Crafter acoustics - any good? - GuitarTalk Community

chris77 · 2010-11-05T14:47:56+00:00

Popped into my local store and saw a Crafter GAE-18 on the wall. Just strummed the strings, didn't play it. - sounded good though. Would have liked to play h...

Crafter acoustics - any good?

Sidecar

My sister has a Crafter, and unfortunately, I have to say that its not great. But the thing is, you need to pick up any guitar and play it to be sure before dismissing it. Each guitar is different, even within the same model range, and some cheapies can be great.

guitarboy2828

It's kinda a weird thing because when I was in the market for a new acoustic (a few months ago) I played some crafters in the 6-8k range and they were very very nice. I preferred them to the ibanez's and corts i played..

I'm not sure about build and all that kinda stuff. Pity Bob isn't still around because this is his field of expertise.

I ended up with a breedlove, however, if I didn't get the breedlove, i would've probably gotten a crafter because of the price/sound.

Ray

Never played one but some UK magazines think they are OK. But if you played it and you liked it then it's mos lekker? Anyway, if you're a headstock brandname sort of snob then laugh it off and save for another few years.

chris77

Wish I could, but even that price I cant afford one right now. But if its still there in a month or two... I have this sound in my head of what my next acoustic should sound like though, so I really should play it a couple of times to see if it works for me before I decide to buy it. The main reason I asked about Crafter is because it really looks like a better guitar than the price suggests. There was a Tanglewood, a Takamine and another Crafter on the wall as well, all under 4grand, and this one stood out like a sore thumb. But it is entirely possible to make a good looking piece of crap hey, hence the question of what reputation they have. Sooner or later the honeymoon is over and the buyers start to see it for what it is. But if the brand's been around for a while with its reputation intact, then its a good sign.

guitarboy2828

I'm a firm believer in tanglewoods, they may not look great, but i have yet to play one I dont instantly love, especially at the price they sell for! So, play some tanglewoods, for me! ?

chris77

Thanks for the input GB and Zohn. I had a chinese Fender dreadnought that played like butter, loved it for that, but it was a bit too bassy for me. Currently I have an Ibanez ew-something, and now I think that its a bit too bright! It's fine when i'm picking, but when I strum it....just too much ping. I also have a bit of a growly voice, so when I try and sing whilst playing the Ibby I tend to want to follow it too high. My ideal tone would be less booming than a dread, but not as bright as the Ibby. I reckon a Auditorium Cedar might just do it, but until I play her a bit I won't know.

guitarboy2828

chris77 wrote: Thanks for the input GB and Zohn. I had a chinese Fender dreadnought that played like butter, loved it for that, but it was a bit too bassy for me. Currently I have an Ibanez ew-something, and now I think that its a bit too bright! It's fine when i'm picking, but when I strum it....just too much ping. I also have a bit of a growly voice, so when I try and sing whilst playing the Ibby I tend to want to follow it too high. My ideal tone would be less booming than a dread, but not as bright as the Ibby. I reckon a Auditorium Cedar might just do it, but until I play her a bit I won't know.

Ya know, there's always Zohn's "jelly bean" for sale.. I reckon that thing will compliment anyone's voice, even if they can't sing! ?

chris77

Geez, I'm asking about Bully Beef and you okes are suggesting Kobe Beef! ? Zohn - I already have medium pb strings on, so thats covered. I think I will just keep them on for longer than I have thus far. Allow then to 'die' a bit more. I think its more a personal preference thing than how the guitar actually sounds to others.

Mr-M

I like them - but then I am quite obviously biased with regards to Crafter, as I am affiliated with the importer. ?

I'm not going to comment on their build quality or sound in general as that could be seen as propaganda, but I will say that until recently each and every single acoustic guitar I'd ever bought was sold within a month or two because I grew to dislike something about it. I actually began to think that I'm just not an acoustic steel string player, despite being a committed nylon string player - at home anyway. I fell in love with one of these about 4 months ago and surprisingly I still own it and I find it unlikely that I will sell it:

It's a Crafter TMC035N. I love the look with the vintage-style slotted headstock, but more than that I love the feel of the neck. It has a slightly wider nut and consequently wider string spacing, perfect for finger picking. The neck still manages to be fast and comfortable for quick lead runs playing with a pick and it's a great strummer. Sort of the best of both worlds - for me at least. Tone-wise it's an Orchestra shape, so it's not going to have the depth of a good Dreadnought or Jumbo, but I find it to have a nice balanced tone that I enjoy, without being overly bright as I've found in other OM style guitars. Plugged in, the LR Baggs Element under saddle does a great job.

This guitar has survived longer then the usual 2 weeks to a month, so already it's doing pretty well. ? It's even inspired me to put together an acoustic duo, something I've never attempted as I'm primarily an electric guitar player.

StephenG

Mr TM wrote:

It's a Crafter TMC035N.

wow thats a long neck on that !! i want one !!!!!

Mr-M

All their tuners are Crafter branded. These are open geared and look quite vintage with small tuner buttons and a worn brass finish (not sure if it is brass though). They stay in tune much better than I thought they would - usually only need a slight tweak, if at all, before playing.

The more common Grover-alike Crafter Tuners on their other guitars are decent as well. I have found the screw holding the tuner button on those need occasional tightening. Other than that, they work well.