Best Vocal Accompaniment Guitar

[MJG]

In your opinion, which would work best to complement a singer that's performing solo or joining 2-3 others?  Think 80% strumming, 20% fingerstyle.  Plugged in most of the time.  Music style is Comtemporary praise and worship, blues, acoustic rock.

I am thinking Rosewood as it tends to "wrap around" vocals well.  If you have any other thoughts on body styles or tonewoods I would like to hear them.

Thanks,
Mike

[jeremy3220]

I think there are too many factors to pinpoint one guitar. But some of my favorite accompaniment guitar sounds are Dylan's (surprise  :rolleyes: ) Gibson Nick Lucas and 00-21. So small bodied rosewood get my vote, they can be full yet focused when strummed. I'm talking about bassy small bodies though, I'm not sure a Larrivee OmR would fall in this category.

worship guitarist seem to go for a lighter sound though, so a L-05 would work good if thats the sound you are going for.

[roknroll]

Why aren't estebans a choice?  I like to play a guitar that sounds worse than my voice thank you very much!

[unclrob]

For me its what pickup sound's best with your voice.Well not really as I don't use pick ups.I'm old and like things in my way so I use a mic. :GRN>

[dermot]

SD60
+
K&K

[MJG]

SD60
+
K&K

The K&K is a given....

[Jackwr]

I think there are too many factors to pinpoint one guitar. But some of my favorite accompaniment guitar sounds are Dylan's (surprise  :rolleyes: ) Gibson Nick Lucas and 00-21. So small bodied rosewood get my vote, they can be full yet focused when strummed. I'm talking about bassy small bodies though, I'm not sure a Larrivee OmR would fall in this category.

You just described my 00 19!

[expatCanuck]

The K&K is a given....

Nonsense.  K&K works for many.  Never did for me. 

Much prefer my Baggs iMix.  Goes over well at the open mikes I attend. (Helped me get a pending featured gig.)

Best plugged in sound I ever heard came from a dual source Fishman (90's vintage) in a '92 Beneteau I owned briefly.

Nothing really wrong with a B-Band A2.2 either (has been put in many a Larrivee).

- Richard

[MJG]

Nonsense.  K&K works for many.  Never did for me. 

Much prefer my Baggs iMix.  Goes over well at the open mikes I attend. (Helped me get a pending featured gig.)

Best plugged in sound I ever heard came from a dual source Fishman (90's vintage) in a '92 Beneteau I owned briefly.

Nothing really wrong with a B-Band A2.2 either (has been put in many a Larrivee).

- Richard

I meant the K&K is a given FOR ME.  I've tried all the aformentioned units and the K&K sound more like my guitar than any of them.  For me, It's K&K.  But I asked about guitars anyway, not pickups...

[MJG]

Interesting feedback all...not what I expected.  Anyone else want to cast a vote?

Thanks,
Mike

[Teddeo1000]

Each to his or her own. I think strings have a lot to do with matching a guitar with ones voice. I seem to harmonies better with light strings. JMHO Teddeo1000

[CF Larrivee]

For me, my Martin 000-28 Norman Blake would be the first thing I would grab. You just have to hear one to know how I feel about this instrument. Just a wonderful guitar to back up voice, IMHO.

[FNG]

I think they all would work.  Don't forget the traditional series, since you have a bunch of dreads listed.

[Fstpicker]

I'd have to say my D-16RGT is one of the best, along with my Larrivee D-03 for accompaniment.

Jeff

[davidsowk]

In a small room, without other instruments, I like the sound of a small bodied guitar to accompany vocals.  OO size mahogany or rosewood, finger picking or light strumming.  The small body size provides a range of tone that , to me, suits vocals.  Complements, not competes.

In a large room, plugged in, I do not think that it makes any difference what type of guitar is used.  The electronic variables overrule everything.  Any guitar can sound good with the right pickup system, appropriate equalization and good amplification.

[Randy_R]

The OM-03mt forum guitar is the best accompaniment guitar I have, for a small non-amplified setting.

[MJG]

Thanks all....  I didn't expect people to suggest a OOO or OM for 80% strumming and vocal accompaniment.  I was assuming Rosewood Dread or Jumbo would be favored.  The L-05 winning the poll is also a surprise as I didn't think that mahogany worked as well with vocals due to it's lower overtone content than rosewood.

Looks like I need to forget my preconceptions and start playing some of these guitars and start really listening.  My only concern with an OM is that it my not handle my occasional heavy and percussion right hand attack...will it?  Perhaps a traditional series OM may?

Mike

[jeremy3220]

"My only concern with an OM is that it my not handle my occasional heavy and percussion right hand attack...will it?  Perhaps a traditional series OM may?"

My OM/PW and the OM-21 I had handle strumming very well. You might want to look at something with an Adirondack top like a Martin OM28 Marquis (it's pricey though).

[MJG]

Thanks Jeremy...

Is your OM/PW a Larrivee, Santa Cruz or other?  I like the OM-21 by the way.  For this application I am currently using a Rosewood/Sitka Taylor Grand Auditorium.  It is an older model, 1996, and has matured nicely.  To this day I can't find it's equal in a Taylor.

A couple of questions...

Do you know if an OM-21 can handle more aggressive strumming that a Taylor GA?

I like the Idea of an OM with an Adi. top.  However, my budget is $1500.  Any ideas.

Thanks again and thanks to all.

Mike

[jeremy3220]

Thanks Jeremy...

Is your OM/PW a Larrivee, Santa Cruz or other?  I like the OM-21 by the way.  For this application I am currently using a Rosewood/Sitka Taylor Grand Auditorium.  It is an older model, 1996, and has matured nicely.  To this day I can't find it's equal in a Taylor.

A couple of questions...

Do you know if an OM-21 can handle more aggressive strumming that a Taylor GA?

I like the Idea of an OM with an Adi. top.  However, my budget is $1500.  Any ideas.

Thanks again and thanks to all.

Mike

It's a Santa Cruz. I don't know how an OM-21 would compare to a Taylor GA (don't think I've played one).

Check out the Larrivee L , D, SD body styles in rosewwod and mahogany, a  used OM/PW, and there are alot of Martins you can get in that range new and used (OM's, M's, OOO's). I also like the Gibson AJ.