap pin on the Martin.. I think fossilized ivory, pre-ban ivory, or walrus make for the best tone.

Anyway, without further ado.. here are my two - warning barrage follows

The Martin

The Taylor

d8g3jdh · #2 08-11-2006, 12:10 PM

The Taylor is very sexy, I love it.

bassguitar · #3 08-11-2006, 12:22 PM

No pics, so according to most TBers it doesn't exist, but I've got and Ibanez performance acoustic. It's pretty decent I think. I dabble on it and know a bunch of chords, and lately I've been showing the wife how to play some easy chords. She's starting talking about taking some lessons. Very cool me thinks.

SamJ · #4 08-11-2006, 12:27 PM

Well, I was hoping for some pics, but since your little baby is so cute, you're forgiven!

Others will post pics, I'm sure of it.. No need to get big bandwidth sucking pornographic ones like mine either.

SamJ · #5 08-11-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

The Taylor is very sexy, I love it.

I really love that GS.. I had no intention of buying a Taylor when I went shopping, but sang so well, and the action was like butter.. I had no choice, so I changed my mind about the D-41, and downgraded to a D-16R and got the GS along.. (it wasn't quite this simple, but that was the story more or less.. )

vince a · #6 08-11-2006, 12:35 PM

-Simon and Patrick Showcase CW acoustic-electric
-Fender Am/Se Jazz Bass
-Tele Partscaster, with "Best of Everything Parts"
-Fender Am/Se Tele
-Fender Am/Se Strat

GrooveWarrior · #7 08-11-2006, 12:36 PM

This is mine. 1984 Alvarez-Yairi DY74C. One of the most underrated acoustics I have played. My uncle has a newer D-41, and this thing goes toe to toe with it, which left him a little dismayed.

These aren't great pics.

SamJ · #8 08-11-2006, 12:37 PM

nice family vince, you should be proud!

SamJ · #9 08-11-2006, 12:39 PM

crhoton, it is indeed nice looking... how would you describe the tone compared to the D-41? more or less bassy?

your uncle certainly must be miffed if he could have saved that much

, but I would think the 22 years of age is a big + in your guitars column, give that Martin time to "open up" yet..

jwl · #10 08-11-2006, 12:39 PM

this is my 1999 555ce. i shot this outside my library in my home. this is a great axe for recording. it has a mahogany body, very neutral in the studio. it is custom made. i ordered it with the cutaway and electronics as they were not stock. it is now a standard production model. the 555ce.

this picture i shot looking into my livingroom. it is a 1999 514ce. again a mahogany body. mahogany records better than rosewood imo and i record with both of these awesome guitars. the cases are the old style made in usa. peace, jeff

DaveDeVille · #11 08-11-2006, 12:40 PM

no geetars , but i do own this one ...
1998 Washburn AB20

vindy500 · #12 08-11-2006, 12:44 PM

bah humbug

GrooveWarrior · #13 08-11-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamJ

crhoton, it is indeed nice looking... how would you describe the tone compared to the D-41? more or less bassy?

your uncle certainly must be miffed if he could have saved that much

, but I would think the 22 years of age is a big + in your guitars column, give that Martin time to "open up" yet..

I would say less bassy. I'm not saying the 41 isn't great, because it is, and 22 years from now it will be sweet!!!!

SamJ · #14 08-11-2006, 01:17 PM

wow.. I love those Taylor jwl. I'll bet that 12 really sings like an angel.. the Taylor sound is bright as it is, and combine that with a 12 config, it must really be a pleasure to hear.

btw.. do you use the towels on the stands for the finish? I am still trying to figure out the finish on the Taylors.. The Martin is Nitrocellulose I know and I have a special stand the protects the finish from harm by contact to rubber, but the Taylor is supposed to be a "UV" cured finnish, but what kind of finnish is my question? Nitro? or Synthetic Polymer? I know it's UV cured, but is it Nitro?

jwl · #15 08-11-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamJ

wow.. I love those Taylor jwl. I'll bet that 12 really sings like an angel.. the Taylor sound is bright as it is, and combine that with a 12 config, it must really be a pleasure to hear.

btw.. do you use the towels on the stands for the finish? I am still trying to figure out the finish on the Taylors.. The Martin is Nitrocellulose I know and I have a special stand the protects the finish from harm by contact to rubber, but the Taylor is supposed to be a "UV" cured finnish, but what kind of finnish is my question? Nitro? or Synthetic Polymer? I know it's UV cured, but is it Nitro?

the finish on the taylors is poly. i believe only martin, gibson and fender can use nitro legally. yes the 12 does sound fine. it was originally supposed to be a leo kottke sig guitar. it is noted inside the body. taylors as you know, are just fantastic guitars. i like the fact that they play like an electric. yours looks very nice. i do use towels on the stands to protect the finish. chlorine is sometimes used in the manufacturing of the rubber on some stands. this is what causes problems with the finish. so don't let your guitars go anywhere near chlorine. i wrap any stand i have in an old cotton t-shirt. jeff

burk48237 · #16 08-11-2006, 05:08 PM

Only one pic and not near the artistic quality. I guess I should take it outside, use available light and get "serious". Here's the Specs:

MARTIN D18VSE (1992)

Vintage D-18 design patterned after 1939 D-18
Aged toner Engleman Spruce Top
Scalloped forward V bracing
Ebony Fingerboard and Bridgeplate
Rosewood Veneer headstock
1930's contoured slight "v" neck
Signed by Christian Frederick Martin IV

It plays like a dream, GREAT action and very playable with medium strings. I've always liked Mahogany D bodied guitars, they tend to be a little clearer but still provide a very full sound. Some Rosewood D Bodies Martins can get boomy (OK for finger-picking, lousy for strumming). The Mahogany body sounds very much like 000 rosewood body but louder, the mahogany back and sides aren't as fancy but the 18 has always been my favorite Martin and this one is a keeper.

SamJ · #17 08-11-2006, 05:20 PM

The 18V is most certainly a top grade Martin.. I was honestly torn on the Mahogany vs Rosewood body, it think it was only the aesthetic of the rosewood that nudged me over. That Engleman top looks very tight btw, you should get us some good "natural" light shots for sure...

burk48237 · #18 08-11-2006, 05:21 PM

JWI, Anyone can use Nitro, but the occupational safety regulations add significantly to the cost. Fender, and Gibson use it, but mostly on custom shop and some select high end limited production instruments. Their are many small shops that use nitro, Wilkins who does finishing for several boutique bass makers is none for his vintage quality nitro finishes. Some people think it makes for an instrument that vibrates more freely and has a fuller sound, some other people feel (like me) that it ages better because thin-coats of nitro flex better with the wood. I have a suspicion that the quality of finish (many small coats vs. fewer thick coats) impacts the sound more then the finish material. Martin uses Nitro on every guitar in it's line over the D-18.

From what I've seen the biggest difference between Martin and Taylor is the neck joint. Taylor uses a bolt on neck, I don't feel it transfers sound is well and I don't think it finishes as nice a glued in neck. But their method is very cost effective and does allow them to get a more consistent action from guitar to guitar. My personal feeling is that comparably priced Taylors do not equal Martin guitars in the quality of acoustic sound. They just don't feel to me to have as uniform of a response. I have recorded both many times in the studio and I can't tell you how many times we have replaced Taylor tracks with Martins. IMHO But, Taylor has a superior pickup system and their necks have a more electric guitar (easier to play) feel so they work better in most "club" band situations.

emils · #19 08-11-2006, 05:25 PM

Heres my cheap ABG, the brand is Monterey, made in Korea, I picked this up whan I was playing in an acoustic Cuban band, more for looks than anything else. After i did a fret job and changed the plastic nut and sadle it actualy plays nice...

And the backside

SamJ · #20 08-11-2006, 05:27 PM

I have my builder at Fender trying to convince me of the merrits of Nitro on my Jazz he's building, as I am partial to the ruggedness of the Poly. I am told (and not certain) that my Martin (a mid/lower range) model is Nitro.. but I'm not for sure.

On the subject of the neck... I've been at the Martin forum and the Taylor forum... and if you want to talk about a never ending debate... WOW.. Both sides set in their ways.

I for one prefer the action of the Taylor, but appreciate the old world craftsmanship of the Martin neck.. that said, mine is a hybrid (Mortis and Tenon) bolted and glued neck, where as the D28 and other higher end Martins were "Dovetail" and glue only.. some swear by it, I honestly wasn't able to tell the difference after trying VERY hard to justify a HD-28.. I walked out with $500 more cash and a D-16R.