[DMB3441]

I was just wondering what kind of guitar you guys would recommend for me to get. I have played guitar for almost 5 years now, and ive kept my $170 Ibanez every step of the way. I'm getting kind of frustrated now because frankly my guitar sucks, and i truly think i need a new one. I was just wondering what kind of recommendations you guys have. I'm looking to stay at under $1000 and i want it to be an acoustic electric. I play a lot of John Mayer (he uses a martin i believe), Dashboard Confessional (Gibson), Jack Johnson (Maton), and Dave Matthews Band (a lot of different guitars, check link below). I would like to be able to produce a tone like all of these guys, mainly Dave though. Thanks for all the help.

Dave Matthew's Guitars:
DMB Guitars

[annoying_2001]

for under a grand, looking to recreate those artists sounds, your best bet is a used martin. and used is probably better than new (provided the previous owner wasn't a sh*thead to the guitar) because it will have already started the aging process.

This post has been edited by annoying_2001: 07 October 2004 - 01:29 AM

[AxSlinger]

I would go with a martin. They have guitars in the $800 - $1200 range that sound excellent. Try going to guitar center with like $900 bucks, and grab an electric-acoustic martin for around 1000 - 1200, and say, "You wanna make me a deal? This $900 could be yours today." Usually, if you find the right salesperson, you can get the $200 or so knocked off.

There's a Martin at GC that costs $800 that sounds beautiful. That should suffice for your needs. It has a mic in it, however, as far as all the controls and stuff, it doesn't have that. I actually prefer those to an electric acoustic with the equalizer on them. No specific or real technical reason, other than I think that I don't think those controls belong there on an acoustic. (hard to explain).

[pimp_vince]

look at taylor's too... they have a pretty "modern" tone... i.e. playing robert johnson just sounds wierd. as opposed to playing ben harper which sounds awesome.

[DMB3441]

yea, well taylor was kind of what i was hoping i could get, but i checked them out at the local music shop and damn they're expensive! I found this pretty nice Ibanez that is basically the same shape as the 914c, and it sounds really nice for the price tag. Plus the guy said he could give me a nice discount on it, so i guess i could take the money i save and buy a nice acoustic amp. But tell me what you guys think:

Dave's Guitar (about $3500)

The Ibanez I like (about $500)

[Tuning Spork]

yea, well taylor was kind of what i was hoping i could get, but i checked them out at the local music shop and damn they're expensive!  I found this pretty nice Ibanez that is basically the same shape as the 914c, and it sounds really nice for the price tag.  Plus the guy said he could give me a nice discount on it, so i guess i could take the money i save and buy a nice acoustic amp.  But tell me what you guys think:

Dave's Guitar (about $3500)

The Ibanez I like (about $500)

No need to be so obsessed with getting the same kind of guitar as that guy. Play what sounds like you.

[DMB3441]

I'm not really obsessed, but a majority of the songs i play are by him so i figure i should just get a guitar like his. I mean, if you mainly play led zeppelin songs, and you want them to sound realistic, you would probably get a les paul over a strat...

but i appreciate the input. thanks.

This post has been edited by DMB3441: 07 October 2004 - 07:44 PM

[Tuning Spork]

I'm not really obsessed, but a majority of the songs i play are by him so i figure i should just get a guitar like his.  I mean, if you mainly play led zeppelin songs, and you want them to sound realistic, you would probably get a les paul over a strat...

but i appreciate the input. thanks.

Well, you gave a bad example, but let's not talk about that. Have you actually played these guitars that you're looking at? I recommend playing everything you can and getting what's best for you; maybe your man likes a body shape that is uncomfortable for you. Most of the music I play was not played on an Epiphone Dot (or Gibson ES) or a Yamaki dreadnaught. I hate to sound like a naysayer, but you need to find what you actually want to play and, let's face it, being a carbon copy is boring.

[DMB3441]

yea thats really good advice. I tried it out today and i really like the sound of it, and it sounds a lot like a taylor but I know thats because they use the same strings (d'addario's). I'm just afraid that the sound/tone will just get worse as the guitar ages instead of improving like a more expensive guitar. This was the case with my ibanez right now, but it was also about 1/3 the price.

[Tuning Spork]

yea thats really good advice.  I tried it out today and i really like the sound of it, and it sounds a lot like a taylor but I know thats because they use the same strings (d'addario's).  I'm just afraid that the sound/tone will just get worse as the guitar ages instead of improving like a more expensive guitar.  This was the case with my ibanez right now, but it was also about 1/3 the price.

Make sure you're getting a guitar made of solid wood. Those tend to improve with age. My 40-year-old solid wood guitar is a great-sounding example of this.

[annoying_2001]

i've never heard of a guitar sound getting worse w/ age. but, like they said, there's no need to get a $3500 guitar to be just like dave. or a $2400 guitar to be like john and jack. you've got to find what suits you, and your price range. i understand that you want a guitar that's going to sound like them, but remember, the guitar doesn't make the guitarist, the guitarist makes the guitar. so with whatever you buy (i stand by the used martin) make sure it's for you, and not to be a "carbon copy," because that is "just boring."

[KaZu]

Talors are kickass!
Decent ones in my area run at about $1000+.
I found one the other day for $10,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[guitarfan19]

ibanez Talmans are great acoustic/electrics

[adds]

i've never heard of a guitar sound getting worse w/ age. 

It probly doesnt.Id say hes just learned to recognise what sounds better.The chances are the guitar sounds the same.Its probly made of ply and they dont play in.The sound you get is the sound you get as opposed to solid woods guitars.Plus if hes played a few Gibson or Martins ect after hearing them your cheap bit of plywood is going to sound worse.If you get what i mean.

[dadfad]

He could also mean the assorted buzzes and rattles that start happening on a cheaper guitar, as glue gives way, necks warp, frets wear, body begins to "belly" a bit and hurt the action, etc, etc. Not necessarily the sound or tone itself, but the general difficulty in playing and fretting clean (and sounding good) that tends to happen as a cheaper guitar gets older.

[DMB3441]

yea, the condition of my guitar is exactly as dadfad described it. Sorry i should have been more clear on that comment. But thats my biggest motivation for getting a new guitar, to get rid of the buzzing.

I found a pretty nice martin that is in my price range and looks to be a quality guitar (solid wood construction). I plan on keeping this guitar for a longggg time, so i am wondering if this guitar is a good buy or if i should shell out more for one or what. Either that of I found a nice taylor that is in my price range and sounds very nice too. But i have no idea what is a good buy, a quality guitar, or what will last a long time. If you could check these two guitars out and give me your thoughts i would be very greatful.

Martin D-15

Taylor 214

Oh yea, just curious by why hasn't anyone recommended a Gibson. Are they not that good of guitars or what? Just wondering....

[adds]

No one need to recomend a Gibson.That recomendation goes without saying


Im sure ill have Dadfads backing when i say that .

[evileye]

No one need to recomend a Gibson.That recomendation goes without saying


Im sure ill have Dadfads backing when i say that .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ahem...


-You were thinking on an Ibanez above. Don't be so silly, if you have $1000 to spend don't waste it on an Ibanez. I'd be the first to reccomend a well looked after second hand instrument by one of the decent brands - can't go wrong with a Gibson, a Martin or a Taylor.

[adds]

No one need to recomend a Gibson.That recomendation goes without saying


Im sure ill have Dadfads backing when i say that .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ahem...


-You were thinking on an Ibanez above. Don't be so silly, if you have $1000 to spend don't waste it on an Ibanez. I'd be the first to reccomend a well looked after second hand instrument by one of the decent brands - can't go wrong with a Gibson, a Martin or a Taylor.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Id have to agree with you on that one.

[annoying_2001]

dmb,

based on the prices of those two guitars, you're better off getting the d-15.

but you can also try ebay to look for martins/taylors/gibsons.

This post has been edited by annoying_2001: 10 October 2004 - 12:51 PM