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Stonebridge guitars? [message #98845] Tue, 20 May 2008 07:39 Go to next message
guitar.ottawa is currently offline  guitar.ottawa   CANADA
Messages: 7
Registered: May 2008
Junior Member
Note: is this an appropriate post for this section of the forum? I honestly
don't even know what the "general" area is (I only get IDEA.EMUEnsoniqPARIS,
whatever that is)... apologies if I should have posted to a different
area...

I went out last week to try a Larrivee acoustic at the local shop. The
salesguy asked me a few questions about what I was looking for,
pointed out a nice Larrivee LV-09E, but also invited me to try this
Stonebridge 23CR.

I didn't know much about Stonebridge, but he told me a bit about them,
and a later search on the web revealed a few things. Made in the Czech
Republic (well known for luthiers making other stringed instruments
like violins and cellos, but a relatively new comer to the world of
acoustic guitars). The 23CR is solid rosewood back/sides, a very nice
cedar top, ebony fingerboard, tusq saddle and nut. No electronics at
all, so you have to account for the addition of <whatever> if you're
going to compare it with the Larrive LV-09E.


First chord I strummed was stunning on the Stonebridge. Chimes like a
piano. Just unbelievable. In comparison, the Larrivee sounded muffled
(note that the Larrivee has a spruce top, which takes a bit longer to
open up than the Stonebridge's cedar top, if I recall?).


Since I know little about acoustic guitars, and also since I don't
have such good ears, I wanted to ask around and see what others know
about Stonebridge. I'm sure its resale value would be a lot less than
a Larrivee or a Taylor (can hardly find any on eBay or Craigslist).
But "investment value" aside, and just for the sake of its quality and
sound, any opinions out there?


I did find a few flaws with it: (1) When bending strings, the
Stonebridge goes out of tune (whereas the Larrive staid perfectly in
tune). Is there a nut-tweaking approach to solving this? (2) No
electronics at all, though many here would consider this an advantage,
i.e. get the guitar you want, then add the electronics you want; (3)
Very strong mids, which might be considered an advantage, I'm just not
sure... sometimes it sounded a little nasal, but I wasn't playing my
best, was in the middle of a showroom, and didn't spend much time.


Anyhow, if any of you out there have played a Stonebridge, I'd like to
hear your opinions.


For the record, the 23CR's cost is $1900, while the Larrivee LV-09E
was $2500. Once you add the electronics into the Stonebridge, you're
about at the same cost (or close enough) to a sure-valued Larrivee.


Any input much appreciated...
Dan
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98847 is a reply to message #98845] Tue, 20 May 2008 08:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
dc[3] is currently offline  dc[3]
Messages: 895
Registered: September 2005
Senior Member
The loss of pitch when bending is probably the way the strings
were wound on the tuners or the way the strings were installed
on the bridge.

I would say to use your ears rather than caring about the brand.

You hear well enough to immediately hear the difference and
you liked the Stonebridge better. Trust your instincts.

You might want to try a Taylor too.

DC
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98848 is a reply to message #98847] Tue, 20 May 2008 08:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
guitar.ottawa is currently offline  guitar.ottawa   CANADA
Messages: 7
Registered: May 2008
Junior Member
Regarding the Taylor: I was looking at Larrivee because I was led to believe
that Taylors are great, but overpriced. And the comments were along the
lines of: "you can get much more guitar out of a Larrivee"...

Good points about the strings on the Stonebridge, and that they might have
been incorrectly wound around the tuning peg.

Dan

"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:4832f44d$1@linux...
>
> The loss of pitch when bending is probably the way the strings
> were wound on the tuners or the way the strings were installed
> on the bridge.
>
> I would say to use your ears rather than caring about the brand.
>
> You hear well enough to immediately hear the difference and
> you liked the Stonebridge better. Trust your instincts.
>
> You might want to try a Taylor too.
>
> DC
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98849 is a reply to message #98845] Tue, 20 May 2008 10:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
John [1] is currently offline  John [1]
Messages: 2229
Registered: September 2005
Senior Member
you're enjoying the 12 string like harmonics you get off a cedar top with
a light satin finish most likely. Wonderful sound. Try a $400 Seagull with
the same setup.
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98852 is a reply to message #98848] Tue, 20 May 2008 14:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
dc[3] is currently offline  dc[3]
Messages: 895
Registered: September 2005
Senior Member
I don't know why no one seems to buy the lower-priced
Taylors. I have a 410 I paid 850 for about 10 years ago
and it is wonderful.

anyway, good luck with your search.

my suggestion is to try lots of them. Buy the one that speaks
to you.

DC


"D.P." <guitar.ottawa@gmail.com> wrote:
>Regarding the Taylor: I was looking at Larrivee because I was led to believe

>that Taylors are great, but overpriced. And the comments were along the

>lines of: "you can get much more guitar out of a Larrivee"...
>
>Good points about the strings on the Stonebridge, and that they might have

>been incorrectly wound around the tuning peg.
>
>Dan
>
>"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:4832f44d$1@linux...
>>
>> The loss of pitch when bending is probably the way the strings
>> were wound on the tuners or the way the strings were installed
>> on the bridge.
>>
>> I would say to use your ears rather than caring about the brand.
>>
>> You hear well enough to immediately hear the difference and
>> you liked the Stonebridge better. Trust your instincts.
>>
>> You might want to try a Taylor too.
>>
>> DC
>>
>
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98854 is a reply to message #98852] Wed, 21 May 2008 03:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Sarah is currently offline  Sarah   UNITED STATES
Messages: 608
Registered: February 2007
Senior Member
I, too, have a 400 series Taylor, a 414K I bought in 1999 because it sounded
so good. I've had nothing but compliments on the sound of this, both live
and recorded. I was originally thinking about the fancier, spendier 714,
but this one sounded better to me. Don is right, and I use the same phrase
in advising people on guitar purchases . . . find one that speaks to you.
Do it blindfolded or something, so you have only your ears and fingers to
judge. Maybe you'll wind up with a $300 Takamine. :)

S


"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:483345bc$1@linux...
>
> I don't know why no one seems to buy the lower-priced
> Taylors. I have a 410 I paid 850 for about 10 years ago
> and it is wonderful.
>
> anyway, good luck with your search.
>
> my suggestion is to try lots of them. Buy the one that speaks
> to you.
>
> DC
>
>
> "D.P." <guitar.ottawa@gmail.com> wrote:
>>Regarding the Taylor: I was looking at Larrivee because I was led to
>>believe
>
>>that Taylors are great, but overpriced. And the comments were along the
>
>>lines of: "you can get much more guitar out of a Larrivee"...
>>
>>Good points about the strings on the Stonebridge, and that they might have
>
>>been incorrectly wound around the tuning peg.
>>
>>Dan
>>
>>"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:4832f44d$1@linux...
>>>
>>> The loss of pitch when bending is probably the way the strings
>>> were wound on the tuners or the way the strings were installed
>>> on the bridge.
>>>
>>> I would say to use your ears rather than caring about the brand.
>>>
>>> You hear well enough to immediately hear the difference and
>>> you liked the Stonebridge better. Trust your instincts.
>>>
>>> You might want to try a Taylor too.
>>>
>>> DC
>>>
>>
>>
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98855 is a reply to message #98854] Wed, 21 May 2008 03:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jamie K is currently offline  Jamie K   UNITED STATES
Messages: 1115
Registered: July 2006
Senior Member
Absolutely right on that, Sarah and Don. I have a classical guitar that
I picked out of a shipment of more than a dozen. The difference between
the best and worst was night and day, and these were all the same model.

Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com



Sarah wrote:
> I, too, have a 400 series Taylor, a 414K I bought in 1999 because it sounded
> so good. I've had nothing but compliments on the sound of this, both live
> and recorded. I was originally thinking about the fancier, spendier 714,
> but this one sounded better to me. Don is right, and I use the same phrase
> in advising people on guitar purchases . . . find one that speaks to you.
> Do it blindfolded or something, so you have only your ears and fingers to
> judge. Maybe you'll wind up with a $300 Takamine. :)
>
> S
>
>
> "DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:483345bc$1@linux...
>> I don't know why no one seems to buy the lower-priced
>> Taylors. I have a 410 I paid 850 for about 10 years ago
>> and it is wonderful.
>>
>> anyway, good luck with your search.
>>
>> my suggestion is to try lots of them. Buy the one that speaks
>> to you.
>>
>> DC
>>
>>
>> "D.P." <guitar.ottawa@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Regarding the Taylor: I was looking at Larrivee because I was led to
>>> believe
>>> that Taylors are great, but overpriced. And the comments were along the
>>> lines of: "you can get much more guitar out of a Larrivee"...
>>>
>>> Good points about the strings on the Stonebridge, and that they might have
>>> been incorrectly wound around the tuning peg.
>>>
>>> Dan
>>>
>>> "DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:4832f44d$1@linux...
>>>> The loss of pitch when bending is probably the way the strings
>>>> were wound on the tuners or the way the strings were installed
>>>> on the bridge.
>>>>
>>>> I would say to use your ears rather than caring about the brand.
>>>>
>>>> You hear well enough to immediately hear the difference and
>>>> you liked the Stonebridge better. Trust your instincts.
>>>>
>>>> You might want to try a Taylor too.
>>>>
>>>> DC
>>>>
>>>
>
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98857 is a reply to message #98845] Wed, 21 May 2008 06:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ed is currently offline  Ed
Messages: 199
Registered: February 2006
Senior Member
Dan, I have a few comments...

Being a guitar player since the 70's I been through many different brands
and types of guitars and mainly acoustics. I have always been a peasant,
so I could never afford anything extravagant. But my red flags would go
up very high and fast if I was trying out an expensive guitar and it went
out of tune just by a simple play. Yes, perhaps it could be the way the
strings are wound and it could be a glitch in that guitar's heads, but I
would immediately put it down and move on.

I personally never had a guitar go out of tune because of the way I strung
it... never! When restringing a string and tuning, I adamantly bend, twist,
pluck and abuse the little bugger at first. If after the first few times
it don't stay in tune, it is most likely the heads... most likely cheap junk
heads. I did have a Kramer that done this and i replaced the heads with
good Gibson heads... never had the problem since... So I would move on to
another guitar if I was trying it out and it won't stay in tune. By the
way, I am a hard player... to where I have bloody fingers after a long sessions.
Sometimes I don't know it until I have a bit more light and see spots all
over.. lol. Yeah, i know, remind yourself not to let me play your guitar...
I heard that a zillion times... rotf.

Anyway, if a company is going to charge top dollar for a guitar, it better
perform top dollar anytime and anywhere. Period! Bottom line with me!

That said... and I am sure others will jump in here and try to dispute this...
but I am not sure where some folks are getting their information or what
they are playing, hearing and buying. Like I read an article in Musician's
Friend magazine recently about the old myth "cheap guitars"... in many cases,
those days of the "cheap" Ibanez are over (as far as quality, playability
and sound). They actually make really really good guitars these days. I
am big fan and an owner of Gibson's! I wouldn't sell any of my Gibson's
for the life of me... but I also own Ibanez too. My favorite is the EJ-160
John Lennon... I love this guitar! And I would match that up to any guitar
over $500 for sound and quality. I am not trying to start a guitar war thread...
it just pickles me to think that the 70's, and perhaps 80's mentality of
cheap-guitar is still out there with some products... Ibanez use to be the
poor man's guitar. But I honestly believe their quality has improved and
some guitars I know match up to the more extravagant.

Lastly, in my opinion you are in the proper newsgroup and not off topic...
politics and someone's back yard animal is off topic. Music related is not...
that's just my opinion and hope others feel the same...

Have a great day and do yourself a favor and try out those Ibanez and save
yourself hundreds... unless you just like spending money... I am still
a peasant and can't do that.
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98858 is a reply to message #98845] Wed, 21 May 2008 06:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bill L is currently offline  Bill L   UNITED STATES
Messages: 766
Registered: August 2006
Senior Member
Never heard of the brand, but one thing when trying out guitars in a
store is look at the condition of the strings. If the Larivee had old
strings its tone could never compete with a guitar with fresh strings.
Your mention of the strings going out of tune indicates they may have
been very new.

D.P. wrote:
> Note: is this an appropriate post for this section of the forum? I honestly
> don't even know what the "general" area is (I only get IDEA.EMUEnsoniqPARIS,
> whatever that is)... apologies if I should have posted to a different
> area...
>
> I went out last week to try a Larrivee acoustic at the local shop. The
> salesguy asked me a few questions about what I was looking for,
> pointed out a nice Larrivee LV-09E, but also invited me to try this
> Stonebridge 23CR.
>
> I didn't know much about Stonebridge, but he told me a bit about them,
> and a later search on the web revealed a few things. Made in the Czech
> Republic (well known for luthiers making other stringed instruments
> like violins and cellos, but a relatively new comer to the world of
> acoustic guitars). The 23CR is solid rosewood back/sides, a very nice
> cedar top, ebony fingerboard, tusq saddle and nut. No electronics at
> all, so you have to account for the addition of <whatever> if you're
> going to compare it with the Larrive LV-09E.
>
>
> First chord I strummed was stunning on the Stonebridge. Chimes like a
> piano. Just unbelievable. In comparison, the Larrivee sounded muffled
> (note that the Larrivee has a spruce top, which takes a bit longer to
> open up than the Stonebridge's cedar top, if I recall?).
>
>
> Since I know little about acoustic guitars, and also since I don't
> have such good ears, I wanted to ask around and see what others know
> about Stonebridge. I'm sure its resale value would be a lot less than
> a Larrivee or a Taylor (can hardly find any on eBay or Craigslist).
> But "investment value" aside, and just for the sake of its quality and
> sound, any opinions out there?
>
>
> I did find a few flaws with it: (1) When bending strings, the
> Stonebridge goes out of tune (whereas the Larrive staid perfectly in
> tune). Is there a nut-tweaking approach to solving this? (2) No
> electronics at all, though many here would consider this an advantage,
> i.e. get the guitar you want, then add the electronics you want; (3)
> Very strong mids, which might be considered an advantage, I'm just not
> sure... sometimes it sounded a little nasal, but I wasn't playing my
> best, was in the middle of a showroom, and didn't spend much time.
>
>
> Anyhow, if any of you out there have played a Stonebridge, I'd like to
> hear your opinions.
>
>
> For the record, the 23CR's cost is $1900, while the Larrivee LV-09E
> was $2500. Once you add the electronics into the Stonebridge, you're
> about at the same cost (or close enough) to a sure-valued Larrivee.
>
>
> Any input much appreciated...
> Dan
>
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98862 is a reply to message #98857] Wed, 21 May 2008 08:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerryg is currently offline  kerryg   CANADA
Messages: 1529
Registered: February 2009
Senior Member
Administrator
Don, if you haven't committed to an instrument yet -

I went to the local guitar boutique many times with my engineer to cost out
instruments for recording and to look at a wide range of prices. We kept
coming back to the cut-rate Martins (the DX series with the composite
necks). It's true that out of the ones I've tried some have been uneven in
quality/tone, ranging from superb down to merely "good". But the superb ones
have been amazing - not "good for their price", just "really good" - they've
completely blown away guitars costing six or seven times as much, including
much more expensive Martins. The best ones have definitely got "that thing"
that says "record me".

If you can get a bunch of them together and find the "pick of the litter"
you might be pretty surprised at what you're holding for $500.

- Kerry

On 5/21/08 6:16 AM, in article 483420bd$1@linux, "Ed" <askme@email.com>
wrote:

>
> Dan, I have a few comments...
>
> Being a guitar player since the 70's I been through many different brands
> and types of guitars and mainly acoustics. I have always been a peasant,
> so I could never afford anything extravagant. But my red flags would go
> up very high and fast if I was trying out an expensive guitar and it went
> out of tune just by a simple play. Yes, perhaps it could be the way the
> strings are wound and it could be a glitch in that guitar's heads, but I
> would immediately put it down and move on.
>
> I personally never had a guitar go out of tune because of the way I strung
> it... never! When restringing a string and tuning, I adamantly bend, twist,
> pluck and abuse the little bugger at first. If after the first few times
> it don't stay in tune, it is most likely the heads... most likely cheap junk
> heads. I did have a Kramer that done this and i replaced the heads with
> good Gibson heads... never had the problem since... So I would move on to
> another guitar if I was trying it out and it won't stay in tune. By the
> way, I am a hard player... to where I have bloody fingers after a long
> sessions.
> Sometimes I don't know it until I have a bit more light and see spots all
> over.. lol. Yeah, i know, remind yourself not to let me play your guitar...
> I heard that a zillion times... rotf.
>
> Anyway, if a company is going to charge top dollar for a guitar, it better
> perform top dollar anytime and anywhere. Period! Bottom line with me!
>
> That said... and I am sure others will jump in here and try to dispute this...
> but I am not sure where some folks are getting their information or what
> they are playing, hearing and buying. Like I read an article in Musician's
> Friend magazine recently about the old myth "cheap guitars"... in many cases,
> those days of the "cheap" Ibanez are over (as far as quality, playability
> and sound). They actually make really really good guitars these days. I
> am big fan and an owner of Gibson's! I wouldn't sell any of my Gibson's
> for the life of me... but I also own Ibanez too. My favorite is the EJ-160
> John Lennon... I love this guitar! And I would match that up to any guitar
> over $500 for sound and quality. I am not trying to start a guitar war
> thread...
> it just pickles me to think that the 70's, and perhaps 80's mentality of
> cheap-guitar is still out there with some products... Ibanez use to be the
> poor man's guitar. But I honestly believe their quality has improved and
> some guitars I know match up to the more extravagant.
>
> Lastly, in my opinion you are in the proper newsgroup and not off topic...
> politics and someone's back yard animal is off topic. Music related is not...
> that's just my opinion and hope others feel the same...
>
> Have a great day and do yourself a favor and try out those Ibanez and save
> yourself hundreds... unless you just like spending money... I am still
> a peasant and can't do that.
>


"... being bitter is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other guy to die..." - anon
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98863 is a reply to message #98862] Wed, 21 May 2008 11:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ed is currently offline  Ed
Messages: 199
Registered: February 2006
Senior Member
Kerry Galloway <kg@kerrygalloway.com> wrote:
>Don, if you haven't committed to an instrument yet -
>
>I went to the local guitar boutique many times with my engineer to cost
out
>instruments for recording and to look at a wide range of prices. We kept
>coming back to the cut-rate Martins (the DX series with the composite
>necks). It's true that out of the ones I've tried some have been uneven
in
>quality/tone, ranging from superb down to merely "good". But the superb
ones
>have been amazing - not "good for their price", just "really good" - they've
>completely blown away guitars costing six or seven times as much, including
>much more expensive Martins. The best ones have definitely got "that thing"
>that says "record me".
>
>If you can get a bunch of them together and find the "pick of the litter"
>you might be pretty surprised at what you're holding for $500.
>
>- Kerry
>


That is directed to me and what I posted?
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98865 is a reply to message #98863] Wed, 21 May 2008 12:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerryg is currently offline  kerryg   CANADA
Messages: 1529
Registered: February 2009
Senior Member
Administrator
Oh, hi Ed - I wasn't really following who said what specifically, but in
hindsight, yes, it was your own post that inspired mine. I'd agree
wholeheartedly that my experience confirms your own, that there are some
extraordinarily good values in "cheaper" guitars nowadays and that $500 or
under can buy a great deal of guitar for a smart shopper. The Martins happen
to be fresh in my mind because I just played them again yesterday afternoon.

- Kerry

On 5/21/08 11:38 AM, in article 48346c0f$1@linux, "Ed" <askme@email.com>
wrote:

>
> Kerry Galloway <kg@kerrygalloway.com> wrote:
>> Don, if you haven't committed to an instrument yet -
>>
>> I went to the local guitar boutique many times with my engineer to cost
> out
>> instruments for recording and to look at a wide range of prices. We kept
>> coming back to the cut-rate Martins (the DX series with the composite
>> necks). It's true that out of the ones I've tried some have been uneven
> in
>> quality/tone, ranging from superb down to merely "good". But the superb
> ones
>> have been amazing - not "good for their price", just "really good" - they've
>> completely blown away guitars costing six or seven times as much, including
>> much more expensive Martins. The best ones have definitely got "that thing"
>> that says "record me".
>>
>> If you can get a bunch of them together and find the "pick of the litter"
>> you might be pretty surprised at what you're holding for $500.
>>
>> - Kerry
>>
>
>
> That is directed to me and what I posted?
>


"... being bitter is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other guy to die..." - anon
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98872 is a reply to message #98854] Thu, 22 May 2008 07:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
TCB is currently offline  TCB
Messages: 1261
Registered: July 2007
Senior Member
I've always liked the sound of the Taylor 400 series, I think because I generally
like acoustic geetars with mahogany back/sides instead of rosewood.

I agree that with acoustics in particular you just have to play a ton of
them to find the right one, but in my experience the really expensive ones
_do_ sound better. I've played a bunch of really crap sounding cheap acoustics
while I've never heard a bad Collings or Breedlove. Doesn't mean the great
sounding $300 Takmine isn't out there, but I think the boutique guys are
just a lot more selective about the wood they use.

TCB

"Sarah" <sarahjane@sarahtonin.com> wrote:
>I, too, have a 400 series Taylor, a 414K I bought in 1999 because it sounded

>so good. I've had nothing but compliments on the sound of this, both live

>and recorded. I was originally thinking about the fancier, spendier 714,

>but this one sounded better to me. Don is right, and I use the same phrase

>in advising people on guitar purchases . . . find one that speaks to you.

>Do it blindfolded or something, so you have only your ears and fingers to

>judge. Maybe you'll wind up with a $300 Takamine. :)
>
>S
>
>
>"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:483345bc$1@linux...
>>
>> I don't know why no one seems to buy the lower-priced
>> Taylors. I have a 410 I paid 850 for about 10 years ago
>> and it is wonderful.
>>
>> anyway, good luck with your search.
>>
>> my suggestion is to try lots of them. Buy the one that speaks
>> to you.
>>
>> DC
>>
>>
>> "D.P." <guitar.ottawa@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>Regarding the Taylor: I was looking at Larrivee because I was led to
>>>believe
>>
>>>that Taylors are great, but overpriced. And the comments were along the
>>
>>>lines of: "you can get much more guitar out of a Larrivee"...
>>>
>>>Good points about the strings on the Stonebridge, and that they might
have
>>
>>>been incorrectly wound around the tuning peg.
>>>
>>>Dan
>>>
>>>"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:4832f44d$1@linux...
>>>>
>>>> The loss of pitch when bending is probably the way the strings
>>>> were wound on the tuners or the way the strings were installed
>>>> on the bridge.
>>>>
>>>> I would say to use your ears rather than caring about the brand.
>>>>
>>>> You hear well enough to immediately hear the difference and
>>>> you liked the Stonebridge better. Trust your instincts.
>>>>
>>>> You might want to try a Taylor too.
>>>>
>>>> DC
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98873 is a reply to message #98862] Thu, 22 May 2008 09:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
John [1] is currently offline  John [1]
Messages: 2229
Registered: September 2005
Senior Member
i thought martins were probably a boutique snob guitar until i tested 50 guitars
at 5 or 6 guitar stores all over the east coast, florida and even in indiana.
I bought the martin for $900 and put elixer strings on it and have a sound
that makes me very happy.
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98875 is a reply to message #98873] Thu, 22 May 2008 12:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
dc[3] is currently offline  dc[3]
Messages: 895
Registered: September 2005
Senior Member
BTW, Takamines have one thing they do really really well,
and that is the PU and electronics. Absolutely beyond
what you would expect at the price point.

DC
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98877 is a reply to message #98875] Thu, 22 May 2008 15:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
John [1] is currently offline  John [1]
Messages: 2229
Registered: September 2005
Senior Member
yep
"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote:
>
>BTW, Takamines have one thing they do really really well,
>and that is the PU and electronics. Absolutely beyond
>what you would expect at the price point.
>
>DC
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98891 is a reply to message #98872] Fri, 23 May 2008 01:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Sarah is currently offline  Sarah   UNITED STATES
Messages: 608
Registered: February 2007
Senior Member
http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/3157/Taylor_Custom_Shop_P allet.htm

S


"TCB" <nobody@ishere.com> wrote in message news:48358174$1@linux...
>
> I've always liked the sound of the Taylor 400 series, I think because I
> generally
> like acoustic geetars with mahogany back/sides instead of rosewood.
>
> I agree that with acoustics in particular you just have to play a ton of
> them to find the right one, but in my experience the really expensive ones
> _do_ sound better. I've played a bunch of really crap sounding cheap
> acoustics
> while I've never heard a bad Collings or Breedlove. Doesn't mean the great
> sounding $300 Takmine isn't out there, but I think the boutique guys are
> just a lot more selective about the wood they use.
>
> TCB
>
> "Sarah" <sarahjane@sarahtonin.com> wrote:
>>I, too, have a 400 series Taylor, a 414K I bought in 1999 because it
>>sounded
>
>>so good. I've had nothing but compliments on the sound of this, both live
>
>>and recorded. I was originally thinking about the fancier, spendier 714,
>
>>but this one sounded better to me. Don is right, and I use the same
>>phrase
>
>>in advising people on guitar purchases . . . find one that speaks to you.
>
>>Do it blindfolded or something, so you have only your ears and fingers to
>
>>judge. Maybe you'll wind up with a $300 Takamine. :)
>>
>>S
>>
>>
>>"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:483345bc$1@linux...
>>>
>>> I don't know why no one seems to buy the lower-priced
>>> Taylors. I have a 410 I paid 850 for about 10 years ago
>>> and it is wonderful.
>>>
>>> anyway, good luck with your search.
>>>
>>> my suggestion is to try lots of them. Buy the one that speaks
>>> to you.
>>>
>>> DC
>>>
>>>
>>> "D.P." <guitar.ottawa@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>Regarding the Taylor: I was looking at Larrivee because I was led to
>>>>believe
>>>
>>>>that Taylors are great, but overpriced. And the comments were along the
>>>
>>>>lines of: "you can get much more guitar out of a Larrivee"...
>>>>
>>>>Good points about the strings on the Stonebridge, and that they might
> have
>>>
>>>>been incorrectly wound around the tuning peg.
>>>>
>>>>Dan
>>>>
>>>>"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:4832f44d$1@linux...
>>>>>
>>>>> The loss of pitch when bending is probably the way the strings
>>>>> were wound on the tuners or the way the strings were installed
>>>>> on the bridge.
>>>>>
>>>>> I would say to use your ears rather than caring about the brand.
>>>>>
>>>>> You hear well enough to immediately hear the difference and
>>>>> you liked the Stonebridge better. Trust your instincts.
>>>>>
>>>>> You might want to try a Taylor too.
>>>>>
>>>>> DC
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98894 is a reply to message #98865] Fri, 23 May 2008 06:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ed is currently offline  Ed
Messages: 199
Registered: February 2006
Senior Member
Oh, ok... No biggie... it just seemed your post was directed toward the original
poster but replied to me... I was cornfused... lol.

And I have to correct myself about my EJ-160, it is an Epiphone, not an Ibanaz.
And I was wholeheartly referring to the Epiphone, not the Ibanez. Another
example is the electric Les Paul... pick up a Epiphone Les Paul these days...
my god! you can't tell it is not a real Gibson except for the label.

Kerry Galloway <kg@kerrygalloway.com> wrote:
>Oh, hi Ed - I wasn't really following who said what specifically, but in
>hindsight, yes, it was your own post that inspired mine. I'd agree
>wholeheartedly that my experience confirms your own, that there are some
>extraordinarily good values in "cheaper" guitars nowadays and that $500
or
>under can buy a great deal of guitar for a smart shopper. The Martins happen
>to be fresh in my mind because I just played them again yesterday afternoon.
>
>- Kerry
>
>On 5/21/08 11:38 AM, in article 48346c0f$1@linux, "Ed" <askme@email.com>
>wrote:
>
>>
>> Kerry Galloway <kg@kerrygalloway.com> wrote:
>>> Don, if you haven't committed to an instrument yet -
>>>
>>> I went to the local guitar boutique many times with my engineer to cost
>> out
>>> instruments for recording and to look at a wide range of prices. We kept
>>> coming back to the cut-rate Martins (the DX series with the composite
>>> necks). It's true that out of the ones I've tried some have been uneven
>> in
>>> quality/tone, ranging from superb down to merely "good". But the superb
>> ones
>>> have been amazing - not "good for their price", just "really good" -
they've
>>> completely blown away guitars costing six or seven times as much, including
>>> much more expensive Martins. The best ones have definitely got "that
thing"
>>> that says "record me".
>>>
>>> If you can get a bunch of them together and find the "pick of the litter"
>>> you might be pretty surprised at what you're holding for $500.
>>>
>>> - Kerry
>>>
>>
>>
>> That is directed to me and what I posted?
>>
>
Re: Stonebridge guitars? [message #98902 is a reply to message #98891] Fri, 23 May 2008 12:35 Go to previous message
TCB is currently offline  TCB
Messages: 1261
Registered: July 2007
Senior Member
To me this argues _against_ the idea of the $300 dream Takamine. This would
argue that superior crasfts(wo)manship can overcome inferior materials. One
thing you'll never get from a Seagull or a Takamine is an instrument maker
really working overtime to get the absolute best quality possible out of
the wood.

Funny thing? I was _at_ the 2001 NAMM show so I probably saw this guitar,
though I don't remember it.

TCB

"Sarah" <sarahjane@sarahtonin.com> wrote:
> http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/3157/Taylor_Custom_Shop_P allet.htm
>
>S
>
>
>"TCB" <nobody@ishere.com> wrote in message news:48358174$1@linux...
>>
>> I've always liked the sound of the Taylor 400 series, I think because
I
>> generally
>> like acoustic geetars with mahogany back/sides instead of rosewood.
>>
>> I agree that with acoustics in particular you just have to play a ton
of
>> them to find the right one, but in my experience the really expensive
ones
>> _do_ sound better. I've played a bunch of really crap sounding cheap
>> acoustics
>> while I've never heard a bad Collings or Breedlove. Doesn't mean the great
>> sounding $300 Takmine isn't out there, but I think the boutique guys are
>> just a lot more selective about the wood they use.
>>
>> TCB
>>
>> "Sarah" <sarahjane@sarahtonin.com> wrote:
>>>I, too, have a 400 series Taylor, a 414K I bought in 1999 because it
>>>sounded
>>
>>>so good. I've had nothing but compliments on the sound of this, both
live
>>
>>>and recorded. I was originally thinking about the fancier, spendier 714,
>>
>>>but this one sounded better to me. Don is right, and I use the same
>>>phrase
>>
>>>in advising people on guitar purchases . . . find one that speaks to you.
>>
>>>Do it blindfolded or something, so you have only your ears and fingers
to
>>
>>>judge. Maybe you'll wind up with a $300 Takamine. :)
>>>
>>>S
>>>
>>>
>>>"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:483345bc$1@linux...
>>>>
>>>> I don't know why no one seems to buy the lower-priced
>>>> Taylors. I have a 410 I paid 850 for about 10 years ago
>>>> and it is wonderful.
>>>>
>>>> anyway, good luck with your search.
>>>>
>>>> my suggestion is to try lots of them. Buy the one that speaks
>>>> to you.
>>>>
>>>> DC
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "D.P." <guitar.ottawa@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>Regarding the Taylor: I was looking at Larrivee because I was led to
>>>>>believe
>>>>
>>>>>that Taylors are great, but overpriced. And the comments were along
the
>>>>
>>>>>lines of: "you can get much more guitar out of a Larrivee"...
>>>>>
>>>>>Good points about the strings on the Stonebridge, and that they might
>> have
>>>>
>>>>>been incorrectly wound around the tuning peg.
>>>>>
>>>>>Dan
>>>>>
>>>>>"DC" <dc@spammersinhell.com> wrote in message news:4832f44d$1@linux...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The loss of pitch when bending is probably the way the strings
>>>>>> were wound on the tuners or the way the strings were installed
>>>>>> on the bridge.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I would say to use your ears rather than caring about the brand.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You hear well enough to immediately hear the difference and
>>>>>> you liked the Stonebridge better. Trust your instincts.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You might want to try a Taylor too.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> DC
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
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