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Davey
Akahai
USA
53 Posts |
 Posted - 02/21/2007 : 2:33:46 PM
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Anybody own or played a Tacoma Chief guitar for slack key? I'm looking at a used solid koa model and wondered how it might work out.
I own a Tacoma Thunderchief acoustic bass and the offset "wing" sound hole is a real plus in terms of resonating soundboard area and overall tome and volume.
Thought it might be a similar experience for guitar?
Mahalo & Peace,
Davey
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kaulele
Aloha
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2007 : 06:25:43 AM
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I had a Chief for awhile: I bought it used as a fairly low-priced decent guitar to travel with, because I don't fly with my Breedlove or Grimes. One year, I brought the Chief to Aloha Music Camp. I think that the Chief sounds just fine for slack key; the offset soundhole and the resulting bracing pattern make for an "open" sound that suits what I'm going for (much more Keola than Ledward). But as you've seen from other threads, everyone has his or her own preference for sound. Just about any guitar, in the right hands, sounds fine for slack key. If you like the way it sounds in your hands, then it'll be a good guitar for you.
Kaulele |
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Davey
Akahai
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2007 : 07:06:46 AM
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Kaulele:
Thanks for the info. Yes, after hearing Keola talk about the sound board on his DVD, I got to thinking about the Chief in those terms. You're certainly right about the right hands. I've heard my baby taylor sound like a million when someone with a great touch makes it sing. |
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All Thumbs
Aloha
35 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2007 : 2:03:19 PM
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I can't speak to the Tacoma Chief, but I do have a Tacomoa Road King that has the offset sound hole. I believe that mine is made of spruce; I know it's not Koa. I like the sound and the way it plays. I find the neck more similar to that on an electric guitar than what you tyically find on an acoustic guitar. The neck is very easy on the left hand.
A few years back I was at a slack key class taught by Led Kaapana. He asked to play my Tacoma. The sounds that came out of the guitar under his fingers were unbelievable. It was as though the guitar was possessed. It has not sounded thay good since. So, I would venture that almost any guitar in the hands of the right player can sound like a million bucks.
I know that this probably does not answer your question, but when it comes to guitars (and wine)it all comes down to personal taste. Go with what sounds and feels good to you.
I have learned that there lies dormant in the souls of all men a penchant for some particular musical instrument, and an unsuspected yearning to learn to play on it, that are bound to wake up and demand attention some day. Therefore, you who rail at such as disturb your slumbers with unsuccessful and demoralizing attempts to subjugate a fiddle, beware! for sooner or later your own time will come.
Mark Twain
Aloha
All Thumbs |
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Davey
Akahai
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2007 : 2:51:12 PM
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All Thumbs:
I love the Mark Twain quote. Yes, guitar choices are easily as subjective as wine. And, perhaps, even more fun to explore. As it turns out, i did take the plunge for the koa Tacoma and will post observations once it arrives. I have read about that thinner neck and it sounds interesting, especially since I've also read that the strings -- at the nut -- are spaced a tad bit farther apart than is traditional for steel strings. We'll see how she plays sometime next week.
Mahalo & Peace,
Davey |
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Davey
Akahai
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 1:44:46 PM
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OK, the koa Chief rolled in today.
Would agree with All Thumbs on the neck -- feels more like an electric guitar. Different from what I'm used to on a Taylor but a pleasant feel in the hand. The nut seems to be spaced almost like a classical, so that's an interesting combination of slimmer neck and wider string spacing. Overall, the sound is nicely balanced across the tonal spectrum and a bit "woody" insofar as it doesn't have a rosewood ring to it, nor does it have particularly complex overtones. I'm only familiar with all-koa construction on my Ken Potts ukuleles -- which are sweet! -- but not from a guitar perspective. Not a loud guitar, which wasn't expected given the thinner body. Will be fun to explore open tunings and, since its got the Fishman Prefix system, I look forward to plugging in for other styles.
Think I'll follow kaulele's lead and keep this one around as a full-size travel guitar.
Mahalo for the chat,
Davey |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 3:14:20 PM
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Davey, you gotta give any guitar time to break in. I guarantee, if you play it 5 times a week, it will sound different and more complex in a year. Once, we had a Martin that changed in exactly 1 day, after 11 months of playing. We thought something broke (because guitars sound best just before they explode) and took it to a luthier who laughed at us and just handed it back.
...Reid |
Edited by - Reid on 02/27/2007 3:14:45 PM |
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Davey
Akahai
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2007 : 07:19:53 AM
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Reid:
I think this little unit might be about ready to explode, then. :)
Restrung it last night and played for several hours, tuned it to modified C Wahine and packed it away until this morning. When I sat down for my morning practice and playing ritual before work (work?!), it absolutely sounded like a different guitar. The only different factor was that I was sipping a cup of coffee this morning, as opposed to a glass of wine last night. The previous owner said the guitar is about 3.5 years old and hasn't been played in a long time. Seemed like it kind of "woke up" from its slumber.
Hey, are you going to be at the June camp?
Davey |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2007 : 08:12:32 AM
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No, unfortunately not. Among other things, my Doc and Physical Terrorist, have said that I won't be able to do much by then (I have big spinal nerve trunk problems). Actually,I shouldn't be doing this right now - gotta get up and move, or change position, every 1/2 hour.
See ya later,
...Reid |
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