way to blue Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hey everyone and merry, if slightly late, christmas. I know this may have been posted many times before, but I'm thinking of getting a new acoustic guitar and could do with some help. At the moment I have a gibson working man 45, which is really good and I've got very attached to, but I'm at the point where I want to upgrade to a top of the range sort of lifelong guitar. I've been around testing quite a lot of different guitars in various shops around where I live (near Birmingham, UK), and just was after a bit of advice. I've played quite a few different types as I said, and think I'v narrowed it down to getting either a Gibson or a Martin. I played quite a few high end taylors, and while a lot of people recommended them to me, to me they didn't have anything special going for them. They didn't sound that much better than the wm-45. Maybe I'm being a tad harsh, but what I played, nothing stood out. As for Gibsons, firstly I really like Gibsons, I already own the wm-45 and a les paul standard, so feel somewhat attached to the company and would like a gibson if I found one that seemed right. I played the John Lennon and Sheryl Crow models, and while I thought they were good, they didn't seem to me to be overly better than the working man, the sound was better obviously, just not by enough I guess. I had thought of getting a rosewood j-45, or a hummingbird or Dove, or even the custom vine j-45, even if it's a bit fancy looking. Gibsons are unfortunately rare around this area though and I've never been able to play any, just wondered what people thought? Finally I was tempted by the Martin D-41, I played that and that really blew me away, the sound, tone and look of it were beautiful, so I'm considering that, it was the best guitar that I played in the shop at the time. The only other thing I'd considered was getting a custom one from Lowden in Ireland, but that may be a tad too fancy in that I wouldn't know where to start with putting a guitar together, and I kinda like playing them before I decide to buy it. If anyone has any suggestions or advice it would be really appreciated and may save me a lot of time worrying about which one to get. If it helps, my main playing styles are fingerstyle and general strumming too, main acoustic musical influences are Nick Drake and Damien Rice if that helps give an idea what I mean. Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewoody Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Well, you already have a very nice guitar in the WM, and there is not likely to be dramatic difference between that and the other hog Gibsons, such as 'bird, Crow, J-45. So a maple or rosewood piece might be in order. The J-100, 150, 200 etc are nice, long-scale, different body, etc. and would be a change of pace. The Martin D-28 is the standard bearer for rosewood guitars; D-41 is a a fancy D-28, I believe. The Lowden is in a class of its own. Don't they make off-the-shelf models that you can play? On the fingerpicking angle, wouldn't a 3/4 nut be preferable? Some Martins are available with that size neck, the D-18GE for one. Like you, I would want to play what I'm getting if you're shooting for a long term keeper. There are just too many variables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Martins and Gibsons are two different beasts. I think you need to play them both to see what your ears like the best. If you want to look at another Gibson, you might see if you can find any rosewood AJ's or look at the rosewood J-45. The H-Bird is nice, but it's another hog and you already have one of those. You might also look at the Songwriter Deluxe. I also have a Martin HD28. I really like the sound of it and it is a rosewood. However, like I said, the Martins have a different sound than the Gibsons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Always_Black Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Guitarstrummer mentions the Songwriter.....it is definitely one you have not considered. You will probably be more interested in this dreadnought without the cut-away - based on your explanation of playing style. I am biased to this instrument since I just got one, so take it for what it's worth......every guitar purchase is a personal thing. All anybody can do to help is just put them in your lap to try out. Good Luck ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticat Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 I have several J-45's. Love them all. I also really like my Martin HD-28. So Good Luck,and have fun trying them all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyJ-45 Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 i searched for the right guitar for 3 years....finally found it (a 2007 Banner J-45) and im never letting her go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXXX20 Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I concur with the above: try a Songwriter Deluxe with no cutaway. It has that rare Gibson Acoustic quality that can inspire an impulse buy like none other. That and, get a good, professional setup done on whatever you buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodruff Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 hummingbird. they are fantastic dreads! they go great with a J-45 too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcorner Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 I recommend you try some OM guitars - Orchestra Models that are often good include: Martin OM-28 Martin OM-28 EC Breedlove OM/SE Collings OM1 Collings OM2 Santa Cruz OM/PW OM guitars are awesome for finger picking, yet well suited to strumming and flat picking as well. They make great guitars for cutting solos that will come through the mix. Gibson, unfortunately, does not really make an OM guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Since you're a huge Nick Drake fan, I would say start with Martins and try Gibson J-200, SJ and AJ. Those are the Gibsons I've played that had more of a shimmer I imagine working with Drake's music. Personally, I think a Martin OM or OO-28VS or whatever the exact mix of numbers and letters are is likely to give you those rich overtones that are crucial to your aims. Let us know what you decide! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 I recommend you try some OM guitars - Orchestra Models that are often good include: OM guitars are awesome for finger picking, yet well suited to strumming and flat picking as well. They make great guitars for cutting solos that will come through the mix. Gibson, unfortunately, does not really make an OM guitar. Uh, you're answering a five-year-old post. Empires have risen and fallen in the meantime...... Don't think more than one person in that thread is even still active on the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 ha ha! I hadn't seen that. In that case, I DEMAND a report on what guitar was bought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Funny.....I hadn't noticed that this thread was 5-years-old either. I was getting ready to respond to it...From what I can tell the original poster hasn't been on the forum for some 5-years. This thread was his second and last post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 He probably bought a Lowden and never returned : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Phew! Ballcorner could have caused a warp in the time continuum vortex if he had recommended a J35. How do you even go back 5 years on this forum to dig up an old thread in the first place? (Insert 'sarcasm' emoticon here) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Guy Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 ok, just spotted how old this was! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Vintage thread - timeless and good topic. Smurfbird - here's another thread on Drakes guitars. Seems to be different memories runnin'. Don't overlook the Robert Kirby link. http://nickdrake.com...pic.php?p=16004 D-28, , , !? - as I recall it, can't really hear that much dread anywhere. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Yeah, old thread - I got caught not noticing too - but a timeless question. I've concluded that there is not just "one," and neither quality nor bling nor even "made to order" can change that. If you're playing straight acoustic with a straight acoustic band, you've gotta pretty much have sound output matching the other instruments, and that's where the Gibbie slope shoulder and Martins do well, as do similar variations of both brands and other marques. OTOH, if you're getting into fancy fingerpickin', with intent of acoustic sound, in a solo environment, a smaller body instrument is likely to be a better match - depending on your own personal physical geometry. I guarantee that with my physical geometry a 16-inch body (roughly that of an ES175 or classical guitar) and 24-inch scale would be ideal. Doggone few 24-inch, so 24 3/4. You could give me the highest-end Gibbie that's bigger, and I won't be able to fingerpick as well as on a 175-size box, up to and including my "take out to play at cowboy fun stuff" cheapie Epi PR5e AE! (Yeah, we're getting into a 3-month "rodeo season" where I live. And "cowboy music" easily can include absolutely anything done decently, from Bach to Chet to Kottke to Chris Ledoux. Loss of the Epi isn't gonna be the end of the world, and it does as well as far, far more expensive guits in my stable.) Then again, IMHO the 175 is doggone perfect playing proportions for me and Gibbie quit making the acoustic and AE versions of the 1950s cf100 that's almost a flattop Florentine cutaway version of the 175. The little Epi is the closest I've found and, if I broke it I'd be willing to pay Gibson prices for a $300 box! Seriously. So... I guess a lot to me has to do with whether the guitar plays with you or if you just play "it." m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 EMinor7, Can't open the link. But I'd love to read any discussion on Drake's guitars. Never thought about it, really. Just knew he was in a league far above my own. I wasn't the one to find this old link either. I was adding on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brannon67 Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Hmmm, the J45 is a life long guitar for me, but I dont know your budget or your financial status(non of my business) but If I wanted one lifelong guitar, besides the J45, and I had the money, and did not have to worry about it, I would want an Olson. End of story. Old thread, but hey, why not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeterpicker Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 If it's between Martin and Gibson, then the choice is between a D-28 or a J-45, to have the classic guitar from either maker. You can't go wrong with either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Dumb question guys... Why does it seem that nobody's really talking playability for a given picker that can influence both style and technical capability, but rather other factors of guitar size, shape, quality and "classic name?" m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brannon67 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I agree Mr Milod. You as well as I know that when looking for (THAT) one guitar, you have to try them out, play them, listen to them, hold them, feel them, and sometimes have them a while before you really really know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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