Baraka_Guru

I'm very happy! As of today, I now own my very first acoustic guitar. I haven't actually played an acoustic for over 10 years...since playing the classical guitars in high school.

With the help of aberkok, I picked out a Canadian-made Art & Lutherie Spruce Burgundy. These things are handcrafted in Quebec and use over 95% Canadian wood. (Yes, this makes it more sentimental to me.) I picked it up for $269 at Steve's on Queen West here in Toronto.

I haven't actually played it yet (though I did noodle around a bit in the store to hear the sound), so I'm going to get off this computer thingy to enjoy my new baby!

Learning to play will be much more rewarding now, as before I was learning on an unplugged and rather beaten up electric guitar.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

jorgelito

Congratulations Baraka and enjoy!

Martian

That's a beautiful instrument. I love the tone of spruce. Acoustics are good too, because they make for better playing habits. Plus I love the sound of jamming on acoustic personally.

I'll definitely have to bring my (also Canadian) Hyburn along next time I'm in T Dot.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Baraka_Guru

Yeah, the salesperson showed me three models (which were three different brands) and this one stuck out because it was the only spruce amongst the cedars.

I loved the tone of it comparatively, so I went with it. As soon as he said it was Canadian-made, I was sold.

The next time you come down, definitely bring your Hyburn and you can show me a thing or two. And maybe we can jam to easy rock tunes, like the Kinks or something.

I've taken it for a real spin now, and I love it. It sounds better than I imagined it would. I was afraid at sub-$300 I would have to settle for a particular sound, but I'm quite impressed. I was just looking for something to practice on.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

pig

baraka: despite your canadianism :P I wish you the best of luck and happiness with your new baby. Treat her well. You will both love and hate her before it's over. Nothing like a new guitar (or I suppose instrument) to bring it all together.

I'm an acoustic whore, so I applaud your choice of instruments. I've not played the actual guitar or brand - but I hope she makes you happy.

__________________
You don't love me, you just love my piggy style

Martian

It's always nice to find an instrument you love. There's plenty of great guitars at the lower end of the price range; you just usually have to look a little harder for them.

When buying Gibson or Fender or Cort, you're not paying for quality, but rather for quality assurance. Gibsons are guaranteed to play well right off the wall, whereas some of the cheaper brands may take a bit of searching and/or massaging to get the best tone out of them.

Now you get to start looking for the right strings, pick etc. This is where it gets even more fun.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Baraka_Guru

Thanks, pig. I'm looking forward to it.

Martian, I tried out a Fender and it sounded quite similar to the Yamaha I also tried. The one I got I tried last and it has a distinctively different sound. It has a fuller, richer sound, like it has more midtones and/or low-end or something.

The salesperson told me that A & E spares the cosmetics and puts their craftsmanship into the sound. The other guitars looked quite pretty in contrast, but it was the sound that sold me, of course.

As far as picks are concerned, I was given 12 as a part of the deal. So I picked up a few thins, mediums, and heavies.

Strings? I have no idea. I could barely figure out electric guitar strings. Now I have to do more research. I have a while, but it'd be nice to know what to try out next time.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Martian

I am a die-hard fan of D'Addario Phosphor Bronze strings for acoustics. They're very warm and mellow compared to some of the other alloys out there, and there's a whole mess of different gauges so you can pick the one that best suits you. I've got a set of the .010-.047's on the Hyburn -- I actually wanted .011-.052's but my store didn't have any in stock.

Maybe I'll try to arrange a visit to Hogtown in the next week or two. It'd be great to come out and have a jam, and we can discuss all of these finicky sort of details too.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Baraka_Guru

Mine came with Godin phosphor bronze strings (.012-.053). I normally use D'Addario on my electric, but I just loaded up Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings recently to give them a try. Gonna try some grinding overdrive.

I like the sound of my acoustic so far; what will a lighter set do for me? Should I even consider a heavier set?

Let us know well in advance when you're coming down to T.O. so we can be sure to set it up.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Martian

Naturally your guitar came with Godin strings -- A&L is owned by Godin.

Basically, heavier gauge strings will give a warmer tone with more depth to it. Lighter gauge strings tend towards a brighter tone and are easier to play on (and to bend, if you're into that). .012-.053 is a relatively light gauge on an acoustic, which tends to be much heavier than electric guitars (there are reasons for this, but I won't bother explaining now). .010-.047 is really about as light as they get for acoustic strings and you can go all the way up to .014 or .015 if you're so inclined. I wouldn't, but I know guys who play on those.

Really, just pick what you think will sound best. Try the Godins, then try some D'Addarios or some Ernie Balls or whatever strikes your fancy. Try different alloys, different gauges, coated or uncoated. If you have a rough idea of what sort of tone you want (ie super warm bluesy kind of tone, or bright poppy 'jangly' kind of feel) then that will help you to pick out something that's in the right general area, but either way it takes time to dial in to the exact right strings.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Fly

it's always nice when someone gets a new instrument...........enjoy that beauty man.

__________________
BASTARD

SterlingStudios

blahblah454

Oooh sweet!! Thats an amazing brand of guitar. And listen to Martian on his string recommendation, excellent set of strings those are.