j
hey guys, i have a cheap acoustic (quality wise) which id like to replace with a cheap acoustic (money wise) my budget is up to 350. currently im considering the martin lx1 based on all the good reviews plus i like the sound. can you tell me some drawbacks/cons of this guitar? or offer a better option that will fit the budget? thnx in advance :}
Answer
If you currently have a very poor quality acoustic that doesn't even have a solid top, then upgrading to a solid top guitar will make a big difference for you. However, I think you'll find that you'll soon be looking for a guitar that doesn't just have a solid top, but has solid wood back and sides as well. The difference between the two is just as big (if not bigger) than the difference between an all plywood guitar and one with a solid top (but laminate back and sides). There's just no comparison. An all solid wood guitar is something that's going to open up more and more as you play it and will only get better with age. It's something you're going to be happy with for years to come, whereas a guitar that only has a solid top is one that you'll enjoy for sure, but you'll quickly be wishing you've got something even better.
Your budget is high enough right now where, for just a little bit more, you'll be able to find some deals on all-solid wood guitars. I just checked Amazon and this one is an amazing deal. I would jump on it without hesitation:
-(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G7C17Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=choos02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001G7C17Q) Blueridge makes some great guitars for the money and this is a fantastic deal for one of these.
If you absolutely can't go above $350, the LX1 isn't a bad choice. It is a small guitar though, and it's not going to provide with you with some of the depth and volume that a bigger guitar might offer. It does have a solid top, though, and laminate back and sides so, for the money, it's a pretty good option. I would definitely check out a few other solid-top guitars while you're looking, though. In that price range, ones worth checking out are:
Seagull
Takamine
Epiphone
Ibanez
Blueridge
Durango
Recording King
(I'd avoid Dean and Washburn. Their quality control can be very inconsistent and, unless you know exactly what to watch out for, you could end up with a lemon on your hands).
Some specific instruments that are on Amazon worth checking out:
- (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IC1DE0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=choos02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002IC1DE0) Recording King is a lesser known brand that is making surprisingly good guitars for the money. This is a smaller-bodied guitar, as well, if that's what you're looking for
-(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OMI3UC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=choos02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001OMI3UC) Blueridge - Another 000 body size, which is the same size as the Recording King above. You wouldn't be disappointed with this one.
- (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BTJQYG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=choos02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000BTJQYG) The Seagull S6. It's popular for a reason. Just a great guitar for the money. Sounds amazing for a guitar in its price range. The cedar top delivers a nice, warm tone. I still have mine despite owning many far more expensive guitars, and pick it from time to time just because it's a cool, unique guitar. It is a dreadnought, so it's going to be significantly larger than the Martin LX1 or the Recording King.
Hopefully that helps. If you can afford that all-solid Blueridge, I would absolutely buy it.
If you currently have a very poor quality acoustic that doesn't even have a solid top, then upgrading to a solid top guitar will make a big difference for you. However, I think you'll find that you'll soon be looking for a guitar that doesn't just have a solid top, but has solid wood back and sides as well. The difference between the two is just as big (if not bigger) than the difference between an all plywood guitar and one with a solid top (but laminate back and sides). There's just no comparison. An all solid wood guitar is something that's going to open up more and more as you play it and will only get better with age. It's something you're going to be happy with for years to come, whereas a guitar that only has a solid top is one that you'll enjoy for sure, but you'll quickly be wishing you've got something even better.
Your budget is high enough right now where, for just a little bit more, you'll be able to find some deals on all-solid wood guitars. I just checked Amazon and this one is an amazing deal. I would jump on it without hesitation:
-(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G7C17Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=choos02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001G7C17Q) Blueridge makes some great guitars for the money and this is a fantastic deal for one of these.
If you absolutely can't go above $350, the LX1 isn't a bad choice. It is a small guitar though, and it's not going to provide with you with some of the depth and volume that a bigger guitar might offer. It does have a solid top, though, and laminate back and sides so, for the money, it's a pretty good option. I would definitely check out a few other solid-top guitars while you're looking, though. In that price range, ones worth checking out are:
Seagull
Takamine
Epiphone
Ibanez
Blueridge
Durango
Recording King
(I'd avoid Dean and Washburn. Their quality control can be very inconsistent and, unless you know exactly what to watch out for, you could end up with a lemon on your hands).
Some specific instruments that are on Amazon worth checking out:
- (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IC1DE0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=choos02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002IC1DE0) Recording King is a lesser known brand that is making surprisingly good guitars for the money. This is a smaller-bodied guitar, as well, if that's what you're looking for
-(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OMI3UC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=choos02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001OMI3UC) Blueridge - Another 000 body size, which is the same size as the Recording King above. You wouldn't be disappointed with this one.
- (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BTJQYG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=choos02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000BTJQYG) The Seagull S6. It's popular for a reason. Just a great guitar for the money. Sounds amazing for a guitar in its price range. The cedar top delivers a nice, warm tone. I still have mine despite owning many far more expensive guitars, and pick it from time to time just because it's a cool, unique guitar. It is a dreadnought, so it's going to be significantly larger than the Martin LX1 or the Recording King.
Hopefully that helps. If you can afford that all-solid Blueridge, I would absolutely buy it.
The best quality cheap (cheap) mics for acoustic guitar and vocal recording?
J
Right now, I'm using a Starpower SP-9 which seems to work O.K. But I wonder if there are specific mics I could using individually for vocals and acoustic (and sometimes elec.) guitar. 5 stars for an educated, experienced musician/recorder. Note: I'm in a pretty small studio apartment and plan on using FL studio with it. I also play a Privia Piano...which I believe can be directly recorded via USB to my computer. I'm using an 8-track as well...Tascam DP-01. Note only will you get 5 stars but my blessings. Thank you.
Answer
the best quality mics are not cheap at all. the electronics within good studio quality mics are better than the crappy cheap mics people will buy for home studios. however, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the sound. if it sounds good, it is good.
i've heard good things about the AT 2020. it has been released now with a USB connection so its easier to connect to a computer for a home recording session. i haven't used many USB mics, so i can't speak for the quality.
for vocals and acoustic i would recommend the Rode NT1a. i've heard it on a lot of sessions and it has never let me down. it sells for about $240, but i would lump the sound in with that of a mic costing over $1000.
afor electric guitar i would recommend the Shure SM57. that mic has been around forever in studios and live shows. it sells for around $100 i believe. it pretty much sounds good on anything except vocals. if you are mostly doing vocals and acoustic, this might not be the right choice but if you plan on recording more instruments at some point, this is a great mic.
the Shure SM58 is a good vocals mic that like the SM57 has been around for a long time. i haven't used it a lot, but i've always heard good things. it sells for around $100 as well i believe. obviously this mix isn't going to sound like a C12 or a Blue Bottle (both very good but expensive mics) but will get you a good recording for the price. i'm sure it will also sound good on acoustics not just vocals.
what i would recommend is that you get on some sites like guitarcenter.com sweetwater.com or musiciansfriend.com and check out their mics and read reviews on them. the reviews will give you a little more insite into consumer opinions after trying them. reading reviews will help save you money and time when purchasing something like this. the mics i mentioned are all industry staples but there are hundreds of mics out there.
just remember, at the end of the day, the sound is the only thing that matters. if you buy an old ugly trashy looking mic, and it sounds amazing, then use it.
the best quality mics are not cheap at all. the electronics within good studio quality mics are better than the crappy cheap mics people will buy for home studios. however, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the sound. if it sounds good, it is good.
i've heard good things about the AT 2020. it has been released now with a USB connection so its easier to connect to a computer for a home recording session. i haven't used many USB mics, so i can't speak for the quality.
for vocals and acoustic i would recommend the Rode NT1a. i've heard it on a lot of sessions and it has never let me down. it sells for about $240, but i would lump the sound in with that of a mic costing over $1000.
afor electric guitar i would recommend the Shure SM57. that mic has been around forever in studios and live shows. it sells for around $100 i believe. it pretty much sounds good on anything except vocals. if you are mostly doing vocals and acoustic, this might not be the right choice but if you plan on recording more instruments at some point, this is a great mic.
the Shure SM58 is a good vocals mic that like the SM57 has been around for a long time. i haven't used it a lot, but i've always heard good things. it sells for around $100 as well i believe. obviously this mix isn't going to sound like a C12 or a Blue Bottle (both very good but expensive mics) but will get you a good recording for the price. i'm sure it will also sound good on acoustics not just vocals.
what i would recommend is that you get on some sites like guitarcenter.com sweetwater.com or musiciansfriend.com and check out their mics and read reviews on them. the reviews will give you a little more insite into consumer opinions after trying them. reading reviews will help save you money and time when purchasing something like this. the mics i mentioned are all industry staples but there are hundreds of mics out there.
just remember, at the end of the day, the sound is the only thing that matters. if you buy an old ugly trashy looking mic, and it sounds amazing, then use it.
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Title Post: instrument. looking to upgrade my acoustic guitar?
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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