Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: kh1967 on February 10, 2012, 08:31:12 PM
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Out of curiosity.....If you wanted a Grand Concert sized Taylor, but wanted it to be a good strumming/rhythm guitar, what would you build?
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I played a 12-fret GC in spruce/mahogany earlier this week that would be a nice strummer. You get more of a vintage tone with the strumming that's really popular in more indie/folksy stuff right now.
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My GC-5 is actually pretty good for strumming, but it's hard to say what you might like. It really depends on what sounds good to your ears, not to mine.
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My GC-5 is actually pretty good for strumming, but it's hard to say what you might like. It really depends on what sounds good to your ears, not to mine.
I totally understand it is a matter of preference, but just wondering what others might prefer/envision for meeting the description.
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I think it depend upon how you want to use it. GC's strum o.k. but if you are looking for pure acoustic volume, you'll be disappointed. However, if you're plugged in, then volume will not be an issue, and I think you will like the sting-to-string balance.
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I think it depend upon how you want to use it. GC's strum o.k. but if you are looking for pure acoustic volume, you'll be disappointed. However, if you're plugged in, then volume will not be an issue, and I think you will like the sting-to-string balance.
I agree - there are some volume limitations to the GC. But, what I am wondering is if someone were going to build a GC for this purpose, what would you build or suggest? I understand that a larger body style would give the extra volume, but I am wondering if there is a certain wood combination that might give the GC its best chance for being a good strumming guitar? Yes, with an AMP....all problems solved. :)
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Personally, I'm going with a Mahogany/Adi combination...
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Personally, I'm going with a Mahogany/Adi combination...
12 or 14 fret?
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Personally, I'm going with a Mahogany/Adi combination...
This what I would likely do as well, if it were focused on strumming.
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Personally, I'm going with a Mahogany/Adi combination...
12 or 14 fret?
I'd go with the 12 fret.
You can play any style on any guitar. Some are just better suited to some styles than others...
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I had a GC-Ke and didn't really like it for strumming. I sold it a few months later and went with the GS body style. I'm much happier with the GS than the GC. Just my opinion though.
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I think that I'd search for a deeper-bodied variation of a GC shape to possibly combine the best of both worlds. I'm not saying that it's an exact fit, but something like a Huss & Dalton CM....
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The larger guitar is nice for volume, IMHO you can't go wrong with any of the Taylors for projection (read Mini, yes it is a GS shape). They all seem to project so well.
Now, the GS is a nice sounding (to say the least) guitar and the volume is off the scale but I played a couple of GC's yesterday and really liked them. For me the GC is a better fit than the GS but as mentioned above in the end it all comes down to you and what you like.
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I think that I'd search for a deeper-bodied variation of a GC shape to possibly combine the best of both worlds. I'm not saying that it's an exact fit, but something like a Huss & Dalton CM....
there were some deep body GCs (X12s) around the late 80's/early 90's
with a deep body, about 1/16" deeper than the dreadnought & jumbo
the NSX2/X12-N models have always had a 4 5/8" body, but imho, it'd be a nice
LTD model, with a revised bracing pattern (or just adi braces) & 'vintage style'
appointments, non-cutaway, optional electronics, 14 fret (with open back tuners) &
12 fret, with or without a burst finish - mahogany & rosewood models, please :-[
:D
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Interesting, when you first posted this, I thought not really, I mean it's okay strumming. I had been trying different stringsets and in the process ended up with (I thought) Custom Light PB's from either Eliler or EXP's. I, on a whim just switched back to Elixir Nano Light PB's and yes I would say its nice for strumming, the tone just came out better, everything seems to fit better soundwise. Granted it's not the same as a Grand Auditorium or Dread but for playing at home it's very nice and with a pick I could get more than enough volume if needed.
Maybe not for Bluegrass but I don't play that- at least not yet :))
Wowzers this sounds really pretty when I use a capo, the sound strumming is really nice. I've just never used one before so it's new to me but I'm really liking the sound both picking and strumming from this guitar with the Light guage Elixir PB's. The guitar was set up from the factory with Light 80/20's of the same diameters.
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here is a vote for a standard model....i think the GC4 is a suprisingly good strummer for its size.
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I keep hearing great things about the GC4 :)
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Last July, at an R. Taylor even in New Hampshire music store, I played an Style 2 made with an Engelmann spruce top braced with adirondack spruce and cocobolo back and sides. If I were looking for a small rhythm guitar, that would be it or a Taylor made with the same wood.
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IMHO, the GC body for strumming depends largely on how you define "strumming" (how your attack is), and what your expectations are (do you really want it as loud as a dred or are you amping it); and even then it is hit and miss depending on what wood combo you get. Wood combos make a tonal differance as we all know, but somehow I think and have come to feel that the wood combo is even more important when the guitar body is smaller.
FWIW, I've tried GCs that were less than inspiring when strummed; great when picked with fingers or pick, but left me wanting when strummed. Then I tried several (hmmm, maybe 5 of them, IIRC?) R.Taylor Style 2s ...wow! Every one of them was loud, bold, and defined; each had their tone going on, but could have easily lived with any one of them, they were that good ...and yes, I took one of them home ;)
The OP is asking a question that is highly subjective, which is perfectly legit, but one rife with many possible answers. So I will answer with this: yes, a GC can be a perfectly good strummer, but it depends on your expectations and the particular guitar woods and build you happen to have in your hands. And if you are playing live (amp'd), it's a superb choice.
Oh, and I'll echo what others said about the 12-fret: if going with this smaller body, the 12 fret makes a significant difference, and that would get my nod!
Edward
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My GC8 is very suitable for strumming. I've only had it about 6 weeks but I've played it in a number of different settings. I bought it primarly to inspire me to play more fingerstyle but I've found it to work very well in small rooms and jamming with one or two other guitarists. This has been a real bonus.
I used to significantly overpower my acoustic jam mates when playing my Martin HD-28 or my 414ce while the GC8 blends in nicely - volume, dynamics, range, etc. I find I can dig in when I need to and it doesn't really overdrive the Sikta/CV top. It is really kind of like a touch of natural compression.
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Anything Mahogany will make a great strummer.
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Anything Mahogany will make a great strummer.
That is interesting because, while mahogany might be my first choice for solo, finger-style guitar. I would tend to pass up mahogany for rhythm guitar in favor of woods like rosewood, cocobolo, walnut or ovangkol. This is assuming I had a choice of guitars. Otherwise, a mahogany guitar, especially with a cedar top, would work just fine.
It's all a matter of personal preference.