guitars

[matt the fiddler]

ok- this is the one forum that hasn't had a tech talk yet. I was just wondering what type of guitars you all play, or at least dream of playing. and what types of strings/ pickups/ picks- do you use?


i use john pierse light guage strings [their tone out does d'addario by far!!!] on a on harmony guitar [they normally arn't worth their weight in firewood] i got for 50 bucks, but turned into a real beauty once i did some work on it. but, i love the sound of martins, bouregous, and talyors. i play mainy into mics, but hope to get some fishman electronics put in some day- [they have some nice blender syestems, and oh the tone!

[roswellalien475]

1970 Martin D-28. Ibanez JX70. No pick ups. Martin Silk and Steel strings. I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE THEM! I used to use red Fender heavy picks then switched to medium but I like thin now. The only problem is they break too easily. If I could choose another guitar I would get a Martin D-18.

[Uriah]

My personal set-up:

Currently own a Baranik SJ (Small Jumbo) East Indian rosewood back and sides, sitka spruce top, and brazilian rosewood binding.
Will have a Madagascar Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce CX on order pretty soon. (God willing!)
(http://www.baranikguitars.com)

I'd agree with your assessment of John Pearse strings, but I also think it depends on the guitar. Some strings sound better on certain guitars than they do others, there are just so many dynamics that effect it. I use D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze (they say they're light gauge, but are really a medium-light) I can't stand any strings with any sort of coating, such as Nanowebs or Elixirs...they do last longer, but I change my strings every two weeks so that's no big deal to me.

I had an LR baggs Double Barrel (undersaddle Ribbon Transducer and an internal mic, same pick-ups as the Dual Source that Sean uses) in it which sounded really good. BUT, the RT has a thin rubber strip under it that Baggs refers to as the 'reflector pad', and quite honestly, it just kills the volume and tone of the guitars potential. (especially unplugged/acoustically) Basically akin to playing a violin or viola with the rubber mute on the bridge the entire time. I just recently (last month) 'discovered' and had installed a pick-up system from a company called B-Band and it literally blows Baggs away in every aspect, plugged and un-plugged, and is actually cheaper than some of the Baggs prices. I have the same set-up with this system (under saddle pick-up and internal mic)

I run a stereo cord (most cords are usually mono, but the stereo cord has a contact on the ring as well, not just the tip) from the guitar which splits into a Y at the other end, so, each pick-up has it's own jack basically. I plug each one into 2 LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI boxes and then directly into the board when playing at church or playing bigger venues at amphitheatres and such. You can run in in true stereo that way if you prefer, and you have total control over each pick-up signal. I've been considering getting a Pendulum rack for stuff like slight reverb and compression, but find that it's not a necessity. For smaller shows, (such as clubs/pubs/coffee houses) I play through a Trace Elliot acoustic amplifier.

Sorry for the long post, I tend to ramble about this stuff.

Cheers! Uriah
http://www.uriahwnielson.com

[fourthgospel]

I play a Martin D-15 and a Taylor 714-ce.

My Martin is Mahogony all the way--I'm talking everything is. It was my first guitar...that is, the first I stuck with and learned on. It has done me very well...being a solid body. I put a Fishman natural I (or II, can't remember) in it for live purposes.

My Taylor is Rosewood with a Western Red Cedar top...the top was the reason I didn't go for the 800-series. I think that the trade off was nicer pearl (on the 800s) or nicer wood (on the 700s)...I think that I chose well. For whatever it is worth, Dave Matthews tours with this one and it has a beautiful Koa circle around the sound hole. I got it this Christmas...I've had trouble putting it down since then. It showcases the Fishman Prefix Stereo Blender system in it, which I understand to be the top of Fishman's onboard line. I have really have been happy with this guitar and it's electronics (and I better be for what my parents paid for it). :)

I have an Avalon U5 preamp which is as good as it gets for plugging into a system. You can check them out at http://www.avalondesign.com[/URL] It's all pure class A equipment.

My philosophy is that it must be solid and MUST must be American. :)

For strings: Nothing but Elixirs. Either Polyweb Light guage or the light-tops-medium-bottoms set (which is fairly difficult to locate). I don't mind sacrificing brightness for the tips of my already eternally-calloused fingertips.

[janeboheme]

my main guitar is a taylor big baby. it has that quality taylor sound, but is about an inch smaller all around, which is good for tiny hands like mine. i love it very much. taylors have the best tone of almost any guitar i have played. i can always tell if someone is using one. i use elixir strings and just play into a mic.

[matt the fiddler]

fishman electronics can make a bad guitar sound really good. wow.

i like their blender systems a lot- so you get that combo of mic and pickuped sound. and ohh the clarity in the e and a strings on teh bottom - :D

i use a fishman for my violin- but prefer a good mic if it is an accoustic show- however if i am using effects[ [wah distortion, chorus] i need the pickup only for feedback reasons.

[roswellalien475]

i've never played a taylor or bourgeois but i love the sound. i have a friend that has a taylor and offered to let me play it but i was afraid to because i didn't want to scratch it or anything. lol. my dad and i are also fans of rickenbacker 12 strings.

[bugamile]

Hey,
I just asked Sean what he uses. He said, Elixers with the micro webbing, .013 gauge.
Maybe everyone already knew that . . . . I didn't.
Ha,
BUG