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Post by dnic on Mar 17, 2019 22:27:46 GMT -6
In the 20 years I ran sound at a coffee house I heard and played a lot of Taylors. Not all Taylors are winners but I would say most of them are. That 12 you had in your hands on was prolly more about what wood it was made from. But pretty wood doesn't guarantee good sound. I've never been a Taylor fan boy, like you Eddie, it makes no difference if it says Gibson, Martin or Taylor it's got to sound and play good. Well we can fix the play good part but dead sound is another story.
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Post by antares on Mar 18, 2019 6:08:29 GMT -6
Most folk that splash out lots of cash on acoustics only need to justify to themselves. My Sobell rushed me around maybe $15,000 (?) and I've never ever regretted it even for one single moment. Nor has SWMBO for that matter because she encouraged me to buy it. What a gal! Understanding it is irrelevant. I just wish I could do it better justice! I can hear a difference in this video, even on a cell 'phone, but six thousand dollars worth of difference? Not a hope. I wouldn't want a Dread nor a Martin and I certainly wouldn't pay that much for one, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the world and his wife cannot be wrong? youtu.be/AOM4_8fiSwQOh- and you can't take it with you when you're gone, so I reckon that we should all enjoy our short span to the max, and no one can put a price on that even if the value is obvious. e&oe... |
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Post by dnic on Mar 18, 2019 7:34:30 GMT -6
That's a great video and the guy is spot on about this topic. I'd love to see and hear your Sobell Steve.
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Post by antares on Mar 18, 2019 15:43:36 GMT -6
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Mar 18, 2019 15:56:58 GMT -6
Very cool video, Steve. Would also like to see the Sobell Guitar.
I've had the opportunity to handle a lot of high-end guitars over the last five years. These include new ones (Collings, Santa Cruz, Thompson, Gallagher, Pre-War, Bourgeois) and old ones (Gibson, Martin). I think my favorites - and keep the flame to a minimum -- are the mid- to late-1950s Gibson "Southern Jumbos" and "Country and Westerns". They have the Les Paul necks, have a very robust bracing scheme and top, and have a great sound.
My personal preference, only. That is the cool thing about this period of guitar building; we can find just about anything we want at just about any price point.
Two things I do like about Taylors -- they sound great plugged-in and the neck angle is very easy to adjust. I use a Taylor 12-string live and it is a fantastic guitar.
However, my go-to advice is this: The surest way to improve your tone is to practice.
John
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Post by antares on Mar 18, 2019 19:07:35 GMT -6
I remember a recently departed dear old radio ham friend that had taken pre age 50 retirement on health grounds. He had a great pension from the CEGB. He was ruminating back and forth over buying some low-end Yaesu shortwave transceiver. I told him to just buy it because he could easily afford it (I could not at the time so it was significant to me.) He told me that "afford" is not just about having enough money- he couldn't justify the outlay even with sufficient funds at his disposal.
I set my heart on a Sobell in 2002 or 2003 a good 13 years before buying it and was focussed on getting one with my pension pay-outs. As it turned out, an opportunity arose and I grabbed it! Because of that, I will have had an extra six years of playing out of it while my fingers are just getting stiffer each day. Also, like most of us, Stefan is not getting any younger
I am reminded of my Rolex (which I never wear so it's a completely daft lemon.) Another ham friend's father bought one for him and although his pa had passed, he said every time he looked for the time, he remembered his pa. Almost immediately in 1989, my pa gave all three of us kids a lump sum and without a blink I copied my ham friend. My pa has been gone 17 years now and when I wear it at weddings, christenings and funerals, I too remember him. Stupid money for a watch, but who can put a price on that? Something else I've never regretted.
My pa's twin brother had two maxims: he preferred second class motoring to first class walking, and he held that today's purchase is tomorrow's laugh. Remembering what I paid for my second user Rolex and looking at the asking price now I realise what he meant. The reason I have some disposable cash is because I paid part of my income out on pensions and we didn't have children. Eddie you have family and that truly is priceless. You won't need to take anything with you even if you could because you have that purpose. This is not meant as a sob story Bro', it's two friends talking and learning a bit about each other ;<D
When I restring my Takamine F360s I think yeah- it's still a good guitar. (I seem to recall Dane worked on a Tak F360 so he'd concur about Taks.) When I restring my Yamaha LS400vt I again realise that I lucked out with a good one. Then I open the Calton case of my Sobell and that's that. Every time it's like a NGD. Sure it's too expensive but the others just don't cut me the same frisson, good as they are or were. You may have noticed that Stefan doesn't even put a logo on his guitars. I guess he doesn't feel the need to. One downside is that as the player, we don't generally get to hear the real *tonez* of our acoustics. (that word!)
Stefan has an assistant that needs a wage too. If you work out the business rates and 24-7 climate control required for his workshop, allow for the sheer expense of the fine timbers and then divide it by the approximately one dozen instruments he makes each year, the asking price begins to make more sense in so far as what is the REAL price... In that scenario, a well set up 800 bucks guitar can only be regarded as a fantastic example of finely honed mass production. Who would argue Asian rice bowl wages against artisan craftsmanship? Both have strengths so it will always be a moot point, but what are the chances of Asian workers coming to your next gig or buying your next record?
This is not to say that folks should pay stupid money for guitars because the booteek builders simply couldn't begin to support the demand, it's just that we do have options, and if for whatever reason an individual suddenly discovers that dreams can indeed come true, then happy days.
I wish all you guys could play it too. Plenty more fish in that sea but I've stopped casting around. It's a nice feeling.
e&oe...
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Post by dnic on Mar 19, 2019 7:32:56 GMT -6
Steve, I appreciate your insight. You always make a lot of sense. And I can attest to Taks being great sounding guitars.
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Post by antares on Mar 19, 2019 8:18:58 GMT -6
And I in turn appreciate you saying that Dane because I have this tendency to speak and write in parables. (Like peeps would have a right to think "did everyone need to know that?") Well it's a knee jerk response designed to avoid upsetting folks since there's always a way for something to get taken the wrong way, especially on the internet. So instead of talking straight, I present drawn out scenarios intended to encourage folks to consider that there may be other approaches to a subject. Here I go again! I'll get me coat...
e&oe...
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Mar 20, 2019 6:38:24 GMT -6
Many good points, Steve. Sometimes that dream guitar (or car, or watch, or whatever) is just expensive for good reason. That fine instrument can be inspirational, and here is a little story on my site from years ago about the same subject. www.guitarattack.com/opinion/acoustictone.htmI paid a lot for that guitar in Germany, but I've never regretted it. It is still an incredible instrument. John |
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Post by antares on Mar 25, 2019 6:11:57 GMT -6
You hit the nail on the head with one powerful word John. "Inspirational". All that verbal diarrhoea from me and you homed in on English brevity with customary aplomb.
It kind of feels like being the conductor of an orchestra- all those possibilities at your disposal and you are privileged to be holding the reins. And you can feel such an acoustic guitar through your guts. My Guild F512 does that too.
It's difficult to explain or put into words.
I remember seeing (or was it reading about?) a video where Bob Taylor built a guitar from pallet wood because someone accused him of having unfettered access to all the finest timbers. It even had oval shaped cut off nails left in it but it sounded superb. Just like virtuoso musicians, it's all in the hands of the craftsman.
e&oe...
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Post by yeeted on Sept 24, 2019 1:09:26 GMT -6
I tried a fair bit of guitars myself. I can never pick one that I like or can say that is the best. We can all remember the first time we nailed the intro of Sweet Child O' Mine, or Layla, or whatever your classic rock song of choice was when you were but a wee slip of a beginner. Many among our parish have spent the rest of our lives chasing that same feeling. Why? Because it makes you feel good about yourself and it's a whole lot of fun, that's why. Honestly, I've been on places like bestelectricguitars.reviews/best-blues-guitars/ and I can't judge well enough to say which ones are best. The reviews help out though. Learning the guitar can actively improve cognition, aid hand-eye coordination - hell, it can even add points to your IQ. Actually, few people know about this interesting fact. |
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Post by dnic on Sept 24, 2019 17:19:37 GMT -6
Hi yeeted, good to have you chime in. Welcome to the forum. Good to know playing music can add to your IQ at least now I know I have a few points.
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Sept 27, 2019 19:40:19 GMT -6
Good to know playing music can add to your IQ at least now I know I have a few points. I need all of the help I can get! I’m hoping playing loud will add to the IQ plus-up! Joh |
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