I'm wanting to pick some brains concerning guitar playing. (just mainly rhythm guitar) If anyone plays let me know, then I'll ask my long drawn out question I'll check back in few days.

Merry Christmas All, Tony

 

I played for several years. I stopped a while back but might be able to help answer some of your questions.

 

shoot.... I've played for 12+ years....

 

Playing for 50+ years, I own 7 flat tops (various brands) and a Fender Stratocaster and a Fender Bass. I don't play as much as I used to but with the grandkids getting bigger it is time to get them involved

 

Here it is in a nutshell. Why does Martin sound they way they do vs. a Takimine, when both have spruce tops, and both have rosewood back and sides? Now for what I’m trying to achieve. In high school I worked at a Mexican restaurant that had Mexican singers, and they would let me play their classical guitars. I fell in love with the sound of a classical guitar, though I don’t play classical. I then found out that one of my favorite singers uses a classical….a Martin. Since Martin doesn’t make a classical anymore is there anything that sounds like a Martin? I hope this makes since.

Thanks, Tony

 

bump this back up... I don't have a specific answer to your very specific question but I do have to wonder what strings are on the guitars you've been playing and just what sound you're trying to achieve. I briefly searched youtube for some classical martins and I'm assuming you're trying to achieve that full but mellow tone?

My buddy has a Taylor that absolutly sounds fantastic. He also has a Larrivee that sounds amazing as well, not quite a Taylor but great none-the-less....

 

Alot of sound differences are due to the quality of wood. The difference is how dense the wood is will achieve different sounds. Also the inside of an acoustic guitar will be built differently from one company to another. The way they design the support structure and the inner dimensions of the body are what make each guitar sound different.

Also the differant types of metal used on the bridge, nut, and even tuning keys will make the guitars sound differant.

 

If this player had an old Martin you may never be able to duplicate the tonal qualities of it. As the wood "opens up" with age it changes quite a bit. Some players will even "temper" the new guitar by standing it in front of the speakers to help "open up" the wood. I think they even make a machine for this, though I doubt it is effective. Start hitting the shops and play a lot of different acoustics. When you hear the tone you want you buy..

 

pic two of the same guitars and they will each have a sound of there own. You probably know that already. Alot of guitar players will change things like bridge, bridge hieght, strings, ect...., to make the guitar feel and play the way they want it to and are comfortable with. By doing so they also change the way it sounds. Makes it unique, which is why you might not of heard another guitar sound like the one at mex restaraunt. My first teacher (classical) use to glue thin pieces of wood to the inside body in various places on a few of his guitars. You can definitly tell which guitar he was playin when not in the same room. And what he would play would kinda match the sound the guitar was making. Gave it some attitude, or, a little less.... As mentioned above above, make your way to a few "good" guitar shops and find one that sounds as close to the sound your after, then figure out what you have to do to get it the rest of the way. The best guitar on the market today is just somebody elses idea of a good sounding guitar.

 

I agree with the coment above...you need to just get out there and play as many guitars as you can and keep an open mind. If you find a $300.00 that sounds better than a $1000.00, i think you would be way ahead! Its all about what you think sounds good.....and what you fall in love with...they are friends...not intstriments.....i LOVE my jumbo Guild......Its not the best out there...but it has a bigger sound than most Gibsons I have have played...and looks nicer to boot! I still dont know why they want to ruin the look of a 3000.00 guitar with a 1/2" strip of fake ivory!!! Just my taste i guess.....THOUGH I do want a Humingbird some day......