[nolaboy]

I am looking to get a acoustic-electric guitar as my interest in guitar has gotten stronger and I am working a band together. What kind of acoustic-electric guitar sounds good in a alternative rock band?

Advise: should I trust ebay if I were to get a guitar from them? Some tell me to some tell me not. Please give me your advise.

This post has been edited by nolaboy: 18 April 2006 - 07:47 PM

[MakoMako]

I am looking to get a acoustic-electric guitar as my interest in guitar has gotten stronger and I am working a band together. What kind of acoustic-electric guitar sounds good in a alternative rock band?

Ahh, Alternative Rock.. my favorite. Anyway, now that's out of the way:

I personally have an Ovation guitar. Alot of people don't like them, compared to standard acoustics they aren't that hot. The composite back seems to take a bit of the richness out of the unplugged sound, at least from my experiences. But I will say that regardless, it sounds pretty decent unplugged still, and they have a wonderful sound when they are plugged in. I have a Celebrity model, which runs for about $600 or so at my local guitar store. But, said store, also jacks up the prices on everything else in the store.. so you could probably expect to get it for cheaper.

All-in-all, I think an Ovation guitar would work fine for what you're doing, since I'm doing it myself. There may be better options, in fact I'm sure of it, but I know that for as cheap as they are, Ovations are better than alot of people give them credit for.

Keep on strummin'!!

-Mako

Edit: Forgot to say it. GTU welcome to it.

This post has been edited by MakoMako: 18 April 2006 - 04:00 PM

[ninjato]

Ovation.

ANything from the balladeer and up.

Watch for sharp fret ends.

[salukiengineer]

Just so happens that I have recently gone through the same "ordeal" of trying to decide what to get for my first. I can say that you need to check out Musicians Friend on the internet and get a catalog. Good prices and selection. From what I found, when you see the same guitar but one is way more expensive than the other, it is probably something cosmetic. Maybe the wood it is made of, or pearl inlay on it somewhere. I ended up with a Takamine Jasmine. Good starter. Not gonna go on tour with it but to learn on it's really good. If you are like me you know nothing about all the "lingo" that people use to describe why one is better than another so I followed the same advice I am giving you. Stick with an entry level, name brand and you really can't go wrong. I would be leary of Ebay for this. I looked there as well and seemed like they had a lot of cheap junk, unless you can find a really good deal on a name brand. Check out Musicians Friend first. A lot of times they have freee or really inexpensive shipping as well. Hope this helps.

[ninjato]

From what I found, when you see the same guitar but one is way more expensive than the other, it is probably something cosmetic.

Not exactly.

There are many high end guitars that look more "plain jane" than the entry level guitars. It's all marketing demographics.

There will always be way more cheap guitars being sold to the curious than high ends guitars being sold. Although guitar construction is basically the same, the materials used will affect the tone for better or worse.

Cheap entry level guitars are all laminate including the top. This means that the beautiful wood you see is a veneer that is glued onto some piece of wood. These guitars are durable, and are not that sensitive to temperature and humidity changes but seriously lack in the tone department. The term "plywood guitar" comes to mind.

Mid level guitars ($500-$1000) tend to have a solid wood top w/ laminate back and sides. Since the top is 90% responsible for the sound, the sonic qualities are heavy in the midrange to high frequencies but lack some umph.

High end are all solid wood. Front, back, and sides are solid. They are very sensitive to humidity changes but the sonic properties are usually very wide. Deep clean lows and sparkling highs.

When you say same guitar, do you mean a certain style Dreadnough, Jumbo, Grand Conert, or do you mean brand name Gibson, Taylor, Collings, Martin......

This post has been edited by ninjato: 25 April 2006 - 11:24 PM

[Luv that Chord]

I just bought an OVATION CELEBRITY (model CK 047). Excellent guitar for $600.

I use phospher bronze string because I don't like the "tinny" sound of some strings, but everyone has a different pref there.

PEACE
D