V8 wrote: I've got two really nice nylon acoustics (1971 Levin & 1982 Alhambra) that I don't want abuse with aftermarket pickups (E.g. Fishman blend)

If by that you mean "not cutting holes in the sides" then you can fit electronics into your acoustics without that kind of surgery.

I've got the Baggs "dual source" system in both my acoustics. You could remove that and leave the guitars largely unscathed. If you go for something like the Baggs iBeam (as used by Keira Witherkay) you don't even have to cut a groove under the saddle.

So do a little more resarch. You could probably end up with good electronics in one of your current guitars and without major surgery for not that much money - and you'll know that you've got top notch electronics and a guitar that you really like.

V8 wrote: Hi All,

After hearing Rodrigo Y Gabriela 2months ago (yes, I live under a rock) and sitting through the 15min tutorial on their DvD, I'm finally starting to nail triplet's and integrate it with my non-style ?

I've got two really nice nylon acoustics (1971 Levin & 1982 Alhambra) that I don't want abuse with aftermarket pickups (E.g. Fishman blend) and was thinking of finding a electro acoustic that will suit. I really just want to plug in & play wherever I go - Ease of use is key and flexability is second. I'm not a mad finger picker ala Chet or Merle, I'll use use flatpick or fingers to get the feel, tending towards fingers.

I just saw a Chet Atkins CEC on gumtree for R3k and was wondering what the alternatives are (aside from the spacey looking yamaha, that is a bit sterile for my taste). Prefer if it did have acoustic playability (unlike the CEC), but it's not critical.

Apologies, this has undoubtably been covered already - can anyone point me towards the links?

Thanks!

The Chet Atkins will be no good if you are into RyG. You would need a full bodied nylon to be able to get that percussive sound they get. If you really dont want to slice up your Nylons, you should look for a an old second hand Yamaha Nylon and fit a Baggs Pickup, shouldn't cost your more than 3K

I see on occasion quite a few 70's Yamaha's on gumtree etc, The model numbers to look out for are the G series, G230 etc.

+1 on all the above.

You can adapt your technique for solidbody guitars, doing most of the percussive stuff on the fingerboard and bridge. Still - you only really get the full range of flamenco techniques from a full body and soundboard pickup like the iBeam.

The Yamaha isn't too bad actually - I nearly went for one (but ordered a Carvin NS-1 instead for the 13-pin). A little bit of piezo "zing", but less than I expected from a straightforward UST. Also has built in reverb (decent, but not amazing and I suspect it will chew batteries when engaged) and a headphone jack, so nice for quiet practice. They have two models, one with a full-size concert neck (2" wide) and a more modern 1-7/8. Both have flat fingerboards though - if you want a radiused board, you'll have to look at a Godin, Carver or Turner.

In comparison the Epiphone is very sterile and quacky - doesn't even have a preamp built in (always a bad sign with piezo pickups).

Heish,

Thank you gentlemen! Again, you've all assisted me through another bout of month-end G.A.S! Squonk has an excellent point about the solid body nature of the CEC - really was not thinking this through & like X-Rated & Alan mentioned "More research" :-[

I did have a look at modding either of my current 'ladies' with a Fishman Eclipse Matrix (mic + pickup) a while ago, but after chatting with Gareth @ Marshall Music, he'd rather I found something that was originally intended for amplification - but I must agree, I have a guitar I like (Alhambra) and it is well setup for me.

Only down side to both guitars is that neither have a cut away or strap pins! Hence my thinking to evolve with a another guitar - but fitting a L R Baggs (I like the fact that X-Rated's installation seemed relatively painless, alas the sound clip was no longer available) or Fishman is a excellent idea to get me started, and the installation is reversible.

More research this weekend, anyone know of a decent installer in Slaapstad? I have the patience of a Gnat ?

Thanks again,

Myron