I've got a gig coming up.
I took my crappy acoustic out to practice and realized it's even crappier than I thought. The thing sounds like shit. In fact, it's so bad that it sounds better through the passive electronics than acoustically.
Out shopping for Guitar Stuff in general, I came across Taylor's lower line lefty, the 114 (I think). It went for the bargain price of $899. This is the bottom or close to bottom guitar they sell. Yes, I know this was pretty expensive for someone born before 2000. I loved the feel of the guitar and was considering purchasing it on the spot - it would be great for the gig.
Taylors are designed to feel electric, which sounding acoustic and they succeeded. But there was something I didn't like. It turned out to be the top, which felt and sounded a little flimsy. Mind you, it was still a good guitar, but if I were going to spend that much, I want to be ridiculously happy with it. The next one up was $999. Since I'm a lefty, there were exactly none to be found.
Online I came across a stunning cobalt blue T5, which is Taylor's attempt to make a guitar that can do both acoustic and electric sounds. This was even more expensive, but what the hell... I always wanted a blue guitar (that is not the only criterion, thank you). My reasoning side locked my impulsive side in the heavily-fortified closet for a bit, while it went out to do research. YouTube is a great place to do research on almost anything, and sure enough, there were a few videos. They show that it's a great, comfortable guitar, which makes all sorts of sounds that you won't get from an electric or an acoustic. It did everything. Except make a sound like a large acoustic, which was the idea from the start. I have electrics - I don't have a good acoustic. It's a shame because the reviews were spectacular. Some of these people wanted to marry their T5.
Discouraged, I looked at the 214's.
The funny thing about the price ($999) was that everyone kept referring to it as a low or 'reasonably' priced guitar. Yes, in the acoustic market, where you can easily drop a few grand for a really nice guitar, a grand it's much, but in the Real World<tm>, a grand is a grand. That's a lot of vet visits. Since I couldn't find any deal used, I checked new and called Sweetwater. These guys have great reviews from everybody who deals with them. The fine gentleman who took care of me took a long time going over the guitars and doing research. What we found was that the thing I didn't like about the 114 (cheap-sounding top) was on the 214, as well as a few others. Uh-oh. I'd have to spend at very least 2 grand, probably more. Damn. This won't arrive for my gig, a few days away. Nor will 2 grand.
Grumble grumble.....
I really like Taylors and will most likely wind up with one. I just have to find the right one. Oh yeah, and the right pile of money to pay for it.
Dammit - that blue top was breathtaking. It's a shame the tone wasn't what I wanted.
What have we learned?
- Not to be left handed if you want to play something first
- If you buy a crappy acoustic, remember - it's a crappy acoustic and will always sound that way. It could be fine for wanking on around the house or stage, if you're not picky at all.
- If you want a serious guitar that will stick with you for a long time, get something nice. You won't regret it.
- If you want to throw several piles of money at it, get a Gibson or Martin.
- If you want a good guitar that feels like an electric, get a Taylor.
- Do the research. Go to YouTube. Check reviews. Check prices at Ebay, Reverb, and wherever else you shop. Even Amazon sells guitars.
- Don't gig with a very expensive guitar, unless you have a few more at home.
- If all you have and all you want is $300 guitars, ignore this post.
I gotta run: I just remembered my impulsive side is still locked in the heavily-fortified closet.
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