[HANASHIR:16631] RE: Guitars

[Steve Meltzer <steve...>]

Dina -

Of course you can't go wrong with a Martin, Larrivee or a Taylor.  I happen to 
own
a Taylor 615CE (with a quilted 3-piece solid maple back and sides - in blue!), 
and
I love it.  I did take a serious look at Larrivee (at Beth's urging) and Martin 
as
well, before find my "blue baby" (so named by Angela Gold).

It goes without saying -- if you are making that kind of investment, you need to
take very good care of your baby!  Make sure you have a good, strong, heavy-duty
hard shell case to protect it during transport; Taylor, Larrivee, and Martin 
have
cases custom-made for their guitars.

With such an instrument, you must keep the guitar well-humidified; in the
Northeast (at least in MA), the air is very dry -- especially during the winter
months.  So unless you plan to keep you guitar in a cigar humidor, the best
accessory investment would be a guitar humidifier.  Make you fill your 
humidifier
regularly; failure to keep your guitar properly humidified can result in 
cracking
of the wood grain, which can be very unsightly, as well as potentially effect 
the
structural integrity of the instrument.

Another brand I would endorse is RainSong (http://www.rainsong.com).  The unique
thing about RainSong guitars is that they are made out of graphite!  They have a
clear, rich, resonant sound (especially plugged in), and the projection is
phenomenal.  The guitar is very durable; it can survive travel and changes in 
the
environment (i.e., temperature and humidity).

Considering the conditions you described, you might want to look into this 
guitar.
I believe fellow list members Rabbi Joe Black and Peter Allard play the RainSong
WS1000 (6-string full body cutaway acoustic electric), part of the All-Graphite
series.  The All-Graphite Series runs slightly above the price range you 
described
(approx. $1800-$2000), but is well worth the long-term investment - when I am
ready to buy another guitar (but not for a while), I'll be getting one.  They 
also
make a Projection Series with a graphite soundboard and mahogany back and sides
that run about $900-$1200.

Another important thing -- take the time to find "your" instrument.  Play a lot 
of
guitars - try different combinations of brands, body shapes, constructions and
materials.  Try them out at different stores if possible -- does it feel and 
sound
the same?  Find a guitar that suites your style, sound, and specs.  Once you 
find
a guitar you love - does it fit into my price range?  If it doesn't, chances are
you can always find a better price somewhere.  If you can't, then look into
changing one of the factors so that it does fit into your price range - 
hopefully
it will come close to your "dream guitar".  And of course if it does fit into 
your
price range - then you are ready to get your "dream guitar".

Just a few thoughts . . . feel free to contact me off-line if you have any other
questions.


B'shalom,

Steve Meltzer
508-366-9457  (home)
508-579-8433  (cell)
AIM Screen Name:  meltz15
steve (at) meltzerworld(dot)net
www.meltzerworld.net


"Rock With Ruach!" now available at
www.meltzerworld.net/rockwithruach.htm

*********************************

"Who is wise?  One who learns from everybody."  --  Pirkei Avot 4:1






-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of
Dina Rachel Herbert
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 2:31 PM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:16614] Guitars

Hi Havanashira list,

I am currently a junior in college deciding on a new guitar to buy.  I
songlead at Crane Lake Camp over the summers, teach Hebrew School (music)
and songlead about 2-3 times a month for services at Hillel.  I am looking
into buying a new guitar--I'm outgrowing the washburn D10 I have now.  My
price range is between $1000-$1500, but on the lower end of that.

I've gone to a few stores and have different opinions.  One guy said a
Taylor is the way to go, another said Martins are better, especially for
folk music (which I guess is what I play most of), as opposed to Taylors
which are better for "rock."

What do you all suggest I get?  What are better for songleading?  I found
an excellent Martin (the DXC1E) and an excellent Taylor (I think 410CE)
and some other similar ones.  Does anyone have better pros and cons?

Thanks,

Dina Herbert

Dina Herbert
Student, The Joint Program At List College of the Jewish Theological
Seminary and Columbia University (whew!)
drh2002 (at) columbia(dot)edu
AIM: moocow022
         (__)
         (oo)
  /-------\/
 / |     ||
*  ||----||
   ^^    ^^




------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+
Hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Network, http://shamash.org  
a service of Hebrew College, which offers online courses and an
online MA in Jewish Studies, http://hebrewcollege.edu/online/

To unsubscribe email listproc (at) shamash(dot)org and have your message read:
unsubscribe hanashir
------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------=