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Post by rok-a-bill-e on Dec 16, 2023 14:49:24 GMT -5
After years of neglect I am back doing some sing along acoustic jams with friends and arthritis is taking the joy out of my 60 yr. old Gibson SJ, which needs substantial strings and a firm hand to really sing. We do play through a PA, so need some sort of pickup, but I want an acoustic sound and not at all electric, though an electric neck and action is probably what my hands require right now. Any ideas for "plays like an electric but really, really, sounds like a natural acoustic guitar?"
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Post by Leftee on Dec 16, 2023 15:10:38 GMT -5
I’ll offer a general suggestion. Look at Taylors. Specifically those models that have the shim-able necks. They can be set up to play quite well.
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009
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Post by 009 on Dec 16, 2023 20:23:06 GMT -5
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jeffscott
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Post by jeffscott on Dec 17, 2023 2:22:23 GMT -5
I have a Taylor NS62ce that is easy on the fingers, plus it has a pickup in it. The pickup's sound may need a bit of processing to make it more acoustic-like, though.
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Post by Ragtop on Dec 17, 2023 6:47:40 GMT -5
I bought a 2013 Taylor 516 Custom from Gryphon about a year ago. Took a chance, because I had it in my head that Taylor necks were too skinny for me.
I was wrong about that. Turns out the neck was perfect, with a 1 3/4" nut and a nice "C" shape.
It is easily the best-playing guitar I've ever owned. It's become a favorite, and a keeper.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on Dec 17, 2023 13:04:32 GMT -5
What you're describing is really what Taylor excels at these days. Many of them are kinda wimpy unplugged, but do shine in that regard.
That said... most newer guitars are built lighter, since the old heavy built, needs-13s-to-sound-good, kinds of guitars really aren't in fashion among designers. A lot of lighter built guitars will sound okay with 11s these days. And, you can always set the action lower. Taylor tends to ship set more at an electric guitar action while other brands err on the high side, but most brands can be set wherever you want. The biggest barrier for a lot of people when it comes to acoustics with low action and lighter strings is usually if they can lighten their playing enough.
Plus, if that old SJ needs a neck reset, you may find ANY newer acoustic set up well, not even with lighter strings or low action, to be a relief.
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DrKev
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Post by DrKev on Dec 17, 2023 13:09:13 GMT -5
If you are really attached to that guitar, I would go lighter strings and lower action if possible (certainly it's usually possible at the nut (which is always a good idea on any guitar) and lowering neck relief can bring the action down a little too provided you don't introduce any additional string buzz (don't @ me!). It'll sound far better than you think. And while people will argue over how and what difference string gauge makes to tone, *YOU* will never sound good on a guitar that's too hard to play.
Remember with nylon strings guitars the nut width is frequently very wide, which doesn't suit everyone. It's also not the sound that many people want.
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Post by markfromhawaii on Dec 23, 2023 23:11:12 GMT -5
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Post by ninworks on Dec 24, 2023 7:16:34 GMT -5
I have heard some of the acoustic-electrics/electric-acoustics sound great when amplified. They are basically a hollow body electric guitar. You get the best of both worlds. A great amplified acoustic sound and it plays like an electric. I haven't played a Fender Acoustisonic but there are many manufacturers making guitars like that these days.
I used to play in a band with a woman who had some kind of electric-acoustic that looked like a Telecaster. It sounded incredible through the PA system. Easily as good as my Guild D40 with a K&K Pure Mini pickup in it that had all kinds of signal processing on it. She used 010 electric guitar strings on it.
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