Wanted: Booming Dreadnaught...ideas?

[pennerblue]

Okay...so here we go again with the "what's the loudest guitar" question, but here's the twist "what's the loudest guitar for $1000-$1500".
Don't get me wrong, tone is equally, if not more, important, but volume is important for me in a bluegrass jam.  I really don't want to amplify (and in fact, I can't when jamming in our cabin).  I have a few other guitars that I love for other reasons, but I'm really interested in getting a trusted "cannon".  I don't want to go to Jumbo size because of shoulder issues, so it's gotta be a dread.

I've followed this forum closely for a half a year, and have seen a few related discussions. The Larrie SD-60 usually gets the crown of cannon.  For a few weeks I was GASing badly for one, but it passed.  (Hey, does that mean I passed GAS? ) I've played them and like them a lot, but they are too pricey.  I like the D03Rs but want more umph, and truthfully (hold on to your seats...) want to diversify and get another brand.

Historically Martin has the bluegrass market cornered, but I don't think (I could be wrong) I can get one in solid-wood for the desired price.  From what I gather the "ideal" bluegrasser is a D18GE, but they are $3000.  I've heard good things about the HPL Martins, but remain somewhat skeptical. 

I also hear great things about Bourgeois, SC, etc., but again...too much $$$$.

I've played a few Guild D-50s (rosey w/ red spruce tops) and this currently sits at the top of my list.  I think they have a wonderful sound and really project (at or above SD-60 levels when played side by side).  Want to play some D-55s too.  I'm joining the Guild forum (Letstalkguild.com) and will seek some highly-informed opinions there.  I've heard that the old Westerly Guild D-25 and 35 project nicely as well.

Does anyone want to toss out some other ideas?

I think if I could find a used Guild D-55 from a reputable source, it would be a done deal.  Until then, I'm really enjoying the search...

Thanks, I (as always) appreciate your input.

[Zohn]

Okay...so here we go again with the "what's the loudest guitar" question, but here's the twist "what's the loudest guitar for $1000-$1500".
Don't get me wrong, tone is equally, if not more, important, but volume is important for me in a bluegrass jam.  I really don't want to amplify (and in fact, I can't when jamming in our cabin).  I have a few other guitars that I love for other reasons, but I'm really interested in getting a trusted "cannon".  I don't want to go to Jumbo size because of shoulder issues, so it's gotta be a dread.

I've followed this forum closely for a half a year, and have seen a few related discussions. The Larrie SD-60 usually gets the crown of cannon.  For a few weeks I was GASing badly for one, but it passed.  (Hey, does that mean I passed GAS? ) I've played them and like them a lot, but they are too pricey.  I like the D03Rs but want more umph, and truthfully (hold on to your seats...) want to diversify and get another brand.

Historically Martin has the bluegrass market cornered, but I don't think (I could be wrong) I can get one in solid-wood for the desired price.  From what I gather the "ideal" bluegrasser is a D18GE, but they are $3000.  I've heard good things about the HPL Martins, but remain somewhat skeptical. 

I also hear great things about Bourgeois, SC, etc., but again...too much $$$$.

I've played a few Guild D-50s (rosey w/ red spruce tops) and this currently sits at the top of my list.  I think they have a wonderful sound and really project (at or above SD-60 levels when played side by side).  Want to play some D-55s too.  I'm joining the Guild forum (Letstalkguild.com) and will seek some highly-informed opinions there.  I've heard that the old Westerly Guild D-25 and 35 project nicely as well.

Does anyone want to toss out some other ideas?

I think if I could find a used Guild D-55 from a reputable source, it would be a done deal.  Until then, I'm really enjoying the search...

Thanks, I (as always) appreciate your input.

You'll have to be very patient, or extremely lucky to find any of the up-market guitars you mention for that money. Maybe a Guild or even a Larri but I'm afraid, certainly not mine  Have you considered Blueridge?

[strawintogold]

I had a Washburn that was around $300 with case that blew away anything else in the under $1000 range. Blueridge has been iffy lately a some dealers won't carry them anymore. On mine the headstock snapped off when the case fell over, something that can happen, but there was a knot in the wood between the neck and headstock. I think the Washburn dreads are a LOT of guitar for the money. I want to say it was the D10 series, but you'd have to check. I would have kept it ut it was simply too big.

holly

[flatlander]

Look for a used, good guitar. I got my Gallagher for 1200.00 right here. A better bluegrass guitar I could not want.

[jeremy3220]

Historically Martin has the bluegrass market cornered, but I don't think (I could be wrong) I can get one in solid-wood for the desired price.  From what I gather the "ideal" bluegrasser is a D18GE, but they are $3000.  I've heard good things about the HPL Martins, but remain somewhat skeptical. 

You can get these Martin solid wood guitars for about $1500 or less.
D-16
D-16GT
D-16R
D-16RGT

and for a little more cash...
HD-16R LSH
HD-16R Adirondack

[FNG]

The Guild D-50 Bluegrass Special is a steal. 

[flathead]

Used... Used.... Used... I've only had one new guitar in my life. My D-05 but i got it cheeper than used. I got my D-60 used for $ 910.00 with a little buckel rash and a 4" back seam split ( no big deal to fiix ). I've seen D-60's go used for around $ 1450.00  on ebay. You can pick up a used D-28's and 18's for under $ 1,500.00

I've got a used martin D-1R rosewood laminate sides and back, that I am planning to sell for $450.00  with case, it is not a "cannon" but it has that martin bass. It has been replaced in the martin line by the DR. It is louder than some but not a cannon. I had a 44' d-28 it was a cannon.

There is loud, there is lot's of deep bass, there is balance, there is bass but no balance or high end. You mention several guitars, larrys, guilds, martins, etc. they all have a different "VOICE"  are you looking for "THE VOICE" or the "volume" .    Flathead.  ( Now I have voices in my head )

[Zohn]

You'll have to be very patient, or extremely lucky to find any of the up-market guitars you mention for that money. Maybe a Guild or even a Larri but I'm afraid, certainly not mine  Have you considered Blueridge?

Ohhh and then there are the great F-series and amazing Nashville BG-series Takamines. They are top class materials and workmanship. The Nashvilles are "custom-shop" models, and you should find them used within your budget.

[teh]

Call Jim Holler and ask his opinion. He has a used D-16T and a New D-15 (All Mahogany) in stock.

Lots of used guitars for sale these days too. Either restless or desperate times for some I guess.

[Edavis]

Check into a used Breedlove Revival Dred- I have the Rosewood -It's a cannon with great tone.

[ronmac]

There is a very nice handmade dread that showed on Twelfth Fret website today. It seems to fit the bill.

[pennerblue]

Thanks all for the input thusfar.  I'll try to make a "grouped" response here to some of the issues/points made:
1) I'm still scared to buy a used guitar via eBay.  I know many people do this successfully, and maybe I need to bite the bullet.  I'd prefer to buy used from a reputable source (preferably brick & mortar(limited options) or Elderly, Trinity, this forum, etc.)  Perhaps patience is the key, indeed.
2) Playing off of a previous post..."I'll never buy a guitar I didn't play", well maybe I'll adapt that to "I'll never buy a guitar that I didn't play a representative of" (in other words, I might not have played that specific guitar, but at least I will have played that make/year/model).  This is restrictive to me for some brands (e.g. Blueridge, Gallagher, etc.) which are not sold in my area.
3) Tone (a.k.a. voice) is very important.  I tend to favor the bass side of things when I play, so that's key, but there is the issue of loud & muddy versus loud and clear.  This can only be settled by playing the instrument (see #2) above.
For those of you who didn't see this comparison of Martin models, I'd love to see attempts to fill out a similar chart for Larrivees, Guilds, Gibsons, etc. http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=2139.0
4) I prefer rosewood to mahogany, which is probably the majority opinion in bluegrass. I really like mahogany, and intend someday to get one, but for now I'm thinking of a rosewood dread.

Please keep the suggestions coming.  They just equate to more trips to guitar stores to "play around", something that I used to tease my buddy about, but now find as one of my favorite pastimes.

Thanks again.

[pennerblue]

I had a Washburn that was around $300 with case that blew away anything else in the under $1000 range.

Hi Holly-
I have a Washburn D-10 and it is pretty loud, but a notch lower than what I'd like.  For the money it sounds great, but I'm looking for "the next level" of tone.  Perhaps no surprise, but I've played many Washburns in stores and never found one that sounds as nice as my old beater.  When I bought it, the store had 8 or 10 D-10s on the wall, I played them all and picked the winner.

[jeremy3220]

For those of you who didn't see this comparison of Martin models, I'd love to see attempts to fill out a similar chart for Larrivees, Guilds, Gibsons, etc. http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=2139.0

It wouldn't be neccessary for the Larrivee's because as everyone knows no matter what body size or wood is used, Larrivee's are all perfectly balanced 

[knowspicker]

How about a plain old D-18? They can be had for around 1500... if you get a dealer who does the 40% off of list price kind of pricing.

I have also been very impressed with the Musicians Friend/Guitar Center Martin Custom Dreads in Rosewood or Hog.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-D15-Custom-Spruce-and-Mahogany-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=514700

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-D15-Custom-Spruce-and-Rosewood-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=515888

They usually have one or two at Guitar Center if you want to play one.

[obe-wan]

Hi there Penner, So....all my prompting with the SD-60 didnt work eh?

I once owned a Guild D-40, Great guitar with plenty of push. Im not a bluegrass player but it was a pretty potent guitar when it needed to be. Im another fan of the plain old D-18 too, might be a little soft for what you need though.

Id definately check out the Breedlove Revival D's too.

Pity the D-03R didnt speak to you, maybe try a D-03, it may have a bit more spank than the smoothie D-03 Rosewood?

Good luck mate.

Cheers, Scott.

[Flake]

Okay...so here we go again with the "what's the loudest guitar" question, but here's the twist "what's the loudest guitar for $1000-$1500".
Don't get me wrong, tone is equally, if not more, important, but volume is important for me in a bluegrass jam.  I really don't want to amplify (and in fact, I can't when jamming in our cabin).  I have a few other guitars that I love for other reasons, but I'm really interested in getting a trusted "cannon".  I don't want to go to Jumbo size because of shoulder issues, so it's gotta be a dread.

I've followed this forum closely for a half a year, and have seen a few related discussions. The Larrie SD-60 usually gets the crown of cannon.  For a few weeks I was GASing badly for one, but it passed.  (Hey, does that mean I passed GAS? ) I've played them and like them a lot, but they are too pricey.  I like the D03Rs but want more umph, and truthfully (hold on to your seats...) want to diversify and get another brand.

Historically Martin has the bluegrass market cornered, but I don't think (I could be wrong) I can get one in solid-wood for the desired price.  From what I gather the "ideal" bluegrasser is a D18GE, but they are $3000.  I've heard good things about the HPL Martins, but remain somewhat skeptical. 

I also hear great things about Bourgeois, SC, etc., but again...too much $$$$.

I've played a few Guild D-50s (rosey w/ red spruce tops) and this currently sits at the top of my list.  I think they have a wonderful sound and really project (at or above SD-60 levels when played side by side).  Want to play some D-55s too.  I'm joining the Guild forum (Letstalkguild.com) and will seek some highly-informed opinions there.  I've heard that the old Westerly Guild D-25 and 35 project nicely as well.

Does anyone want to toss out some other ideas?

I think if I could find a used Guild D-55 from a reputable source, it would be a done deal.  Until then, I'm really enjoying the search...

Thanks, I (as always) appreciate your input.

Yup.   
       Guild DV-6.  Try one.  I have seen used ones near-mint for $600 and new ones for $1000-$1200.  Loud, punchy aged sound.

[flatlander]

http://www.trinityguitars.com/steelstr/used/frame.htm
Trinity has a used, like new, Guild D-55.

[limnephilidae]

My D-60 MR produces some serious volume (and it's not even worked in really) but it's more of a tempered/balanced "loud". If you brown-shorts loud for a lower price then you should try out the newer (2006+) Guild D-50's. The Guild D-50 I tried out had the Adirondack Spruce top and some serious boom. The worked-in D-55 on Jim's site probably sounds awesome too but I think it's sitka on that boy.

Happy hunting!

[flathead]

Maybe this one is a boomer

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