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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Mark, you had your chance ... Unfortunately the price of the collection has escalated since your visit :D |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | About as much chance as I had of winning the lottery. Sorry I missed the CL. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Not to beat a dead horse, but I'm going to anyway. The problem with all these mini guitars is that the scale doesn't make it for really playing. I think the A scales are great but it is a different animal altogether and not a choice for practicing your chops.
I had a great trip today with my Traveler ... played using the stethoscope on Southworst Airline into Boise, and then jammed for a couple of hours on both electric and acoustic tunes using the Pandora in the backseat of a Ford Explorer from Boise to Idaho Falls. I'm trying to use the time to make my playing better, which I don't think will happen if I'm playing a guitar that is designed for smaller hands. And the traveler fits "completely stowed under the seat in front of you" along with my laptop bag.
Just my two cents. By the way, I do have an old Applause half size supershallow (AA12 I think)that was used as my kids' first guitar. Indestructible, but way too big to be putting into a backpack. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Anybody notice this on the "little martin" ebay add?
My husband is downsizing his home studio and we are offering many Great items. Sounds like a stealth sale - her husband is probably on business trip... |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Stoney, what are you doing driving through Boise with your Traveller and not contacting me to show it off? For that matter what are you doing riding from Boise to Pocatello? |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | OK Mark. You got me. :rolleyes:
Actually, Mark was kind enough to meet me for a few minutes this afternoon as I was on my way to the Boise airport. It never ceases to amaze me how this humble little board manages to attract nothing but super nice people (certain trolls excepted). Mark is certainly one of them (errr ... super nice, not a troll) ... and drives a sweet car to boot. It was good to meet you Mark and I look forward to the next time when maybe we can actually play some guitars.
I'm not sure I convinced him about the Traveler, though. :) |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks, Bob. Check out the 1681 in Iowa thread to see what kind of pressure I could have been under if I had been near the computer today. |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Just my .02 cents.
I own a little martin (lxm), and while it will not compare to the sound of a full size guitar, it surely does what it's constructed for. So far, I've taken mine in camping trips and campfires, hiking excursions, picnics and cookouts, to the beach, the woods, swimming pools, and in classrooms filled with children. A friend of mine even managed to play it in the backseat of a NYC yellow cab - it was all in good fun.
Don't get the backpacker - it's a piece crap with a $150 price tag IMO. However, you can check out the similarly priced Washburn Rover, which tends to sound a bit better than the backpacker, and you don't have to go to a music store to purchase it -- in fact, it's featured in the LL Bean catalog that I'm browsing through as I'm typing this. |
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September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | Hello again Mark,
Well, I was in Best Price Guitars (Bro. Bobby)in OKC today and looked at the travel guitars there.
I tried out the: Montana, Little Martin HPL, Martin Backpacker, Washburn Rover, Crafter, Applause AA12-4.
The Montana, Rover and Backpacker are in one catagory, small bodies, don't take up much space.
The Little Martin, Crafter, and Applause are more like a standard guitar, just smaller.
Here is my opinion, and it is just that.
The Little Martin HPl sounded the best and should be pretty durable as it is not made from wood. $280. Wood models are higher.
The AA12-4 sounded good, it is a little shorter scale than a regular guitar, but still tuned to standard pitch. Cutaway body, we know it is durable. $199
The Crafter comes offers several choices, my favorite was the FRV40E. Looks like a small CV Viper. The back is like the viper, synthetic material pebbly paint job too. Sounded as good as the Applause, this one had a black top. Also standard tuning, and electronics. $199.
As far as the small bodied travel guitars:
I do not care for the Backpacker.
The Montana is full scale, maybe 24 3/4. Neck is kind of large, not very attractive in person. Body is deeper than the other two, but sound is lacking. Just does not do anything for me.
Of these three the Washburn Rover would be my choice, shallower body than the Montana, about like the Backpacker. Not a bad sound, looks pretty durable. $130
My choice would be either the Applause or the Crafter. Since the price is the same, the electronics in the Crafter might sway me.
I am not an expert or a very good player, but there it is for what it is worth. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I happened to play the Washburn Rover today at a music store in Burley, Idaho. My hearing was postponed a couple hours for the judge to go to a funeral. I was able to do everything there is to do in Burley during that time and still have lunch. I didn't mind the Rover, but you are right, it doesn't put out much sound. I agreed with your other comments, too. You have a lot more selection than we do here or in Burley. |
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January 2006
Posts: 1483
Location: Michigan | I would take a Celebrity Deluxe CS257 shallow bowl it seems to be an indesructible guitar that sounds great unplugged and plays nice around the campfire .
THAT IS HOW YOU OLD COWBOYS
CAN STILL IMPRESS THE YOUNG COWGIRLS.
GWB |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I recommended a CS257 as a campfire guitar to a mother of a guitar playing teenager. I told her she could probably pick up a used one for under $200. She was really pissed because she had bought him one last year and paid full list, she said something like $600.
It's just way too big to fit in a backpack, though, unless you don't take anything else. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I got the Applause. $76 on ebay. I agree with Stonebobbo that it's a bit big for backpacking, but she wanted to play it so that others around the campfire could hear it. That eliminated the Traveller, although I agree it's the neatest travel guitar out there. The Montana and Washburn are about the same size as the Applause, but the Applause had the advantage of being more indestructible. I hope she likes it. If not, I know someone who seems to collect Ovations. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I hope she likes it. If not, I know someone who seems to collect Ovations. No, Witko seems to be going away from Ovations these days. :D |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by ttenn:
No, Witko seems to be going away from Ovations these days. :D Uh, EXCUSE ME ??? Since the 1st of the year I've bought one used and two brand new Ovations, and I've got another brand new Adamas currently on order. Don't let the occasional ukulele or rosewood smelling wooden box fool you, username remains as is. STANDINGOVATION
And while we're at it, if I didn't already own the historical originals I'd be ALL over the shiny bowl re-issues. And not to mention the '06 Koa-lector that could have been such a winner if only ...
Dave |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | OK, Show-off! I was talking about me. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Wasn't intended to show off. I think ttenn was just trying to get my panties in a bunch ... and succeeded (ha ha). Those who know me, know the logic - nothing new comes without something old going (present wife unfortunately excluded). I've sold three guitars and three ukuleles this year to make room for the new stuff. Currently have a Hamer on the block, and I've got a few more Ovations that I'll post soon as well. Got to keep it all balanced. I can't afford to invest in any additional stands. Dave |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Those are some great stands. I think I'd spend a lot of time playing with the stands instead of the guitars. Let me know when you're ready to unload the Lennon if I don't have a Legend by then. |
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July 2005
Posts: 176
| I like the Breedlove passport |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Nick,
I never got to play one of those. Can you A/B one against a Tacoma Papoose for me?
I just spent my lunchtime passing around a solidbody Papoose (Olympia OSP1) attached to a set of PC speakers. Fun! |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | The Applause arrived yesterday. Great shape and not bad to play. Not much sound, but didn't expect much. It's a little big for backpacking, but only weighs a couple pounds.
Of course, two Applause backpackers show up on ebay after I bought this. If it doesn't work for my daughter, I'll just get one of the backpackers for the next holiday, as long as it's not her wedding. |
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July 2005
Posts: 176
| I've played a papoose before, but I can't really AB.
I can post a link to some horrid fingerpicking done on the passport though. |
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Joined:
April 2002
Posts: 202
Location: Orlando, Florida | I recently bought a Dean JT Playmate 3/4 size, and WOW, I was really surprised! What a great little guitar. I needed a guitar to take along, for when I had to wait in the car. You see, in New York City (for those who haven't been here), there's times when finding legal parking is really hard (wife's in a store, mother-in-law at the doctor, etc). I wanted something that I could play that I wouldn't mind getting bumped or banged by the steering wheel. I picked this one up on ebay for under $60, with a case. It sounds and feels better than the Taylor Baby I tried. It's loud, and the intonation is great. I don't know if all of them are this good, but this one's a winner.
Joe |
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November 2004
Posts: 1330
Location: ms | I got my daughter a Martin LXM,Its a great player and sounds good too.I`ve used it live (i put a p/u in it)and my 10 month old son loves to beat the crap out of it.He loves it so much i don`t have the heart to stop him.Maybe he will hang in their and be a player.I had a baby Taylor a few years ago,The Martin is much better. |
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backpack guitar
