dhanners623 Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 Fear not, Red; I'll give a post-plugged-in report. And thanks for the info about the headstock scalloping. As far as the tuners go, the holes for the 2nd and 5th strings are offset inboard by a few milimeters -- it is almost not noticeable -- but it's enough to screw things up. I'm guessing they do it to avert any issues of the 5th string grinding against the 6th on the headstock side of the nut (also the 2nd/1st strings) but in looking at the geometry, I'm not sure the offset was necessary. Since the guitars come with three-on-a-plate tuners, all I can figure is they hammer the things in there and in doing so, loosen the capstans for the 2nd and 5th strings enough to fit in the holes. But I'm thinking that in the longterm, that's probably not good for the tuners. And actually, I play mandolin, too, and had I to do it over again, I'd probably change the strings around on the mando instead of playing "upside down left handed" like I do. But you should pick up the instrument and try it. Fairly soon, your brain will stop thinking in terms of guitar chords and more in terms of mandolin chords, and it's a fun instrument. Plus, it is a lot more portable than a guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockanrolla Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I'm in the process of changing the saddle as the original (bone) was very sharp on the compensated B area 1st E string and gave it a dull tinny sound, Im getting a new one made by my tech from bone, I'm sure this was just an oversight on the Quality Controll, but apart from that you can tell it is a very well made guitar, I really like the wider neck (wider than the original 60's version) so easy to play, defo need good strings like elixir nanoweb 11's to get the best out the shadow system, I tried it through a Marshall acoustic soloist 50watt and was well impressed, I will defo gig with it, has its own sound that beats my Martin (just) but the difference in price is huge. Its a winner and will be raved about for some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 I'm not sure what kind of case it is. It's just some no-name black hardshell that fits a dreadnaught but has a longer neck area. It was kind of comical last night. The Texan fit in my J-45 case, but then I didn't want to move my J-45 to another case. I set all the guitars and cases out on the bed and on the floor and tried shifting guitars around to various cases but nothing ever worked out. My wife seemed only more than happy to send me off to the music store to get a case as long as I cleaned up the mess first. The new case cost $70. I was thinking I would get a used one, but the shop I went to didn't have any used ones that fit. Played it a bit more on my lunch hour today. (I work in a one-person office, thankfully.) It opened up a bit and I do get the impression it has great potential to open up more over time. The tone is very good. It doesn't have the depth of tone or resonance of my J-45, but then again, the '45 is 12 years old and has been played quite a bit. I'm not an expert at describing guitar tone in words. But I can tell you the tone has "character" and there is body and heft to it. The sustain is pretty good for a new guitar. As I mentioned before, it is an impressive value. That said, I'd sure like to see what the guitar would sound like with a nitro finish. I still feel poly is a tone-killer, even if it is a lighter finish like this one. The guitar is lively, but I'm thinking that with a nitro finish, it would be a lot more lively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcClane5000 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Why change the tuners? These are Wilkinson Deluxe tuners which on my guitar work fine, even a bit less good than on my Casino which has the 'e' stamped cheapo Korean Kluson knock-offs. I don't see the point in replacing them really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 The tuners on mine feel a bit loose. I measured and the capstans for the 2nd and 5th strings are offset inward by 2 mm. I'm thinking that over time, that's just not going to be good for the tuners to be bent that way. Plus there's the issue of the buttons being too garishly white. I can tone that down with shoe polish, though: http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/ts0017_agedtuners.hzml?jrl=538&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ts0017&clk=81341 Went to the open mike last night, but didn't play so I have nothing to report yet on the plugged-in sound of the guitar. It was one of those open mikes where you stick your name in a hat and the host draws the slips of paper out lottery-style to determine playing order. So I show up early -- just to be assured I'll have a spot -- and when the host does the drawing, he makes no attempt to mix the names up before pulling them out of the hat as one big stack. So out of 16 names, I got plcked to play in the 15th spot. Conversely, guys who showed up right before the music was to start and put their names in the hat got the early slots. Call me a jerk, call me a whiner, call me elitist, call me whatever you want. I gig out regularly. I've opened for the likes of Tom Paxton, Bill Staines, Ellis Paul and others. Tunes from my CDs have been played on folk radio at stations across the country. I agree that at an open mike, none of that matters and it is the luck of the draw and I'm no different from anyone else, but on a Wednesday night, I don't feel like sitting through 14 acts just to play two tunes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Why change the tuners? These are Wilkinson Deluxe tuners which on my guitar work fine' date=' even a bit less good than on my Casino which has the 'e' stamped cheapo Korean Kluson knock-offs. I don't see the point in replacing them really.[/quote'] John, I said in my review, that the Wilkinson tuners were pretty good, but I am changing mine out simply because the holes don`t line up with the three on a plate properly, meaning the A & B capstans are forced to lean inwards, and not only that, it makes the ferrules lean too, which is a bit unsightly. I am going to put a cheap set of individual Kluson Nickel knockoffs on instead, which should solve the problem. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Check out my new CD' date=' [i']T[/i]he Traveler's Burden, at www.davidhanners.com. Thanks. David David, I went to CD Baby to listen to song samples from The Traveler's Burden, and watched a couple of videos on the Minnesotta NPR site. Very impressive. When someone with chops like yours gives a guitar a good review, it has a lot of credence. You're a Pulitzer winner, too? I must be more careful with my grammar from now on. Welcome to the forum, by the way. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the kind words about the tunes. And yeah, I've got a Pulitzer. (That and $3 will get you a small coffee these days.) Don't worry about your grammar. Sometimes I have issues with my own. You can listen to full versions of some of the tunes (and some older ones) at my page on American Songspace, which is here: http://www.americansongspace.com/davidhanners Back to the guitar, though. It is opening up even more, it seems. I was playing it some during a break this afternoon and it struck me how good it sounds. There is some complexity to the tone and a depth to it. It is also very easy to play and the neck is quite comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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