A Taylor that sounds good for flatpicking?

[Tamarack]

...even the silhouette of the peg head

According to legend, the peghead shape came about because the American Dream guitar shop had a 2 1/2-inch drum sander. Sam Radding set a square peghead on the table, ground out three scallops freehand, and the peghead was born.

[Tamarack]

I was quite enamored with Taylors throughout the 1990s, when the majority of their guitars were dreadnaughts with skinny necks and a big clear sound. In 1999 finances permitted me to buy a slightly used 414 (mahogany/sitka). It has been with me ever since and aged well. Still bright and clear but it has mellowed out and fits me like one of my old flannel shirts.

I'm not as impressed with recent Taylors. They are still well-built and have legions of fans. I'm not completely exaggerating when I say Taylor no longer builds acoustic guitars -- the vast majority are acoustic-electrics. To my ears, they sound good but not great unplugged. I don't get the same sense of amazement I have had with other fine guitars.

[John B]

Just to go off on a tangent, the new Powers electric guitars are awesome. Andy Powers and Molly Miller are fantastic guitarists, too.

[drlj]

My Taylors, except for the GS, were 100% acoustic. My 712 was a 1996 model and the 12 is from either 1997 or 98. I can’t remember.
I don’t like the fact that you really can’t buy a new Taylor that is 100% acoustic. I hate those 3 little knobs on the shoulder. I hate the cutout side controls even more.
I would definitely buy an acoustic 712 again if I could find one from the same era as the one stolen by the meth head. If it was in nice condition, of course.
I don’t know. I hate spending money anymore so maybe I wouldn’t. I would definitely think about it!




It has a bit of bearclaw in the top. Nice guitar. I had a B-45-12 for many years. This Taylor blows it away.

[Russell Letson]

As often as I've heard good-sounding Taylors over the decades (they seemed to have been the go-to brand for workshop participants in the 80s), the only ones I've owned have been the little ones--a Baby and a GS-Mini, when I needed a travel guitar. And for those two I had to sample a dozen to find the ones that had the sound I liked. If I were buying a fly-with-it guitar now, it would be a Guild Jumbo Junior. But then, I've had a Guild-tuned ear since 1967.

[Shannon]

I'm also interested by the 16 series Martins. These are dreadnaughts, but with the body depth of an OM. They come in mahogany or rosewood. I wonder if they would give me enough of that dreadnaught character while being more comfortable for my right shoulder?

Of course, the Taylor grand auditorium might do the same thing for me.

Once I collect my pennies, I need to travel up to Atlanta or Birmingham and play a bunch of guitars.

[Russell Letson]

Better make that nickels, or maybe quarters. (I remember hearing that a Kennedy half-dollar was a treasured tip in Ireland, circa 1964. But then, a fifty-cent tip was pretty substantial anywhere a student could afford in those days.)

[coachdoc]

Sept 11, 2024 22:06:14 GMT -5 Shannon said:

I have been given the opportunity to make a little extra cash this fall, and I might be looking to make a guitar purchase later in the year. I fingerpick, strum, and play a bit of lead. I love bluegrass flatpicking, but I don't do much of it.

I can't decide what kind of guitar I want. OMs are most comfortable for me, but I have OMs I love in both mahogany and rosewood. I really like the Martin OM-21 and -28, but I really don't need another OM.

I have always felt that the quintessential acoustic guitar sound came from a D-18, so I'm considering that. I also love the D-28, so maybe that would be good. Then again, I've never played a Larrivee that disappointed me, and their 44 Legacy series look like a possibility. And now, I have to admit I've rather liked the Taylor Grand Pacific's that I've played, despite having been underwhelmed by Taylors in the past.

I've got time to think about it; the money isn't earned yet. I probably will be a winner no matter what I choose. But I tend to be a victim of analysis paralysis, and I hope to overcome it this time!

The OM-21 seems to have a distinctive and pleasing tone all of its own. I’d say a little beefier than other 000 and OM Martins. Don’t know why I don’t own one.

[John B]

Sept 13, 2024 14:55:48 GMT -5 Russell Letson said:

Better make that nickels, or maybe quarters. (I remember hearing that a Kennedy half-dollar was a treasured tip in Ireland, circa 1964. But then, a fifty-cent tip was pretty substantial anywhere a student could afford in those days.)

If you know where I can get a Kennedy for a half-dollar, I'm all in. TKennedy, any thoughts?

[epaul]

Shannon,

Consider taking a Monday and Tuesday off work. On Sunday drive up to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Monday morning head over to Sweetwater (should be quiet on a Monday... and do make sure the showroom is open on Mondays). Play a bunch of guitars. Narrow it down to two. Write down their serial numbers (Sweetwater lets you order by serial number, you can get the same guitars you played). Head back to your room and order those exact guitars online and have then shipped to your home for a 45 day trial period. Drive home Tuesday.

- I recommended ordering the guitars online so you get the shipping box. You could let them know your plan to buy two/keep one and they will give you the shipping boxes.

- The trial period, which they promote, will offer the opportunity to live with the guitars for a couple weeks and play them pressure free in your own guitar room (with your strings on them) (and allow for trusted ears to listen to your playing... for free extra confusion). Little things, good and bad, that a showroom can mask will be revealed during a couple weeks of home play.

- A Sweetwater return label will run around $50 (they never did charge me for my return label)

[epaul]

(Shannon drives up to Sweetwater. Drives home with a $9,000 Collings. And two bags of Bit-O-Honey!)

[TKennedy]

Sept 14, 2024 9:52:27 GMT -5 John B said:

Sept 13, 2024 14:55:48 GMT -5 Russell Letson said:

Better make that nickels, or maybe quarters. (I remember hearing that a Kennedy half-dollar was a treasured tip in Ireland, circa 1964. But then, a fifty-cent tip was pretty substantial anywhere a student could afford in those days.)

If you know where I can get a Kennedy for a half-dollar, I'm all in. TKennedy, any thoughts?

I could sell you a headstock decal for that

[Shannon]

There's a new leader in the clubhouse.

I've been reading about the Martin M-36. It is actually a little wider than a dreadnought at 16 inches, but has a more pronounced waist like an OM. The body depth is the same as an OM. There are multiple rave reviews in various forums about its versatility and comfort.

I need to find one and try it out, but I'm intrigued. I'd need to save up a few more nickels, though.

[drlj]

Sept 11, 2024 22:06:14 GMT -5 Shannon said:

I have always felt that the quintessential acoustic guitar sound came from a D-18, so I'm considering that. I also love the D-28, so maybe that would be good. Then again, I've never played a Larrivee that disappointed me, and their 44 Legacy series look like a possibility. And now, I have to admit I've rather liked the Taylor Grand Pacific's that I've played, despite having been underwhelmed by Taylors in the past.

And this is why some people have 15 guitars.

[howard lee]

Sept 17, 2024 16:54:45 GMT -5 Shannon said:

There's a new leader in the clubhouse.

I've been reading about the Martin M-36. It is actually a little wider than a dreadnought at 16 inches, but has a more pronounced waist like an OM. The body depth is the same as an OM. There are multiple rave reviews in various forums about its versatility and comfort.

I need to find one and try it out, but I'm intrigued. I'd need to save up a few more nickels, though.

I read that Vince Gill really likes this model because it's well balanced tone-wise and is less woofy in the bass than a dreadnought, with a very quick response because of the OM-like depth.

[james]

Isn't the M-36 the Martin that was promoted as a good guitar in the recording studio?

[TKennedy]

One of my future projects is a 16”venetian cutaway with a tight waist and a cantilevered fretboard extension and carbon tube headblock support struts. I drew up plans a long time ago. I just have to start the damn thing.

[howard lee]

Sept 17, 2024 22:04:38 GMT -5 james said:

Isn't the M-36 the Martin that was promoted as a good guitar in the recording studio?

Yes.

[drlj]

A little M/0000 history:

M/0000 models came to be with the conversion of F style arch tops to flat top guitars.

David Bromberg is credited as being one of the first to have that done. He showed the guitar to Martin and Martin decided to produce it. The M model first came on the market in the late 70s.
That’s basically what the Jeff Daniel’s model is, too. His conversion was done by Joe Konkoly.

The M-36 has the 3 piece back like a D-35. The M-38 has a two piece back.

They changed the model designation to 0000 in 1997.
It was discontinued in the early 2000s—maybe 2003 or 04.
It’s been redesigned and is back on the market.
There are several different versions of M/0000 Martins on the market now so it can get a bit confusing, but the M/0000 models seem pretty popular right now.

Gill plays several different M/0000 guitars in rosewood & mahogany.

[John B]

Sept 17, 2024 16:54:45 GMT -5 Shannon said:

There's a new leader in the clubhouse.

I've been reading about the Martin M-36. It is actually a little wider than a dreadnought at 16 inches, but has a more pronounced waist like an OM. The body depth is the same as an OM. There are multiple rave reviews in various forums about its versatility and comfort.

I need to find one and try it out, but I'm intrigued. I'd need to save up a few more nickels, though.

Check out the Gruhn Guitars 0000 models!