AD Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 Hello everyone, I'm looking to buy a mid-price-range acoustic guitar here in Ottawa. A pickup would be nice as well. Anyone know of some good deals? I live right by the folklore centre, perhaps I should start there? Can anyone help? ad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 Are you a beginner or experienced player? For beginners, I'd head to SongBird and see what they have in the $150-$250 range (more than that for a beginner, and you're mis-directing your money, which would be better spent on lessons and/or instructional materials [books, videos]). If you've got a bit of experience, you might look at Norman guitars. I asked Velvet (a fantastic acoustic player, and a teacher besides; I trust his opinion to the hilt [nut?]) about his recommendations for acoustics a while ago, and he said the Norman B20 without hesitation. He also recommended going to Steve's Music to check them out (they're in the room with a door near the back, at the end of where the electrics are), includinging prices, and then heading to Lauzon Music (he seems fond of Lauzon Music...go figure...) to see what kind of deal can be made. I played a couple of Normans at Steve's, and liked them. They come in a range of models, with and without cutaways, and with and without pickups. IIRC, they're made in Canada, too. (I'll have full URLs for SongBird, Norman, reviews of Normans, and Lauzon tomorrow; my bookmarks are all at the office.) Aloha, Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 If you have 400-600 to spend, I am rather found of my Seagull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted May 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 I'd say I'm semi-experienced (playing for about 10 years off and on). I've heard good things about Norman's actually. The guitar player in my old band played one and it was pretty nice, although he tuned it too tight one night and snapped the headstock off. I'm sure that was a freak occurance. Thanks for the tips, I'll look forward to those links tomorrow. BradM is the answer guy. BradM = Brad Really Advises Dees Musicians... Ha... alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
\/\/illy Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 Norman, Seagull, Art & Luthier all make nice "affordable" guitars. Buy Canadian! If you've got $3000 - $6000 to spent, buy a Larrivee. Mmmmmm... nice guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabidmonkey Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 For a good guitar in Ottawa you must check out Lauzon Music (1345 Wellington, between Holland and Island Park) They have some fantastic Norman's and a big selection of Martins and Taylors. Sweet. Get Barry to help you and you'll get a few free (but probably real lame) jokes about musicians. Lauzon Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 As promised, here are some links for y'all: SongBird Music OttawaNorman GuitarsUser reviews of Norman GuitarsLauzon Music CentreLauzon's Norman Page (which doesn't seem to be available via their main page)Steve's MusicAloha, Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B & Z Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 I'm pretty happy with my Yamaha. At the time, many years ago, it had the best sound for the cheapest price, bright and beautiful. The thing was stolen once, then ditched by the thieves in the bushes in my backyard as they fleed when the cops arrived. It sat out all night in the rain. It was fully soaked, as if dropped in a swimming pool. I found it the next day, let it dry for a week, didn't touch it or play it. It still sounds good as new. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 Yo! Norman, Simon & Patrick, Seagull, Arts & Lutherie (classical), and Godin (electric) are all made by the same people (Lasido) in Quebec. Norman/Simon & Patrick/Seagull are all essentially the same guitars, with different specs/names so they can be sold in more stores. The Lasido company makes a lot of their money making/selling solid spruce tops for guitars (your Yamaha has a Lasido top on it), hence, they can make solid-topped guitars cheaper. Everybody wants a solid-topped guitar. So, a $300 Norman= a $700 Yamaha. Norman's the one, you can get 'em cutaway or with one of four levels of Fishman pickups in. Buy at Lauzon's, 725-1116. To my mind, if you're spending under $1800 or so, just get a Norman B20. If you wanna go hog wild, get a Norman ST68, about $700 with solid rosewood back and sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B & Z Posted May 7, 2003 Report Share Posted May 7, 2003 I think the best advice is to bring someone along who's been playing for a while when you buy. They'll know if there's something wrong plus you'll get another opinion on the sound. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted May 10, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 Well, I got a geetar today. Gibson Resonator acoustic.. so sweet... perhaps i'll be coming out to open jams soon... so good... ad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted May 12, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 Oh yeah, here's a picture. Sorry to keep posting about this. I love this guitar though... ad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 AD, How much did you pay for your Gibson Resonator? I'm dying to own one. Where in Ottawa did you buy it? I may be making a road trip to play with BGH soon, so I'll check out some music stores when I arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted May 13, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 Jamoie you've got mail... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weef Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 From a little presonal experience of my own i can honestly say Epiphone guitars are cheap and they sound really good and they only start at 279$ brand new. I ve owned 3 over the years and regret not holding on too any of them. I upgraded to an Ovation but i would take back an epiphone any time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hux Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 I would also add that while all the above things are important, make sure you get a guitar that looks cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuckholes Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 That gibson u bought looks like a beauty... Whats the action like on that baby?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weef Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 That isnt a "gibson" resinator its actually a Gibson "Epiphone" you can read it and like i said there cheap and sound great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 Actually, it is a resonator, which is a style of guitar (like "archtop") rather than a make. The most-known form of resinator was made by, and gets its name from, the Dopera Brothers: the Dobro (now part of Gibson; National is another well-known maker of resonators. The resonator-ness comes from that metal thing in the middle of the body that looks like a Victorian pie plate. It's essentially a metal speaker, and makes for a distinctive sound. Resonators are often used for slide, and show up a lot in blues and bluegrass playing. Aloha, Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuckholes Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 Bottom line Ad, looks like a beauty... Good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted May 14, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2003 Yup, plays like a beauty. Action is a bit low for my liking for slide, but the AM-radio sounds makes up for that. (and then some...) Dobro and National are the original resonator guitars, but, like Epiphone, are now made in Korea. The only difference really is that Dobro and National use aged wood, while Epiphone does not. THe one I got had a mahogany top and body with rosewood fingerboard. Good stuff. ad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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