[Anni_Lover]

Originally Posted by fletch

But the make of guitar that has impressed the hell out of me is Crafter. Man, these guitars sing and at a price that you really can't believe. And I don't even own one (I do have a Crafter mandolin that I love, though.)

+3! That is the 3 Crafters I own! Really nice guitars - JE-18, WF-Bubinga and D-7. The craftmanship is awesome, although some models I find a little too "over the top" in terms of decoration/cosmetics. I love the fact that unlike many manufacturers in their price range, they have opted to used solid Cedar tops on many of their models as well as Englemann spruce as opposed to Stika spruce. They also have many models with the slightly wider 45mm nut - great for fingerpicking. The LR Baggs pickups and preamps are really good too. Anyone keen on a Crafter, check out this page here:

http://www.carlinoguitars.com/CRAFTE...GE_1_2008.html

In the meantime, the new Gretsch acoustics are a whole different instrument! I can't wait to get my hands on one! That's because I'm so impressed with the Epiphone Dove, I know the new Gretsch Ranchers will be better sounding and better playing guitars.

Also, don't use a nylon pick on an acoustic! They sound terrible! Get yourselves either a .73mm Jim Dunlop Tortex or Ultex pick, and hear the difference in tone. If you're platpicking or strumming, use the rounded corners and not the tip. It makes such a huge difference to the tone, even on laminated acoustic guitars. The nylon Jim Dunlops are great for electric guitars, but too soft of acoustics, especially Dreadnaoughts and Jumbos. For thumbpicks, I highly recommend using one of these:

http://fredkellypicks.com/slick.html

I friend played my Epi Dove using a nylon pick and it sounded thin, and tinny and aweful and "cheap". My teacher played the same guitar using the Ultex and it sounded great, although he couldn't get used to how bright a maple guitar is. So, for all those who have bought any of the new Gretsch Ranchers, give these picks a go, and hear your guitars sound they way they were designed to sound.

[bobhoward]

Originally Posted by robatsu

I was hoping that the new Gretsch acoustics would be something that could take on a Martin D28 or Gibson Advanced Jumbo. Unfortunately, they went low, deciding to try to sell some crummy low wage knockoff to first time purchasers of acoustic guitars.

I was so looking forward to a high end solid maple/adirondack Rancher, wow I'm bummed, but I guess accoutants run these things nowadays.

Just buy a Martin D28 or a J-200.

[fletch]

Just visited that site with the Crafter guitars on it, Anni_lover,
Some lovely axes there, mate. The only disagreement I have with you is that I love the decorations! I played a 12-string in Canberra last year and if I'd had the money, I would have walked out wih that guitar. Maybe the best sounding 12 I've ever played (to my ears, anyway.)
Thanks for directing me to have a squizz!

[Anni_Lover]

Im really impressed with and love the wooden inlays that Crafter do, but not the abalone ones. Mind you, I think that Gretsch are the only flat-top acoustic guitars that have a bound sound hole. Here's the soundhole inlays and rosette on a Crafter TB-Bubinga. Not bad craftsmanship for a "low wage knock-off":

[Scottishblue13]

Originally Posted by Anni_Lover

+3! That is the 3 Crafters I own! Really nice guitars - JE-18, WF-Bubinga and D-7. The craftmanship is awesome, although some models I find a little too "over the top" in terms of decoration/cosmetics. I love the fact that unlike many manufacturers in their price range, they have opted to used solid Cedar tops on many of their models as well as Englemann spruce as opposed to Stika spruce. They also have many models with the slightly wider 45mm nut - great for fingerpicking. The LR Baggs pickups and preamps are really good too. Anyone keen on a Crafter, check out this page here:

http://www.carlinoguitars.com/CRAFTE...GE_1_2008.html

In the meantime, the new Gretsch acoustics are a whole different instrument! I can't wait to get my hands on one! That's because I'm so impressed with the Epiphone Dove, I know the new Gretsch Ranchers will be better sounding and better playing guitars.

Also, don't use a nylon pick on an acoustic! They sound terrible! Get yourselves either a .73mm Jim Dunlop Tortex or Ultex pick, and hear the difference in tone. If you're platpicking or strumming, use the rounded corners and not the tip. It makes such a huge difference to the tone, even on laminated acoustic guitars. The nylon Jim Dunlops are great for electric guitars, but too soft of acoustics, especially Dreadnaoughts and Jumbos. For thumbpicks, I highly recommend using one of these:

http://fredkellypicks.com/slick.html

I friend played my Epi Dove using a nylon pick and it sounded thin, and tinny and aweful and "cheap". My teacher played the same guitar using the Ultex and it sounded great, although he couldn't get used to how bright a maple guitar is. So, for all those who have bought any of the new Gretsch Ranchers, give these picks a go, and hear your guitars sound they way they were designed to sound.

+4 to a crafter! I own a DE-7. Very nice guitar. I'd buy another.

[MatchlessMan]

Originally Posted by johnnyguitar

I wanted to try one of these when I was acoustic shopping but couldn't find one
Bought a second hand Taylor 410, I prefer the look of a tobacco sunburst on an acoustic but couldn't argue with the price or sound of the used Taylor

+1 for Taylor, they've got it going on, even at the lower price points. I have a 310 - I knew I had to have it within 30 seconds of picking it up!

[cowmoo]

I still want a Lowden, but my Tanglewood heritage will suffice

[knavel]

Originally Posted by robatsu

I was hoping that the new Gretsch acoustics would be something that could take on a Martin D28 or Gibson Advanced Jumbo. Unfortunately, they went low, deciding to try to sell some crummy low wage knockoff to first time purchasers of acoustic guitars.

I was so looking forward to a high end solid maple/adirondack Rancher, wow I'm bummed, but I guess accoutants run these things nowadays.

Good to see that Gretsch has kept in line with its history.

I have a 56 Town and Country (basically a sunburst Rancher) and you would think it's one of the worst sounding acoustics you've heard if you were listening to me play it on the couch.

HOWEVER, it is the best live and recording acoustic I have. I have a top of the line Martin OM-45 acoustic and it can't record like that Gretsch. In fact the Martin will be for sale soon as I prefer taking my $100 Gretsch Americana to gigs. EVERYTIME I play the Americana (here in Italy) someone tries to buy it off me or ask me how they can get one. Ha ha the public enthusiasm for a $100 Gretsch over a $7500 Martin is quite ironic.

Gotta give Gretsch acoustics their due.

[NeilSt]

Originally Posted by bobhoward

Just buy a Martin D28 or a J-200.

Now that's a sentiment I can get behind! As a long time acoustic (thirty plus years) and a bit of a Martin snob, I always tend to get to this point. I've never played a guitar that sounds or feels like a true all-wood Martin. (Some of their cheaper, laminate guitars are also pretty decent sounding.) By the same token, I've always liked Gibson, though not quite as much. I had a great B-25 several years back -- great blues guitar for a "beginner" model; Furry Lewis used to play one of those bad boys. I just don't think you're going to get a great Martin or Gibson sound without buying a great Martin or Gibson.

Every Rancher I've heard (including Jack White's pseudo-Falcon) sounds harsh and crude to me. Granted, I haven't had the chance to play one, so I may be missing something in translation. But like others have said, I guess Gretsch is aware that you're gonna get what you play for....

[rick31797]

+1..I'm a huge Yamaha fan...l own a Yamaha LSX500C MIJ acoustic that l brought over the Martins/Taylors...hard to find now though... used MIJ Yamaha guitars are extraordinary value...in saying that if l was looking for a brand new one i'd be seriously looking at the Eastmans

i agree 110 percent, i tried a few fender and martin , not sure of the models but the martin was 2 grand , picked up a Yamaha priced under 800.00 wow , did it sing, so tempted

[Anni_Lover]

Originally Posted by NeilSt

Now that's a sentiment I can get behind! As a long time acoustic (thirty plus years) and a bit of a Martin snob, I always tend to get to this point. I've never played a guitar that sounds or feels like a true all-wood Martin. (Some of their cheaper, laminate guitars are also pretty decent sounding.)

Of the Martin clones, the one that has seriously impressed me has been the Blueridge models by Saga Musical Instruments. I had the opportunity to demo both a 12-fret solid mahogany BR-142 and the solid rosewood BR-160. Reallly good guitars and far superior to the old Epiphone Masterbilt acoustic lineup. Of course, there are other great US manufacturers like Santa Rosa and Collings, but you pay a premium for their guitars.

The Gretsch acoustics? My little G3410 Rancher Junior keeps getting better and sweeter with age. It would be interesting to compare against a new G5013CE Rancher Junior too. I think the new model will be louder acoustically as it's slightly larger, and may have be deeper. It's also got the new top bracing as well. When they finally arrive, I'd like to go up tho the local guitar store and compare a new G5034 Rancher Dreadnaught up against an Epiphone Hummingbird. BTW, anyone think anything of Walden guitars?

[catfish72]

I have G5022CE. It is a lovely looking guitar. Sound wise, not bad. I'd expect better from this cool looking guitar but I'm not disappointed. I only use it around the house and for that is great. It also looks great as an ornament when propped on its stand. If I was working musician, I would most likely get something else for gigs and recordings. This one would look great in a video.

[Ric12String]

I think that synchro is spot on in his analysis. Keeping your retailers happy is important.

[robatsu]

Oh, I agree with and understand all the rationales for why Gretsch went this route. I actually have a Gibson J-200, owned since new in 94 and an absolutely killer 2006 Gibson Advanced Jumbo Custom Shop Madagascar/Adirondack.

I just sort of wanted a big orange Rancher that would be a killer flatpicking axe. I do own one of the few Ranchers they made in 90's that actually has a bigsby (and a cutaway & strat style neck pu), I think the model is G6022CV.

I actually used to use this w/a jazz band, if you can believe that.

It is nice plugged in, but no way can I use this in a pure acoustic setting, at least if I want to do some flatpicking.

So, maybe my original post was a little overwraught, I don't blame Gretsch, they have to stay in business, I just wanted my big orange flatpicking jumbo...

But as it turns out, I recently picked up a G450M, another one of the pre-Fender rare birds. Basically a tarted up G400, but with lacquer finish, carved top, and f-holes instead of cat-eyes. Has a cutaway and a floating neck pickup.

Interestingly enough, this is very loud acoustically - it is perfectly ok in an acoustic flatpicking session, which is sort of unusual for archtops, at least in my experience.

[The Marlin]

Originally Posted by MatchlessMan

+1 for Taylor, they've got it going on, even at the lower price points. I have a 310 - I knew I had to have it within 30 seconds of picking it up!

I love my Yamaha's, they sound great at a specific price point, and are a great used bargain. But, of you're talking bigger money, then the Taylors are where it's at.

They really do kick ass!

Marlin

[Daryl Licht]

Try the Taylor 110. Not hugely expensive but mine sounds as good to me as any accoustic I've heard.

[1960duo-jet]

Originally Posted by robatsu

I was hoping that the new Gretsch acoustics would be something that could take on a Martin D28 or Gibson Advanced Jumbo. Unfortunately, they went low, deciding to try to sell some crummy low wage knockoff to first time purchasers of acoustic guitars.

I was so looking forward to a high end solid maple/adirondack Rancher, wow I'm bummed, but I guess accoutants run these things nowadays.

I just purchased a Rancher Dreadnought G5034 and I can't believe the beautiful workmanship in this instrument.
The volume and tone is great, the guitar is a lighter weight and louder than my other acoustics (1962 Gibson J-45, Fender Kingman, Norman B20.)
The neck feels and looks the same as on my 1960 Gretsch Duo-Jet, minus the Zero fret and my Fender Telecaster.
The tuning on the Rancher remains true and the intonation is perfect.
My only problem now is trying to figure out how to install an LR Baggs M80 pickup (the triangular sound hole is the challenge!).

DarrellD

[black rose]

Taylor Acoustics are nice guitars, but they all are bolt-on necks!

[rcboals]

Originally Posted by black rose

Taylor Acoustics are nice guitars, but they all are bolt-on necks!

That is not a bad thing. So are Goodall, Collings, "bolt on" and several other very high end acoustics.

[johsonrod]

Originally Posted by rcboals

That is not a bad thing. So are Goodall, Collings, "bolt on" and several other very high end acoustics.

Yup serge de jonge, tony karol, lots of amazing luthiers bolt on acoustic necks. Dont make a difference!