Italian spruce guitar?

[jefff]

I know there are some guitar players here. I am seriously contemplating a Bourgieos OMS. The 12 fret OM model.
Does anyone have any experience with Italian spruce? While I am sure it would be a fine finger style guitar I am wondering about the head room when spanking it with a pick.
Anyone?

 

[randelli]

Looks like that design might get a little boomie with a pick. It is a beautiful guitar though!

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I'd go on some guitar forums and ask about the tonal qualities of italian spruce. Very nice looking guitars.... that being said, I really didn't need to see a topic concerning guitars before I get my tax refund in. I think the same thing happened last year, and I ended up with a new guitar. It dented my pipe money pretty badly. If it happens again this year I'm blaming you :rofl:

 

[tinsel]

I've never played an Italian spruce, but here's my opinion anyways:
Never buy a guitar without playing it (or at least one like it) first.
Personally, I refrain from buying any guitar unless I can play the exact guitar I am purchasing first. No 2 guitars are identical. Sometimes nice guitars from reputable manufacturers just happen to be built out of a "dead" piece of wood, and it sounds terrible and flat.
Other times, factory-built cheapo guitars somehow manage to be built out of a spectacular piece of wood with amazing tonal qualities and they are just amazing to play.
If you are considering a guitar, and have never even played a guitar that is remotely similar (such as type of wood used) I would be very wary of putting down the money without getting my hands on it and giving it a good work-over.
The proof is in the pickin'
Hyuk-hyuk ...
I'll see myself out ... :rofl:

 

[tinsel]

Just did a little price checking on the guitar..
WOW. That's an expensive guitar! I'd definitely want to hear it first before I put down that kinda money!
You could get a custom shop les paul, a Martin d-18, and 5 mexican strats for that kind of money 8O

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Tinsel, I completely agree with everything you said above, concerning playing the guitar before you buy it and all that. However, the last guitar I bought was online. First time I've ever done that. I took a gamble and won though. But for a guitar in the price range of these... not a chance.

 

[bassbug]

If you're buying a $5K custom guitar, I'm sure they will be open to discussing the tone you prefer and adjust the bracing to suit you. If not, there are many other fine luthiers around that will.
Truth is though, you won't REALLY know the tone for at least a couple of years.
Not sure where you live, but maybe a trip to Maine might not be such a bad idea. Make a family vacation of it and dedicate half a day to visiting and discussing exactly what you want.

 

[josephcross]

I agree with Tinsels advice. Im curious of the differences between Italian vs Sitka. Just read a guitar forum post about the differences.

Spruce

 

[yaddy306]

Easy.

Just buy three, choose the best-sounding one, and burn the other two.

 

[tinsel]

However, the last guitar I bought was online. First time I've ever done that. I took a gamble and won though

I did the same thing a couple years back. Had been eyeballing an Epiphone Casino at a local music store for about 2 months. Played it a couple times and it sounded great. Then all of a sudden Sweetwater had a 25% off sale on Epiphone Casinos.
Against my better judgement, I ordered one. Just couldn't pass up that good of a deal on a great guitar that's been in production for 50 years.
I got lucky as well, the one that came from Sweetwater sounded just as good, if not better, than the one I had played at the music store. Still, it's not something I intend to do again anytime soon. WAAAAY too easy to get burned doing that sort of thing. :D

 

[jefff]

I will never buy something I haven't played unless it is EASILY returnable. So a new one is out..
I will have to find one at a very reputable dealer.
Unless someone drops 9,000.00 on me.
Eddies Guitars in St.Louis has a beautiful model

 

[dino]

Jefff! My friend, who plays and collects guitars, said this when I told him of your query:

"I own three Dana Bourgeois guitars. I actually met Dana out east while I was in Vermont years ago. I have an SJ, OM and an OMS. My favorite is the OMS, and it's truly remarkable. It has sloped shoulders and a slotted headstock. It's one of my favorite finger picking guitars, both warm and bright, without any sacrifice to the bass end. Your friend can't go wrong buying a Bourgeois guitar."

But, as others have said, play before you buy.

Dino

 

[conlejm]

I own a Martin 000-40S Mark Knopfler "Ragpicker's Dream" acoustic guitar with an Italian Alpine Spruce soundboard. It has a focused tone like my Sitka-topped guitars but has a sweet singing quality to it. It's perfect for fingerpicking. Adirondack is perfect for strumming chords and flatpicking. Sitka is good for both picking and strumming but not as good as Italian or Adirondack, respectively. That is just my opinion; I have several Martins and Gibsons with Sitka and Adirondack, but only one Martin with Italian.