Need help with a 3/4 model

thejumpingflea

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Hey guys,

So I am taking a guitar class this quarter, but I'd really like to use an undersized, 3/4 guitar. I don't want to spend more then 300.

At the moment I am thinking between these 2:

Martin LXM

&

Baby Taylor Dreadnought


Do any of you have experience with either of these? Any other suggestions? Thanks guys!

~TJF
 
No personal experience with either, but I would be very skeptical of the Martin, as it has a high-pressure laminate top. Now, I have a full-size Martin that has HPL sides and back with a solid spruce top and it sounds quite respectable - not perfect, but quite good. But I suspect having HPL for the top too would take a lot of warmth out of the tone -- and judging by your dedication to the uke, I suspect this would end up bothering you. Anecdotally, I've heard good things about the Taylor too.

Any reason you don't want to try a full-size? Is it because you're used to the uke scale? Also, what style are you going to be playing on guitar?
 
Personally, I'd go with the Fender Squier Mini. Lower action and strings aren't as hard on the fingers. Here's the primo sub $300 buck combo:

Squier Mini Strat 3/4 size electric guitar for $99 bucks:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Mini-Strat-Electric-Guitar?sku=510421

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Vox DA5 battery/AC powered amp with effects and seperate microphone input with it's own microphone volume control for $139 bucks:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-DA5-Portable-Amplifier-?sku=482065

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Microphone, folding microphone stand and cable for $24 bucks:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-SP1-Microphone-and-Stand-Package?sku=277031

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Lil' Imp impedance matcher for the microphone to work with the amp:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...tle-IMP-Lo-to-Hi-Impedance-Matcher?sku=427600

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With this rig you can busk:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busking

and perform publicly to your heart's content. You can olay your guitar or uke through the amp while singing through the microphone at the same time. Ric
 
I watched this one video on youtube a while back. I just tried to look for it, but couldn't find it. It was a video about choosing acoustic guitars though.

So after they talked about other guitars, they then brought up 3/4 guitars. There was a martin lxm.

Before the guy picked it up and played he said, you will be able to tell the difference between the sound of the 3/4 and the full size. He said that the 3/4 don't sound as good and full.

Then he plays it. HE IS SURPRISED! haha at the sound it puts out. It sounded really good though, and just thinking about how he was surprised makes me laugh, because I would probably say the same thing about the 3/4.

I have no experience with 3/4 guitars though. Not a steel string, but a nylon one, I actually liked the sound better, I'm getting a new 3/4 soon for myself too.

I'll post the link if I can think of the right title of the video, and if I do find it.
 
I tried the Martin at the local GC. It sounded fine, but I decided to save about $100 and get an Applause AA-13... typical loud Ovation sound.
 
I'm looking for one too. Not a big priority and hoping for a steal.

I like the tone of the Yamaha, JR-1 the best.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-JR1-Mini-Folk-Guitar-100709443-i1146546.gc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PODj7GanLUk

I'm undecided. I've played both a baby taylor and a marting lxm. The martin played smoother to me and had a neck shape/size just like my kanile'a K1T(obviously longer). I thought the taylor sounded better, more like a real guitar. I kinda wrote off the yamaha, because it's considerably cheaper but I'm just about sold on it now. Gonna try to play one this week so maybe I'll be sold for sure.
 
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Yamahas are quite well made, definitely the best bang for the acoustic guitar buck. They're cheaper than Martins/Taylors mostly because they don't have as big a name and they're made in more exotic locations.
 
If it has to be an acoustic, go with the Ovation Celebrity GC057 super shallow bowl acoustic/electric for $299 buck. Order it from Musicians Friend or print this page out and bring it to your local Guitar Center and they will match the price:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...ty-Mid-Depth-Bowl-AcousticElectric?sku=513292

It's a full size guitar with a slim body that's lighter and easier to play. You won't need a 3/4 scale. I have one in black. Everyone who plays it loves the action and tone. It sounds very natural amplified, too. Ric

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My mom has an Ovation that I have access to if I'd like.

It is preferred to be acoustic for the class, but I'll keep the fender in mind.

The main reason I have been thinking 3/4 is to keep a bit more familiarity with the uke in this. The uke will always be my main axe and I feel the 3/4th will be easier for me to play and switch between the instruments.

Thanks to everyone!
 
My reason for a 3/4 rather than a 25" or whatever scale guitar is that I sustained a major elbow injury last year and it made full scale guitars rather uncomfortable to play. It'd probably be actually good for my elbow to play a real guitar but I'd rather not associate the swelling/irratation with something that I enjoy.
 
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My new Baby Taylor. Thanks for the input guys.

I got to play a bunch of guitars and I just loved this one.
 
I like 3/4 electrics alot.My favorite is the Fender Duo-Sonic.You can find Duo-Sonic made in the 1990's on ebay cheap

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They are really fun to play and sound great.Models made in the 50's and 60's can still be found for good prices.


Here is a vidio of my friend Tomo playing his vintage 63 Duo-Sonic
Tomo is is a Duo-Sonic collector.He is also a great musician and teacher (he was John Mayer's teacher at Berklee)
 
Alvarez sells a Masterworks series 3/4 acoustic guitar that has all solid wood construction. It sports a solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. The construction is beautiful, and its built with traditional methods.
 
I had a 3/4 guitar once.

It could only play waltzes.

[rimshot]

JJ
 
i bought a little martin a couple of weeks ago . its tone was warmer than the baby taylor i tried .

i got the piezo model for gigging .

the neck felt better , as did the overall quality , although both guitars were very playable , the martin was better
 
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