Choice of 2. Any advice?

shsam75

So I'm 40 soon and the Mrs has agreed I can choose a new guitar. I want a dreadnought or jumbo type acoustic and have narrowed it down to 2 possibles. First off I'm a lefty so getting to try any new guitar is a major headache, so seeing them in the flesh is almost certainly a no no. I've done some reading and watched videos and I know it's not perfect but for me it has to do. My choice is between an epiphone inspired by Texan 64 at £330 or a Yamaha ll16are at £599 Common sense says expensive is better right? I'm not bothered about playing plugged in so for this purchase its all about sound, looks, quality and longevity. Any advice or other choices appreciated Shaun

xSkarloey

I'm a lefty.

I'd b inclined to say Yamaha but...


I've had a brief play on the Epi and it's okay. Not bad but it didn't really knock me out as I hoped it would. Shame because I love the Texan/ J45 slope shouldered look.

That said I've never had the pleasure of playing that Yammy, though it was on my to try list when I was doing the rounds trying out guitars when I made a 'big' acoustic purchase a few years back.

Have you any chance of getting to try a few acoustics in a shop?

shsam75

It's a hassle getting anywhere that might stock them. Guitar guitar have each in stock but its a full day there and back and unfortunately with kids it's a day without dad about on a rare wkend off. I have a tanglewood tw45 at the minute which has served me well but it's a cutaway and tbh I don't need access to those frets and I do prefer the look of a nice big dreadnought.

xSkarloey

I'm in a similar boat mate.

Y'know what? You only live once. Fuck it and get that Yammy

(AND DO IT QUICK BEFORE SOMeONE POSTS ADVISING YOU TO GET A TAYLOR )

ICBM

Skarloey said:

I'm in a similar boat mate.

Y'know what? You only live once. Fuck it and get that Yammy

(AND DO IT QUICK BEFORE SOMeONE POSTS ADVISING YOU TO GET A TAYLOR )

Get a Taylor .

I admit I'm not a huge fan of Yamaha acoustics, but given the choice of the LL or the Epiphone I would get the Yamaha no question. Modern Epiphone acoustics are adequate, no more than that. Yamahas are good, but the sound is a bit 'personal taste' - for my personal taste, rather bland. But I know a lot of people think very highly of the LLs.

There are also left-handed Faith acoustics in your price range, which have a very good reputation.

xSkarloey

@icbm

I agree re the sound with the cheaper ones.

The Yamaha the op refers to on paper at least has an impressive spec.

I must admit I have a soft spot for japanese made Yamahas because the one or two (old) ones I've played have been beauts. And as a massive Bert Jansch fan he got a lovely sound out of the Yammy he played for years. As I say though, never had the pleasure to date of trying that model, for the reasons the op says.

ICBM

I've not been that impressed by the LLs or other Japanese ones either to be honest - they're not at all bad, but very clean-sounding and (to me) rather characterless - I much prefer something a bit rougher and thicker-sounding, vintage Martin/Gibson/Guild type sound. To be honest I feel the same about a lot of the currently fashionable brands including Faith though, so it's probably just me .

Bert Jansch would have sounded great on anything .

Sassafras

The Yamaha I had, can't remember which model, was very nice, played well, was very resonant and well made. Epiphones can be a bit lacklustre, although it is almost half the price.

svejk

I would recommend trying a Simon & Patrick, or other guitars in that family (eg Seagull). My daughter recently got a S&P Songsmith, and it's really great. Gibson scale length, so a different sound and feel - not as bright as Taylors at al. I prefer a more mellow sound, but horses for courses and all that. The electrics (B Band A3T) are great too - natural sounding, plenty of volume & tweakability. And made in Canada, if you like your guitars to be made by people who get paid enough to actually buy and enjoy the instruments they make

xSkarloey

@icbm

I was lucky enough to see Bert Jansch four times. On each occasion he played that old Yamaha.

You're right that he sounded great on anything, but the quality that Yamaha had was that it had the most wonderful and convincingly natural amplified acoustic sound I have ever heard. He only (afaik) used the undersaddle pup but had no 'zing' or harshness.

Perhaps a combination of a very good guitar, a decent eq setting and a stellar player.

xwoozor

I owned a yamaha LL16 years ago and I didnt like it at all.  It was heavy over built and bright with no depth.  I would go check out the faiths different league to the two you have mentioned.

BigLicks67

I have a Yamaha LL6 and it is superb value for the money. Bert played an LL11 which I believe is effectively the same guitar - solid spruce top and laminated rosewood back and sides. They are heavy compared to say a Martin dreadnought and the top could move more but I think that is expecting a lot at that price point. I have a Martin OM18V which is 5 times the price and granted if you look at it the top vibrates but sometimes after all that warm midrange it's nice to play a bright Yamaha as a contrast.

By the way I once owned a Taylor 414ce and I think the Yamaha is better irrespective of price/value considerations.

Samgb

BigLicks67 said:

I have a Yamaha LL6 and it is superb value for the money. Bert played an LL11 which I believe is effectively the same guitar - solid spruce top and laminated rosewood back and sides. They are heavy compared to say a Martin dreadnought and the top could move more but I think that is expecting a lot at that price point. I have a Martin OM18V which is 5 times the price and granted if you look at it the top vibrates but sometimes after all that warm midrange it's nice to play a bright Yamaha as a contrast.

Here's Bert in action

Another big shout for the LL6 from here as well. Had mine 10 years, love it. Bought it after seeing Bert Jansch with Yammies. I know why he used them it gives the loveliest woody thump and a really sparkly top end for fingerstyle. I almost sold it last year and then realised i was stupid. 

Its going to be a class above the Epiphone i would have thought.

Not enough love on here for Yamaha guitars in general. Not trendy enough?   

One thing : Mine isnt heavy - i havent weighed it but it certainly feels in the same ballpark as any dreadnought ive ever played  

rpr

Another option-Sigma do a left handed DR28 left handed-No cutaway or electronics, just ( I'm surmising) a straight ahead copy of a Martin D28;

GAK has it for £279-

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/sigma-dr-28l/57629?gclid=CJqulpyhoMQCFYSWtAodpTgAlQ     

Teetonetal

Yamaha make really good acoustics, whilst I don't know this model, if I was buying blind, it's the one I'd go for, based on all the other ones I have played.

Phil_aka_Pip

pity your stated budget doesn't quite stretch to a faith. I'd have faith before epi or yam

shsam75

ive had a quick look at the Faith Saturn. its the only dreadnought lefty i could see on their site. it looks nice, any owners with one or any reviews. At the minute i am leaning towards the yamaha. i really wish i could get to a shop and see loads of left handed guitars all in one place rather than that shop has 1, they have another. Ho hum..

xwoozor

shsam75 said:

ive had a quick look at the Faith Saturn. its the only dreadnought lefty i could see on their site. it looks nice, any owners with one or any reviews. At the minute i am leaning towards the yamaha. i really wish i could get to a shop and see loads of left handed guitars all in one place rather than that shop has 1, they have another. Ho hum..

I have the high end signature series near 2k rrp faith which is amazing.  But Ive also played the cheaper ones ranging from £500-£800 and they have all been great.  Very good setups on all of them.  If your budget is at that higher end of £600 i would definately pop to a shop with some and take a look.  There is way to much over hype on those yamaha ll16s online.  Also worth looking at the guild guitars.

xSkarloey

shsam75;554241" said:

ive had a quick look at the Faith Saturn. its the only dreadnought lefty i could see on their site. it looks nice, any owners with one or any reviews. At the minute i am leaning towards the yamaha. i really wish i could get to a shop and see loads of left handed guitars all in one place rather than that shop has 1, they have another. Ho hum..

Where are you? If you're erring towards heading to a shop to try one or two maybe some of us could recommend somewhere in your locality.

shsam75

Just been looking at Taylors, I believe they offer every guitar as a lefty but boy way too much choice!! I know it's completely irrelevant but I don't like the faith logo on the headstock. Very picky I know. I've ruled out the epiphone completely

ICBM

If you do get a Taylor, whatever you do don't be tempted by one with electrics. (I know you said you weren't looking for one.) They are notoriously unreliable, and the system is unique to Taylor and not compatible with any other pickup or preamp system, either way round. As far as I know even both versions of the Taylor system are totally incompatible with each other too.