Which guitar would you buy- yes this is a recording question

[BKK-OZ]

Chadd is right---NO pickup system will EVER provide the same results as some good mics and pres recording...

What's yer fave budget mic/pre recommendation for recording acoustic guitar?

[BradLyons]

That depends upon the microphone---and well what you consider budget. It's no secret I'm a big fan of Focusrite's ISA range. Ever since the $300 price drop on the ISA ONE--that's a killer option anyway, however there is a very cool feature that makes it unique. Basically this micpre also has a very good quality DI on it, okay most good pres do---but what's unique is that you can use BOTH the Instrument DI and the Mic-Pre simultaneously with separate outputs allowing to both record the guitar with a microphone AND to use the pickup and record as well. Another benefit to this is to record one's voice while also tracking the guitar via the DI/pickup. This is a $500 pre which is highly affordable for the level of quality it gives. But of course, there are those that are less money and those that are more money--but don't forget about the microphone too. TOO MANY put emphasis on the microphones but don't take into account the pre, likewise there are many that worry about the pre but not the microphone.

It does come down to the gear that people own. A few weeks ago a client of mine called me about purchasing a particular $3,000 microphone because he wasn't getting the sound he really wanted. It turns out he has a Blue Blueberry (I do as well) which is a phenominal microphone! The issue wasn't the mic, it was the pre-amp on his interface that was the hold-up. In his case he purchased a Universal Audio Solo610 and has been completely totally blown away. When he was prepared to spend $3,000--he only needed to spend $800 to really get what he was after. This is why I always always always ask the questions---WHAT DO YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW, because nothing can ever be assumed.

OKAY I just re-read the question and realized you said MIC/PRE (not MICPRE) combination. Personally? I do love that ISA ONE coupled with a MOJAVE MA200 for warmth, or a Blue BLUEBERRY for more clarity. Either way it's about $1,500---but a sound combination that rivals $3,000+. On an inexpensive side of things---either a Shure KSM27 or the Blue Bluebird through an ART ProMPA is quite good for the money--or agin the ISA One. There's a lot of options, and every need is different.....so there is no true one answer here.

[BKK-OZ]

Thanx very much for your advice, Brad - sorry to the OP if I have strayed off topic.

In terms of what you mean by 'budget' and what I mean by 'buuuuuudget', I'm much more in the Bluebird range than in the Blueberry range (for me, its just a hobby, an expensive one! but just a hobby).

At the moment I'm looking @ an Audio Technica 4041 from a guy local to me here in Oz. I could get a bluebird for the same $$$ though, maybe I should look @ that as an option? Hmmm... decisions decisions.

The bluebird looks tres' cooler, for whatever that is worth...

[doc7string]

Just wanted to update everyone here who helped me make a big decision. I had a change of heart- no I didn't end up buying the Crook, rather I bought a different acoustic than I initially intended. Since last posting I have played about a zillion acoustic guitars. I found a different Martin that I loved HD 28. I went home thought about it a while and decided to go buy it. When I returned to the store for purchase, I by chance saw a Taylor 816ce, the only Taylor I had yet to play. At first I thought I would skip it as none of the other Taylors were "it" for me, but then decided to strum a few chords just to say I did. Well all I can say is it was acoustic Nirvana! I couldn't believe how perfect it sounded. I was about to pull out my wallet when the salesman told me about the soon to be available fall limited edition 816 ce soon to arrive. I decided to wait. Well, it finally arrived so I went to the store to A/B the two. I started with the LTD first as the other was being restrung. It sounded great but a bit boomy. The deeper notes seemed to lose some of their definition as well. I was anxious to play the standard 816 thinking that maybe I was wrong and would be going back to the Martin. Well, when I played the standard 816 I found myself back in my happy place. What a wonderful instrument. I A/B'd the two for 3 hrs. I knew which was best for me but I kept looking for a way to convince myself that the limited was as good (exclusivity is cool). In the end great sound beat out exclusiveness and I couldn't be happier (except that I can't have it until Christmas-boohoohoo). Anyway, I just wanted to thank you guys for the help with my decision. I made the right choice. Next stop Crook Guitars!!

[teresap989]

Guitars are always a matter of taste IMHO, one size does not fit all..... I think creativity always trumps gear but great guitars are nice to have.

Even a bad guitar can sound good in an alternate tuning..... I have an old clunker acoustic that sounds great when tuned to D/G/D/G/B/D or D/A/D/D/A/D. Over the years I've made it a point to experiment with guitars other folks might consider useless, lol.

I also think so.thanks



__________________
watch free movies online

[Michael Canavan]

...but music is written while playing acoustics---unless we're talking hair metal. LOL

You'd be surprised.

Yeah, that was written by someone who obviously isn't a guitar player first.
I learned on acoustic, but I almost never write on acoustic.

That said OP should get the Martin. The Acoustic I learned on was a 1962 Martin, all other acoustics sound and play like ass to me now.
IMO spend $1K on an old Fender that's a biut beat up, fix it up and you have a killer guitar for less $$ Acoustics though, the more $$$ you throw at them the better they sound.

[cowtothesky]

I'm currently using 3 different guitars for recording:
1. Taylor 314CE Acoustic - everything I need for acoustic
2. Fender VG Strat - great all around electric
3. Kramer Pacer Deluxe (80's) - use for heavier stuff

However, I just recently saw Rush live and I really want to get an older Gibson Les Paul now. I just love the warmth of the Gibson. So, I will probably sell my VG Strat and put some $$$ towards a Gibson.

[mandobilly64]

I'd say if the Martin sounds good acoustically then fine, but Fishman pickup are awful in my opinion.
I personally love Collings, however I'm biased as I work at the factory. I do acoustic guitar set-up there. The main thing is what you are using the guitar for. If it's for recording, then an OM or C10 might be the ticket, very well balanced, and to be honest the ones that usually blow my away are the least expensive models, like an OM-1 or a D-1, which are both Sitka tops and mahogany back and sides. Now as far as pickups go, if you aren't playing at full tilt volume with a rock band, then I'd skip the piezos and go with one that mounts to the bridge plate. I recently installed a K&K Pure Mini system in my Collings C10 Deluxe Cutaway and use a preamp that's made by a guy here in Austin called a Red-Eye. This combination sounds almost just like what the guitar does when miked, as close as you can get, I think.
Anyway, I don't have any examples of that pickup recorded yet but do a an online video made of me playing the guitar if you'd like to hear how mine sounds. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpxWTkNeoq0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Peace,
Billy