Hankering for a new acoustic guitar next year. Been running with my Takamine EG321c electro acoustic since 2011 which sounds good unplugged and decent plugged in. Back when I bought it though I didn't really pay much attention to acoustic wood, tone, etc.
Now I've been playing more due to the lockdown, giving online lessons, doing live streams/recording etc and have started to hear things that lack perhaps.
The 2 premium brands seem to be Martin and Taylor, so I'm wondering if I should get something from one of these two. The Martin D28 is way out of my budget, costs the same as my Kemper did! But I've seen the D-10e, the DX1e and another D model I can't remember the same of that are a bit more sensible and realistic in prices.
What puts me off about some electro acoustics is the pickup sound, horrible clicky metally boxy type sound. I believe Martin use the Fishman pickups that I have no experience of. I would like to it sound as nice plugged in as it does acoustically (i.e unplugged).
My playing style is mostly open chord and strumming as opposed to fingerstyle or lead soloing (although I do a bit).
I believe these guys use either Martin or Taylor and their playing matches my style:
The guy in the red cap looks like he's using a Taylor. (Its obviously been pre-recorded with nice mics and EQ'd I suspect)
In this clip the sound isn't as good as I believe they might be going DI:
Anyone on here own a Taylor or Martin acoustic? Would the D-10E/DX1 be a good upgrade? Or shall I look at other brands?
Comments
I like the sound of the LR Baggs pickups so could get that installed in mine, it'd be cheaper and saves another guitar taking up more space! I only have 2 acoustics anyway haha.
Im probably Taylor’s biggest anti-fan. Just cannot get on with them. Cheap Martins are well out gunned by other makers but higher priced ones are tough to beat. Those new Epiphones look worth a look. Seek out something with maple back/sides to try. Great tonewood. One of my favourite guitars is maple/spruce
If you're looking to spend less than £2k on a new guitar I'd not bother with Martin or Taylor. Try L'Arrivee and Furch. Your money will buy you much nicer tone using wood that will develop over time. For me, less expensive Taylors are aimed at people playing acoustics in the context of a rock band. Not much subtlety in the sound, but in the context it doesn't matter. Less expensive Martins are built down to a price for people who just want that name on the headstock. Play fine, sound poor.
Find a nice guitar that is 100% acoustic and just add a K&K pickup if you want to amplify it.
I checked out a few Furch models and they do sound very nice, and depending which one it is slightly more affordable.
I mentioned the LR Baggs pickups which I like so I could possibly add one of those but I believe K&K sound more natural.
But if I'm going to spend a decent amount I obviously wanna make sure its the right one for me and my playing style.