Growth

[Hooligan]

As I began this whole guitar thing I would ask alot of questions and many times I got the answer "it's a matter of what you like" Only trouble for me was I didn't know what was out there to know what I liked. I am beginning to develop my personal likes and dislikes.

My first like:

Cedar!

I am growing ever more fond of the mellow sound cedar guitars make. I have fallen in love with two guitars.

The Taylor GS5
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m65/MattHougan/GS5.jpg

and the Breedlove C25
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m65/MattHougan/breedlove.jpg

One other thing I really like about these two guitars is the 1 3/4" nut width. I presumme these guitars are designed for finger pickers more than strummers, but thats fine with me. I like that too! I also like the fact these guitars are very sublime with a minimum of glam.

[Crunchyriff]

The Breedlove gets my vote (& heart!) & one will be mine soon, God willing.

Frankly, and I'll be brutally honest- I'm tired of seeing nothing but Taylors on worship teams. I could barf. The church is probably the most guilty of copy-cats any group of people I've seen in many many ways, and this is no exception. I hate that.

It's like Taylor's are the established, accepted A/E worship guitar to be "hip" and anointed. "Oh I've got a Taylor". Pfft. My stars, people, let's quite cloning and think for ourselves, shall we? There are MANY great builders out there, and again, IMHO I think the older Taylors were much better than the ones made in the last 5-7 years. That, & I'm just sick and tired of seeing them. I won't buy them just for that reason alone.

That Breedlove ROCKS and IMHO is a far better guitar than the Taylor. They have personality. Another great brand is the pre-Fender Tacoma (esp the 38 series). Just stellar guitars. Unfortunately, now Fender is shutting down the Tacoma program...probably because they just bought Guild. (and they're great guitar brand too) Then you've got Larrivee, Lowden, Santa Cruz, and don't forget Martin. I really loved my Martin.. btw.

Oh and, Hooligan, I share your joy of cedar tops. They are VERY sweet.

[Hooligan]

I feel your pain. It's very difficult especially for up and comers like myself not to get caught up in the Taylor mania. One of the other sites I lurk ( they wont let me post since I have a yahoo email acount despite repeated attempts to contact them) all you hear and read about is Taylor. I'd be honored to own one but, Jeez!

[davesg]

I think I can understand your frustration with seeing Taylor's everywhere, but maybe the reason you are seeing them has nothing to do with all of the hype. IF I could afford a high end guitar, I would certainly check out the Taylor line for several reasons.
1) I like the sound they put out, both in volume and tone. Since many of the worship services I lead are strictly accoustic, this is important to me.
2) I like several of the dealers in this area that sell Taylors, and would trust their knowledge and ability to handle setups and other issues if need arise.
3) I have a Taylor Big Baby and at one time had a quality issue, Taylor was very quick in fixing the problem, no questions asked. If they are willing to give that kind of service on their cheap models, I feel I can trust them on a higher end produce as well.
None of these things have anything to do with the hype. These are personal opinions based on my experience. I do admit that the reason I looked at Taylor in the first place had to do with seeing Steven Curtis Chapman playing them exclusively at one time. But don't we all check out, who is playing what so that we can find new things. I would also add that I would not eliminate the Breedlove, Martin, or any other guitar if I was looking to purchase something in that price range. :hmm:

[Hooligan]

Don't misunderstand, I too love the bright sparklely Taylor sound. Like I said I would be honored to have one, if I could afford one just like you.

But, there are options.........

Then I drewl over these McPherson's, Ryan's, Collins etc. What do people do that they can drop $10k on a dang acoustic guitar? They are beautiful but $10K............NOT!

Even that Breedlove is getting pretty rich at $1.5K

[Crunchyriff]

Opinion as follows (yeah, I know I know...):

To me it's not about being the only high quality guitar out there- try pricing a Santa Cruz or Larrivee, Lowden, etc... to me the Taylor rage IS hype, a 'me too', thing amongst many Christian musicians, even here locally. It's like the Borg 'collective'. It's become the "McCoustic" of Christian culture & I find it irritating, if not downright revolting. Everywhere you look you see them. Egads!

There truly are other guitars that are as 'sparkly' and articulate as Taylor.

Having been privileged to own a number of VERY high-end electric guitars over the years; I'm very acquainted with this level of quality. For me, I'm just not bowled over with Taylor at all. Yes they are a 'good' guitar, nice work. But there are plenty of other brands to choose from that are as good, if not better, for an equitable price. Oh I tried the Taylor semihollow a/e a few weeks ago as our drummer has been busting my chops to go try it, so I did. I tried to like it, I really did as it has some great features. Mehh... pretty guitar, but just not my bag.

I for one, don't like Taylor's necks; Taylor's fingerboard radius; or, perhaps more importantly the fact that Taylor stiffed a songwriter friend of mine who bought one new that cracked on him into just 3 months of ownership, @ 2 years ago. He was very careful to keep it humidified & at the proper level. Of course, Taylor wouldn't warranty it, claiming it cracked due to 'user neglect', which I know personally to be not true whatsoever. They repaired it, but they charged him for it, too. Scumbags. I despise companies like this.

(it's) The same reason (if for no other) that I will never EVER buy another Ovation. I've have a 12-string balladeer (with the "lifetime warranty") that has a cracked neck (hairline crk behind & parallel to the nut) and a top split from underneath that runs from the soundhole to the bridge on the high E side. In order to "fix" this guitar, the whole guitar has to be replaced: as the neck would be swapped out (with a new neck with the current, non-slotted headstock); the top and bowl come as one assembly, they won't replace the top on my bowl; and oh did I mention the electronics don't work? Not even the tuners can be re-used, so they literally would pull a guitar off the stock rack & ship it to me. Okay, fine.

Problem is, last time I talked to them, Ovation wanted to charge me $500 (a 'labor fee') for them to honor their "lifetime warranty", and pull a new guitar off the rack to send me. Phooey on them- I'd much rather spend 3x the amt and get something else that doesn't have their logo on it. FWIW, I got that guitar new for Christmas in 1979... & 2 mos into having it, I had to have the neck replaced for the same crack in the same area- which at the time they did with no hassles, no fees. It has been sitting in its case, useless- since @ 1988-90.

But I digress... (ahem...)

Everybody is different. In all this, buy what moves YOU. That's what it's all about.

[Hooligan]

Here you go Crunchyriff..............

http://cgi.ebay.com/BreedLove-ProSeries-C25_W0QQitemZ180220209376QQihZ008QQcategoryZ47069Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

man I hope God leads you to this guitar so that I can live viacariously through you.

[Wally]

So what we are saying is that Taylor is the NEW Ovation, right?:yeah:

I am not a fan of the "Taylor" sound myself. The main guitarist at our church plays them, and he sounds great with them, but they aren't for me really. For the record, I rarely like the sound of any pickup equipped acoustic guitar as something I would want to play (they sound fine for other folks) if that makes sense. I do have a Baby Taylor that I bought new for about $225 at a time when that was a great deal on an American made travel / 3/4 size acoustic. Mine is mahogany, which gives it a darker more mellow sound than the spruce models. I like it for what it is, but am not interested in any other Taylors. And I admit that the hype and marketing is a big part of what kills my interest in them. Now having said that, I have to say that my experience with the Taylor company has been excellent - after I bought the Baby Taylor, I e-mailed them and inquired about a pickguard - they sent me one for free. For years they sent me their quarterly newspaper - probably still would, if I would have updated my address with them. Enough about Taylor....

This is about cedar topped acoustics, and I am with you - my favorite top :clap:. I like the mellow darker sound of cedar, and the only problem I have ever noticed is that it does make it a little harder to cut through in a group setting. I have two Seagulls with cedar tops, and I think they are a great bargain. I prefer budget priced guitars that are a great value, so the Seagulls are right up my alley. Most of their models have wide necks too. If money were no object.... probably a Martin - especially the mahogany model.

[MDK2323]

I like the mellow darker sound of cedar, and the only problem I have ever noticed is that it does make it a little harder to cut through in a group setting.


I have noticed that as well. But on the other hand, my Carvin C850 with Engleman Spruce top and Rosewood back and sides is sometimes too bright through a PA.

That's why you need one of each to cover the whole tonal palet.:)

[Crunchyriff]

Here you go Crunchyriff..............

http://cgi.ebay.com/BreedLove-ProSeries-C25_W0QQitemZ180220209376QQihZ008QQcategoryZ47069Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

man I hope God leads you to this guitar so that I can live viacariously through you.

WOW THAT's a deal. I've been asking Our Father for a replacement for my Martin that the Lord unexpectedly told me to donate to a young worship leader in January. So far nothing yet & it's not even discuss-able with the finances here. When God decides I need one, I'll have one.

Somebody is going to get a great guitar there. I have no idea what the electric system sounds like on it, but the guitar itself (the one I played, anyway) was superb. IT sounded 3-d, very piano-like in clarity but very warm, and filled the room. Just incredible. Awesome neck on it, too.

Thanks for the link, Hooligan!

[Hooligan]

Are you kidding? it's got an LR Baggs element under saddle pick up. Tone and volume adjustment mounted in the sound hole very descretley.

Seems to me that element pick up is hard to beat. no big hole cut the side of your guitar. First time I looked at this guitar I was disappointed that it was not an A/E. Then I notice the hole in the metal end pin........"Whats this" I say. Sure enough I roll the guitar over and see hidden just under the surface of the guitar the controls for the pick up.

Amen it's A/E. I look further and to my surprise it's the LR Baggs element. Nicely done Breedlove, nicely done.

[MDK2323]

a replacement for my Martin that the Lord unexpectedly told me to donate to a young worship leader

That was very generous Crunchy! I'm sure the Lord and the young worship leader appreciated that. The Lord loves a joyful giver.

My church owns a Breedlove, and I've had the pleasure of playing 2 others owned by friends, and they all play and sound wonderful. They have all had a cedar top and mahogany back and sides. I think it's a great choice for an acoustic, and they mix very well in a church setting. If I didn't already own my Carvin, I may have leaned in that direction.

[Crunchyriff]

That was very generous Crunchy! I'm sure the Lord and the young worship leader appreciated that. The Lord loves a joyful giver.

My church owns a Breedlove, and I've had the pleasure of playing 2 others owned by friends, and they all play and sound wonderful. They have all had a cedar top and mahogany back and sides. I think it's a great choice for an acoustic, and they mix very well in a church setting. If I didn't already own my Carvin, I may have leaned in that direction.

Uhh, thanks MDK, but I was just being obedient. It all belongs to God.
There is a little story about that which I won't get into here ( I really don't want to); but the bottom line is, it took both myself, and the recipient totally by surprize the night of this little transacation... and few things have given me the amt of absolute JOY I received when I obeyed that evening. It was the most amazing thing. It felt like I had gotten a gift myself.

God is so SO wonderful.

Anyway, some day I hope to have one of those Breedlove's as a replacement. We'll see what God provides.

[MDK2323]

Uhh, thanks MDK, but I was just being obedient. It all belongs to God.


I understand your response. I just thought it a generous deed. One that some wouldn't be willing to do.

My praise of it means nothing, and it wasn't meant to. There's some greedy folks out there these days, looking to manipulate. Some of them are in the church. It was refreshing to hear of some generosity.:)

[Crunchyriff]

I understand your response. I just thought it a generous deed. One that some wouldn't be willing to do.

My praise of it means nothing, and it wasn't meant to. There's some greedy folks out there these days, looking to manipulate. Some of them are in the church. It was refreshing to hear of some generosity.:)

This guy never saw it coming, nor was he priming me for it out of the flesh. This was a TOTAL God-thing! :)

I'd rather obey than sacrifice, ya know?