Topic: Why did so many players go for dreadnaughts after their "re-discovery"?

[Mr.OMuck]

I would like to try that guitar!

[blueshome]

"one thing for sure - when i'm re-discovered, it's a J-45, advanced jumbo or D-18 for me."

Then straight down to the pawn shop!

[Mr.OMuck]

In the interests of clarity I am posting four photos, two of actual Parlor guitars in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one being a 19th century Martin
http://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-museum/museum-departments/curatorial-departments/musical-instruments      
http://www.metmuseum.org/search-results?ft=guitars&x=0&y=0
and two 40's-60's style Stellas or Harmony made Stellas. The differences in quality, style and materials should be obvious. A painted guitar (other than decorative touches) is a good indicator that you're probably dealing
with a cheap plywood student model, as is very thin fretwire on a painted fingerboard , and a stamped metal tailpiece. Except for use as slide guitar I would avoid these guitars like the plague. I also defy anyone to show me a photo of a rediscovery playing one of these pieces of crap (OK they probably exist but no one actually CHOSE to play one of these).
$50-$60 bucks TOPS for these folks! Don't encourage artificial inflation of garbage. 

[westside ryan]

How about this?:

[Norfolk Slim]

Clearly- a vintage Martin and a Stella are very different things.

The point with the stellas is that the Oscar Schmidt ones, whilst always budget instruments in their time, were better made than some, and were almost invariably solid birch.  The good ones have a distinctive and (to some of us) very pleasing sound and are a pleasure to play.  Once Harmony took over they were less good it seems- though most were still birch for some years before they become plywood.

Most of those we see are 50s/60s/70s Harmony student models which I absolutely agree are very widely available and pretty lousy though fun for a bit of rasping slide tone). 

A good early harmony or OS one however, whilst it should never command the sort of prices quality old Martins etc do, can be a very desireable and enjoyable guitar. 

[Mr.OMuck]

Ryan I've waxed Rhapsodic about the A&L Ami on here several times. I think they are stunningly good little guitars for the price. So what's the dif between it and its Harmony predecessors? Manufacturing techniques, computer aided saws and carving machines have allowed a degree of fit and finish on contemporary inexpensive guitars that was simply not available earlier. My understanding is that they ARE solid Cherry or Birch with solid Spruce or Cedar tops.
I think they're great. Wouldn't trade my main '63 D-18 for one but I'd certainly consider it for a guitar to take out on the road. And for a dedicated slide guitar, they are superb. Buy two, one for Spanish one for Vastapol!

[Stuart]

Related topic:

http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=6659

[westside ryan]

Ryan I've waxed Rhapsodic about the A&L Ami on here several times. I think they are stunningly good little guitars for the price. So what's the dif between it and its Harmony predecessors? Manufacturing techniques, computer aided saws and carving machines have allowed a degree of fit and finish on contemporary inexpensive guitars that was simply not available earlier. My understanding is that they ARE solid Birch with solid Spruce or Cedar tops.
I think they're great. Wouldn't trade my main '63 D-18 for one but I'd certainly consider it for a guitar to take out on the road. And for a dedicated slide guitar, they are superb. Buy two, one for Spanish one for Vastapol!

Good to know 'cuz I just bought one.  I am not to crazy about the blue color (maybe it will grow on me), but the price was to good to pass up.  I just have to get that rosette off without taking some of the cedar top with it!

On another note, I have a slothead 12 fret 0-15 Martin.  Everyone who sees it calls it a parlor, which it isn't.   

[Cartouche]

Hey, there's a coincidence! I just picked up an Ami last weekend. I'm having a lot of fun with it, a nice mid, punchy sound to my ears. I got the cedar top, antique sunburst finish.

http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/amicedarantiquebst.html

I thought about one of the newer, hand-made parlors, but I just can't. I'm pretty careless and am constantly putting dings and scratches on my guitars by leaning them on furniture, banging them into doorways, chopping cilantro with them, etc. Accidentally gouging a $300 guitar doesn't give me that heart in the throat feel that I would probably get if I had a $2800 Hauver.

[eric]

I'm gonna get one of those AMI's to keep at my girlfriend's house.   I kind of like the black finish.

[westside ryan]

I scored mine used and in great condition for $120!  That's cheaper than those plywood faux "parlors" from the '60s are going for nowadays!

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I moved this thread over here since it is essentially a guitar thread as opposed to a blues thread.
All best,
Johnm

[RobBob]

I recently got a Guild F-20 in a trade.  It is for all intents and purposes a parlor guitar with a big sound.  I like the size and the sound is very good.  But for volume nothing beats a J-45 IMHO.

[westside ryan]

Is a Guild F-20 the size of a Martin 00?

[Mr.OMuck]

An early model F-20 before they were compelled to change their headstock design.