February 26th, 2008 . by MacNichol
Breedlove’s Atlas dreadnoughts are different from anything else out there on the market — pinless bridges, JLD bridge truss system, scalloped bracing. These lead to a more resonant dreadnought that compares to much more expensive dreadnoughts.
Breedlove’s AD20/SM has a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back. The mahogany produces a warm, bright and “woody” sound, particularly in the bass, which is deep, yet not overpowering. The AD20/SM also lacks a cutaway, which results in larger soundbox and more unplugged volume, although the uppermost frets (beyond the fifteenth) are quite a reach. (Those seeking to play the uppermost frets should consider the AD25/SM, which is essentially the same guitar but with a cutaway option and electronics.) The AD20/SM also does not come with electronics, and thus no additional holes have been cut in the body. This is an excellent choice for those seeking an unplugged dreadnought.
Although a mahogany dreadnought will work well for many playing styles, I particularly like this guitar for strumming and slide playing. The strumming melts chords into one solid wall of sound, and putting a slide to the AD20/SM results in clear, whiny individual notes with great sustain.
Breedlove’s AD20/SM has a black headstock along with tortoise binding and a glossy finish, which complement the mahogany well. Other features include gold Grover tuners, dot inlay pattern, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and Micarta nut (1 11/16″ width) and saddle. The model also comes with Breedlove’s hybrid soft shell case, which, unlike a floppy gig bag, provides definite protection for your instrument.
Posted in Acoustic Guitars, Breedlove Guitars | No Comments »
February 21st, 2008 . by MacNichol
Breedlove’s AD25 SR Plus is a dreadnought that is bright, bassy and powerful as a result of the solid spruce top and solid rosewood back. The great resonance is also a result of the JLD bridge truss system, pinless bridge, and a small pickguard, which allows for a more resonant top.
The AD25 SR Plus has a soft cutaway, which allows easy access all the way up to the eighteenth fret, with the nineteenth and twentieth frets a short reach away, and thus is particularly well-suited for lead players. Because of the cutaway, the AD25/SR Plus has a slightly smaller soundbox than its cousin, the AD20/SR, Plus, which lacks a cutaway, and, as such, has a bit more volume when played unplugged. Yet, the AD25/SR, Plus, also has a Fishman Classic 4t pickup (includes a built-in tuner), whereas the AD20/SR, Plus comes without electronics.
Like all rosewood Breedloves, the bass is very piano-like, although this piano-like bass seems to come through much more with styles such as fingerpicking, fingerstyle, and crosspicking, and is a bit less noticeable when strumming. The mids and highs come through quite cleanly without being overshadowed by the bass.
Unlike many dreadnoughts, Breedlove’s AD25/SR Plus has a pinless bridge, which presents an interesting aspect for flatpickers. For some, it’s great to get the pins out of the way of their wrists. But for others who use the pins as an anchor point by barely touching them with their wrists , it will take a little bit of time to get used to the lack of pins. Other features include scalloped bracing, gold Grover tuners, abalone ellipse marker positions, abalone rosette and purfling.
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February 17th, 2008 . by MacNichol
If the CA (Composite Acoustics) Guitars Model 7L-E were an automobile, then it would be a luxury SUV: powerful, able to go anywhere, and go there in style.
Previously known as the Legacy Player, the CA Guitars 7L-E has no cutaway, as well as no holes cut for electronics (the volume and tone controls are accessible via the soundhole). Add to this the power of carbon fiber construction, and you’ve got one of the most powerful and bassiest dreadnoughts around. It’s got a deep, thundering, punchy bass that seems a bit overwhelming at first, but I soon found that the volume was relatively easy to control, and that by lightening up on my picking hand, I could shift between a deep mellow bass (no punchy-ness) and a bright, booming bass.
The mid-tones are also deep and rich, and I found that to emphasize these, I would need to ease up on the bass or else they’d get overshadowed. The higher ranges are crisp and clear, and the 7L-E could easily be used for lead playing. What I liked best about the 7L-E, though, is it’s response to crosspicking - clear, crisp notes that roll out neatly.
Features include a hardshell case, Gotoh 381 tuners and Fishman Ellipse VT Electronics.
Posted in CA Guitars, Carbon Fiber Guitars | No Comments »
February 13th, 2008 . by MacNichol
Previously known as the GX Performer, the Series 8M-CE by CA Guitars (Composite Acoustics) is a booming guitar that sounds as great as it looks.
Among the most comfortable of guitars, the 8M-CE takes guitar ergonomics to another level. With two bevels on the top of the back side, the guitar fits neatly against one’s body. Additionally, the 8M-CE has the ultimate cutaway. In addition to a sharp cutaway that allows easy access to the upper frets, there is also a cutaway on the back of the guitar because there is no heel block (a benefit of carbon fiber construction). So, one can easily reach the 19th fret, and the 20th fret is just a tiny reach away. Indeed, it almost feels like playing an electric guitar with such easy access to the upper fretboard.
Carbon fiber guitars are renowned for their durability, being resistant to temperature and humidity. But the true wonder of these guitars is the sound. First, they have great volume; indeed, the first time you play a CA Guitars model you’ll have to ease up on your picking. However, you can easily control that volume and thus you can do some interesting things - hammers and slides come through crisp and clear with little effort. I also like doing a Luther Perkins style muted boom-chick-a bass lines on carbon fiber guitars, although this works better on CA Guitars’ dreadnought model than it does on a grand auditorium. The 8M-CE sounds especially good with a slide, as do all the carbon fiber guitars that I’ve played. Putting a slide to a carbon fiber guitar produces a sound that’s somewhere in between sliding on a regular acoustic and a resophonic guitar. You get just enough of the echo, metallic sound that emphasizes the slides, but retain the warmth of an acoustic.
Features include Goth 503 tuners, LR Baggs Imix electronics, and a hardshell case.
Posted in Acoustic Guitars, CA Guitars, Carbon Fiber Guitars | No Comments »
February 9th, 2008 . by MacNichol
MacNichol Guitars and Mandolins announces that it has become an Official Dealer for D’Addario Strings, fine acoustic guitars strings, and Planet Waves, maker of many quality instrument accessories, including guitar humidifiers and capos. D’Addario is noted for producing its EXP line of acoustic guitar strings, which contain an fine layer of D’Addario’s EXP Coating bonded to the Phosphor Bronze wrap wire, which is then wound onto the hex-shaped core wire, producing a barrier against corrosion and wear. EXP’s sound bright and clear with new string tone that lasts three to four times longer than traditional strings.
With the addition of D’Addario acoustic guitar strings and Planet Waves products, MacNichol.com now offers guitar and mandolin players several more choices for accessories.
Posted in Accessories, Acoustic Guitars, Instrument Care, Mandolins | No Comments »
February 5th, 2008 . by MacNichol
MacNichol Guitars and Mandolins announces that it has become an Official Dealer for Mix Mandolins, fine carbon fiber mandolins and winner of Best in Show at the Summer NAMM Show in 2007. Mix is one of the leading manufacturers of carbon fiber mandolins, offering the Mix A4, A5, F4, F5.
Mix mandolins by New MAD feature an ebony fingerboard with 12″ radius and 13 7/8″ scale length , ebony Loar-style bridge, James custom-engraved tailpiece and Grover tuners. Options include Schertler CDyn internally-mounted contact microphones for the very best amplified voice you can find, Waverly tuners, and ebony pickguards. A4’s and A5’s start at $3500 and F4’s and F5’s start at $5990. Hardshell case is included.
With the addition of the Peter Mix Mandolin line, MacNichol.com now offers musicians several choices for carbon fiber instruments, which may be purchased directly online at www.macnichol.com, or by contacting MacNichol directly at 1-800-849-3305 or info@macnichol.com.
Posted in Mandolins | No Comments »
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