Feedback a.k.a. Help me. Please.
September 24th, 2007I need to buy a new acoustic guitar this week before I leave for Ireland on Saturday to lead worship at a conference. My last guitar, my love, was smashed on a Czech Airlines flight. Awesome. I’m never checking my guitar again. Carry-on forever.
I’m thinking about a Gibson J-200 or maybe a Larivee. I am undecided. If you have any thoughts on the subject I’d love to hear them. I need to make the purchase soon. Much appreciated.
post script: I get to go to the Guinness factory in Dublin. Joy of joys.
Tags: music
i’m not so qualified to answer being that i’m not a guitar player these days…however, my brothers swear their lives by their larivees.
my dream guitar forever is the taylor 514ce. call me a sellout if you wish. i’m in the process of saving up to buy one, though (and a long process it is).
Mmm… Guinness… have one for me.
I have a Gibson Epiphone which has served me well for several years.
I have a Seagull which is a Canadian brand and I have had it for over 10 years and it is one of the brands that I stand behind. Breedloves are super popular with the guitar players around here. I have never heard anything bad about Lerrivee guitars though.
go with the gibson j-200. amazing guitar. i know you dont have much time, but check out collings guitars out of austin. killer.
if ashdown were nice enough…he’d let you borrow his. haha…go gibson in my opinion.
Guinness Factory? i’m jealous man. have fun
Go with the J-200. Only because Pete Townshend plays one. :) That’s the only advice I can offer because I know nothing about guitars. Now if you wanted to know about purchasing a new or used saxophones, I be able to help.
ok, 2 things-
1. No martin guitar in the running? I would buy a martin. but thats me. but out of your choices, i like the j-200. i have played several larivees though and like them all too.
2. can i go to ireland with you? you could pay and everything.
Although I do not have any opinions about the whole guitar thing (sorry), I am quite jealous that my mom will be there in Ireland with you, and will get to experience you leading worship … and Ireland.
listen to ashdown, his guitar is killer.
Mine is a Takamine G-series…middle of the line. It has amazing resonance and this bright yet mellow sound. Takamine blows me away. And Taylor’s are ridiculously good…and if you’re a multi-thousandeer–get a McPherson.
My 2 cents.
i think you should wait and when you are in ireland buy either an Avalon, start at about $800, or an Lowden, start at about $4000
callings guitars sound incredible, i am unsure on their price level, but they are fantastic guitars.
So many guitars sound so nice. Buy one you like that travels well (not too bulky).
You know what makes the Guinness in Ireland so wonderful, I hear? It’s that they don’t have to pasteurize it like they do to get it over here. I’ve heard great things about un-pasteurized Guinness, like a meal in a bottle!
Taylor 314-CE. Enough said. You will love her as long as ye both shall live.
I have a seagull an so do other friends. It seems durable and not over priced. You can get a good quality guitar for under a grand and spend the rest of the money you would invest in the instrument on the people you meet in your travels that are in need. It seems the longbrake thing to do.
Hummm, I would purchase a Taylor. I do have an acoustic Ibanez which is lovely, but you can’t go wrong with a Taylor.
i don’t know which guitar you should get… but i’m really jealous of your upcoming trip to ireland! i’m a lurker (i’m not sure if i’ve ever commented) but i wanted to let you know that i really enjoy reading your blog. it inspires me. thanks!
Joshua,
Yo…have no idea about guitars, but hope you find one that fits. I have heard that Guinness in the states is no match for the Guinness in Ireland. You’ll have to let me know what you think. I am not a big Guiness drinker (prefer more pale ales), but I suppose when in Ireland…
See you in class. Paula
So my buddy Dan’s Larivee was the closest thing I ever played to perfection…the thing played like sweet buttercream. All other Larivee’s I have played have not measured up to his…go figure…but my Taylor is the mistress of my life.
I’ve never played a J-200 but I absolutely love J-45s and J-40s, and I would imagine that any high end Gibson would treat you nicely. J-45s play like butter, exceptionally resonant non greasy butter.
Larrivee makes incredible guitars, but most of them are too “fancy” looking for my taste (pearloid binding and such shenanigans).
Well, I have an Takamine EAN40C and love the warm sound that I get out of it. Not sure if that helps at all… you already have 50 comments… but, thought I would voice!
mm, get that J-200.
and, i second ashdown’s collings suggestion.
other fine brands i’ve enjoyed (in music stores, of course):
santa cruz
goodall
everett
avalon
one of the shows i watch regularly (there are few) is called Thirsty Traveler. in a recent episode, the host took a tour of said Guinness factory. bring me along.
I just saw your recent twitter.
I’m so so so sorry.
I’m praying praying praying.
I have a seagull and I absolutely love it- like the other seagull users said, you can get a great quality guitar for a respectable price. Have a great trip!
If you just need a decent guitar that may or may not make the trip back Washburn has a great acoustic for just over $100 on Musicians Friend - a $350 tone in a $120 instrument. Even comes in a mahogany top for that lovely red(haired) tone. Good luck!
Can’t go wrong with the j-200…
I recommend checking out a Gibson Songwriter Deluxe
get a red guitar. booya.
umm….
you’re going to ireland?!
that’s SO not fair.
really though, have a grand time!
and good luck finding a gee-tar!
Larivee’s are great. I’ve had mine since 1998 and it still sounds awesome. However…they’re super clean/crisp in sound, so you have a choice to make…crisp/clean/bright vs. a more vintage sound like an old Gibson…
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