1 Reply by SophieBuckland

(10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Great picks. The D-28, 814ce and J-45 are all solid choices, and each one brings a different voice to the table.

If someone is looking for alternatives in a similar range, two models worth adding to the list are:

Yamaha FG5
A very balanced guitar with a warm low end and clear highs. It feels comfortable right away and works well for fingerstyle or strumming.

Guild D-55
Strong projection with a classic dreadnought character. It has a smooth midrange that stands out in recordings.

The best acoustic will always depend on how it feels in your hands and how it sounds to your ears, but your list already covers some of the most reliable guitars out there.     

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2 Reply by SophieBuckland

(6 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Hi Chris,

Balanced and unbalanced cables serve different purposes, and knowing when to use each is really important for getting the best sound.

Unbalanced cables (like standard guitar cables) have two wires: a signal and a ground. They’re great for short distances, like connecting your guitar to an amp. However, they’re more susceptible to noise and interference if the cable runs are long.

Balanced cables (like XLR or TRS cables) have three wires: positive, negative, and ground. They’re designed to cancel out noise and interference, making them ideal for long cable runs, mixers, and professional audio setups.

When to use what:

Guitar to amp: Usually unbalanced is fine if it’s a short run.

Guitar to mixer or long stage runs: Use balanced if your instrument or DI box supports it to minimize hum and noise.

Effects and pedalboards: Depends on distance—keep it short with unbalanced cables.

So, the main rule is: use unbalanced for short runs and simple setups, and balanced for longer runs or when you want to avoid interference in complex setups.

Hope that helps!     

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