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ongchua
Akahai
USA
92 Posts |
 Posted - 03/25/2008 : 1:49:44 PM
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Can anyone suggest a solid-topped OOO-sized guitar for under $400? Preferably one with a nut width of at least 1.75 inches? I've seen a few locally but they have nut widths of 1 11/16 inches. I'd be more comfortable with the wider width. 
Or should I just opt for a Seagull S6 (which has a dreadnought body)?
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 05:50:50 AM
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I recently bought a classical guitar from Mike Halloran and the transaction was very smooth. He's selling off some New Old Stock Johnson Carolina all solid 000s.
Here's a link to his post on the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum:
http://p072.ezboard.com/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm3.showMessageRange?topicID=14788.topic&start=1&stop=25
And in case you have problems getting into the site, here's the info from his post:
JO- 27 Solid Rosewood Back/Sides Guitar: $329.00
These were never available left handed or in sunburst.
000 Cases --Prices are with guitar only:
Deluxe Hardshell Archtop Case: $49.00 (List $129)
Vintage 7-Ply Hardshell Case (Geib Style copy) $79.00 (List $179)
Shipping/Handling Insured USA $45 to the lower 48 states.
California Residents must pay 7.25% State sales tax.
Local pickup is available in the San Francisco Bay area.
For this sale, I prefer PayPal and will process orders in the order that I receive them. If i cannot fill your order, I will refuse the payment (this works best for both of us).
My PayPal and email is MichaelTHalloran @ comcast.net
Another instrument that has gotten some attention on UMGF is the Silver Creek, a house brand being sold by Musician's Friend. Here's a link to a post about that instrument, which is even less expensive than the Johnson Carolina:
http://p072.ezboard.com/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm51.showMessage?topicID=4946.topic
Used Epiphone Masterbilt EFs and Guild GAD-30s are also in your price range, and are pretty nice guitars. These show up on Ebay occasionally if you're comfortable with that. The Epi has a fairly full V neck, the Guild has a low profile neck.
There are also new 00 size Chinese guitars in your price range, often with 1 7/8 nut, if you prefer an even wider nut. Once again the UMGF is a place to look for more info.
http://p072.ezboard.com/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm51.showMessage?topicID=4970.topic
These puppies and the Republic Parlors http://www.republicguitars.com/parlorguitars.html look just like the instruments we see in vintage Hawaiian photographs.
Fran
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E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key Guitar in California - www.kaleponi.com
Slack Key on YouTube
Homebrewed Music Blog |
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ongchua
Akahai
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2008 : 09:46:02 AM
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Hello Fran,
Thanks for the recommendation and the links. Mike Halloran seems to be down in San Jose. Maybe I should swing by. I understand that he doesn't have dealer stock but maybe he can fill me in on the latest regarding the new OO from Recording King.
The prices on the Johnsons and the Silver Creeks are definitely in my range but the effusive praise for these guitars seems oft accompanied by complaints of consistency in quality. Probably all the more reason to consult with Mike (at least on the Johnsons). |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 06:39:44 AM
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I have a couple of inexpensive guitars (read: expendable) that I use for travel. One is a Johnson, and the other is a Blueridge BR-43. Both have solid tops and laminated sides/back. Both are probably 1-11/16" neck width, however.
At this price point, the overseas factory often does a minimal job of set-up, and the quality can vary. You should experiment with multiple examples if you can, and pick the best one. I did some corrective action adjustments on both, and they turned out to be decent guitars.
It is a little above your price point and not a OOO body, but the Taylor Big Baby is also a good choice. It is not a full-sized dreadnaught, but the action and playability are good on every example I have played. It has a 1-3/4" neck, I think.
Seagull also makes a couple of models that come pretty clsoe to meeting your specifications, particularly the Folk model.
And there is always the used market..... I still like to play my 1968 Silvertone (OOO size) that Dad bought for me from Sears all those years ago. It has a 1-7/8" wide flat neck but uses steel strings. An odd combo.
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 11:09:38 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Earl
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And there is always the used market..... I still like to play my 1968 Silvertone (OOO size) that Dad bought for me from Sears all those years ago. It has a 1-7/8" wide flat neck but uses steel strings. An odd combo.
That was not an uncommon design in the past. In the 60s they were sold as "folk guitars" by Gibson, and Martin built the 60s "New York" models in 0 and 00 sizes with 1 7/8 nut. And these were a sort of homage to the earliest steel string Martins, from the 1920s, which had 1 7/8 nut width as well.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key Guitar in California - www.kaleponi.com
Slack Key on YouTube
Homebrewed Music Blog |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 11:26:08 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Fran Guidry
quote:
Originally posted by Earl
...
And there is always the used market..... I still like to play my 1968 Silvertone (OOO size) that Dad bought for me from Sears all those years ago. It has a 1-7/8" wide flat neck but uses steel strings. An odd combo.
That was not an uncommon design in the past. In the 60s they were sold as "folk guitars" by Gibson, and Martin built the 60s "New York" models in 0 and 00 sizes with 1 7/8 nut. And these were a sort of homage to the earliest steel string Martins, from the 1920s, which had 1 7/8 nut width as well.
Fran
Ahhh yes!
My first guitar was just such a guitar (Silvertone).
It looked like this:
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Dusty |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2008 : 11:30:37 AM
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Thanks for the info on fretboards Fran. I did not know that. (BTW, "Kaleponi" happens to be playing in the background as I type. It just arrived Saturday. Nice.)
Dusty, my old Silvertone is the same body without the tailpiece. The bridge has pass-through holes for the strings, so no lost bridge pins. I kinda wish that my other gutiars had this sometimes. It originally had the painted block "inlays" too, but now has pearl dots. I also replaced the brass frets with nickle fret wire almost 20 years ago. No regard for any potential collectible value; I just wanted it to play better.
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2008 : 05:49:46 AM
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Earl, thanks a lot for the support. I hope the CD brings you a lot of enjoyment.
From your description of the bridge, it sounds like your guitar may have been one of those designed to use either nylon or steel strings. The idea was that a new player could start with nylon for less finger pain, then "graduate" to steel strings for more volume after their fingers had toughened up.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key Guitar in California - www.kaleponi.com
Slack Key on YouTube
Homebrewed Music Blog |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2008 : 06:49:50 AM
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Indeed, Fran, you are correct. I have used both nylon strings and steel strings on the Silvertone. Back before I had enough $$$ to own multiple guitars, I would put nylon strings on it when learning new tunes. Much easier on the fingertips when playing the same thing over and over during the learning process.
I actually harvested some of the ball ends when discarding a set of old steel strings, tied a knot through the ball using nylon strings, and slipped them through the hole. Years later I know how to properly tie the nylon string onto the bridge.
"Kaleponi" is very enjoyable, but also a bit frustrating. Trying to play along with certain songs leads to the perennial lament: How the heck is he doing that? Ahh, the many joys of ki ho'alu..... Maybe one of these days I can get back to the Bay area and we can get together or I can at least hear you perform. (Years ago, I lived in Petaluma).
- Earl
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
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