Acoustic guitar for Church

CDee

You should also consider the higher end Corts. They have some great reviews. I think Retief Burger uses a high end Cort for his recordings etc...

Warren

Thought I'd chime in here quickly:

I started playing with a band toward the end of last year, and I had to recently replace my acoustic with something I could chug away on at home, as well as plug into for performances and practice. I play a mix of stuff: big strummed chords, fingerpicked melodies etc. so I needed something versatile.

I see other folks have mentioned some of the higher-priced Takamine guitars, but I bought myself one of these:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document/takamine/g_series_guitars?doc_id=100637

Cost about R5k from Marshall Music in Woodmead, JHB, and I'm very happy with it.

I spent a few hours at Marshall on the day in question, not having looked at acoustic guitars for years. I played a number of offerings from Tanglewood, Taylor, Washburn, Cort, a Gibson and a John Mayer Sig. Martin (going for around R50k ?). I was determined to walk out with something I really felt comfortable with.

I settled on the Takamine because it has the perfect balance between price, performance and aesthetics, and most importantly it fits my requirement of playing pretty much any old thing. My feeling right now is that if I want to upgrade later on, I'll have to spend a lot more money to get something significantly better. I love the sound, the playability and the looks, and the very competitive price-tag just sealed the deal for me.

It's not the JM Martin, of course, but then I'm not convinced that 10x the price will give me 10x the guitar. You owe it to yourself to check these things out somewhere in the Durban area (sorry I can't be more help there).

Conrad

guitarboy2828 wrote: I'm a music leader who has, up to this point, played on an awesome yamaha guitar.. Love the feel and tone of this guitar.. Really is awesome. However, it doesn't have a built in pickup. So I've been using a dean markley soundhole slot in pick up. This works ok, but would like to get something slightly better.

So, I'm wondering, should I get a guitar tech to install a pick up into this guitar? Will it alter the tone at all? If it will, i'd rather keep this as a jamming/at home recording guitar, as I really love it and its a great guitar to play.

Then, option 2 is obviously buy a new guitar.. This option always seems more appealing.

So my serious question now comes into play. What guitar should i be looking at? Most worship leaders have Martins, taylors and gibsons. I have played a couple taylors, liked them, but for the price, didn't find them all to wonderful. Then you get guitars like cort and ibanez which are significantly cheaper and have a great sound and playability. So, what's the big difference between the two?

So, for someone whose playing at church, not really recording seriously, is it worth getting a taylor? Even a larrivee?

Thoughts, what should I be looking at? Let's say price wasn't really an issue, BUT, i'm not going to pay R50 000 for a guitar. ?

If you like the current tone of your guitar an don't want it altered, I recommend you look at an L.R. Baggs Dual Source or an L.R. Baggs I-Beam. This should not be more than R2k.

Bob-Dubery

guitarboy2828 wrote: Yeah, I figured they'd be rather highly priced. Not sure my needs demand such a guitar. Would be great to have, but at this juncture, not worth it. How long would it take Andy to fit the baggs on my acoustic? Would be great to go there and have him fit it and play some of those guitars, just so I can say I have.

Heard some good things about breedloves. Would be good to check those out. Well, for now I'll take a trip to coastals and play some taks..

Thanks for all the advice guys.. This guitar playing business is EXPENSIVE! ?

I think you need to clarify what it is that you want. If you want another guitar then fine... go shopping and have a great time ?

But if you have a guitar that gives you what you want but you just need to have some amplification, then it could save you a good whack to just get a decent pickup system installed. Your local shop or tech should be able to source a good pickup and get that installed. This is going to be a lower cost option.

The only advantage in buying an entire new guitar is that you can assess the plugged in sound.

It might be worthwhile talking to other musos you know whose plugged in sound you like. Find out what they're using, and who installed it. That helps to narrow your search down.

Also read up on the different types of acoustic guitar pickups and understand the general pros and cons. EG Magnetic soundhole plckups are least likely to give you feedback problems. OTOH if you are not going to have to deal with big venues and lots of volume then this may not be that much of a consideration for you.

Ray

zohn wrote:
X-rated Bob wrote:
zohn wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote:
Yeah, I think the only reason I included the P&W at first is so people know that i'll be playing through PA at a church mostly.

P&W is very significant to me - it covers basically every aspect of player styles and is expressed through a variety of genres - from subtle fingertip nuances to some pretty aggressive strumming with a plectrum.

P&W doesn't pose any unique technical challenges. There is plenty of secular music that poses similar challenges. This is a secular board, so let's just try and help guitabory2828 solve his guitaring problems.
? I'm not sure what the issue is - was it ever anything else than "finding" guitarboy2828 a suitable guitar? If you ask Louis Brittz or Retief Burger their view, they would give it from their view point. My view point, also yours and every one else here, is what I believe he asked for.

Nooit ou, you can pontificate about a lot of things here but not talk about church it seems.

guitarboy2828

Ray wrote:
zohn wrote:
X-rated Bob wrote:
zohn wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote:
Yeah, I think the only reason I included the P&W at first is so people know that i'll be playing through PA at a church mostly.

P&W is very significant to me - it covers basically every aspect of player styles and is expressed through a variety of genres - from subtle fingertip nuances to some pretty aggressive strumming with a plectrum.

P&W doesn't pose any unique technical challenges. There is plenty of secular music that poses similar challenges. This is a secular board, so let's just try and help guitabory2828 solve his guitaring problems.
? I'm not sure what the issue is - was it ever anything else than "finding" guitarboy2828 a suitable guitar? If you ask Louis Brittz or Retief Burger their view, they would give it from their view point. My view point, also yours and every one else here, is what I believe he asked for.
Nooit ou, you can pontificate about a lot of things here but not talk about church it seems.

Let's not get into a fight about stuff like this. I play in church, that gives a big generalization of how i'd use the guitar. That's that, now we don't need to harp on that fact. Let's not cause friction over something like this.

guitarboy2828

X-rated Bob wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote: Yeah, I figured they'd be rather highly priced. Not sure my needs demand such a guitar. Would be great to have, but at this juncture, not worth it. How long would it take Andy to fit the baggs on my acoustic? Would be great to go there and have him fit it and play some of those guitars, just so I can say I have.

Heard some good things about breedloves. Would be good to check those out. Well, for now I'll take a trip to coastals and play some taks..

Thanks for all the advice guys.. This guitar playing business is EXPENSIVE! ?
I think you need to clarify what it is that you want. If you want another guitar then fine... go shopping and have a great time ?

But if you have a guitar that gives you what you want but you just need to have some amplification, then it could save you a good whack to just get a decent pickup system installed. Your local shop or tech should be able to source a good pickup and get that installed. This is going to be a lower cost option.

The only advantage in buying an entire new guitar is that you can assess the plugged in sound.

It might be worthwhile talking to other musos you know whose plugged in sound you like. Find out what they're using, and who installed it. That helps to narrow your search down.

Also read up on the different types of acoustic guitar pickups and understand the general pros and cons. EG Magnetic soundhole plckups are least likely to give you feedback problems. OTOH if you are not going to have to deal with big venues and lots of volume then this may not be that much of a consideration for you.

I'm not sure I know what I want to be quite honest. I think that's why I was asking my question. Always nice having 2 guitars, one as back up. But I think for now I want to get a pick up installed into the guitar I have. Will phone the only tech I know in durban and see what he will charge and all that. ?

I do also want to play some other guitars before I do that, because if I managed to find something I loved and loved the pickup sound too, I may just buy it. Just because it's the complete package ready to go.

But will definitely do some reading, youtube videos, talk to guys around here and go and play a whole lotta guitars! ? Bob, if you're ever in Durban, give me a shout, would LOVE to play your smoothtalker! ?

Bob-Dubery

Well sure. There's no HARM in taking some guitars for a test drive and getting a better understanding of what is out there. And it's fun too.

It can be bewildering though. I have found that it can be a useful test to have somebody else play the instrument whilst I stand back a bit and listen to it.

DonovanB

guitarboy2828 wrote: Will phone the only tech I know in durban and see what he will charge and all that. ?

who is that? There 2 I know of who can do this for you well. Gary and Shaun O Neill.

Bob, if you're ever in Durban, give me a shout, would LOVE to play your smoothtalker! ?

Get in Line... thats if he brings it with.

I saw Tony Cox in Durban with one recently. It is the most unbelievably well balanced guitar I've ever heard. But might be better for finger-picking as I hear it's not very comfortable to stand and play.

Bob-Dubery

Donovan Banks wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote: Will phone the only tech I know in durban and see what he will charge and all that. ?
who is that? There 2 I know of who can do this for you well. Gary and Shaun O Neill.

Bob, if you're ever in Durban, give me a shout, would LOVE to play your smoothtalker! ?
Get in Line... thats if he brings it with.

Everybody loves my guitars rather than me. It's a bit like being married to Gwyneth Paltrow or Liz Hurley.

Hmmmm..... maybe not quite the same.

DonovanB

Don't worry Bob, you're still everybody's favorite uncle...

Bob-Dubery

Ray wrote:
zohn wrote:
X-rated Bob wrote:
zohn wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote:
Yeah, I think the only reason I included the P&W at first is so people know that i'll be playing through PA at a church mostly.

P&W is very significant to me - it covers basically every aspect of player styles and is expressed through a variety of genres - from subtle fingertip nuances to some pretty aggressive strumming with a plectrum.

P&W doesn't pose any unique technical challenges. There is plenty of secular music that poses similar challenges. This is a secular board, so let's just try and help guitabory2828 solve his guitaring problems.
? I'm not sure what the issue is - was it ever anything else than "finding" guitarboy2828 a suitable guitar? If you ask Louis Brittz or Retief Burger their view, they would give it from their view point. My view point, also yours and every one else here, is what I believe he asked for.
Nooit ou, you can pontificate about a lot of things here but not talk about church it seems.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are two fields of discussion that are ruled out of bounds on GFSA: Religion and politics.

This is not anti-Christian or anti-Church. It is wider than that. I might be moved to share with ya'll how I was moved to write a song extolling the virtues of socialism and the observance of May Day whilst I chanted "Nam myoho renge kyo" in front of the Gohonzan but
a) I don't do that anymore
b) If I did this is not the place for talking about it - there are other forums for sharing that moment of inspiration and for having those discussions.

Ray

OK, whatever. See you later.

Fingerpicker

How about installing a UST pickup and then buying a LR Baggs Venue DI? Check out LRBaggs.com

I play with a guy who installed a LR Baggs pickup, not sure what model, into his steel string Yamaha, not sure what model, and the sound will run with the best.

The Venue DI will do all the good stuff, Tuner, phase switching and and notch filtering for feedback elimination and allow you to precisely control the sound put out by the guitar. Even has a pedal for volume boost. Should come to about R6500-R7000 in total.

Bob-Dubery

X-rated Bob wrote:
Ray wrote:
zohn wrote:
X-rated Bob wrote:
zohn wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote:
Yeah, I think the only reason I included the P&W at first is so people know that i'll be playing through PA at a church mostly.

P&W is very significant to me - it covers basically every aspect of player styles and is expressed through a variety of genres - from subtle fingertip nuances to some pretty aggressive strumming with a plectrum.

P&W doesn't pose any unique technical challenges. There is plenty of secular music that poses similar challenges. This is a secular board, so let's just try and help guitabory2828 solve his guitaring problems.
? I'm not sure what the issue is - was it ever anything else than "finding" guitarboy2828 a suitable guitar? If you ask Louis Brittz or Retief Burger their view, they would give it from their view point. My view point, also yours and every one else here, is what I believe he asked for.
Nooit ou, you can pontificate about a lot of things here but not talk about church it seems.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are two fields of discussion that are ruled out of bounds on GFSA: Religion and politics.

This is not anti-Christian or anti-Church. It is wider than that. I might be moved to share with ya'll how I was moved to write a song extolling the virtues of socialism and the observance of May Day whilst I chanted "Nam myoho renge kyo" in front of the Gohonzan but
a) I don't do that anymore
b) If I did this is not the place for talking about it - there are other forums for sharing that moment of inspiration and for having those discussions.

That could look like I'm attacking Ray. That wasn't my intention, and I offer Ray apologies for any perceived personal antagonism.

Ray

Ag no Bob! I never took anything personal and I am sorry for my uncalled for posts. I have been worrying that I'm gonna get worked over at the open mic later this month. Anyway, I'd like to get some of your chanting stuff maybe at the open mic?

guitarboy2828

So, I haven't actually had my guitar with me the past couple days, it's been at church. But, when i got it today, i looked at what it was and did some googling. It's a Yamaha FG 355SB.. The couple places I found it online, seemed to indicate that it's not a very expensive guitar.

Now I know that price isn't everything and it doesn't matter, etc. However, is it worth plugging 3-4k worth of pickups into a guitar that isn't worth that much? Just wondering?

Ray

I think that price does matter to an extent because it should give some indication of what the thing is made of and what effort wnet into it. But my thinking would be are you enjoying the sound? Do you like to play it? But maybe the real question is : do you want a new guitar? Becasue if you do then you must get one. But if you do like this guitar you shouldnt get rid of it.

Conrad

guitarboy2828 wrote: So, I haven't actually had my guitar with me the past couple days, it's been at church. But, when i got it today, i looked at what it was and did some googling. It's a Yamaha FG 355SB.. The couple places I found it online, seemed to indicate that it's not a very expensive guitar.

Now I know that price isn't everything and it doesn't matter, etc. However, is it worth plugging 3-4k worth of pickups into a guitar that isn't worth that much? Just wondering?

Absolutely...you love the sound. Do it.

DonovanB

Loving a sound is a fluid concept...

You can LOVE a guitar, until you play a better one. Then it's kind of okay.