The Unwound Third > Gitfiddles, Harps, Washboards & Kazoos

Which guitar for blues?

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Thiago:
Hello there, now that I'm more involved with acoustic blues, I'd like to buy a new guitar. The guitar I own is a Samick Jumbo; relatively cheap, and with better tone than the pricier ones I saw in some stores. Ideal for starting. However, although I'm almost 1.9m tall, I find it a bit uncomfortable. Besides, I think it is time for a guitar of better quality (not to mention that I cannot even find a gig bag for this jumbo). Given the comfort issues, I was thinking of getting a parlor guitar (or similar) with the following features:

-Solid woods on top, back and sides (it's a must)
-Bolt-on neck (preferable)
-Slotted headstock (just aesthetic preference)

I was thinking about the Washburn R319 (was that the model?), but it has a dovetail neck joint; and the A&L Ami Parlor, but it has only a solid top. If no such guitar exists, well, I'll have to cope with dovetails. But if I could choose easy neck resets, I would certainly choose that option. I was aiming for guitars similar in price to the Washburn, but I think I can choose something pricier. Does this guitar exist, or only in my dreams?

Many thanks in advance,
Thiago

Norfolk Slim:
I'm going to struggle to give you specific recommendations but I would offer the following general ones:

These days, reasonably well built guitars are simply not likely to need neck resets any time soon, unless you leave them in the boot of a car, in a baking hot car park every day.  That being the case, Im not sure that neck joint type really matters much.

In terms of actually choosing a guitar, arrange to go to a big music shop if you can, and just play lots of the things.  One or two will probably grab you.  If not, keep looking.  How it plays and sounds to you when you are holding it, is vastly more important, imo, than looking for specific specifications.

My first *serious* guitar was a Martin D-1 dreadnought.  I literally sat in the shop for a couple of hours and tried a dozen Martins, a dozen Taylors and a number of other assorted guitars.  Then I bought the one I fell in love with- it just seemed to come alive in my hands in a way the others didnt.

Since then I've acquired various guitars, including a 50s martin, resonators, an old stella, an old kaykraft, a wonderful Fraulini 12 fretter and so on.

Guess which guitar I still go back to for the perfect combination of playability, sound and comfort?  Some folk will tell you that a dreadnought isnt ideal for blues or fingerpicking, but it suits me just right.  Its such a personal thing...

Get down to the shop, with no preconcpetions of what you must have, and try lots!

Parlor Picker:
That's good advice from Slim. After all, only you know what suits you. Buying second-hand, if you can find anything suitable, is a good option as you can get better quality for your money.

blueshome:
Slim +1.
You might also be interested in this discussion:
\http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=128&topic=6852.msg59803#msg59803

Mr.OMuck:
The Ami has solid birch or cherry back and sides. I would also look at Blueridge & Recording King guitars among the Chinese makes. For $650. or thereabouts you can pick up a solid Indian Rosewood, spruce top 000-28 type guitar that is all you'd ever need. Also there are some very good bargains to be had in 70's Japanese Martin dreadnaught copies with names like Cortez or Cortley.  I love the Canadian made Ami and have been very happy with the spruce top solid Maple Cortez D-45 copy I bought for $35.
Bolt on necks generally mean Taylors which imo have no soul. Of course old Gibsons and Martins are still the best, but also check out the new Guilds some of which people on this forum absolutely love.

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