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-   -   Please recommend guitars with a thin & narrow neck (NO Taylors) (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132464)

flower 08-08-2008 06:05 AM

Please recommend guitars with a thin & narrow neck (NO Taylors)
 
Hi, I bought a Taylor 110E online after a month of searching online and reading many good reviews about it and for its thin narrow neck and low action. But I was very disappointed when I played it, the sound was way too bright and tinny and lacked warmth and "depth" and was impossible to record with. I thought it would mellow with time but it hasn't after 4 months of playing. I'm not exaggerating when I say I regret buying it.. for the overly bright and tinny sound and the fact that I'm a beginner who paid $700 for a guitar that is completely the opposite of what I wanted. :(

So I decided to buy another guitar but I'm not sure what to buy.
I'm looking for a guitar with a thin and narrow neck, that has a warm, deep and rich sound.. something that is the opposite of the Taylor guitar sound as the overly bright sound of Taylors obviously isn't my taste.

I play mostly strumming, and my budget is $500 to $700.
I liked the sound of a low-end Seagull I saw on Youtube but I can't remember the model.


My purchase will be based on your recommendations as all the guitar stores in my area have a limited selection of guitars.
Thank you in advanced :)

Fliss 08-08-2008 06:21 AM

Hi Flower, welcome to the AGF :)

Based on the facts that you've already had one disappointment, and can't get to try out many guitars near where you are so will (presumably?) be buying online, I'd strongly recommend that you ensure you buy from a seller that has a good returns policy, so that you will have a chance to see if you like the guitar before you decide whether to keep it or not.

Blueridge might be worth a look - they tend to have quite thin necks.

Fliss

stratokatsu 08-08-2008 06:35 AM

Welcome to the AGF Flower.

Have you tried some different strings on it, something the manufacturer rates as a mellower tone of string?

My eyes got opened recently when I tried some medium gauge strings on a few of my guitars. I had always stuck to one string set and all of a sudden, I discovered my guitars could sound much better than what i had previously heard from them.

Maybe a set of medium strings like the GHS Vintage Bronze would help you get a more mellow tone.

jmhyer 08-08-2008 06:47 AM

I agree that you should try some different strings if you haven't already. Some very mellow (non-tinny) ones that I like are Martin SP phosphor bronze (I think maybe the model # is 4100 for lights and 4200 for mediums). As mentioned above, mediums may better-suit your ears.

As far as guitars with nice, skinny-feeling necks, most dreads in the Guild line have a nice feel to me. I would also suggest the Yamaha L series dreads (or any Yamaha dreads for that matter). The Seagull S-6 Slim, as I recall, has a very nice feel.

Acoustic Rick 08-08-2008 07:03 AM

Check out an Alverez. I recently brought one home because I fell in love with the tone. Great price too but I ended up taking it back to the store because the neck was a bit small for my big hands and it hurt my wrist to play it for extended periods. Not for that I would have kept her.

SongwriterFan 08-08-2008 07:21 AM

Definitely try some Phosphor/Bronze (PB) strings first, to make sure that doesn't fix the problem for you.

patchmcg 08-08-2008 07:40 AM

Do you have a preference for new or used? I admit I'm biased, but the American-made Ovations have some of the fastest necks out there, and I'll be putting up 3 or 4 really nice ones for sale in the next couple of weeks. ;) http://www.pic4ever.com/images/kaffeetrinker_2.gif

flower 08-08-2008 07:57 AM

Thank you all for the responses and the welcoming :)


Quote:

Originally Posted by stratokatsu (Post 1561827)
Maybe a set of medium strings like the GHS Vintage Bronze would help you get a more mellow tone.

I tried many brands and guages (all phosphor bronze though) but not the GHS Vintage Bronze, thanks for the recommendation I'll give it a try.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acoustic Rick (Post 1561849)
Check out an Alverez. I recently brought one home because I fell in love with the tone. Great price too but I ended up taking it back to the store because the neck was a bit small for my big hands and it hurt my wrist to play it for extended periods. Not for that I would have kept her.

I just searched Youtube and found many demo videos for Alvarez guitars, watched some and I fell in love with the tone. They're much cheaper than my Taylor but (to me) sound much better and richer than the Taylor 110. I'm definitely considering an Alvarez as a possible next purchase. Thanks :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmhyer (Post 1561835)
The Seagull S-6 Slim, as I recall, has a very nice feel.

THANK YOU! That is the Seagull model I was talking about :D I'm adding it to my list of guitars for comparison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SongwriterFan (Post 1561863)
Definitely try some Phosphor/Bronze (PB) strings first, to make sure that doesn't fix the problem for you.

I tried many kinds including Martin SP Phosphor Bronze (which is what I use now) but will have to try stratokatsu's suggestion to see if it helps. If you have any strings suggestions I would appreciate it :)

1ply 08-08-2008 07:59 AM

CA Legacy pre-Katrina model
 
Have you tried a CA Legacy pre-Katrina model? They have 1 11/16th necks and ebony fretboards.
Peace,
Rip

Livingston 08-08-2008 08:04 AM

Ditto Fliss' recommendation...Blueridge guitars have very slender necks. They also seem to have a little darker tone than Taylors.

Good luck in your search.

70sSanO 08-08-2008 08:05 AM

Like everyone else, switch strings first, my recommendation are DR Sunbeams. Round core, easy to play, good sustain and they are definitely less bright than most other PB strings. Mine also seem to sound good for a long time.

As for narrow neck guitars, Guild made a lot of guitars over the years with 1-11/16 and even 1-5/8 widths on some acoustics. And most of the Guild necks I've played are not chunky... but since Fender has pretty much run Guild out of business, you'll have to buy used.

You may want to wander over the the LetsTalkGuild forum and see what they say.

John

flower 08-08-2008 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patchmcg (Post 1561886)
Do you have a preference for new or used? I admit I'm biased, but the American-made Ovations have some of the fastest necks out there, and I'll be putting up 3 or 4 really nice ones for sale in the next couple of weeks. ;) http://www.pic4ever.com/images/kaffeetrinker_2.gif

I'm not fond of the idea of having to wear a strap while sitting and playing one, but if I change my mind I'll pm you :).

Trumpits 08-08-2008 08:17 AM

Maybe what would help you out best is a nice road trip to the nearest big city, and make it an all day affair. Hit all the music stores you can find, I'm sure forum members can help you find the good ones.

If you go and play a bunch of different guitars, one you may have never thought of could be the perfect one for you. Plus you could trade in your Taylor for it and may not cost you anything at all.

I recently went acoustic shopping and ended up coming home with a Dean exotic Koa concert cutaway. I would have never even considered it if I hadn't played it in real life. I chose it over an Alvarez of very similar wood, and shape.

Brian Hague 08-08-2008 08:21 AM

The neck on my Ibanez Montage is so thin, after playing it quite a while I find it hard to play barre chords on my Breedlove, which I had thought had a pretty fast neck. :( The Montage may not be what you're looking for, though, but it's very versatile for gigging. I'm not sure whether Ibanez' other acoustic models share that neck profile, but if they do, they'd be worth checking out.

The Montage is demo'd here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aaeL3d9TuEw

patchmcg 08-08-2008 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flower (Post 1561933)
I'm not fond of the idea of having to wear a strap while sitting and playing one, but if I change my mind I'll pm you :).

You definitely need to try one of the contour backed Ovations. You'd be surprised at how comfortable they are. :)


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