Monday, June 28, 2004

This guitar search is getting crazier and crazier. I played a Larrivee D03E (with on board pre-amp) at Guitar Center for $549. That's up against a Taylor 110 at Ken Stantion for $399 and the Yari D38 for $699 also at Guitar Center. For a little more there's a the old 1989 Taylor 510 for a grand, and a fabulous Taylor 810 for $1300 on up to a Larrivee maple jumbo body for $1600 all at Galaxy or the MTV Martin also for $1600. That's current line up from least expensive to most. Today I find out how much money I'll have for this purchase.

Friday, June 25, 2004

Well a whole new instrument is now in the running. Guitar Center unwrapped two brand new Alverez Yari's at excellent prices...$699 for a maple model DY38 and $899 for the mahogony DY40. Both of these guitars are superior to their regular Alverez cousins and also superior to some of the older Yari's I have played. They project better, much more depth in all registers with a full bass presence lacking in the older Yari's. I now have to consider these models.

Update: Upon close scrutiny, these models do not quite measure up. Both are a little shallow in the bass line, compared to some other models. My choice for this amount of cash is the 1989 Yari D61 with a cedar top, burled mahogony back and sides and a very aged, mature sound.

However Galaxy has a brand new Yari Koa which melts in my hands. Only $1145!

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

I played a D-35 yesterday which had that pure Martin Resonance and woody tone that I like so much. I played "One Dime Blues" and kept the octave E alternating bass line going just for the sure joy of hearing the woody thunder of the Martin. But it lacks the sparkle and power of the Taylors. It's just what you like, none better than the other at this level. Sometimes I like one, then the other. Can't make up my mind.

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

You know, every time I go to Galaxy I have to put up with their blaring Rock and Roll broadcast over their store system. When you're trying to judge the quality of an acoustic and a 1,000 dollar purchase depends on the outcome, you really need some relative quiet.

Well I went back in this morning and low, they have built an acoustic room! It's small, but you can take one or two guitars in and have at it in silence. I did just that with the afore mentioned Taylors, the 510 and the 810 and I had to reverse my opinion. The 810 is a beauty with a particular advantage in the high G, B, and E's. Volume, voice and clarity, The 810 is truely my favorite instrument.

I had a play-off between two Taylors today at Galaxy: A 2000 rosewood 810 and a mahogony 510 from the 80's. It's real close. The 810 has always been my favorite, but this one lacks the volume that I have heard from others. The 510 has plenty of punch, clarity and playability. I'm leaning toward the 510. Plus it's $200 cheaper!

Thursday, June 17, 2004

It has been about a month since I visited Alverez Heaven to play on their vast array of discounted instruments. I have been playing Taylors and Martins exclusively for that period. Well, dropped into Millers' yesterday and found the sound of the Alverezes so lacking that they are out of the running altogether. Tinty, brassey, lacking any depth whatsoever, I am leaving these second tier guitars to the beginners. I may be a guitar snob, but I've been playing for 40 years and I simply refuse to purchase an instrument that is not up to my standards. So there!

Now for the good stuff: I played a 1973 vintage Gallahger at Guitar Center yesterday ($2700) and was truely impressed with the depth of this sound, especially midrange and higher. This classic of Doc Watson fame is a true collector guitar sounding twice as good as it did 30 years ago. The fingerboard is a little wide for my fingers, but even at that it responded with ease and quickness. I liked it!

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Nothing new here...I keep lobbying to spend some of our money on a guitar and the computer at Hilltop Pawn. My computer's there and the Pawn Guy has promised to sell me a 310 for his cost. I keep getting "Yeah, we can do that," yet I still don't have them yet. Nothing else going on...writing a new song;

It's been a year since you kissed me
Since I sang for you my songs
Since you said you missed me
When I stayed out all night long.
A year since hearts were broken
Since I was untrue
It's been a year
since I've been in love with you.