RussB
Member
It's OK to start a new thread...they're free! :lol:
MsRN said:Hi, all! Newbie here...
I've been shopping for a 'new' guitar to replace a Taylor 612CE I parted with when funds were scarce. As I'm a novice--and hardly wealthy--I set a price range of $500-$1200 as a reasonable range. I'm not huge, so I prefer small-bodied guitars; strangely enough, i also prefer their voices to those of dreadnoughts. I like strumming and fingerpicking. I've done Web searches, reading reviews and listening to audio or video clips (plus going to local guitar shops to get ideas). My favorite is an all-mahogany Collings OM-1A, which made me weak-kneed; it's hardly in my price range, though. Of all the remaining models I've heard or auditioned, the other two I most like are the CO Series guitars and the Seagull SWS Mini Jumbo. I was thinking the CO models that are still floating around must have seasoned by now, so the wood wouldn't be so prone to movement. Then rebelhippiechicks post proved me wrong on that count. (Really? Who the h#@l makes a guitar neck out of green wood? Even I know better than that!). Prior to reading of rebels woes, I seriously thought to pick up a used/'re-furbished' CO-1; they truly sound that good to me. Now I really have to wonder. Making a new neck isn't rocket science, but I'm also not eager to take on such a challenge. Is the track record of the Contemporary Series really as bad as it seems? Are the F30 Aragon or F40 Valencia anything like the CO and CV guitars in terms of sound? Or should I just buy the Seagull and bide my time til I can afford the Collings of my dreams?
Any input is, of course, most appreciated.
Thanks,
Michele
PTC Bernie said:MsRN said:Hi, all! Newbie here...
I've been shopping for a 'new' guitar to replace a Taylor 612CE I parted with when funds were scarce. As I'm a novice--and hardly wealthy--I set a price range of $500-$1200 as a reasonable range. I'm not huge, so I prefer small-bodied guitars; strangely enough, i also prefer their voices to those of dreadnoughts. I like strumming and fingerpicking. I've done Web searches, reading reviews and listening to audio or video clips (plus going to local guitar shops to get ideas). My favorite is an all-mahogany Collings OM-1A, which made me weak-kneed; it's hardly in my price range, though. Of all the remaining models I've heard or auditioned, the other two I most like are the CO Series guitars and the Seagull SWS Mini Jumbo. I was thinking the CO models that are still floating around must have seasoned by now, so the wood wouldn't be so prone to movement. Then rebelhippiechicks post proved me wrong on that count. (Really? Who the h#@l makes a guitar neck out of green wood? Even I know better than that!). Prior to reading of rebels woes, I seriously thought to pick up a used/'re-furbished' CO-1; they truly sound that good to me. Now I really have to wonder. Making a new neck isn't rocket science, but I'm also not eager to take on such a challenge. Is the track record of the Contemporary Series really as bad as it seems? Are the F30 Aragon or F40 Valencia anything like the CO and CV guitars in terms of sound? Or should I just buy the Seagull and bide my time til I can afford the Collings of my dreams?
Any input is, of course, most appreciated.
Thanks,
Michele
Sent you an email.
Bernie
Scratch said:Arrived Monday. This is one of the prettiest guitars I own.. A real looker... That's the good news...
Now the bad: The bolt on neck is a washboard. I tried working with the truss rods; but I knew it was useless. This one had to go to Ross the Magic Luthier for major surgery. I dropped it off with him this evening; he'll remove the neck; shave the heel and reset it. Then a full fretboard shave, refret, replace compensated saddle (this is a new guitar) and nut and recondition the fretboard. Price 380 to 420. I'll get it back in a few weeks.
I paid 900.00 for it after seeing several other CV-1 blems go for between 1200.00 and 1400.00. I'll be around 1300.00 when I get it back and with Ross doing the work, it will be done right.
These Tacoma-built blems are no doubt guitars that did not pass QC and my guess is they were in some back storage room then released without warranty to eBay retailers once they moved operations to New Hartford. Unless the retailer offers return, stay away...
I'll close with good news: Stopped by New Braunfels Music last night and the owner, also the Southwest US Fender Field Representative, received a new D55 from the New Hartford plant. What a beautiful guitar. Not a hint of glue; perfectly balanced and when Eric tested it, everyone in the store stopped; turned and listened. Absolutely gorgeous and worthy of the D55 mantra. Eric said he'll let me have it for 2250.00. If I had the dough; I'd have bought it on the spot...