What I learned from buying a $1600 guitar
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- čas přidán 31. 07. 2024
- When it comes to guitars, the law of diminishing returns certainly applies. Cheap guitars often play and sound great, and are more than adequate for writing and recording. Considering this, why would anyone buy an expensive alternative? Watch to find out!
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Great video! As a very experienced acoustic player, I’ll weigh in in case it helps anyone. The term “beginner” guitar is a marketing term often used to sell budget guitars. One of my personal favorite guitars is a Silvertone (Sears department store) “beginner” guitar from the 60’s. It has zero sustain, no projection, high action, terrible intonation, fret buzz, sharp frets, and barely stays in tune, but it has a unique sound thanks to those qualities combined with the aged solid wood. I would never suggest someone try to learn on it. If you are actually starting out, I’d suggest buying the nicest handmade acoustic you can afford. The handmade guitar will hold its value if you decide to sell it, and as Spencer said, they will be much easier to play for a beginner. If that’s beyond your means, no sweat. You can buy an excellent budget instrument nowadays thanks to CNC manufacturing and overseas labor. If you go that route, look for these specs: solid wood top, satin finish, non-plastic nut and saddle, and budget in the cost of paying the guitar shop to do a set up for you ($50-100). Hope that helps someone!
Also, as a fellow musician, I've found out that if I write "happier" songs, it's a good mental health exercise to "feel better" by faking it till you make it. I've struggle with anxiety and depression since 2004. Forcing myself to "fake being happy" has made it easier for me to actually be happy. I call it "exercising the happiness muscle". Food for thought.
I've written a lot of happy songs over the years, but I definitely prefer to write darker and more introspectively. That being said my next video is for a Christmas song- and it is extremely upbeat, family friendly, and borderline corny. Straight out of a hallmark movie, baby!
As a standalone instrument, the Taylor sounds fuller. But in a mix with other instruments, you'd not hear the difference in a million years between it and the Fender. But you sure can feel a good instrument when you play it.
I will say the difference in sound is much more noticeable in person. And yes the feel is the biggest difference!
the last remark about your phone vs a guitar purchase is also how i see it... i have a bunch of guitars but only one "nice" guitar and it is a handmade acoustic... i saved for a long time and played dozens and when i found the one, i pulled the trigger and i hope to play it for the rest of my life... that was about three years ago and I have absolutely zero regrets... in the scope of a lifetime that $1600 is nothing, enjoy it Spencer!
I worked with many recordings from different people on different experience levels and budgets. I was not always able to tell if the track has been recorded on a pricey or cheap instrument, especially when people performed with passion. I feel like there's a minimum amount you have to spend for gear so you don't cut yourself on sharp edges or record tons of humming. In the end, you have to feel comfortable playing and enjoy the sound.
Great honest review, I always love the songs at the end. You should really make a studio album sometime
Thanks for checking it out, and an album is In progress!
Honestly, one of the best approach to explaining cost and value. Congrats on the new guitar.
Thanks!
The material used in the top wood / sound board contributes to the sound quality of an acoustic guitar.
Perhaps talking about laminate vs solid construction, which is literally the most important thing in acoustic guitars, would have been a good thing to do.
I had the same thought.
It all boils down to the sound you like. Stop treating music like a prison camp.
Your opinion literally doesn’t mean a thing on someone else’s ears.
Firstly, I’ve just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it.
I’m with you on the tonewood argument. I think it makes a slight difference but it’s almost imperceptible. I did think the Fender sounded a bit bassier than the Taylor which had a bit more clarity but it was negligible and definitely not 8 times better!
Thank you for that. The song was touching and very well done with just the right amount of mellow bluesy leaks. Tasty 😋
My rule with buying instruments/anything is that I won't buy anything too expensive that it will ruin my day if it gets scratched or damaged. I try to take care of my instruments, but life happens and sometimes you bump into things and get dents on them. All three of those guitars sounded nice, even the rouge had a cool sound that I thought was interesting, but I'm assuming getting that sound out of the rouge feels a lot rougher than making the fender or taylor sound good.
I definitely think this applies more to acoustic guitars than electric guitars, whereas the pickups make a big difference with an electric, but there's a lot of common factors.
Craftsmanship is a BIG factor in anything made out of wood, but moreso for an acoustic guitar that relies more on its construction and the QUALITY of that construction to get the very best sound.
Great video, and it was good to see you pick out a very well made high end guitar without pushing the "You have to have an expensive instrument to sound good!" line that so many other CZcamsrs do. I believe that a good musician can get a good sound out of pretty much anything, but if the craftsmanship is there, it's more comfortable to play and as a result you feel more relaxed playing it. When you feel more relaxed playing an instrument, and you're not having to work so hard, you sound better because you play better.
Ok, lots of babbling BS there, but I hope I made a decent point.
Keep up the great videos Spencer! 👍
I've recently bought a Taylor AD17e and I think it was worth it. There's a Harley Benton that sounded almost as good as but the build quality wasn't close to the Taylor. The playability is great and it's perfectly build. It's a keeper!
A guitarist in my band played an Ibanez that cost about $600 and said it sounded as good as his $2,400 Taylor. Recently his Ibanez had a catastrophic failure in its electronics. Reluctant as my handmade was to bring such an expensive instrument to a gig, he had no choice. It was immediately evident that it sounded vastly better than the Ibanez. And I liked the way the Ibanez sounded. There's just a difference between adequate and great. One of the reasons, no doubt, was that the Taylor has the extra resonance of solid wood construction, whereas the Ibanez was laminated. Important factor.
I recently bought a couple of expensive electric guitars. I wondered whether I could find something just as good that wasn't as expensive, but having tried a Telecaster in the series (Fender Elite), I went for an Elite Stratocaster. These have that craftsmanship, and that sense of easy of playability, in addition to looking fabulous and sounding first-class.
Interesting insight. My experience was similar. I always thought my Fender was great, and then I played the Taylor and immediately noticed a difference. Surprisingly, I've never owned an expensive electric (even though I mostly play electric). The most I've spent on an electric is $900. I've always got the sense that the difference isn't as drastic from a $900 electric to a $3000 electric. But then again, I thought the same thing about acoustics. One of these days I'm gonna buy a top of the line electric and see what it's all about!
Assuming that's a 314 (based on $1600)--those typically come with a hard shell case (at least mine did--maybe they don't anymore). Also, while Taylors are hand built, the parts are cut by CNC (or at least manually using templates and a pin router), just like the less-expensive guitars, but they are full-solid-wood construction (as opposed to solid top, lamintate back and sides).
Taylors are very easy to play wich makes the player go for advanced playing thus sounding as a better player.
true
I think it's just subjective. The Taylor in the video has more nuances and a brighter soundscape than the Fender imo, but if it's worse sounding? Depends on what you consider good. I think you made a great choice in getting the Taylor, enjoy it; it's a beautiful instrument. Also, great production on the video. Take my upvote.
I bought a Hagström for 300$ when I was 15, I still have it now(29) and it's been my only guitar for all those years. Now I'm turning 30 and decided it was time to buy a nice instrument that I can have for another 20 years. I ended up with a Yamaha FG5. No electronics, and a dreadnought(even though I play live sometimes my experience is that electronics do rattle from time to time). At first I started to doubt my purchase because I wasn't sure the improvement was that big, but the more I've played it and whenever I go back to my Hagström it's a world of difference now after a couple of months. The Yamaha is so much easier to play, has no creaking or bi-sounds, and the sound is sooo good now that I've learned to listen for it. The biggest difference is the ability to hear the individual strings when I'm plucking, but also that the chords melt the strings together and are super loud and clear by comparison. So even though it's a dreadnought compared to my Hagstrom which was a 000 it's got better capabilities for almost anything.
My $3,500 Les Paul is noticeably better than my other cheaper ~$500 guitars. Not 7 times better, but maybe three times as good. It’s so easy to play.
One of these days I'm gonna buy a Les Paul or an SG. My entire life I've been a Fender guy- and my $600 Mexican made telecaster with hum buckers sounds great with distortion.
@@songsbyspencer Mexican Teles are great!
I picked one out from a line of them...the best one was about 80% as good as the USA ones.
I got it fir a student and the still have it...and love it!
@@songsbyspencer
I have a MIM tele. Love it!
Thanks for the incredible quality videos. I see what you’re doing with the lighting and editing and it’s top notch.
Great video. In my experience, the biggest reason for that high price isn't necessarily for something on the spec sheet.
I agree, there's just something about the way it feels. You can feel the love put into the instrument.
I’ve typically felt that a higher end instrument is easier to play. I currently own 19 guitars, mostly electric including a number of US made Fenders and Gibsons. I’ve recently taken a step back and started looking more into Epiphone and Squire guitars. My current favorite is a Squire Paranormal Jazzmaster 12 string with P-90s. I got it from Musicians Friend as a blemished model and believe I paid $150. It was a demo at a NAMM show, and came with an excellent setup; which is even more important on a 12 string than a 6, and the frets dressed and polished. It plays like an absolute dream. I’d go so far as to say better than my US made Tele or Strat.
I guess my overall point is that budget friendly guitars are becoming closer to their “high end” brethren now than ever before, and law of diminishing returns is even greater.
wow a $200 fender, makes me wonder why electronic fenders start at $700, considering acoustic guitars are far more difficult to make. i always looked at fender as a brand for people with far too much money to spend because of their high prices.
Is the fender an electric-acoustic too? I think a big chunk of the price difference too is that the Taylor has the built in electronics.
Equivalent models is still more expensive than Fender ($500-800) but not as dramatic.
I do agree about your thoughts too. Great job on the video!
The Taylor has electronics built in, while the Fender does not. And you're 100% correct it definitely affects the price. Tthe Taylor's electronics are great, too. I don't really use it, cause I like to mic my acoustic but when I tried it out I could tell the pickups where of fantastic quality.
I play mostly budget guitars ($2-300) and there's one very specific reason I've never taken the plunge of a much more expensive guitar. I definitely, after 20 plus years of playing and still being pretty intermediate as skill goes, can definitely hear and feel the difference between my budget gear and the really nice stuff I get my grubby hands all over in guitar shops. But owning one of those guitars isn't just going to magically make the way I play any better or sound better. I play and sound how I play. If I were a regular gigging musicians like some of my friends, then maybe I'd treat myself. As it stands, some day when I can be a bit more carefree with the cash perhaps I'll treat myself. For now my $200 Cort and used $80 Hohner suit me just fine but a Taylor or Martin will be a nice reward for my frugality in the future.
There's nothing wrong with budget equipment! I've always had budget gear and I think it's actually really great to learn on. The more expensive guitars are easier to play, so they will enhance your playing a tiny bit. And they do sound better, which can be more exciting when you're playing.
Yeah, nothing wrong with budget equipment. You have to get what you can afford. However, when it comes to a high quality instrument, it can improve your playing. It can inspire you, but it also gets out of your way. You don't struggle against the limitations of a lower quality instrument. I've had both, in both keyboards and guitars.
I own a Collings D-1 boutique guitar and a cheap Applause. There is no comparison between them in sound quality or playability. You don't need a great sounding guitar to learn to play, but it needs to be player friendly or you will give up and quit. The applause fit that bill for a time. I saved my pennies for a long time and the Collings was worth every cent. At some point, it becomes about what the instrument inspires you to play more than what a non-guitarist can hear in the tone. An investment I will enjoy for a lifetime. I heard a lot more definition from the Taylor, and I prefer it for the lead part. That said, you can (and have) made great music with the Fender.
One day I just wanna play a Collings. Every resource I've seen says they are the absolute best acoustic you can get. Stoked to try it out at some point! To the best of my recollection I've never seen them at a store.
Can I make a wish?
Can the next song by Spencer, no matter what genre, please have the happiest lyrics possible?
DONE! My next video is for a Christmas song, and it's super upbeat, cliche, and borderline corny. Something the whole family will enjoy!
ive been playing for a while u truly dont need to go over 3500 to 4000 dollars to have an amazing guitar..after 4 or 5 it gets into super fancy woods and baloney aboloney
Professional guitarist here. To be honest, 1600$ is not that much when it comes to acoustic guitars. Taylor is known to be one of the worst sounding brands if it comes to pickups (they have really good marketing though). I've tried so many of them but never got a good sound (on stage). You definetely need an upgrade like lr baggs anthem or fishman mic blend. Otherwise it will never sound good on stage. I switched to Maton and could'nt be happier.
I'd rather buy a mid-priced guitar and give it the best possible setup ("easier to play" mostly comes down to a better set up) and the best possible pickup, than a taylor for 1600$.
I think that tge Taylor has new strings, with a crisp sound and the Fender has older more worn ones.
Both had fresh Elixir strings on them!
ok how about you put the same string set gauges and string brand to the 3 guitars and let's see if it'll make any difference coz im thinking the cheap guitar obviously uses cheap strings, fender probably uses their fender strings, and taylor guitar also probably uses something even expensive string set
The $50 guitar had the strings it came with, while the Fender and Taylor both had brand new elixir strings. Same gauge, same everything.
@@songsbyspencer yeah that's why im curious what if you put all the same brand of strings to it? let's say you put the same elixir or ernieball acoustic string set to all 3 guitars, will the 50$ guitar catch up with the fender and taylor or is there still going to be a noticeable difference?
Taylor is a killer, way better.
You can have luck and find a real good budget instrument, my first acoustic bass was rather cheap but sounded and played way better than the others in the shop.
But then I came to my Martin bass and concerning every aspect it's by far so much better
My experience was the same my first guitar I bought from a friend for $100 and I thought it played and sounded great. But when I started playing this Taylor the difference was quite striking.
Would you be offended if I start a conspiracy channel called “Songs by Spencer is Dead”?
Because I think I’ve been picking up the subtle clues and I’m pretty sure this is not the original Spencer.
Seriously though, we are all going through shit, struggling and it’s not good to dwell in that victim narrative (hopelessness). I think many of us can relate to the mental health issues you have shared and eluded to and I personally want to see you and everyone else get better. I agree it’s good to use creativity cathartically but I would love to see something optimistic or at least not downright suicidal.
You’re fucking awesome Spencer just remember that!💪🏻❤no homo from your internet brother, Love you man!
love you too
Put Nashville tuning on one of the cheaper guitars and thank me later.
I'll have to give that a shot!
Taylors do have that extra quality.
I bought a Tanglewood against a Taylor 314.
I saved 800$
But,
It has not aged well.
For months I played the Tanglewood for months and months and left my Maton on the couch for weeks at a time....enjoying the Tanglewood going back to it.
Never buy cheap, cheap guitars.
And I love my PRS C24 with Birds!
Always get a quality guitar!
Nothing has ever beaten it...for my tastes
But the Tanglewood just no longer sounds as good.
I think the Crossbarring bracing came unglued and the soundboard has moved.
I will get a Taylor 314 or above.
The longevity is another factor that a lot of people don't consider when purchasing a guitar. At purchase a cheap and expensive guitar can feel and sound decently close but over time the cheaper one gradually declines in quality, while the expensive one just maintains.