What brand do you play?

[Todd McFarland]

Hey everyone, I would like to perform a simple survey of all that will reply to this. I am very curious what brand and model of guitar is the most popular among the flatpickers here.  There are thousands of members here so it will be great information for someone trying to decide on a "friend". So lets have it flatpickers, what do you play?

 

I will start;

I play a McPherson MG 4.5 with bearclaw sitka spruce top and indian rosewood b&s

[Larry Kennedy]

I play a Martin DM, which has a Spruce top and a laminated Mahogony back and sides. I put DR Dragon Skin medium strings on it to improve the bass. Bottom end Martin, but still nice.

[Todd McMakin]

Martin D-28 (standard, 2006 model)

Blueridge BR-140A (2012 model)

Taylor GS Mini (2011 model, Sitka top).

That's about it for me...

Todd

[John Winchell]

Played a 1970ish Suziki Martin copy for years.  Actually a pretty darned good guitar, but about 5 years ago I finally saved up and went down to get the Martin D-28 that I always wanted......came home with a D-35.  Played every guitar in the shop and the D35 just sang to me, and still does.  I travel a lot and recently bought a Rainsong Dreadnought graphite guitar to take along with me.  Darned graphite guitar sounds pretty good boys and girls, and don't need to worry about the humidity!

[Louis Ruoti]

Glad you found a nice Martin... I'm wondering about the Rainsong D. Is the setup flexible, or do you have to "take what they give you"?

[BRAD MCCORD]

Just a beginner, completely new to flatpicking.  You can laugh, but I have a yamaha FG700S and  Fender FA100.  I didn't want to spend a fortune on a nicer guitar if I wasn't gonna stick with it.  I bought them in May and have not let a day go by that I don't play.  The Yamaha has a spruce top and seems to sound nice enough to play at church.   I like this question! It will help me decide on a future guitar!

[Louis Ruoti]

I own a Blueridge 160. I have owned a half dozen Martins, a Guild, and a Larrivee in my 45 years of playing. I have also played top level Collings guitars extensively (fantastic but very expensive).

Dollar for dollar Blueridge offers the best value in todays acoustic market. For around 700 you can get practically the equivalent of a Martin D-28V in the Blueridge 160. I have owned both, and they are each great instruments. The difference is the BR is 700 and the  Martin about 2700.

Both companies produce the occasional dud, and the advantage you have with Martin is that you can go to a shop and play one, and that way be sure that it's a good one, and you like it. Few shops carry Blueridge in stock - You pretty much have to buy them online. They are made in China, and shipped to Saga Music in San Francisco. Most online stores are just drop-shippers for Saga. There are exceptions - if you happen to live near Eastern PA, Maury's Music carries a pretty fair assortment, which you can go to their shop and try. They also offer the cheapest prices for them online by a good margin.

Anything less than a BR160 is not going to be comparable to other well known companies high end instruments, and it's silly to spend 500 instead of 700 when you can get a top quality instrument at the 700 mark.

One other thing - the Blueridge models are slim necked. 1-11/16 at the nut for Sitka Spruce topped, and 1- 3/4 for Adirondack Spruce. If you need a wider fatter neck, they aren't for you.

I recommend the BR160 Adirondack Spruce (700) or the 180 Addy (at around 1100).

Good luck, hope this helps broaden your horizons.

[BRAD MCCORD]

You couldn't have said it better! 

[Glen Lacher]

Collings CW

Bourgeois Slope D

Santa Cruz PW-D

The Bourgeois is the current favorite.......

Glen

[Tom Behan]

I'm playing a 2009 Martin D-28 Marquis.

[Craig John]

Conley D-21, 1949 Martin 000-18, Conley/John D-21

[Tony Wetjen]

Bourgeois Dreads, I've paid my dues to Mr Martin over the years . Huss and Dalton are very good too.

[Dave Caouette]

I own several, but play primarily two:

(1) 1963 Martin D18

(2) 1936 Gibson Century of Progress