powerpopper Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I'm expecting this would be a Gibson, but if it's something else in your mind, lay it on me. I'm referring to Traditional Country, so in my mind, Takamines don't count. I'm also looking for the quintessential guitar to accompany a vocalist (preferably that the vocalist is playing his or her self). An SJ-200 is too loud, right? Is the answer a Hummingbird? Or a J-45? Or some classic dreadnought Guild? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sitric Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 J-185? www.myspace.com/brendevereux www.brendandevereux.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 It's gotta be an SJ200. If it's too loud, you can always try a lighter pick or a lighter touch. I think a 'Bird has a few rock'n'roll connotations, making it perhaps slightly disadvantageous for country. A Dove could be good, though. Or, indeed, as Sitric said, a J185. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcorner Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 It has to be the Gibson Blues King. I see country players wailing on them all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 How about a Southern Jumbo? OR Country Western as the were called at times? Since its gotta be a Gibson...RRod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmith9509 Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Obviously a Martin D. Not hatin' on the Gibson's, but there were easily 10 Martins for every on Gibson on the country scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmith9509 Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 One other thought; nowadays all the country stars play Taylors. Now if we're talking about the quintessential blues box, we are more likely to have an answer that starts with a G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 To me, if the question is which Acoustic (IE. not Acoustic Electric) sounds best for a single player and singer doing classic 50s/60s classic country, it would have to be a Jumbo or Super Jumbo. I have to confess partiality to the SJ200 :- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Player Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 While I would say Martin would be the "Traditional" Country guitar of day's gone by, I think Gibson is taking that over now and Taylor has also gained a footing with some of the female players as well. Give the Gibson Advanced Jumbo a try. It is my best guitar for accompanying singers as the tone just seems to demand nice vocals with it. They excell at both strumming and fingerstyle pieces which is rare for a dread size guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 When I saw this thread, I thought, oh, oh, this will be like the pin question or what's the best pizza question. I agree with the Martin answer by BC but as also stated I'm seeing lots of Gibsons in the hands of Country players lately. I think the SJ-200, J-45, 'Bird, and Dove are used quite extensively these days. I know Vince Gill has a Martin that, I think, he said he saved and bought when he was in hight school and it sounds great. Of course he has a lot to do with that. This is a personal preference question but it's fun to see what others choose and why. I do feel it has to be a Gibson or a Martin though and "if that ain't country, you can kiss my a$$." LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff5341 Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 If your talking classic country either the Martin D-28 or the Gibson J-200, in the early 60's you saw alot of Martin D-35's and Gibson Dove's, and in the 70's you started to see alot of Ovation's. Today you don't see as many Martin's or Ovation's but you do see alot of Gibson's, at least in the CMT video's. When I play country I usually play my J-100Xtra it just seems to mix with my voice the best on a country song. Of course though if you want the true quintessential country guitar I think the winner hands down is the venerable Fender Telecaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J45dale Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Just MHO, but for the classic guitars of classic country music. #1 Martin D-28 Rosewood Dred. #2 Martin D-18 Mahogany Dred. #3 Gibson J-45 Mahogany Dred. Dale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Tis true, most modern country players seem to rock Takamines and Taylors. I am not sure why those two prevail, probably because of build quality and electronics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 my attempts at george jones covers sound better lately since i've added a martin to my arsenal. not the singing of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 When I saw this thread' date=' I thought, oh, oh, this will be like the pin question or what's the best pizza question. I agree with the Martin answer by BC but as also stated I'm seeing lots of Gibsons in the hands of Country players lately. I think the SJ-200, J-45, 'Bird, and Dove are used quite extensively these days. I know Vince Gill has a Martin that, I think, he said he saved and bought when he was in hight school and it sounds great. Of course he has a lot to do with that. This is a personal preference question but it's fun to see what others choose and why. I do feel it has to be a Gibson or a Martin though and "if that ain't country, you can kiss my a$$." LOL[/quote'] Your post reminded me of an interview, I saw with Vince, he said, he told Chet Atkins one day that he thought the guitar he was playing "sure sounded good!!) to which Chet replied, as he stopped playing, (how does it sound now?) I do agree that Martins are country musicians 1st choice!! I've seen Kristofferson, on several occasions, & never saw him with a Gibson!! Now he has his own model!! I think the "Alt" country players lean a little more towards Gibby's!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Oh yes & the Lucinda Williams sig Martin!!????????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryp58 Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Hank Sr. played a Southern Jumbo! Need I say more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 ajsc - Here's your chance buddy! lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxpTZYIbE6g&feature=related Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Yea I've seen him "lately" last couple of years playing an SJ,,but,,,,,,,,,,,,,the D-18 is what brought him here. I found it interesting that on Gibson's web site you can play the "This old road" video, of him traveling down the old road with his D-18 over shoulder. Is there a video of Lucinda playing a Martin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 http://www.cmt.com/music/unplugged/performance/kristofferson_kris/1563766/performance.jhtml There's this show too!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modoc_333 Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 from what i've seen, Gibson is on the rise, and Taylor is on the decline in modern country.... but i don't really listen to new country so i've only made this note in passing. as for classic country. sure, the D28 and D18 are king. someone above mentioned Hank Sr. do a quick google image search and you will find that most pics are of him holding a martin. the SJ shows up, but it's mostly martin. after the Martin D guitars, i would say that the J45 family (50, SJ, CW) would rank next. then the J200. if you look around the J200 never really was THAT popular for that music. sure, there are a few examples out there, but not any more than any other guitar. the only place it really shows up heavily is the "singing cowboy" stuff... which is more show than anything. it's not really classic country like me normally think of. as an interesting side note though...... we SEE a lot of martins on those old country clips, but to my ears i HEAR more Gibsons. i think a lot of those guys recorded Gibsons and then used the Martins live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 In Neil Young's DVD, Harvest Moon, he plays Hank Sr.'s old Martin. I think he said it was a D45 or something. I don't remember it being a D-28. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uyasgali Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Hummingbird or Dove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodger Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Hank Sr. played a Southern Jumbo! Need I say more! THAT would be my humble opinion on this as well. I love that guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J45dale Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I think Neil Young plays one of Hank Williams old D-28 and a D-45. I think he picked up the D-45 in his earlier career with some rock band. And Hank SR. as well as Hank JR. have been seen often with Southern Jumbos. Dale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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