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Post by fibrebundle on Dec 10, 2009 1:35:16 GMT
Hi, I am looking to buy my first 'real' acoustic guitar. I have been playing for about six years
on a cheap Washburn (250$), and think its time to get something better sounding. I have two resonators as well (Republics) and they have spoiled me, so I am looking for something between 700$-1000$. The problem is that where I live (India) choices are very limited, and I do not want to get the guitar shipped (shipping + customs will kill me). So, I did some investigation, and found that a local Music Dealer has recently started stocking Martins. Contacted him to find out that he has just one piece each of a few low to mid priced models, one of them being a D-15 (all solid Mahogany), which just falls in this range. I will visit him sometime to try out that single piece, and do not have much to compare it against, except for a Yamaha LL-6 (solid Engelman Spruce top, laminated Rosewood back and sides), which is also found locally.
Wanted to know people's opinion of D-15 (and maybe Yamaha LL-6 as well) here. Wish to use it as an all round acoustic (also probably my only acoustic guitar). I play fingerstyle blues, belt out a few Beatles tunes, etc.
Thanks!
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Post by thebluesbear( al) on Dec 10, 2009 9:45:50 GMT
Hi
well yamaha LL6 imo are great, i sometimes work in a duo with a guy called john kirkbride , you can wiki his name well johns main onstage accoustic is a LL6 he swears by it
i have also a LL6 i woulndt be with out it , my other accoustic is a mid level martin,they are also pretty good ...so as you seem to have the possibilty .why dont you sit down for a hour or so with each....im sure one will speak to you
al
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Post by fibrebundle on Dec 10, 2009 10:23:26 GMT
Hey, thanks! This is encouraging. There also now seems to be a possibility of an LL-16 (all solid) and a Taylor 210 being in town soon. Seems I will have some choice then!
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Post by Stevie on Dec 10, 2009 19:08:29 GMT
I have A Yamaha LS400vt. it's a "hand-crafted" delight that nearly made me consider divorcing my Takamine! I think that you'd be delighted with the LL6. Stump up for the non plywood one and, being all solid timber in your climate- tend it well!
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Post by fibrebundle on Dec 11, 2009 1:21:57 GMT
I have A Yamaha LS400vt. it's a "hand-crafted" delight that nearly made me consider divorcing my Takamine! I think that you'd be delighted with the LL6. Stump up for the non plywood one and, being all solid timber in your climate- tend it well! I WILL tend it well, if I can get my hands on it! ;D |
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Post by Stevie on Dec 11, 2009 18:35:25 GMT
I noticed that there was "bulging" behind the bridge at each end. I spoke to Yamaha who asked me to send in some jpegs. Well, I never got around to it. There doesn't seem to be any long term damage. I now habitually leave it tuned to CGCGCD and I only tune up when I want to. I don't know by how much this reduces the stress on the soundtable but both visually and logically, it seems to do the trick. Some would decry this on the grounds of stability of the instrument, including its tuning but it has worked fine for me. Whatever you chose, enjoy it!
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Post by fibrebundle on Dec 12, 2009 3:28:18 GMT
I usually choose to tune my acoustic a half step down. I will use light gauge strings (12-53). Can these guitars handle this kind of tension without the bulge appearing at the bridge?
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Post by Stevie on Dec 12, 2009 11:34:23 GMT
Well, on the reasonable assumption that quality guitars are usually more lightly built, I would say that caution should be the watch word. Based on my experience with the Yamaha, I'd suggest trying to elicit a response from the manufacturer (or their representative) before making a commitment. Yamaha told me that the instrument was designed to take strings of that gauge. I'm writing this with the consideration of the climate of the region where you live in mind. There is, in my opinion, no definitive answer to your question unless other contributors know better than I (and that is usually the case!)
Caveat emptor.
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Post by fibrebundle on Dec 12, 2009 12:07:45 GMT
Wee, the guitar that started this thread is probably fading away...I am now looking at the following set: Yamaha LL6, Yamaha LL-16 and a Taylor 210. Any ideas on the Taylor?
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Post by honeyboy on Dec 12, 2009 12:09:57 GMT
After having been delighted with the Newtone Michael Messer strings on my reso, I have subsequently tried other products in the Newtone range, and can heartily recommend the Newtone Heritage strings.  Available in 010 - 043, 011 - 047 and 012 - 051 sets I use them on my Taylor Acoustic, and they sound better than the Elixirs I was using, play better and last longer. Newtone say: "These strings are a completely new range which are designed to have a reduced and virtually equal tension on each string. They are made on Round cores with unique core-to-wrap ratios, so the gauges which match up with some of our standard sets are not the same at all! There are several advantages of using these strings. Vintage guitars, light braced guitars and people who have problems fretting due to arthritis or tendonitis can use these strings without worrying about twisting or uneven pulling on the bridge. Low tensions also mean ease of fretting. " In my experience, they certainly do tune up to pitch with a lower tension, and may be valuable to others where fragile tops need less 'pull' Newtone Heritage Low Tension Acoustic Guitar Strings(Scroll down to the very bottom of the page for the info) |
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Post by fibrebundle on Dec 12, 2009 12:17:58 GMT
Is it advisable to junk the 'all solid wood' idea and go for just a solid top? This is probably going to be the last and only acoustic I end up with!
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Post by Stevie on Dec 12, 2009 13:22:53 GMT
Maybe. I have a 30 year old Takamine (so called "lawsuit" model) that is solid top / laminated back & sides. It has never displayed any deformation like the Yamaha but as I said, quality guitars tend to be lightly built so it's not just a laminated / solid choice. Given Bob Taylor's excellent pallet guitar as an example, it must be down to construction I'd say.
Love Malcolm Newton's strings on my MM Blues. I naturally put Newtone Archtops onto my Heritage Sweet 16. I have gone over to using D'Addario EXPs on that guitar. Likewise, I've always used EXPs on my Yamaha. I put on a set of Newtones on the Yamaha. Even "Management" commented that she preferred the D'Addarios. This is all subjective of course. She has bought me a set of EXPs for the coming Saturnalian excess but it'll be a while before I take off the confirmed long-life Newtones.
There is a marked difference between my sweeter sounding mahogany bodied Yamaha and the rosewood bodied Yamaha equivalent. Even I can hear it clearly with my factory compromised hearing. I never thought that I'd be able to say that! There is however, a world of difference between these guitars and the lower spec solid top / laminated body Yamaha. I could never go back to laminated build even though I'm aware of the possibilities and advantages, perhaps for yourself, of using laminated timbers. In a fairer world, I'd exchange the lot for a Stefan Sobell!
The Gibson ES175 is and always has been 100% laminated.....
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Post by fibrebundle on Dec 17, 2009 8:02:37 GMT
Its now probably going to be an LL6 (solid Enegelman spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides). I tried it, along with a few mid-end Taylors (Taylor 210, Taylor D3), and it sounded better. However, I would prefer a fatter sound than what the LL6 produced out of the box (I think it is factory setup for light gauge). I plan to tune it half step down in standard tuning (to suit my vocal range). Can I fit it with Mediums (13-56), instead of lights (12-53)? I referred to a string tension chart, and found this for Phosphor Bronze strings Light gauge tuned to standard tuning, concert pitch: Tension=166.5 Lb Medium gauge tuned to standard tuning, half step down: Tension=171.5 Lb. Is it safe to use mediums, half step down? I don't see the possibility of being able to contact a Yamaha representative regarding this. Can someone help me out with this???  |
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 17, 2009 9:04:14 GMT
Hi Fibrebundle,
I cannot guarantee anything and I am not a Yamaha representative, so please understand that my advice is just my opinion.
I see no reason why you should not fit medium gauge 13/56 strings to any acoustic guitar, especially a guitar that is not a fragile antique. As I said - this is not 'the word' but my opinion. I have never broken one yet!
Shine On
Michael
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Post by fibrebundle on Dec 17, 2009 11:33:48 GMT
Thanks, Michael! This is encouraging. I wish though there was SOME way of contacting the Yamaha guys. I visited their website, and there seems no simple way of getting in touch with them!
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