Tempted by an Atkin Forty Seven / Guild M-25e / Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2

builttospill

Can anyone give me an insight into these models. I am used to playing dreadnought and jumbo styled guitars but miss the smaller bodied guitars.  I mainly strum with a little bit of fingerpicking.

Mellish

All I can tell you is that I travelled 160 miles in total to try two Atkin's, the Essential D and the 37.

I expected great things which, maybe was unfair of me. 

When I got to the stores and tried them, they didn't feel right, didn't sound right and I quickly put 'em down.

Maybe my expectations were too high?

 

builttospill

Mellish said:

All I can tell you is that I travelled 160 miles in total to try two Atkin's, the Essential D and the 37.

I expected great things which, maybe was unfair of me. 

When I got to the stores and tried them, they didn't feel right, didn't sound right and I quickly put 'em down.

Maybe my expectations were too high?

 

Thanks @Mellish I had a similar scenario with a few of the Martin/Gibson’s that I tried. Originally I had my heart set on a hummingbird / J-45. The Atkin 43 that I tried sounded glorious on first strum it was so bloody resonant, the action was set a little too high for my taste but it stood out amongst the big brands.

Mellish

@builttospill ; I'm a big fan of the 'Bird. If you find a good one, you don't need much else.

But, if the Atkin spoke to you, you should fetch it home before it's gone. Why? Because another Atkin (even the exact same model) won't sound exactly like that one.

 

stickyfiddle

I’ve had a 47 for a couple of years, inspired by Chris Stapleton, Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers among others. 

Mine is an absolutely incredible instrument that I expect to take to the grave. Much more a finger picker than a strummer imo but it’s gorgeous 

thomasross20

The thinner necked models didn't resonate with me but the all mahogany dustbowl was great. Unfortunately the sales pitch atmosphere in the shop I was in put me off and can't see myself returning there to try again.

rustneversleeps

GUILD….?Brought my first Guild yesterday after many years of top end Martins.Very very impressed.

builttospill

rustneversleeps said:

GUILD….?Brought my first Guild yesterday after many years of top end Martins.Very very impressed.

Which Guild did you get?

rustneversleeps

builttospill said:

rustneversleeps said:

GUILD….?Brought my first Guild yesterday after many years of top end Martins.Very very impressed.

Which Guild did you get?

I was looking specifically for all solid mahogany OM.Budget was not crucial really.Played many the one that stood out was a Guild OM 120.( not USA made but still solid woods)With new strings it’s great.Saved myself a shed load of money.I appreciate its all personal taste etc but suits me.Hope this helps.

Dave_Mc

builttospill said:

Thanks @Mellish I had a similar scenario with a few of the Martin/Gibson’s that I tried. Originally I had my heart set on a hummingbird / J-45. The Atkin 43 that I tried sounded glorious on first strum it was so bloody resonant, the action was set a little too high for my taste but it stood out amongst the big brands.

I wonder if the high action made it sound better? I could be wrong but I think higher action = more string vibration = better sound (usually).

I haven't tried any Atkins, unfortunately. I agree with @Mellish that you should try to get the one you tried which you loved as they may not all be exactly the same, but at the same time if you're going to have to lower the action to get it to play the way you want, that may change the tone too!

bertie

Dave_Mc said:

I wonder if the high action made it sound better? I could be wrong but I think higher action = more string vibration = better sound (usually).  

its not so much  "higher action = more string vibration"  as  "higher action = less chance of string rattle/being "subdued" by hitting a fret"  as a low action might

Dave_Mc

bertie said:

Dave_Mc said:

I wonder if the high action made it sound better? I could be wrong but I think higher action = more string vibration = better sound (usually).  

its not so much  "higher action = more string vibration"  as  "higher action = less chance of string rattle/being "subdued" by hitting a fret"  as a low action might

Yes, that's probably what I meant to say!  Honest...

Mellish

Lower action can take away all an acoustic's fire. Dropping a Martin dread below 2mm at the 12th.usually has that effect.

 

builttospill

Dave_Mc said:

builttospill said:

Thanks @Mellish I had a similar scenario with a few of the Martin/Gibson’s that I tried. Originally I had my heart set on a hummingbird / J-45. The Atkin 43 that I tried sounded glorious on first strum it was so bloody resonant, the action was set a little too high for my taste but it stood out amongst the big brands.

I wonder if the high action made it sound better? I could be wrong but I think higher action = more string vibration = better sound (usually).

I haven't tried any Atkins, unfortunately. I agree with @Mellish that you should try to get the one you tried which you loved as they may not all be exactly the same, but at the same time if you're going to have to lower the action to get it to play the way you want, that may change the tone too!

Thanks all for the suggestions, it’s total bloody minefield and none the wiser, so much choice!  

Dave_Mc

builttospill said:

Dave_Mc said:

builttospill said:

Thanks @Mellish I had a similar scenario with a few of the Martin/Gibson’s that I tried. Originally I had my heart set on a hummingbird / J-45. The Atkin 43 that I tried sounded glorious on first strum it was so bloody resonant, the action was set a little too high for my taste but it stood out amongst the big brands.

I wonder if the high action made it sound better? I could be wrong but I think higher action = more string vibration = better sound (usually).

I haven't tried any Atkins, unfortunately. I agree with @Mellish that you should try to get the one you tried which you loved as they may not all be exactly the same, but at the same time if you're going to have to lower the action to get it to play the way you want, that may change the tone too!

Thanks all for the suggestions, it’s total bloody minefield and none the wiser, so much choice!  

I'm ridiculously indecisive- I'm very good at spotting things which make a decision more difficult... much less good at spotting things which make it easier unfortunately!

bertie

Dave_Mc said:

I'm ridiculously indecisive- 

you said you werent......................................................................................

Dave_Mc

bertie said:
you said you werent......................................................................................  

builttospill

Mellish said:

@builttospill ; I'm a big fan of the 'Bird. If you find a good one, you don't need much else.

But, if the Atkin spoke to you, you should fetch it home before it's gone. Why? Because another Atkin (even the exact same model) won't sound exactly like that one.

 

Well I’ve gone full bloody circle with this and have finally made a decision after a post b’day visit to Guitar Guitar in Epsom today, I’m going for a Hummingbird Original Antique Natural. The playability and tone of this particular model just blew everything out of the way. It just felt right. A very very close second choice was the amazing Atkin Dustbowl 0014 and 00014 I was really surprised by how excellent these two models were. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the 00014. I arrived at 11am and left at 4:00pm with a lunch break between to mull over options.

thomasross20

There's something about the dustbowls in particular, isn't there....

builttospill

thomasross20 said:

There's something about the dustbowls in particular, isn't there....

Hi @thomasross20 ;The 000-14 was simply excellent, really great for bluesy lead work, notes seemed to ring for ages, I really enjoyed the dropped D tuning. I also kept going back to the J-43 but struggled a little with the slim neck.