Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

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Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by codedog »

I'm mildly(?) hankering for one now. I checked out the Seagull Artist Studio QII and Maton SRS70C on YouTube and they both seem to be reasonably good. I don't have to much concern around neck profiles but width is another matter. The Seagull has a wider neck but the Maton is quite comfortable.

Any thoughts on these? Or any suggestions please?

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by Slowy »

Depends on how/what you want to play. Originally, the Dreadnought was designed for volume and was expected to be played hard. Old Martins have no time for wimps. This of course, no longer applies; better amplification, lighter strings etc.

Short answer is the best one is the one you like best, but the woods used might be worth some thought.
If you want a big sounding strummer, Spruce/Rosewood is just the ticket.
If there's too much boom in that recipe, Spruce/Mahogany
If you're a fingerpicker and want even response, Cedar top might work for you.

Maton and Seagull both make fine instruments. If you can, for a left field comparison, track down a Larrivee L03. It's not technically a Dreadnought (that'd be the D03) but it's a really smart design and very versatile.
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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by codedog »

I briefly looked at the Larrivee. Is there a contact person for Music Planet on the forum?

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by Slowy »

codedog wrote:I briefly looked at the Larrivee. Is there a contact person for Music Planet on the forum?
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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by kwhelan »

got a cole clark FL1 need to pass on, as good as any maton but have you considered grand Concert shapes, I think they're a lot more articulate for finger picking, the individual notes ring out better, Taylor or martin have great ones even with the laminate back some will kill a much dearer guitar in sound

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by KNNZ »

Got a Maton EM325C that I might be keen to move if you're interested, happy to keep it as well as it sounds amazeballs

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by telefiend »

Haven't played either of those models, but the Larrivee models are indeed very nice.

I find myself happy playing either dreadnoughts or smaller bodies. Prefer the extra projection of a dreadnought though. Recently got a Baby Taylor which I find to be a nice bridge between the two. Not as deep as a full dreadnought and marginally smaller.

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by Single coil »

Larrivee ftw.
Had one years ago. Very pretty, super well made, sounded like a million bucks. Think it was a d03. Don’t know. Referred to it as the Larry :D
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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by olegmcnoleg »

I think the Cole Clark guitars are the best value for money (from the all solid wood, not made in Asia contenders). They come up on TM sometimes for as little as $1k. Maton are not far behind, but their cheaper models use laminates.

You might be able to find another Guild GAD guitar to match your OM.

Larrivee and Taylor are both good, but generally you will pay more for them.

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by null_pointer »

I know they’re not cheap at all...

But I can’t go past Gibbys. J45, J35, Hummingbirds. All sound marvellous to me (particularly hummys).

But I do love a bit of Taylor for ‘in the band’ stuff.

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by olegmcnoleg »

null_pointer wrote:I know they’re not cheap at all...

But I can’t go past Gibbys. J45, J35, Hummingbirds. All sound marvellous to me (particularly hummys).

But I do love a bit of Taylor for ‘in the band’ stuff.
Maybe you should try my D18? has a similar dry and awesome tone.

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by codedog »

I had a good look at a few Larrivee, they appeal to me more than Taylor for some inexplicable reason.

Damn it... there goes the budget...

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by robnobcorncob »

Remember that all-solid wood construction generally sounds better, especially over time.
-Cedar topped guitars sound great from new whereas spruce has a longer break-in period
-Acoustic guitars will often develop more bass response over time too.
-A bad setup can put people off an otherwise spectacular instrument, and low "shred" action with extra light strings is a good way to remove any and all bass response from an acoustic!
-Most dreads are braced for 12s or 13s(!) from the factory, and 10s just don't have enough tension to drive the top hard enough. If you lower the saddle for low action then there isn't enough torque on the top to drive it sufficiently, hence the tone disappearing. On the other hand, action that is too high can result in the guitar sounding bad but in a different way.
null_pointer wrote:I know they’re not cheap at all...

But I can’t go past Gibbys. J45, J35, Hummingbirds. All sound marvellous to me (particularly hummys).

But I do love a bit of Taylor for ‘in the band’ stuff.
Yep, that J35 of yours is a nice one!

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by KNNZ »

There’s a Gibby hummingbird on TM!! Wheeeeeeee

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Re: Dreadnoughts... your thoughts?

Post by null_pointer »

KNNZ wrote:There’s a Gibby hummingbird on TM!! Wheeeeeeee
At $3900 it’s a little spendy for me, and I think I’d opt for a newer one for the better integrated electrics. Yeah could always add an Element or similar but I always feel reluctant to modify older acoustics of a certain pedigree.

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