Gordon Lightfoot Forums - GL's guitar's

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DawnsMinstrel

01-27-2009 02:26 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by podunklander (Post 147912)

Not your fault DM!!! In my opinion, there was an existing stress-related issue with your Martin unless it had been exposed to extreme heat and or humidity, etc. And there may have already been a hairline fracture that may not have been noticable.

Thanks Pam. I really don't think I exposed it to any extremes nor did it go from a humid to a dry environment quickly. It was gradual with the changing of the seasons and as I said before my, D-35 has endured nearly 30 such gradual changes in humidity without cracking. But my townhouse does get dry in winter because of the type of heating I have here.

When I said that it was "technically my fault" what I mean is that I couldn't honestly say that I hadn't been warned to keep the guitar in an environment of relatively constant humidity. In other words, the store and the maker felt that they had adequately covered their collective a**es. Hence my vow never to go to that store again and my heartache over the Martin Guitar Company's evident lack of sympathy.

I still love the Martin sound, though I prefer the D-28 to my own D-35. (I bought the 35 at a time when my ear was not as discerning as it is now.) So it's difficult for me to say I'll never buy another Martin, but since I'm about 80% fingerstylist, I have a lot of options other than Martin, and I'm not likely to get another one unless I get serious about bluegrass.

best wishes,

Tim

fezo	01-27-2009 06:55 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

I don't do too much in the humidity department but I do use these at times - http://www.activemusician.com/item--...tar+Humidifier

podunklander

01-27-2009 07:16 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Seems to be quite a bit of myths and misconceptions here so I found some professional links to technical leaflets...including one from the Canadian Conservation Institute...which is one of the tops in the field:

http://www.music.ed.ac.uk/euchmi/cimcim/iht/iht.html
http://www.mnhs.org/about/publicatio...lkjuly2001.pdf

JohninCt.

01-28-2009 11:13 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by podunklander (Post 147910)

Nice collection of vintage guitars! Sorry about your Goya and Vox:(. Sounds like you put the Goya to good use the several years you had it. I know I would have been crushed if any of my guitars had been stolen.

I would like to have an older Goya someday -the serial# on mine is high and I'd guess it's among the last that were made. I know they were common and inexpensive but I feel there's something magical about a Goya. Liona Boyd's 1st guitar was a Goya...and Stevie Nicks was too. Stevie wrote a song the 1st day she got hers. I had mine for a couple of months before I spent any time on it and I guess that 1st day -is when I wrote a song. I hadn't written anything in years!

Martinez..I remember those! Haven't seen or heard of one in years. Sorry to know you've lost interest in playing though. I'm not much of a player either and hadn't spent much time playing at all during the past decade (even went 4-5 years without a guitar) until last winter. I'm playing differently now and I've gotten a little better. Before, I felt like I had plateaued -didn't think my playing could progress.

I hope you can pick up playing again! I've been unemployed nearly 1/2 the time during the past few years so I've had the benefit of having some free time to pick up playing again.

When I bought my Goya, I had gone to NYC, on 49th street there were lots of music stores and I bought it there. from Terminal Music. It wasn't cheap back in those 1960 days, I think it cost me almost $300. I never bought another Goya after that, tried some but they never had it. I have had 50+ guitars thru my life, some great, some just fun to play. Many Yamahas, in the beginnings they were a pretty good guitar for the price, the old red labels models, especially the 140s, back in the late 60's thru late 1970's, I used to have one in the back of my car most the time. The Martinez is one of the best nylons I have ever owned for the sound and playability of it, it might be an exceptional one. I never had a Yamaha or any other nylon (except my old Goya) which played as sweet. I have had all kinds of Fender electrics and acoustics, I even had a Princess, which was a pink Fender with one pickup, made for girls, a collectors item now. Always wanted a Gibson ES350 (like Chuck Berrys) but never got one. My biggest screwup was passing on a $140 nylon string guitar in the early 70s, which I didn't know the name of at the time, too busy having fun and not doing my homework. It was a mint Ramirez classic. I didn't look it up till months later and found out it was worth about $800. Probably the worst (besides Stellas)I ever had was the nylons made over in Mexico, sold just over the border areas, they sound ok for a while but only last about 6 months, they used to cost around $15-20. I had a nice sounding Taylor about 20 years ago, but I always thought the neck was so thin that they wouldn't last thru the years, so I sold it. I play only once in a while as I say, but I forgot more than I can ever get back again. I play my drums once in a while also, and notice the age has taken it's toll on speed and rolls. No complaints though, it has all been fun and hope it continues for more years. The many times I played with friends in pleasant surroundings like the great outdoors, makes for lots of great memories. I think that is what it is all about for most of us.

eagle670

01-28-2009 02:00 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Have you had any experiences with Huss & Dalton or Bourgeois guitars.
Thanks

podunklander

01-28-2009 05:49 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle670 (Post 147933)

Have you had any experiences with Huss & Dalton or Bourgeois guitars.
Thanks

nope but I checked out the websites. $$$ guitars!!! Especially the latter -for which I didn't see any cutaways, but they have a slightly smalled nut size than the Huss & Dalton.

I was also looking at the Parker website -I've played a couple but the neck was too wide and I didn't care for the action.

I emailed a friend today about the Ovation custom legend but forgot the Kaman division she works for is now owned by Fender :(.

For the Huss & Dalton and Bourgeois...are there any dealers nearby where you are? That's one of my problems trying out these guitars but if you're looking at these more $$$ ones -perhaps they can ship you one to try?

2 more weeks and I'll be checking out guitars again :).

charlene

01-28-2009 06:19 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Liona Boyd has a guitar for sale:
http://www.classicalguitar.com/guitarsforsale.php

fezo	01-28-2009 07:56 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Yeah, back then those were the REAL Goyas. They were rich for my blood especially considering I was a steel string guy.

If you want to spend serious money on a guitar there is certainly no shortage of folks making them. I've played a couple of Collings that I really liked but you could buy a decent used car for what you pay for one.

JohninCt.

01-29-2009 10:12 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by podunklander (Post 147941)

whoa I didn't know the Goya cost so much back then -though that may depend on the model, etc. You've had some great guitars WOW. aw the Ramirez!!! damn!! Jose III, I assume it was a modern Ramirez?

gee I've only ever owned 5 or 6 guitars. I had the 3 new one's for awhile. The Ibanez that I'm always *itching about is the 1st used guitar I ever owned.

Sad thing, I was at an auction the other day and they had an older Ovation, and the bridge had pulled right up through the wood, it was still hanging on but the bridge was at a 45 degree angle, unfixable.
The Ramirez that I goofed on was in 1974 or 75, it was like new, so I don't think you would consider that modern. At the time I was into electric guitars, and from the same guy I had bought a 1969 Thinline Telecaster which was the one with the hollow body only made for 2 years. I only paid $175 for it with the case, which was a good deal, I sold it in 1994 for $1000 to a guy in a country band in NYC. Probably worth double+ that now. It had an excellent neck, but like most Teles was a bit weak on the low end of sound range, but it had a biting high end.
Yes, early nylon Goyas were in the upper class of guitars, about equal to Martins. About the early 1970s, they fell to Yamaha or worse status. I bought mostly used guitars, new is too much like a buying a car, take it out of the dealers and you just lost 1/3 or more of value, unless you hold on to them for many years and they become collectables. I have had Ibanez in both electric and hollows, but always steel strung models. I have always found them to be very playable but with some stiffness to thier sound, or not a lot of resonance to the wood. They always seemed heavier and with slightly thicker tops. Much like Albanez guitars. I guess it is just like any brand and you shop till you get one you like the feel and sound of.
I wonder what Gordons first few guitars were. They probably were secondary models also.

podunklander

01-29-2009 08:49 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Good question, John (what Gordons 1st few guitars were).

I'm glad I have the Goya these days because I don't think I can play the Ibanez right now (I haven't tried though). I put light gauge, brass wound strings on a couple of weeks ago and didn't like the sound ...and the brass-wound did a number on my fingertips :(. I don't even think I'll ever play the Ibanez again and just going to wait until I can get another guitar.

JohninCt.

01-30-2009 10:03 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by podunklander (Post 148007)

It takes some time to build up callouses on you fingers and with steel strings you need them or the pain will come. I don't have callouses anymore either, so another reason for the slack of playing nowadays. Once in a while I do pick up the Martinez with the nylon strings, always good to have a nylon around to keep the mind and fingers active. I must admit, I don't know the situation on the quality of the Goyas after 1990, so I hope and expect they are decent in playing and sound quality. I do remember they went downhill when they left Sweden, but where are they made now? What do you think of yours?

JohninCt.

01-31-2009 05:58 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by podunklander (Post 148047)

I'll take a photo of the Goya to post here -maybe even video a demo of me playing it..once I finish some 'must-complete before the end of the weekend', tasks at hand. It needs to be re-strung though and I've never strung this type of guitar before. I did manage the high E though, however I did it, seems to have worked. I think I still have the rest of the strings from that set.

Martin acquired the Goya from Levin in the mid-late 70's. I don't know when they actually started manufacturing them (in Korea) but they stopped in 1995. The # on my G 125 is: 9204000055 and I have yet to find the date of manufacture for that serial#. But I think it's from the tail end based on serial#'s I've come across on other Martin Goyas from the 90's.

I bought the guitar to re-sell...never intended to keep/play it. As I've noted (ok, complained :rolleyes:) in posts here -I have small hands, short fingers and struggle with wide necks. Anyway, it was sitting in my friend's antique store down at the shore ($160) and was taking a beating from people trying it out...which I can't tolerate seeing happen with any guitar so I took it home.

After about a month, I decided to try to play it one day and within minutes...I had 'written' an instrumental. I have no experience playing a classical guitar (though I've been meaning to sit down and learn some Rachmaninoff) and I really don't have anything to compare it to. It doesn't have the crisp yet still warm tone as would be favored by Liona Boyd -but I'm not about to compare a Goya to a Rubio.

I have decent callouses but switched from silk&steel to brasswound on the Ibanez and OUCH. I wanted to try the brass ot see if it would make a difference. Anyway, some discussions on this board awhile back helped me to locate the buzzing problem (B-string, I found the groove on the nut is too deep...and also, discovered poor-fitting pegs when I recently re-strung).

The silk & steel strings (I use Martin, only) have spoiled me. They are much smoother to run fingertips across/over and have a more crisp and obviously less-brassy sound than brasswound strings (even light gauge).

oh lol anyway...the Goya is what is is -best I can respond to what you have asked. It's cheap, but playable/passable?

What do you play when you pick up the Martinez? ok I best get back to my Turbo-taxing :eek:

If the Goya is playable and passable then it must be good. I had a Suzuki nylon a couple years ago that had such a wide neck that I could barely play it, I don't have big hands either. Needless to say, I sold it. I play along with some songs, but just chording nowadays. Like I say not much interest or time for it anymore. I used to use Silk and Steel strings sometimes. I liked them on most of the guitars I've had. The last few times I had strung any, I used light Martin Marquis, mainly because that is what I had in my draw at the time. Well, keep plucking, sounds like you are doing ok and really into it, that's when progress is made.
I guess I'll do my taxes this coming week. Good luck on yours, hope you get enough back to buy a Martin.

podunklander

02-01-2009 03:38 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohninCt. (Post 148091)

I have Martin Marquis lights on the Ibanez right now (the strings that hurt my fingertips :(). yeah, I feel like I'm making some progress the past year though the issues with my hands slowed this down. I can only play just a little bit everyday now -better than nothing! oh I forgot -I had a professional opinion about the playability of the Goya...that it was good for strumming, but I like it for picking.

So far I have an offset on my Fed. taxes...my college student saved me there ;)

JohninCt.

02-02-2009 09:45 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by podunklander (Post 148136)

Did a quick vid but thumbs were a'hurtin' :(. So ya know - this ain't perfect. On the Goya I picked a few from my own songs and then a little of Wayfaring Stranger..which I was just learning before the thumb surgery. Then I switched to the Ibanez so I could try a few bars of CRT and that was a disaster! Sorry! If you could see my face - I was mouthing some swear words and quite angry because of the buzzing...which can be heard. I think I can do a little adjustment to make that better but I just need a guitar I can actually play!!!

This is on the open mic youtube channel so I don't want to keep it on there for too long.

YouTube - Pam picking/strumming samples

Well that is pretty good. I understand about the thumb problem, but you seem to be doing fine. The Goya sounds decent and you don't seem to have any problem with the neck, so I would pick away at it too. You are making good and fast chord changes so no problem there either. On the buzzing of the Ibanez on the bass strings, if you raise up the nut on the neck, you might stop some of the buzz, but it might make playing it a little harder. It might be worth a try if you just stick a thin piece of wood under part of the nut, just under the E to D strings, to raise it only about 1/16" and it might help. Most nuts now are plastic or some other man made material, and they will bend just enough to keep the thin strings in the same place while raising the thick strings. The other thing is if the strings are new, they will tend to buzz more than on older set. Once they stretch out they may slack off buzzing a little. Also next time you try some new strings, try a different brand. Some times other brands work better than the most famous names. Nothing can slow a player down more than being dissatisified with their guitar. The Ibanez sounds like a typical Ibanez and their models with the cutaway usually don't have a strong bottom end. If you could find a reasonable priced and decent Yamaha/Ovation Applause or most anything with a non cutaway body, I think you will get better sound. I don't know if they have Pawn shops in your area, but keep a watch on them if so. The traditional full body usually sounds better in even the cheaper guitars. How long before your thumb is back to normal?

fezo	02-02-2009 11:00 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

Hey, Pam! I can't believe your thumbs are up to that already! That was terrific.

the Goya sounds nice. The Ibanez indeed sounds like an Ibanez. That's not a bad thing - just a matter of what sound you want.

I'm all for trying brands and gauges of strings and seeing what yo like. I settled on D'addario phosphur bronze myself. almost always light gauge but sometimes medium.

podunklander

02-02-2009 11:31 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohninCt. (Post 148137)

Thanks John though oooh I can barely manage the neck on the Goya and deadened/buzzed plenty there. If you noticed the poor positioning of my left (well, right too but wanted to show the picking) because I can't curve/cup with my thumbs just yet. Stitches are coming out in an hour :). It's supposed to be about 3 weeks for recovery and I'm at 10 days.

I recently discovered the buzzing on the low E (mainly) is the saddle rather than the nut. The buzzing was coming from the B-string until I flip-flopped the saddle when I re-strung. Just wanted to experiment with that and it reversed the problem so I just need to lower the saddle for my bass strings.

I thought the issue was with the nut. I had the nut worked on and the saddle replaced during a repair -so this was the 1st time I was re-stringing since, and paid more attention to the saddle (something Cathy had suggested awhile back). And that's also when I discovered the poor-fitting pegs that had been replaced during the 'repair'.

I spent HOURS on the internet last week researching guitars and did a search for pawn shops in Connecticut and Mass. Looks like Waterbury is loaded with them.

But 1st I probably should skip over the border to Gordon Music (good name ;)) in Mass probably later this week. They've been around for a long time. Is actually where I learned to pick when I was 16! That's where I bought the Ovation Custom Legend and had really gotten a good deal on it. It was $1k 10 years ago and doubled+ in value since. From what I've checked out on the internet -I'd be really lucky if I found a used one in good condition for $1k now.

podunklander

02-02-2009 11:40 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by fezo (Post 148138)

hey thanks, fezo! Believe it or not I'm already doing better than before the surgery :).

fezo	02-03-2009 08:26 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

"So instead of a guitar I decided to get a new muffler/exhaust"

Tough choice...

podunklander

02-04-2009 01:44 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

Quote:

Originally Posted by fezo (Post 148209)

"So instead of a guitar I decided to get a new muffler/exhaust"

Tough choice...

Well one's sounding quite a bit louder than the other right now!

eagle670

02-09-2009 10:14 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

I think that my search for a new guitar is about over. I am going today to look at a Martin Guitar OMC 16 E. I have checked on Martins web site and it is exactly what I have been looking for. Hopefully it plays as well as it looks. This guitar retails for around 2500 and this individual has it priced at 1600. It is only a few months old. For those of you following my search you know that my orignal budget was around $1000, but I could not find anything in that price range that I liked.
Anyone know anything about this particular guitar??

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/...MC-16E%20Maple

fezo	02-09-2009 11:55 AM

Re: GL's guitar's

You aren't going to go wrong with that guitar! The OM is essentially a OOO. Sweet. Will finger pick like mad.

With the maple back and sides you will have a brighter sound than you would with rosewood. it's also a very pretty wood.

eagle670

02-09-2009 01:45 PM

Re: GL's guitar's

So is this a smaller body guitar? I played an 000-m and it was quite a bit smaller than the others. I didn't think that this one was that small.

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