Studio Acoustic Guitar

[lhaile]

I always gravitate towards Jumbo acoustics. I love the way they sound when strumming and honestly I think they look really cool.

However, I am looking for ideas on a nice recording guitar. I'm willing to forgo any kind of aesthetic beauty for a wonderful sound. My jumbos don't fare so well under the mic, so any size, combination, etc. is acceptable.

One caveat, I don't want to spend a mint. Used is okay/preferable, but I'm open to suggestions.

[toolskid]

I was really pleasantly surprised by the taylor big baby (about £300). Sprangy and focused sounding, nice and even tone-wise too.

[Saucyjack]

Check out some of the cheaper Larrivee's.
I love mine and it records well.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Saucyjack

Check out some of the cheaper Larrivee's.
I love mine and it records well.

The best tone I've recorded to date was with a Larrivee, I need to find out what model, I'm not sure if it was a cheaper one or not. The onboard electronics sounded like a real mic (we used it for scratch too).

[TYY]

I agree that jumbos don't record as well as they sound in a room.

I prefer a darker woodier guitar than a jangly one. I hardly ever need more jangle from a recorded acoustic. I usually record with a couple Gibson J-45s - one is darker and boxier, the other is smoother and brighter. Mic choice is all I need to get a variety of tones. Also don't forget that pick material/thickness plays a huge role in the recorded tone.

[henryrobinett]

Yeah Jumbos. Kind of similar to the Dreadnaughts. Boomy. That was my problem and why I accepted the barter of mixing for a Taylor 414-CE. Records beautifully. I have a Taylor Anniversary Dreadnaught. Beautiful sounding guitar but just records too boxy. Now I have two acoustic steel 6 string colors. Too cool.

[lhaile]

Thanks for the replies so far. I've heard many good things about the Larivees, but haven't played one in years. I recall they were nice. I've owned several Taylor's and I think they're great, if not a bit overrated/overpriced.

Keep em' coming...

[lucey]

I have a small bodied Gibson, a '47 LG2 that records great. Midrange and focus is what you need not low end and volume.

(Got the guitar from a kid in a parking lot of Scam Cash for $200. Figured it was stolen, called the police and they said "enjoy it".)

[Scinx]

Ive had the best luck with a Larrivee Parlour, the older version. The new version has a different finish and is a good deal more expensive, however Im sure it records well too. Overall I think the smaller body acoustics record best, but that may just be me.

[toledo3]

Originally Posted by Scinx

Ive had the best luck with a Larrivee Parlour, the older version. The new version has a different finish and is a good deal more expensive, however Im sure it records well too. Overall I think the smaller body acoustics record best, but that may just be me.

The Larivee Parlour can sound stunning. Unfortunately, I think that they may have discontinued it altogether

The Larivee guitars have great setups, straight out of teh factory. They also have a very balanced tone, that records very well. Any that I have played have no "dead" spots, anywhere on the neck. All positions yeild a rich sustain.

Really, all of the "big" guitar companies have some great models. But, there is also a great deal of variablity with acoustic instruments, especially with the big manufacturers like Gibson, Martin, etcetera. The best thing is to "audition" a variety..... and realize that in the end, you may eventually want to OWN a variety.

I think that one flat-top "D" Martin style, one big J style Gibson, another like a Larivee or Taylor.....and then parhaps a Dobro. That should cover it!

One thing to consider if you are on a budget is the Blueridge brand guitars. I am truly AMAZED at the sound and craftsmanship of these......they are imports from China or Japan....can't remember which. I am loathe to praise a low end import so profusely, but they sound better balanced than many expensive Martins I have played.

My personal favorite is the Gibson L-50 f-hole. A totally different sound than "O" hole types.

[brownmouse]

its hard to go wrong with a larrivee. i have had great success with the 'recording series' which is basically the series with less fancy cosmetics (and less $$). the d-03, om-03 and L-03 all record extremely well. as far as martins go, i have a d-18v which is amazing (only had to play like 50 martins to find it, though!).
good luck,
joshua

[infiniteposse]

The Parlor's are still available:

http://www.larrivee.com/data/product.../P-05/P-05.htm

As mentioned above, the older models with no gloss finish aren't around anymore and the new models are far more adorned and expensive. I've only heard an old one, so I can't comment on how the new one's sound. I really dug the little guy I played though and it was only $700 or so I think...

I personally have gotten excellent results recording my Martin D-18VS. It's a 12 fret and while it carries low-end well, it's just a perfectly balanced instrument tonally and it records accordingly. I'd like to play with a smaller acoustic in the studio just to try it out, but this thing works amazingly well at the moment.

[Dot]

Good to see all the props for Larrivée. I use and recommend them as well. Also when you pick one out for recording I'd tend to go with a mahogany back and sides over rosewood.

[Gideon]

Gibson Country Western.

[sdelsolray]

Either a Larrivee L-03 or OM-03 (either has mahogany and sitka spruce woods) would make a great all around studio guitar, capable of handling strumming or fingerstyle in just about any musical style. The L model will have a bit more sound. The OM will be a bit more balanced.

[lhaile]

The Larrivee OM-03 seems to come up quite a bit. I was starting to lean towards the Rosewood vs. Mahagony so interested to hear Dan's reason. I'm guessing less "bass" and more highs, but I'm only guessing. I haven't had a chance to play these in person yet.

Anyone know of any good Larrivee dealers in the Dallas area?

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by lhaile

The Larrivee OM-03 seems to come up quite a bit. I was starting to lean towards the Rosewood vs. Mahagony so interested to hear Dan's reason. I'm guessing less "bass" and more highs, but I'm only guessing. I haven't had a chance to play these in person yet.

Anyone know of any good Larrivee dealers in the Dallas area?

The Larrivee -03 series can be ordered with East Indian rosewood back and sides (it still has a sitka top). That guitar would be designated an -03R. A rosewood model would serve well too.

[brownmouse]

[QUOTE=lhaile]The Larrivee OM-03 seems to come up quite a bit. I was starting to lean towards the Rosewood vs. Mahagony so interested to hear Dan's reason. I'm guessing less "bass" and more highs, QUOTE]
the mahogany is generally more balanced and the rosewood a bid 'woofier' on the bottom (the stuff i try to get rid of on most tracks). its really an application dependant/taste kinda thing, but i definitely have a higher batting average with mahogany... the bottom seems tighter and clearer (usually) on mahogany.ymmv.
joshua

[brendondp]

A Froggy Bottom? A Breedlove?

Cheers,

bdp

[ShellTones]

I think most small bodied guitars are good for recording. But it also depends on the style of music you are recording. On solo acoustic, a small body with complex overtones will often shine, but it may get lost in a busy mix. OTOH, a dreadnaught, properly miced, can provide that driving rhythm a lot of pop/county/rock needs.

[neve1073]

I am so very happy with a (very carefully selected) collings dreadnought. It records brilliantly--very well banced when you find the sweetspot.

It sounds so different from a j50 or j45---another great guitar for the studio (assuming you find a good one).

I haven't played a larivee for a while.

Good lucke.

[Douglas Whates]

As a slightly more unusual suggestion, what about a Babicz guitar? Although I haven't played or recorded one, I've heard a few good things about them. http://www.jeffbabiczguitars.com for more info, and here - http://www.acousticmasters.com/Acous...biczGuitar.htm - for a review of one of the models. There's also a sound clip on that page.

I personally use a Lowden 0-10 cedar and have found it records wonderfully.

Douglas.

[neve1073]

Yeah, cedar tops have a nice sound.

[chetatkinsdiet]

I've got a lot of really nice guitars. The Martins are always hard to record and sit in a mix. Just too boomy. I've got a D18V that's amazing in person but haven't been able to record it right to fit in a song. I'd imagine for solo voice and gtr it would fill up the track nicely though.
The best thing I've found is the Gibbys. All basically the same guitar.....Hummingbird, J45, C&W, SJ, SJN, SJ Deluxe, etc....
Probably the best price you'll find is the SJ Deluxe, which is my main Gibby at this point. You can sometimes find them for around $600-700, which is a STEAL. Think 69-72 Stones acoustic sound and that's what this is.
Something very rock and roll about playing a Gibson acoustic too.
Later,
m

[daaronhoffman]

I've owned about 8 Taylors to date, but had to sell all but one when I got married and had bills.

I really enjoy Taylor guitars for recording because the neck/frets don't cause early fatigue. I can play on a Taylor for a lot longer than most other guitars(come in handy when figuring out hard parts in a song).

Right now I have a 514-EC 25th ann.
Mahogany sides and back with cedar top, very warm sound and versital.
Depending on mic choice and placement it can get boomy.

I would highly recommend getting a guitar WITHOUT electronics!
Wires inside can ruin a take by buzzing sometimes.

I'm interested in getting a 612-c(maple back and sides) concert size.
I've heard GREAT results with those.

If I had enough cash I'd definitely buy a Kevin Ryan guitar!!!!
www.ryanguitars.com
Sweetest guitar I've ever played...just as nice or nicer than Olsen(which I've played those too)

To be honest...I've heard $100 Yamahas sound good when recorded properly.

[lhaile]

I love the Gibson SJ's...told you I loved Jumbos. I'm surprised to hear they record so well. I would also be interested to know where one could be found for $600-$700.

I've owned a few Taylors and have a hard time believing the prices they command now, for a bolt on neck. Breedlove, Froggy Bottom, a little too much green for me at the moment.

Any other suggestions much appreciated. I'm going to try to check some out this weekend.

[Robert Randolph]

Originally Posted by toolskid

I was really pleasantly surprised by the taylor big baby (about £300). Sprangy and focused sounding, nice and even tone-wise too.

Same here. Amazing guitar really

[chetatkinsdiet]

Hey....another Dallasite....
You gotta look for the SJ Deluxe, which was the 70s, natural top version of the SJ with the fancy (C&W) pickguard, etc. I got mine....mint cond for $650. I got it from someone in Arlington....right here in DFW. I've also owned a bunch of the smaller bodied gibbys too.....LG0, LG2...whatever...they're nice too, but have a darker, mahogany sound. Must be all the mahogany....duh.
Every guitar is so different it's hard to say. Every Hummingbird will sound a little different. Hey, since you're in Dallas, have you been into the local GC's? There's one...I can't remember which...probably either the one on LBJ or the Central store...they have a few older Gibsons. One from the 40s, 50s and maybe even a late 60s model. All are basically either a J45 or similar. So night and day between them all....
It really shouldn't be a surprise that an acoustic instrument would be this different sounding, but you'll probably just need to narrow it down to a few models to look at and go play as many of them as you can. A guitar show would be nice since you can play a bunch. Dallas has the big one later this month, right? It's usually march or april.
later,
m

[henryrobinett]

Yeah, every guitar is different. They're acoustic so they're sensitive to small differences in wood, grain, etc.. Even the same models from the same manufacturers can vary slightly in sound and feel.

I'm curious as to how many folks here are truly professional guitarists as opposed to engineers. I know several are. I was surprised to see so MANY endorsements for Larrivee. I know they're fine guitars, though I don't have one myself and have only played one on occassion.

I am a professional guitarist, though not a professional ACOUSTIC guitarist, which makes a considerable difference. Out of 13 guitars 4 of them are acoustic. I just love the sound of Taylors. They record great. Nice and bright and warm. But different colors are always welcome. But I differ to the better judgement of true acoustic players and great and experienced engineers.

[borut]

You can't go wrong with martin d-28