Guitar Shopping - spendthrift or cheapskate! (Page 1 of 2)

Acoustics are so difficult, and the problem is you pay more for the hummingbird, but I am afraid that if you take the other, you will keep thinking on the hummingbird.
Suggestion: take a look on ebay.

Thanks guys
I hear a lot of good and bad about ebay - I'd rather play before I pay for an acoustic I think.
But Zurf could have a point - both about guitar shop rule 1, and luthiers. I will look into that. It would be nice to pay an individual rather than a faceless corporation! Or the tax man.
Su

thanks pj - I do feel the itch getting stronger - and those GH songs will sound pretty cool on one, don't you think!

Oh, you were screwed the moment you picked up the guitar.  You're going to get one.  If you didn't want it, you'd have turned to a financial/budgeting web site for advice rather than a bunch of guitar players (or guitar player wannabe in my case).

:-) 

- Zurf

I know I could get skewered by some purists but take a look at Ovations.  If you can get by the plastic/round back thing, they're great guitars for the money.  IMHO, Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons are great guitars but there are others.  Takamine makes a great, reasonably priced guitar as well.  Play a lot of them and, if you're on a budget stay away from the McPhersons or anything on that level - there is a difference but you'll pay for it too.

First of all mrjay a guitar in that price range is an investment. This is not money thrown away, and second of all I am only giving my opinion (which was asked for) I am sure sumelton is quite able to make up his own mind. And to answer your question about my Guild. I am not able  at this time to have it repaired as I have invested all I have in my new Martin. This Martin by the way is the nicest acoustic and best sounding guitar I have ever played

I agree wholeheartedly PJ. Just thought I'd poke some fun at a fellow montrealer . I myself have begun my own collection & I'm constantly looking for new guitars (all from high-quality brands :s). I've read some of your posts, and i remember you saying that buying a quality instrument will encourage you to keep playing. I found this to be very true when I picked up playing again last year and bought my Guild. I could have gone for a Yamaha, or something else that was cheaper than my Guild, but sometimes you sit in a shop with a particular guitar in you hands and you say to yourself "Ok, I don't care! I have to take this thing home!" Was it the same with your Martin?

Weaser - Do you play sitting down?  I have a hard time keeping an Ovation with the curved back sitting properly on my lap.  Standing, it's a bit of an issue as well because it is round surface on round surface [perhaps your stomach is flatter than mine :-)  ]

But as far as sound, the Ovations are nice no question about that. 

- Zurf

Zurf - I do play both - sitting and standing and, though I know several people say they have a hard time with Ovations, I really never have.  And there are several reasons I like them - i.e. great sound for the price, they're less prone to nicks and bites and, if you're playing with others, they tend to cut right through the mix.  I've owned others (and still do) but if someone is looking for a nice player at a good price, Ovation comes to my mind way in front of the Martins, Taylors and the like.  they're great guitars too, no question, but if you're on a limited budget, I think you're compromising if you go for them.

Just one opinion.

Haven't tried the contour bowl.  I wonder if it would fit on my protruding gut like a Lego block? 

I'm happy with what I've got for now and not looking for another guitar, but thanks for the suggestion.  When I do go to look (which can't be long, knowing how satisfaction for me is usually temporary at best), I'll check Ovation out.   I've got an Ovation bass and like it very well. 

- Zurf

I do not know for sure but I have been told that an Ovation does not age well and that they tend to fall apart over the years. Any one out there have an older Ovation who can give up the facts on this subject

I broke the guitar shop rule too. Had a chance to try a Gibson
Hummingbird for 20 minutes at our local shop. Wow a huge difference between the gibson and my fender acoustic. The hummingbird was very easy to play and had great sound.I'm thinking of getting a part time job and save for one.lol.Tried
some Martins  as well and liked them all. Want to try a Taylor next. The shop has a room where you can pick up any guitar you want which is very cool. Anyway I've been thinking about that Hummingbird for Three days now.Someday , someday.

Take Care...Badeye.