Anyone own a Crafter guitar?

[obe-wan]

Hi there, I just put a deposit down on a Crafter D8N. Its a Solid Englemann Spruce top Laminated Mahogany back and side Dread. I got it because it sounded better than the other Crafters (yeah they are a bit hit and miss) and better than every Washburn they had.

I probably wouldnt have gone for a Crafter any other time, but I got a store credit on a layby that I didnt want anymore, so they where willing to transfer the funds to something else, and I need a cheap acoustic to take on holidays! The sound is quiet good for this price range. It did have really old EXP's on it too, so a new set of EJ16's should see a tone improvement.

It'll be my campfire guitar....If it sucks it could end up on the campfire!  

I'll update on Wednesday when I pick it up.

Cheers, Scott.

[lacewood-P9]

FWIW... I have just briefly tried a couple of Crafters, because our local guitar store carries them and the tech recommends their value.  My brother can't stop raving about his new Crafter T-050 ( a OO body) and his collection includes a Guild dread; National resonator; 60s Gibson Les Paul.  He's been playing since the 60s.  He loves both the tone and workmanship. 

[scriv58]

I purchased a Crafter ta-080 (lefty) from adirondack guitars about a month ago, a little nervous about sight unseen. Very well crafted, everything tight and right, strong solid bracing, and really nice abalone inlay on body and head. My guitar tech gave it a set-up and was very impressed with it as well. The sound just keeps getting better, i like it much more than the Martin 000-15s (lefty) i purchased shortly before the crafter. In fact, every time i pick up the Martin, i immediately want to play the Crafter again. i've never seen one anywhere else, but i definitely recommend the model i purchased, especially if you're a fingerpicker who likes a thinner profile neck and 1 3/4 nut. Put ebony pins in which further improved the sound. Here's the link to my purchase site   http://adirondackguitar.com/lefty/crafter/parlor.htm

[lacewood-P9]

Hey scriv58, I'll second your comment on the comparison to high end guitars.  My brother played my Larrivee parlor and enjoyed it (of course) but he still can't stop talking about his Crafter.  It must be true love.   

[obe-wan]

OK I just picked up the D8. Got it home and immediately ripped out the saddle and shaved 1mm off the bass side and .5mm off the treble side. Just a personal preference. The truss rod was not touched. I then threw on a set of EJ16s and tuned up. Its pretty bright, but considering its now got brand new strings, and its a new guitar Im sure it'll tone down soon.

Bridge pins are plastic and un-tapered!

I can hear some nice warmth and its got great sustain too, so it may turn out to be a pretty nice guitar. I'll update in a couple of days when the strings have settled in, and I get time to really go over it.

Cheers, Scott.

[BluesMan1]

   My TV 200/NV, all solid with an Engelman top & HOG body, is SO loud, but balanced. Still have to bring it to my luthier to have a bone nut & saddle put in. Cheap plastic pins, saddle, & nut. The B string slot on the nut is too low, so put a small shim there to hold me over. The saddle? Took that right out, plus the pins, & put a Tusq saddle in from my F-III, having to shim that also. Tusq pins also now.
  Plays really nice, sounds great with LOTS of potential! Am looking forward to the final setup. A nice HOG OM for a cheap price? Talked my dealer into giving me a Crafter h/s case instead of the gig bag he was selling it with. For $10 more, couldn't go wrong? About $500 out the door, US! I think in Europe & the UK they come with a HSC, here they don't.
  This is supposed to have the deluxe tuners with amber colored buttons. Anyone have any thoughts on these? Was thinking of putting open gear Grovers on, but trying to keep the cost down. Have played some of the laminated ones, just none jumping out @ me. This one, as mentioned in a previous post, was from the NAMM show. Like Scott said, a great campfire guitar! Just don't camp anymore, so my take-out-of-the-house guitar??
    J

[obe-wan]

OK I've have the D8 a little while now, the new EJ16s have settled in nicely. Its got a lot of sustain and "ring on". The tone is nice with good balance, more emphasis on the bass as you'd expect from a dread, but it sounds a little restricted. This could be the newness of the guitar, although I think it would benefit from a bone saddle to give it a bit of a kick in the pants. The finish is quiet thick too, which probably contributes.

All things considered I think its money well spent, it would stand up to anything in this price range sound-wise, its well made, and looks nice. Its no Larrivee or Martin though......

Cheers, Scott.

[BluesMan1]

   Scott agree with all you said. Mine is an OM, but still has plenty of bass. One LOUD guitar! Now, just need the money to put a bone saddle & nut on & have it set up properly. Can't beat it for what I paid. Except maybe on par with my Epi AJ-500M I once had? Now, that was a loud, great sounding guitar! But, need only one of those, this size more to my liking??
     J