Im 43, been playing since I was 15. I have never owned an electric. Dozens of acoustics have come and gone. Now my 10 year old daughter plays electric and Im clueless. Literally your story in reverse.
I came to the same conclusion so, i got myself a good accoustic too. And what to say beside my 7 electric guitar, this Cort MR500E has a special to all others. it sounds even at blackout, we had recently due to falling tree..At least one good Instrument should be at every guitar players home. It is so direct in tone but natural at the same time. Another world in Guitaruniverse.
Yes! Acoustic is its own thing! I’ve always felt that an acoustic is more like a piano. You learn & play entire songs on an acoustic. That’s generally how we play them. We play songs that people recognize and want to hear. On an electric, we tend to play a lot of riffs & licks or “parts” of songs. I’m fairly certain I played nothing but “parts of songs” on my Strat for years and never learned an entire song. Bought a new high end acoustic and immediately learned a complete song?!?!? Plus I’m older now!Lol
I gotta agree with ya John, was totally the same for me. Watching this as I haven't touched my electric in years. I bought a sailboat years back for escape and suddenly my ancient super cheap acoustic was front and center, no power, no problem. Was so hard at 1st, but once the fingers got stronger, whole songs suddenly. The way I look at it now, the juice goes out, for however long, I've still got music, and that ain't a bad thing to have!
Very true. For some reason they make you slow down, learn some chords and play songs. I love picking up an acoustic in a shop and playing some dreamy chords.
Getting into guitar I got carried away and got hollow body electric (Gretch) then telecaster, then decent Fender acoustic, have bounced around to all. Each is unique and developed different skill sets. Found a nice StarCaster bass and added it all have unique features. But acoustic are to learn chords and songs. Even better was adding thinner strings to an acoustic for bends and all the fun of distortion. We all have the chance to learn in our own way but don’t know in the beginning how we will learn. Covid beginner, might start using that name for posting. Boomers love things! Now to sound like Nile Rogers and Neil Young, with a side of Jimmy Page.
@@flouisbailey I used thinner strings in the beginning too, it was crucial. Then I started wanting the thicker for the sound, and you can still bend with stronger fingers. Gluck out there rona beginner!
@@TheBlackSheepDiaries We are definitely on same page. Too bad some people give up because of string size. Watching a documentary on Slash his first guitar only had one string. He said he practiced a lot before he got a set of strings. He also said he got a late start with guitar, he was 14 or 15 years old. Some would say he did OK. I haven’t seen the end yet but he made a buck or two. It’s on Tubi.
I started on electric and got my acoustic four years later. I've learned so much more by playing the acoustic. It's how I learned to play whole songs, how songs were structured and composed, etc. It took a while to go from metal head to classic country fan, but that's what happened. Now Jimmy Rodgers (from the late 1920s) is one of my favorite musicans of all time. Yodeling also taught me how to sing much better. The ability to slide easily between full tone and falsetto is key in rock music as well as country.
That is one way of making good music, by composing a good melody, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the “ambience” approach with lots of effects to create amazing music too
Electric and acoustic are two completely different instruments. I've seen dedicated acoustic players who cannot play electric, and electric players who were clueless about acoustic. I play both. When I pick up an electric, I make a mental shift, an adapt to the sustain, dynamic control. To me, the acoustic is all about the voicings, the physicality of it all. Your touch makes the sound. All I can say is that it is imperitive to have a good quality acoustic. Spend as much as you can afford, and make sure it is properly set up. I play 11's on acoustic, 9's on electric.... my plug-in acoustic has 10's. Electric or acoustic, it's all about your touch... that's where all your tone is, and nobody will have a tone like you. Your touch is unique to you alone.
correct,it is a shift in thought,there are bands that base their whole catalog of music around acoustic projection,then there are bands that have the whole show around lead guitar,SABBATH,PINK FLOYD,,YES,KANSAS,both instruments in the hands of a genius,glorious sounds,listen to stevie ray play accoustic,be amazed
First of all....how dare you?! 😂 Acoustics are literally the purest way of communicating energy from your body into a physical thing and expressing it into the world in music. You should own a dozen acoustics because every single one is different. You could easily have two or three electrics and be covered. Love you man, this is perfect! I remember you asking me about this one before pulling the trigger.
Nah, one great acoustic is all ya need, today demands more in general, if you want a wide audience. It's why country can't forgo either or today, it doesn't sound as good as playing both. Plus, while acoustics play differently and sound differently each one, very few of the most excellent woods can be had anymore. My Martin is a special edition, Indian Rosewood from reserve after the Lacey Act, and it's clear how much better that now non usable wood is, vs Brazilian Rosewood for the same exact purpose. Having such a rare beast, means that my sound is immediately appreciated and often favored by purists of the art.
Interesting take on guitars. I did it the opposite way: When I was 12 or so, my 6th grade music teacher bought (out of her own money, I found out later) junior-size acoustic guitars for all 24 kids in her class at the beginning of the school year. If we (students) were still playing them at the end of the year, we got to keep the guitar. My father had been a part-time Country and Western singer/guitarist, and used nothing but acoustic guitars. So, with those influences, I started to play. I realized after a year or so (this was in the mid-'60s) that there was a whole new world of guitar sounds out there that I couldn't make with an acoustic guitar. I therefore asked Santa for an electric guitar, and received it the following Christmas, in the form of a Sears Silvertone, as well as a Silvertone amplifier. Basically, my first 18 months or so of guitar playing was on an inexpensive acoustic, mostly learning how to play Country songs. I then shifted to electric primarily, but never completely lost touch with acoustic. I've been a semi-professional musician ever since, and still play either my acoustic(Yamaha FSX 830 acoustic/electric) or electric (Fender Stratocaster, MIM 2012) guitar virtually every day.
i prefer nylon string guitars to acoustics. way more versatile. fingerpicking for classical and flamenco, picking near the bridge for that steel string acoustic sound
I use to play both, but as I get older I just love playing acoustic guitars. Because of the awesome tone the wood gives. I’ve really also been enjoying more 12 string acoustic guitars because it’s part of the southwest USA culture.
It takes me 10 minutes to tune a 6-string acoustic that I haven't played in a while. It takes me 30 minutes or more to tune up a 12-string from storage pitch. It's worth it.
I don't care if you play swedish death metal, I don't care if you play grindcore, I don't care what you play... every guitarist needs to start on acoustic! You are gimping yourself otherwise!
I learned on acoustic, playing songs by The Cure and U2 and Rush, etc. I found myself trying to take on the role of the whole band with a single instrument. I learned dynamics and nuance and chord relationships and harmonies. I’ve since transitioned more to electric, but I love the purity of my old acoustic.
I used to think the same way about acoustics and then I came across Americana music. It was like acoustic guitars were a canvas and electric guitars were brushes used to accent and color the songs. It all clicked and now the most expensive guitar I own (and my favorite guitar) is a Martin D-16e
Wow. Found you in my feed for the first time tonight. You seem like such a likable guy. Loved how you talked about your dad and his acoustic. I’m one of these MUCH older guys just learning to play. I’ve collected nice guitars over the years but never really played. Now is my time!
Thanks for sharing your experience with great comments....yes acoustic guitars are so great to play.... Like you I started with an electric guitar and in my later years (now 79 yrs old) I just love playing (and singing) songs. I love folk music so the acoustic really is so good... cheers from Australia 😊
Got too many guitars for a fairly small apartment. Never play any electrics at home just play my seagull s6, got like 10 electrics here and a few more in storage. If I ever get out to play with people I use the electrics which is very rare. So its an odd deal here. Hoping to bring my PA over to a drummer friends place this weekend. Wish me luck!
Loved one gave me an acoustic too big .. so traded in for a "prettier one" worst mistake ... was told by gcenter the one I choose the " pretty" one was junk... I cried then moved to Bass guitar and elec ukulele. Now want a classic acoustic guitar... so I hear ya understand but Bass guitar is my first kov then the classical buy one and done is coming soon one day a baby Martin classic no tuner)) guitar
After playing acoustic and electric for over 42 years I am glad I started on acoustic. Starting there and moving to electric helped my ear to appreciate nuances in tone.
I couldn't agree more! Electric guitars can easily hide mistakes where as acoustic will amplify them and once you get a song sounding perfect on it moving over to the electric you get blown away at how much better you'll sound both technically & audibly.
Major beginner here but I’ve got a Gretsch Jim Dandy it’s a parlor size and under 200$ but it’s awesome to have on the couch and it’s not a big deal when my kid gets ahold of it would recommend one just to make some noise on the couch if you’re into that kind of thing
I don't agree that you have to approach acoustic and electric differently. Pete Townshend puts heavier strings on his electrics, so his rhythm playing doesn't have to be altered.
I started playing acoustic in my teens; Nancy Wilson was my idol. In my late 50’s decided to learn the electric. It is a different animal but both are awesome. Thanks for the video.
I started playing when I was 26, I'm 69 now and Jimi was a huge influence on me though I play acoustic mostly. The guitar will change you, never fight it. Keep on playing. Great video!
I play acoustic and electric both daily. Some of the tonal nuance that i learned from playing acoustic as far as touch is concerned certainly translated to how I play electric too. And vice versa, just as long as I have a guitar in my hands i'm good.
My grandpa had a 1969 Gibson Dove acoustic which he showed me G, C, and D chord, when I was 18 years old. He said go from there. 7 years later he gave it to me. I sold it in 2018, to pay my rent, because I fell on hard times. I sold it the price for what he he bought it for back in 1972. I'm 45 now, and there isn't one day that goes by, that I wish above all things, to have that guitar back. But it's gone, I'll never get that guitar back. It had the original case and bill of sale from where he bought it from. All I got is the memories of him playing it and a picture I took of it. Just some advice to whomever reads this comment, don't get rid of your guitars that have a special meaning and place in your life, you'll regret it.
i have a cheap, 10 yr old fender acoustic. it's no $3400 martin, but it does acoustic-y things when i need it to, and that's enough for me. over the years, i've had others, some good, others that were real stinkers.
I started learning guitar later in my life(17 which is late from what I’ve heard anyway) I was fortunate enough to get a get good job out of high school and I bought I hd 28. Tbh I didn’t realize what I had till is was about 22ish. Still amazed by that guitar! Not to mention the 1000cad that the same guitar has increased in price since 2014 (2013 model but still new when purchased)
I've got more electrics than I have acoustics. But when I bought my second acoustic 20 years ago, I must have tried 30 of them to find the one I wanted as they all sound and play different. I ended up buying a mid-priced Takamine which to me played and sounded better than some of the more expensive ones. Personal taste more than anything. I bought a few different shaped and material Artist acoustics a while back and pretty impressed with how good they sound for a $300-400AU acoustic.
Whatever you played in the beginning was absolutely beautiful, reminded me of the rain song a little bit. If that’s an original, please release a full song so we can hear the rest of it!!
If you wanted to do more stuff about acoustic guitar, like a video going into more detail about your thoughts on the differences in playing acoustic vs electric, I would certainly not be disgruntled. ;)
Great video. Out of curiosity why did you decide to settle on a dreadnought? I feel like most advice I see for having only one is a 000. I'm not very experienced FYI
Seems if you only had one, you would want the one you want. Play many 'til you find the one! I've known plenty of guitarists (amateur and pro) with only one and it's a dreadnought. Also know a few ukulele players, they seem happy.
Such a good point! I am the same, wanting only one great acoustic. I got a D 28 my hero Paul. I try to play AC/DC and do bends, and stuff and wonder why it doesn’t work as well. I need to remember it is a different instrument than an electric guitar. I should embrace the 1 3/4 inch nut rather than wanting it to have a thinner nut like an electric.
Yeah, it’s like comparing a piano to an organ. The similarities are there, but they are played completely different. I also find that a style played on the acoustic can easily be translated over to an electric guitar, but very rarely the other way around.
@@xamislimelight8965 happy now? I am well educated, post grad etc. However, due to circumstances, I go without sleep for up to 5 days, then I am lucky if I get 2 hours sleep. It’s not always a case of illiteracy, rather brain dead exhaustion in my case. Have a good one.
Good point about translating from acoustic to electric. I'm considering learning guitar and would like to go electric but have been advised to go acoustic first to build up finger strength, etc. Thank you for you comment.
I like you much better now Rob; we both love the acoustic and you own the one I hope to purchase one day. To top it off - my favorite picking tune is Led Zep's song "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" it is such an epic song for the acoustic, and we have the same first name. However, the electric was never my thing. (maybe someday) One of my favorite players is a local guy named Corey Heuvel. Not only can he play but he can also sing and write some good music. He's giving it up to follow other ventures but has done some amazing acoustic stuff. Hendrix, SRV, Mayer, and even Pantera the list goes on. I'm sure you will appreciate his dedication to the acoustic guitar if you check him out. (you can watch & listen to his last original work called - Starbird - The Acoustic Session) I didn't post the link cuz I didn't want YT to remove this comment. Just go to his channel. I hope you do more acoustic videos btw.
Anyone who knows of HD28, D35, and HD35 will be saying WTF is this guy talking about! Listen to Tony Rice, Dan Crary, and Doc, y'all. (Every rock musician worth his salt in the 1960s/1970s also played these dreadnaughts masterfully.)
I thought acoustic was a right of passage in TO the electric... You mean... all you dudes, and ladies, got electrics FIRST??? WHAT THE HELL? How did you ever manage to build up your finger strength without the obligatory "mile-high, beginner's acoustic action?"
We all have our preferences, but the starting point is always that God created everything and so in one way everything is Good because Jesus made it; spoke it into existence and holds everything together by the power of His spoken word in harmony with The Father and The Holy Spirit-Father, Son & Spirit, The One Living and True God who has revealed Himself in three persons-this being such, we have to deal with the reality that everything that has been made in some degree by it’s created-ness, is good-my preference dictates that resonators are better, but in all fairness, I must say I haven’t tried one of those out. Thanks for sharing! God bless you! Soli Deo Gloria -Ronnie
You should put together a weekly alternate tuning on acoustic segment. Stones, zeppelin, Neil young, Crosby ,stills , Nash. It would be so nice! Just a thought🤔
Yes, Robert! MORE ACOUSTIC GUITAR! You say it'll be a challenge? I'd love to watch you work thru that challenge! 🤪 Maybe try a classical guitar, learn a few songs... It'll help you grow as a musician. You know about Jimmy Page's background, right? You can hear his classical training in some of his solos! It's funny: i watched a YT video (a while back) where a guy was analyzing Page's licks. Once he pointed out those classical beginnings... Now i hear it all the time, lol. Try it! (You might even like it.)
I bought a new acoustic guitar. I hate it. They use cheap soft nickle on the frets. I only had it a few months. I had only put on 2 sets of strings. They say it normal wear. What BS. I NEED A GUITAR WITH STEEL FRETS. THE OLDER GUITARS NEVER HAD THIS FRET PROBLEM. SO I will try to sell it now, or I will be putting money into frets every year I seems. This has turned me off guitar. My first brand new guitar turned into a nightmare
Other way around for me. I’m 58. I began teaching myself acoustic guitar at nine years old. I’d watch Hee-Haw every Sunday night and that was my weekly lesson. Buck and Roy were my first music teachers. It all began with acoustic and it still is the best type of guitar to learn and play. I do play electric. At nineteen I bought a 1983 Les Paul studio and now play telecaster’s primarily. Anyway great video and I am glad the acoustic guitar finally rubbed off on you. They have a penchant for that.😊
Now that you finally got a real guitar maybe you can learn some real music? 😜 Suggestions: Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce. Operator by Jim Croce. Classical Gas written by Mason Williams. I suggest you watch the Jim Stafford Plays Classical Gas Branson, MO video on RUclips for a spectacular performance. He also killed it on the old Smothers Brothers comedy show and that's also on RUclips. For a strong basic strum acoustic guitar song it's hard to beat My Sweet Lord by George Harrison.
My collection would be complete with the addition of a 12 String Acoustic (and a Junior). I had one once a long time ago. It was stolen. I was angry. Actually every time I think about it I'm angry...my keyboard right now is taking a beating...
I have the early 80's Tackamine "The lawsuit" F-360 - looks just like your D-28 (of course, because it was made with Martin design specifications and drawings). It's the same as yours, except name on the headstock, and a few thousand dollars less.
You can't play bluegrass on an electric guitar. 'Nuf sed. ... Listen to Doc Watson, Peter Rowan, David Doucet, David Bromberg - some of the best pickers ever. I love playing and learning on my electric, but aside from not having a cut-out on the higher frets, I love my acoustic even more. Guitars are for playing music and you don't need electricity to play acoustic. :-)
3 years ago I started learning guitar at 61 yo on a Fender Strat, six months later I moved to acoustic and that’s all I play. Unlike yourself, I now have 5 acoustic guitars but like you I have an HD-28; just love ‘em
Most acoustics suck. Just not Martins. Years ago I treated myself and bought a D-28. Beautiful guitar. Very inspiring guitar. A short time later I was forced to sell it for financial reasons. Could never afford another. Having to play a $500 acoustic vs a Martin is a world apart and I don’t play it much. The Martin sounded so gorgeous I wanted to play. Cheap ones lack the magic.
I play and acoustic the same way I play and electric for the most part... Except some stuff sounds better with overdrive/distortion and vice versa. Am I the only one?
I think one Acoustic is enough. They do pretty well one thing, evoke a natural feel to your music. After that ,semantics in this plugged in world! Lol, my 96' Martin SPD16TR, Is all I'll ever need in that department. It's certainly all I want too, the tone is dark as possible, which on acoustics, I prefer. Not the Taylor spank, that gets gritty at times on the ears in live settings, my Martin makes the peeps sway, regardless.
Yeah you're totally right, I started out on electric and slowly overtime evolved into strictly acoustic in the span of 30 years. And you're right, it's in a lot of ways a totally different instrument, the strings are more tense, so you need more pressure on your fret and picking hand. But I just love it, if you have a solid wood guitar like your HD28, it expresses notes in ways speakers can't. There's just so much more depth and resonance with the sound that I just never hear with speakers or even a decent stereo system. I still from time to time plug in for jams and recording but nothing makes me feel a song like an acoustic. You probably know the specs on your guitar by now but I love the Martin HD28 you have, rosewood back and sides with a spruce top and a ebony fingerboard, you just can't do any better. I myself chose a Segal Studio which has the same specs but with a 1.8" nut width which I prefer as I do a lot of finger style, unfortunately they don't make them anymore.
I started playing electric guitar 20+years ago and maybe 10 years ago I finally got an AE Washburn and it only lasted me 2 years before it cracked and warped. Then I got a fender acoustic that I still have as a backup, 2 years ago I was at a guitar store and found a martin AE The body had a crack so the guy said I'll take 200$ for it, he was asking 450$ I said BET!! I repaired the crack and got a sound hole humidifier and it hasn't failed me yet. Someday I'm gonna splurge and get a more expensive martin with a cutaway. Or a Taylor😊 great video dude
They sounds great and I like to hear someone that can play one well BUT I've hated playing them for 38 years!! I hated trying to play one when I was 15 and at 53 I still hate them. I've been working on guitars most of my life. I have a moderately decent understanding of basic scientific concepts, but I still don't understand why the string tension feels SOOOOOOOO much higher on an acoustic with the same strings as an electric. I put electric 9s on my acoustic and get pretty low action but it still feels like garbage! I've played everything from $199 Yamahas to Martins, Taylors and a $6000 Gibson. I hate them all. I've thought about getting a set of 7s just to see if I can make one playable. Why can't an acoustic EVER feel like an electric? I'd genuinely like to know.
Most people can't play acoustic guitar properly, and end up strumming Hey Joe or ACDC. Seeing others abuse the instrument, and far too many renditions of Wonderwall have put me off acoustic guitar. I sold mine 5 years ago and haven't regretted it. I do enjoy old school blues like Robert Johnson but could never hope to play it.
I used to hate drummers. I'd always be like "hey, kid, learn an instrument that's difficult!" Or "omg I can count to 4, too!" Or whatever else. Now I'm a drummer in 2 bands lol When we do shows, I always make sure I have a few minutes in the middle to swap with guitar guy and play a dirty little solo, but I'm mostly a drummer these days. Oh yeah, by the way, learning drums is hard! With guitar, if you fuck up the timing a tiny bit, it's no big deal. But if you're the drummer, you fuck EVERYONE up if you miss 😂😂😂
They do suck till you play a Martin then Your like hell yeah ! I’ve written the majority of songs for all the bands I’ve been in for 30 years and everyone of them was written on acoustic then Transferred to electric …
Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, Buster B. Jones, Jerry Reed and acoustic lessons all over the tubes will let us know how much we suck! But at least I can try! I got the “boom chick” in me, I can just feel it!
Check out Michael Hedges. He was from an other world. I was lucky enough to see him once, when he was still alive. Don't drink and drive. You might kill an awesome human being.
You can play an acoustic guitar in the dark, without power and it's just as good. Welcome to the realisation.
And you dont disturb your neighbours and other members of your household as much.
I'll watch any acoustic you do. The layering in a track would be new to me. Thanks!
Im 43, been playing since I was 15. I have never owned an electric. Dozens of acoustics have come and gone.
Now my 10 year old daughter plays electric and Im clueless. Literally your story in reverse.
I came to the same conclusion so, i got myself a good accoustic too. And what to say beside my 7 electric guitar, this Cort MR500E has a special to all others. it sounds even at blackout, we had recently due to falling tree..At least one good Instrument should be at every guitar players home. It is so direct in tone but natural at the same time. Another world in Guitaruniverse.
Yes! Acoustic is its own thing!
I’ve always felt that an acoustic is more like a piano. You learn & play entire songs on an acoustic. That’s generally how we play them. We play songs that people recognize and want to hear.
On an electric, we tend to play a lot of riffs & licks or “parts” of songs. I’m fairly certain I played nothing but “parts of songs” on my Strat for years and never learned an entire song. Bought a new high end acoustic and immediately learned a complete song?!?!?
Plus I’m older now!Lol
I gotta agree with ya John, was totally the same for me. Watching this as I haven't touched my electric in years. I bought a sailboat years back for escape and suddenly my ancient super cheap acoustic was front and center, no power, no problem. Was so hard at 1st, but once the fingers got stronger, whole songs suddenly. The way I look at it now, the juice goes out, for however long, I've still got music, and that ain't a bad thing to have!
Very true. For some reason they make you slow down, learn some chords and play songs. I love picking up an acoustic in a shop and playing some dreamy chords.
Getting into guitar I got carried away and got hollow body electric (Gretch) then telecaster, then decent Fender acoustic, have bounced around to all. Each is unique and developed different skill sets. Found a nice StarCaster bass and added it all have unique features. But acoustic are to learn chords and songs. Even better was adding thinner strings to an acoustic for bends and all the fun of distortion. We all have the chance to learn in our own way but don’t know in the beginning how we will learn. Covid beginner, might start using that name for posting. Boomers love things! Now to sound like Nile Rogers and Neil Young, with a side of Jimmy Page.
@@flouisbailey I used thinner strings in the beginning too, it was crucial. Then I started wanting the thicker for the sound, and you can still bend with stronger fingers. Gluck out there rona beginner!
@@TheBlackSheepDiaries
We are definitely on same page. Too bad some people give up because of string size. Watching a documentary on Slash his first guitar only had one string. He said he practiced a lot before he got a set of strings. He also said he got a late start with guitar, he was 14 or 15 years old. Some would say he did OK. I haven’t seen the end yet but he made a buck or two. It’s on Tubi.
I started on electric and got my acoustic four years later. I've learned so much more by playing the acoustic. It's how I learned to play whole songs, how songs were structured and composed, etc. It took a while to go from metal head to classic country fan, but that's what happened. Now Jimmy Rodgers (from the late 1920s) is one of my favorite musicans of all time. Yodeling also taught me how to sing much better. The ability to slide easily between full tone and falsetto is key in rock music as well as country.
Interesting journey but guitar is a journey.
If a song sounds great when played on an acoustic guitar then it must be a great song. There's no hiding behind effects and other distractions.
Yes it was the first has it's own voice it's just you and the guitar love em.
Yea you actually have to have some kind of composition to your music.
That is one way of making good music, by composing a good melody, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the “ambience” approach with lots of effects to create amazing music too
@@DoctorSilence95 true
Sometimes effects such as distortion, just help you get the emotion out, and help with proving a point.
Electric and acoustic are two completely different instruments.
I've seen dedicated acoustic players who cannot play electric, and electric players who were clueless about acoustic.
I play both. When I pick up an electric, I make a mental shift, an adapt to the sustain, dynamic control. To me, the acoustic is all about the voicings, the physicality of it all. Your touch makes the sound.
All I can say is that it is imperitive to have a good quality acoustic. Spend as much as you can afford, and make sure it is properly set up.
I play 11's on acoustic, 9's on electric.... my plug-in acoustic has 10's.
Electric or acoustic, it's all about your touch... that's where all your tone is, and nobody will have a tone like you. Your touch is unique to you alone.
💯 I play acoustic and electric. I enjoy the differences and it keeps me interested in playing music in general.
correct,it is a shift in thought,there are bands that base their whole catalog of music around acoustic projection,then there are bands that have the whole show around lead guitar,SABBATH,PINK FLOYD,,YES,KANSAS,both instruments in the hands of a genius,glorious sounds,listen to stevie ray play accoustic,be amazed
First of all....how dare you?! 😂
Acoustics are literally the purest way of communicating energy from your body into a physical thing and expressing it into the world in music.
You should own a dozen acoustics because every single one is different. You could easily have two or three electrics and be covered.
Love you man, this is perfect! I remember you asking me about this one before pulling the trigger.
When I made the thumbnail I was like Jeremy will love this one!
Nah, one great acoustic is all ya need, today demands more in general, if you want a wide audience. It's why country can't forgo either or today, it doesn't sound as good as playing both. Plus, while acoustics play differently and sound differently each one, very few of the most excellent woods can be had anymore. My Martin is a special edition, Indian Rosewood from reserve after the Lacey Act, and it's clear how much better that now non usable wood is, vs Brazilian Rosewood for the same exact purpose. Having such a rare beast, means that my sound is immediately appreciated and often favored by purists of the art.
Interesting take on guitars. I did it the opposite way: When I was 12 or so, my 6th grade music teacher bought (out of her own money, I found out later) junior-size acoustic guitars for all 24 kids in her class at the beginning of the school year. If we (students) were still playing them at the end of the year, we got to keep the guitar. My father had been a part-time Country and Western singer/guitarist, and used nothing but acoustic guitars. So, with those influences, I started to play. I realized after a year or so (this was in the mid-'60s) that there was a whole new world of guitar sounds out there that I couldn't make with an acoustic guitar. I therefore asked Santa for an electric guitar, and received it the following Christmas, in the form of a Sears Silvertone, as well as a Silvertone amplifier. Basically, my first 18 months or so of guitar playing was on an inexpensive acoustic, mostly learning how to play Country songs. I then shifted to electric primarily, but never completely lost touch with acoustic. I've been a semi-professional musician ever since, and still play either my acoustic(Yamaha FSX 830 acoustic/electric) or electric (Fender Stratocaster, MIM 2012) guitar virtually every day.
Do you still have the Silvertone? That was one of my first guitars also. I wish I still had it.
@@jethro-just-enjoy-reality yes. I had it restored a couple of years ago. Plays great.
i prefer nylon string guitars to acoustics. way more versatile. fingerpicking for classical and flamenco, picking near the bridge for that steel string acoustic sound
I use to play both, but as I get older I just love playing acoustic guitars. Because of the awesome tone the wood gives. I’ve really also been enjoying more 12 string acoustic guitars because it’s part of the southwest USA culture.
and 12 string SOUNDS AWESOME
It takes me 10 minutes to tune a 6-string acoustic that I haven't played in a while. It takes me 30 minutes or more to tune up a 12-string from storage pitch. It's worth it.
I don't care if you play swedish death metal, I don't care if you play grindcore, I don't care what you play... every guitarist needs to start on acoustic! You are gimping yourself otherwise!
I learned on acoustic, playing songs by The Cure and U2 and Rush, etc. I found myself trying to take on the role of the whole band with a single instrument. I learned dynamics and nuance and chord relationships and harmonies.
I’ve since transitioned more to electric, but I love the purity of my old acoustic.
Yep, I’m a Martin gal. I have a 000-28EC 1996 bought it from a friend. My forever one and done.
Folk artists sometimes tune acoustics down a whole step and use a capo for standard keys
I used to think the same way about acoustics and then I came across Americana music. It was like acoustic guitars were a canvas and electric guitars were brushes used to accent and color the songs. It all clicked and now the most expensive guitar I own (and my favorite guitar) is a Martin D-16e
Wow. Found you in my feed for the first time tonight. You seem like such a likable guy. Loved how you talked about your dad and his acoustic. I’m one of these MUCH older guys just learning to play. I’ve collected nice guitars over the years but never really played. Now is my time!
Thanks for sharing your experience with great comments....yes acoustic guitars are so great to play.... Like you I started with an electric guitar and in my later years (now 79 yrs old) I just love playing (and singing) songs. I love folk music so the acoustic really is so good... cheers from Australia 😊
For only owning one acoustic guitar, you sure made a excellent choice!
Not to hate on the other brands, but they've been around since 1833 for a reason lol.
HD-28 is my one and only, it’s a reissue of the infamous pre-war D-28 😎
a very expensive choice at that
Got too many guitars for a fairly small apartment. Never play any electrics at home just play my seagull s6, got like 10 electrics here and a few more in storage. If I ever get out to play with people I use the electrics which is very rare. So its an odd deal here. Hoping to bring my PA over to a drummer friends place this weekend. Wish me luck!
Get a taylor. They sound like a recorded and mixed acoustic right in the room. It's incredible
I bought a Gretche rancher falcon Electric/Acoustic with Fishman Electronics paid $725 for it in 2020..love it
Loved one gave me an acoustic too big .. so traded in for a "prettier one" worst mistake ... was told by gcenter the one I choose the " pretty" one was junk... I cried then moved to Bass guitar and elec ukulele. Now want a classic acoustic guitar... so I hear ya understand but Bass guitar is my first kov then the classical buy one and done is coming soon one day a baby Martin classic no tuner)) guitar
I hear you. I bought an all Mahogony Martin that isn't the prettiest, but she sure sounds nice.
After playing acoustic and electric for over 42 years I am glad I started on acoustic. Starting there and moving to electric helped my ear to appreciate nuances in tone.
I couldn't agree more! Electric guitars can easily hide mistakes where as acoustic will amplify them and once you get a song sounding perfect on it moving over to the electric you get blown away at how much better you'll sound both technically & audibly.
Major beginner here but I’ve got a Gretsch Jim Dandy it’s a parlor size and under 200$ but it’s awesome to have on the couch and it’s not a big deal when my kid gets ahold of it would recommend one just to make some noise on the couch if you’re into that kind of thing
I don't agree that you have to approach acoustic and electric differently. Pete Townshend puts heavier strings on his electrics, so his rhythm playing doesn't have to be altered.
By golly you are 150% right.Carpal tunnel syndrome is what you get eith those trucks.
I started playing acoustic in my teens; Nancy Wilson was my idol. In my late 50’s decided to learn the electric. It is a different animal but both are awesome. Thanks for the video.
I started playing when I was 26, I'm 69 now and Jimi was a huge influence on me though I play acoustic mostly. The guitar will change you, never fight it. Keep on playing. Great video!
I think what's equally important is playing on a quality acoustic guitar vs a cheap one.
You rock lov the hoot at the end! Fu NY but true story! Bass is where it's at... then acoustic then banjo etc.. thumb drum / bangos
I play acoustic and electric both daily. Some of the tonal nuance that i learned from playing acoustic as far as touch is concerned certainly translated to how I play electric too. And vice versa, just as long as I have a guitar in my hands i'm good.
For me, they are very uncomfortable to play. I have never owned one.
Just wait til you go to a bluegrass jam and play then you’ll never wanna pickup an electric ever again lol
Robert tell that to Justin Johnson that acoustic guitar suck. Justin is the Jeff Beck of acoustic 🎸
My grandpa had a 1969 Gibson Dove acoustic which he showed me G, C, and D chord, when I was 18 years old. He said go from there. 7 years later he gave it to me. I sold it in 2018, to pay my rent, because I fell on hard times. I sold it the price for what he he bought it for back in 1972. I'm 45 now, and there isn't one day that goes by, that I wish above all things, to have that guitar back. But it's gone, I'll never get that guitar back.
It had the original case and bill of sale from where he bought it from. All I got is the memories of him playing it and a picture I took of it. Just some advice to whomever reads this comment, don't get rid of your guitars that have a special meaning and place in your life, you'll regret it.
The click bait type titles just don't work Robert...
i have a cheap, 10 yr old fender acoustic. it's no $3400 martin, but it does acoustic-y things when i need it to, and that's enough for me. over the years, i've had others, some good, others that were real stinkers.
Hopefully you realized this soon enough to be able to play with your dad.
I wish Martin guitars weren't so expensive 😔 I really want one or two
Stopped playing electrics 20 years ago, now I own the best acoustic ever made....
Martin D-18? That's my favorite guitar and play it regularly 😊
I love the Jimmy Page style of acoustic and exploring the various alternate tunings he uses.
I started learning guitar later in my life(17 which is late from what I’ve heard anyway) I was fortunate enough to get a get good job out of high school and I bought I hd 28. Tbh I didn’t realize what I had till is was about 22ish. Still amazed by that guitar! Not to mention the 1000cad that the same guitar has increased in price since 2014 (2013 model but still new when purchased)
I've got more electrics than I have acoustics. But when I bought my second acoustic 20 years ago, I must have tried 30 of them to find the one I wanted as they all sound and play different. I ended up buying a mid-priced Takamine which to me played and sounded better than some of the more expensive ones. Personal taste more than anything. I bought a few different shaped and material Artist acoustics a while back and pretty impressed with how good they sound for a $300-400AU acoustic.
As a "young" 73 y.o. guitar player, I go back and forth between acoustics and electrics on a weekly basis.
Wait till you try a 12 string you will want it LOL 🙂
Any instrument has it's own hurdles.
The best writing tool... acoustic.
I learned on a 1944 Gibson LG-2 banner series.
Great video, (More Acoustic ?) Ahhh...... Yes Please!
Whatever you played in the beginning was absolutely beautiful, reminded me of the rain song a little bit. If that’s an original, please release a full song so we can hear the rest of it!!
If you wanted to do more stuff about acoustic guitar, like a video going into more detail about your thoughts on the differences in playing acoustic vs electric, I would certainly not be disgruntled. ;)
Great video. Out of curiosity why did you decide to settle on a dreadnought? I feel like most advice I see for having only one is a 000. I'm not very experienced FYI
Seems if you only had one, you would want the one you want. Play many 'til you find the one! I've known plenty of guitarists (amateur and pro) with only one and it's a dreadnought. Also know a few ukulele players, they seem happy.
I have my dad's 67 LG1. Looks great, plays great, but I don't like its tone.
But it's my dad's guitar, so I play it.
you've opened a can of worms man... now you need a D-18 for their wonderful woody sound, some 000/OM sizes for their differents tones, etc...
It's funny but when I play electric, which I don't much, I WANT effects or what's the point?
But the acoustics are way more fun for me.
Such a good point! I am the same, wanting only one great acoustic. I got a D 28 my hero Paul. I try to play AC/DC and do bends, and stuff and wonder why it doesn’t work as well. I need to remember it is a different instrument than an electric guitar. I should embrace the 1 3/4 inch nut rather than wanting it to have a thinner nut like an electric.
"ALL Acoustics Just Suck!" .... Robert....My vintage Westerly RI made Guilds would like to have a word with you.....
Hmmmm Some Robert Baker Acoustic Guitar lessons..........YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!
atleast you acknowledge that acoustics are the real guitar makes me happy
Cannot believe how good that thing sounded over my iPhone speakers. Now I need one lol
Yeah, it’s like comparing a piano to an organ. The similarities are there, but they are played completely different.
I also find that a style played on the acoustic can easily be translated over to an electric guitar, but very rarely the other way around.
You have got to check this out though! Might change your mind? ruclips.net/video/tiIzgzwOawoT/видео.htmlhis might be the rare instance
True. I play AC/DC on an acoustic, and that translates to stronger fingers, better and cleaner technique when playing electric.
There* the differences are *there* geez, its not that hard.. literacy is dying really fast..
@@xamislimelight8965 happy now? I am well educated, post grad etc. However, due to circumstances, I go without sleep for up to 5 days, then I am lucky if I get 2 hours sleep. It’s not always a case of illiteracy, rather brain dead exhaustion in my case. Have a good one.
Good point about translating from acoustic to electric. I'm considering learning guitar and would like to go electric but have been advised to go acoustic first to build up finger strength, etc. Thank you for you comment.
An acoustic guitar is, and always will be a _real_ guitar.
I like you much better now Rob; we both love the acoustic and you own the one I hope to purchase one day. To top it off - my favorite picking tune is Led Zep's song "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" it is such an epic song for the acoustic, and we have the same first name. However, the electric was never my thing. (maybe someday) One of my favorite players is a local guy named Corey Heuvel. Not only can he play but he can also sing and write some good music. He's giving it up to follow other ventures but has done some amazing acoustic stuff. Hendrix, SRV, Mayer, and even Pantera the list goes on. I'm sure you will appreciate his dedication to the acoustic guitar if you check him out. (you can watch & listen to his last original work called - Starbird - The Acoustic Session) I didn't post the link cuz I didn't want YT to remove this comment. Just go to his channel. I hope you do more acoustic videos btw.
Anyone who knows of HD28, D35, and HD35 will be saying WTF is this guy talking about! Listen to Tony Rice, Dan Crary, and Doc, y'all. (Every rock musician worth his salt in the 1960s/1970s also played these dreadnaughts masterfully.)
buy an acoustic guitar....buy an electric guitar.....be happy with both and that's it....pretty simple
$3400 guitar
142 bucks a month financing not too shabby
Decent credit Sweetwater can make it happen
I bought my first good acoustic in 1979, a Takamine EFS 360. Still have it and play it, couldn’t afford the Martin so I got the lawsuit.
I want to play acoustic but my shoulder is bad and the acoustic is so wide it hurts smh
Now that I have an electric and focus on it, I find that my acoustic seems bulky. But it never did before. 🤔
@@chesterproudfoot9864 same here as soon as I pick up my acoustic it’s like lord no 🤣 I need to find a thinner body acoustic I’m convinced
@@prodbyjuneg Right? How did I ever play this before? 🤣🤣
I play a apx600 slim body perfect couch guitar.
@@llamaalpaca9117 Im lefty imma see if they make that guitar in lefty lol
Bro, you have too much windings on your low E string....
I thought acoustic was a right of passage in TO the electric...
You mean... all you dudes, and ladies, got electrics FIRST???
WHAT THE HELL?
How did you ever manage to build up your finger strength without the obligatory "mile-high, beginner's acoustic action?"
We all have our preferences, but the starting point is always that God created everything and so in one way everything is Good because Jesus made it; spoke it into existence and holds everything together by the power of His spoken word in harmony with The Father and The Holy Spirit-Father, Son & Spirit, The One Living and True God who has revealed Himself in three persons-this being such, we have to deal with the reality that everything that has been made in some degree by it’s created-ness, is good-my preference dictates that resonators are better, but in all fairness, I must say I haven’t tried one of those out. Thanks for sharing! God bless you!
Soli Deo Gloria
-Ronnie
15-year-old Robert wax right. Acoustics are grandpa guitars. Lol
I own the Yamaha APX10NA , Ibanez AEG10II and the Fender Ga43sec
You should put together a weekly alternate tuning on acoustic segment. Stones, zeppelin, Neil young, Crosby ,stills , Nash. It would be so nice! Just a thought🤔
Yes, Robert! MORE ACOUSTIC GUITAR!
You say it'll be a challenge? I'd love to watch you work thru that challenge! 🤪
Maybe try a classical guitar, learn a few songs... It'll help you grow as a musician.
You know about Jimmy Page's background, right? You can hear his classical training in some of his solos!
It's funny: i watched a YT video (a while back) where a guy was analyzing Page's licks. Once he pointed out those classical beginnings... Now i hear it all the time, lol.
Try it! (You might even like it.)
I bought a new acoustic guitar. I hate it. They use cheap soft nickle on the frets. I only had it a few months. I had only put on 2 sets of strings. They say it normal wear. What BS. I NEED A GUITAR WITH STEEL FRETS. THE OLDER GUITARS NEVER HAD THIS FRET PROBLEM. SO I will try to sell it now, or I will be putting money into frets every year I seems. This has turned me off guitar. My first brand new guitar turned into a nightmare
Sold my Les Paul, telecaster and zG&L s500 back in 2015. Play nothing but acoustic now.
Other way around for me. I’m 58. I began teaching myself acoustic guitar at nine years old. I’d watch Hee-Haw every Sunday night and that was my weekly lesson. Buck and Roy were my first music teachers. It all began with acoustic and it still is the best type of guitar to learn and play. I do play electric. At nineteen I bought a 1983 Les Paul studio and now play telecaster’s primarily. Anyway great video and I am glad the acoustic guitar finally rubbed off on you. They have a penchant for that.😊
Now that you finally got a real guitar maybe you can learn some real music? 😜
Suggestions: Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce.
Operator by Jim Croce.
Classical Gas written by Mason Williams. I suggest you watch the Jim Stafford Plays Classical Gas Branson, MO video on RUclips for a spectacular performance. He also killed it on the old Smothers Brothers comedy show and that's also on RUclips.
For a strong basic strum acoustic guitar song it's hard to beat My Sweet Lord by George Harrison.
My collection would be complete with the addition of a 12 String Acoustic (and a Junior). I had one once a long time ago. It was stolen. I was angry. Actually every time I think about it I'm angry...my keyboard right now is taking a beating...
I have the early 80's Tackamine "The lawsuit" F-360 - looks just like your D-28 (of course, because it was made with Martin design specifications and drawings). It's the same as yours, except name on the headstock, and a few thousand dollars less.
You need a 12 string. I have two a rickenbacker 660 and an Ovation 12 string acoustic/electric
You can't play bluegrass on an electric guitar. 'Nuf sed. ... Listen to Doc Watson, Peter Rowan, David Doucet, David Bromberg - some of the best pickers ever. I love playing and learning on my electric, but aside from not having a cut-out on the higher frets, I love my acoustic even more. Guitars are for playing music and you don't need electricity to play acoustic. :-)
When I Was First Starting out Playing Acoustic Guitar I'd Felt like it's Sucks only Because The 17 Year old me Excited to be Great at it Right Away
3 years ago I started learning guitar at 61 yo on a Fender Strat, six months later I moved to acoustic and that’s all I play. Unlike yourself, I now have 5 acoustic guitars but like you I have an HD-28; just love ‘em
Most acoustics suck. Just not Martins. Years ago I treated myself and bought a D-28. Beautiful guitar. Very inspiring guitar. A short time later I was forced to sell it for financial reasons. Could never afford another. Having to play a $500 acoustic vs a Martin is a world apart and I don’t play it much. The Martin sounded so gorgeous I wanted to play. Cheap ones lack the magic.
I play and acoustic the same way I play and electric for the most part... Except some stuff sounds better with overdrive/distortion and vice versa. Am I the only one?
I think one Acoustic is enough. They do pretty well one thing, evoke a natural feel to your music. After that ,semantics in this plugged in world! Lol, my 96' Martin SPD16TR, Is all I'll ever need in that department. It's certainly all I want too, the tone is dark as possible, which on acoustics, I prefer. Not the Taylor spank, that gets gritty at times on the ears in live settings, my Martin makes the peeps sway, regardless.
All I play is acoustic. I try to play electric a few times. Completely different instruments. Just an acoustic guy
Yeah you're totally right, I started out on electric and slowly overtime evolved into strictly acoustic in the span of 30 years. And you're right, it's in a lot of ways a totally different instrument, the strings are more tense, so you need more pressure on your fret and picking hand. But I just love it, if you have a solid wood guitar like your HD28, it expresses notes in ways speakers can't. There's just so much more depth and resonance with the sound that I just never hear with speakers or even a decent stereo system. I still from time to time plug in for jams and recording but nothing makes me feel a song like an acoustic. You probably know the specs on your guitar by now but I love the Martin HD28 you have, rosewood back and sides with a spruce top and a ebony fingerboard, you just can't do any better. I myself chose a Segal Studio which has the same specs but with a 1.8" nut width which I prefer as I do a lot of finger style, unfortunately they don't make them anymore.
I started playing electric guitar 20+years ago and maybe 10 years ago I finally got an AE Washburn and it only lasted me 2 years before it cracked and warped. Then I got a fender acoustic that I still have as a backup, 2 years ago I was at a guitar store and found a martin AE The body had a crack so the guy said I'll take 200$ for it, he was asking 450$ I said BET!! I repaired the crack and got a sound hole humidifier and it hasn't failed me yet. Someday I'm gonna splurge and get a more expensive martin with a cutaway. Or a Taylor😊 great video dude
They sounds great and I like to hear someone that can play one well BUT I've hated playing them for 38 years!! I hated trying to play one when I was 15 and at 53 I still hate them. I've been working on guitars most of my life. I have a moderately decent understanding of basic scientific concepts, but I still don't understand why the string tension feels SOOOOOOOO much higher on an acoustic with the same strings as an electric. I put electric 9s on my acoustic and get pretty low action but it still feels like garbage! I've played everything from $199 Yamahas to Martins, Taylors and a $6000 Gibson. I hate them all. I've thought about getting a set of 7s just to see if I can make one playable. Why can't an acoustic EVER feel like an electric? I'd genuinely like to know.
Most people can't play acoustic guitar properly, and end up strumming Hey Joe or ACDC. Seeing others abuse the instrument, and far too many renditions of Wonderwall have put me off acoustic guitar. I sold mine 5 years ago and haven't regretted it. I do enjoy old school blues like Robert Johnson but could never hope to play it.
I used to hate drummers. I'd always be like "hey, kid, learn an instrument that's difficult!" Or "omg I can count to 4, too!" Or whatever else.
Now I'm a drummer in 2 bands lol
When we do shows, I always make sure I have a few minutes in the middle to swap with guitar guy and play a dirty little solo, but I'm mostly a drummer these days. Oh yeah, by the way, learning drums is hard! With guitar, if you fuck up the timing a tiny bit, it's no big deal. But if you're the drummer, you fuck EVERYONE up if you miss 😂😂😂
Wow, I enjoy acoustic guitars as much as the next guy. But I am NOT willing to pay $3500 ish for a guitar at my skill level.
They do suck till you play a Martin then Your like hell yeah ! I’ve written the majority of songs for all the bands I’ve been in for 30 years and everyone of them was written on acoustic then Transferred to electric …
I’m an Acoustic guy who monkeys & toys around with Electric guitars.
Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, Buster B. Jones, Jerry Reed and acoustic lessons all over the tubes will let us know how much we suck! But at least I can try! I got the “boom chick” in me, I can just feel it!
Check out Michael Hedges. He was from an other world. I was lucky enough to see him once, when he was still alive. Don't drink and drive. You might kill an awesome human being.