I just switched the bridge pins on my acoustic for the first time in 27 years. Put in a set of Planet Waves ebony pins. Maybe not a profound difference, but it does seem to add a bit more richness to the bottom end.
Getting the most of a mediocre acoustic guitar
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- Rated: 27 ↑
Nov 16, 2008 11:29 a.m. Jimbodiddley:
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- Rated: 19 ↑
Nov 16, 2008 11:42 a.m. Jet-Head:
PB, here's a link for a thread that made several mentions of the Epi MBs.
Here's pics of the models I own. I snagged the pics from Same Day Music - not an endorsement - got mine from Sam Ash and GC.
The top one is a cedar and rosewood AJ with a slotted headstock and a "V" neck. Mine doesn't have a pickguard. Looks a lot better without.
The bottom one is a sitka and mahog AJ. They're both very versatile and both quite loud. As I mentioned earlier, I had them both set-up by a pro who gave them both a thumbs-up. They came with bone nuts and saddles and I added Tusq bride pins.
I've got some pretty good acoustics but I find myself playing these two all the time these days.
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- Rated: 41 ↑
Nov 16, 2008 8:52 p.m. dubkitty:
i haven't played the Masterbuilt dreadnoughts because i already have two Blueridges, but i have played the top-of-the-line 000-size Masterbuilt, which is fantastic. probably the best 000 guitar i've ever played, and absolutely perfect workmanship.
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- Rated: 15 ↑
Nov 16, 2008 8:57 p.m. Playboy:
Blueridge seems to be climbing to the top of my acoustic wish list after reading the acoustic GDP thread Jet Head posted.
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- Rated: 34 ↑
Nov 17, 2008 7:47 a.m. Bernw:
Stick it right next to your hi-fi speakers at home when playing CD's - and stick it right next to the TV speakers when watching Tele. If not playing it for the whole gig plonk it down right next to the bass guitarists amp speaker. And play it every moment you get a chance.
That will all help speed up the mellowing process on the solid top and back which always turns a nice acoustic tone into a wonderful acoustic tone. Well played, older instruments usually always sound better.
It'll make a difference - and quicker than the normal time period it would take "just" playing it.
(And laminated sides usually have the least tonal effect toa guitars sound compared to the tps and bottoms - so I read).
Whether that sound difference over time bridges the gap to the tonal responses you particularly want is another question!
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- Rated: 19 ↑
Nov 17, 2008 9:01 a.m. Jet-Head:
I'd like to play one of those sunburst / pearled-up 000 MBs. They sure look good and I typically appreciate dub's taste in things. If he says they're fantastic, I bet they are.
BTW, I need another acoustic guitar like I need a hole in the head.
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- Rated: 30 ↑
Nov 17, 2008 9:24 a.m. Wishinfora(nother)Falcon:
Boys, if you want volume, complexity, punch, clarity and just balls, Go Collings. The used market is getting soft and you could get in around the 2k mark if your watching. That's not much more than the high end Blueridges and it's a lot more guitar IMO. Here's my Adi/Hog D1A
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- Rated: 6 ↑
Nov 17, 2008 9:50 p.m. bohemian:
I will assume (for now) that the Breedlove is an Atlas.
I have played quite a few.. to me, sound best amplified.
Breedlove has an excellent customer service department.. I would call them for suggestions.
This may be a case of set up, strings.. or the guitar itslef
For the modestly priced steel strings now offered, most form China, hands down the Guild GAD models. In my experience, fit , finish, materials, tone and playability superior to Epi Masterbilt and much better than Bluerdige with one exception; the Blueridge slopers with solid mahogany backs and sides.
Try a set of LaBella 710 L Silk and Steel or Ernie Ball Bronze and Silk lights. Some may say this is counter intuitive as you need to drive the top..but sometimes, lighter is better. It's a cheap experiment.
Best of luck
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- Rated: 212 ↑
Nov 17, 2008 10:51 p.m. Proteus:
I'm down to choosing between the Blueridge slope-shoulders and the Masterbilt. Who's played both? Which is better?
The Guild GADs really ARE all that. I SHOULD just up and admit I handle a concert-sized acoustic best, and they sound as good as big'uns, and just get the GAD-30.
But I keep coming back to the slopers, and the notion of a mahogany/spruce acoustic to complement the rosewood-sided Yairi DY-77 which is still my dreadnaught of choice.
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- Rated: 14 ↑
Nov 26, 2008 12:03 p.m. MarkW:
Prot
I have 2 GAD's and they are great. They really project and cover all the bases...Lows...Mid and trebles.
I looked at and played a lot of different acoustics prior to buying my first GAD a 40ce, I liked it so much I added a GAD-25. The all Mahogany is not as loud but has it's own unique voicing and I liked the dark wood look.
I have always had a soft spot for Guild acoustics.
THe 12's are easy on my fingers but sound great. I use Guild 13's on my Ibanez acoustic and it projects very (Maple and Spruce top)well.

