Guitar reviews on You Tube A rant

[@HaErBeSo]

I fully agree. Remember, most reviews, especially the highly produced ones, only have a commercial goal, be it selling guitars or getting clicks. I come from the commercial field and believe me, there are plenty of tricks to pull you in. Also, it seems to me that people make too much of the quality of their instrument. I dare to say that 80% of all playing situations donot require a top level guitar or a style oriented guitar. Most audienced really donot care about the finesse of perfect sound. More often the player is the limiting factor, not the instrument. In other words, study hard and avoid any reviews untill you really feel you’ve outgrown the instrument. (But I could say more or less the same for buying expensive cars etc.)

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, thanks for your input.

[@benjaminguillet3210]

Hi Andy ! As a 0 and L00 player who plays with a pick, I can say that I totally disagree. But that's no big deal ;). The important thing in all this is not the choice of playing style, but the subtlety of the guitarist. Seeing Julian Lage demonstrating the Waterloo Wl-14 is a perfect example. I think the most important thing is to let the guitar breathe to hear all the harmonics, how the strings blend together... Small guitars can be fantastic for jazzy flat picking stuffs. The smaller frequency range really makes single notes lines clear. All is in the right hand. Unfortunately, fingerpickers often neglect the choice of a good pick when they play flatpicking.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Benjamin, and that is, of course, your prerogative. This is my opinion, and others will reasonably disagree. In fact I have a coffee mug with the following inscription : "I could agree with you , but then we'd both be wrong!" Best wishes, Andy.

[@benjaminguillet3210]

@@SillyMoustache like I said, that's no big deal. I love the fact that your are always open to discussion. I hope my first message didn't sound too cold. ;)

[@SillyMoustache]

@@benjaminguillet3210 No, not at all. my little rant is a little tongue in cheek, and to prompt dialogues. Thank you for your comments. Andy

[@andrewbowen6875]

Julian Lange is something else. Michael Daves is another I like

[@stanby2712]

Well Andy, I’m your first disagreer. It sounded like you disagreed with yourself in your first comment; ie you can play any style on any type of instrument ( first, out of my head thoughts, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Mark Knopfler, most of the great blues men, Maybelle Carter and on and on). I play predominantly fingerstyle ( probably for as long as you have flat picked!) and my preference is for an OM; I have several. I also have three big guitars ( generically “dreadnaught”, all high end) and four parlour sized. They are all lovely and they all sound great played in my rather rudimentary fingerstyle . Btw, my Martin 0 and 000 guitars are from the 1990’s and based on pre war models so I didn’t really get your “finally got round to it “. I get that it was a rant and therefore a statement of preference. Which reviewers were you thinking of? There are several I think are good.I think Michael Watts is outstanding Best wishes and regards

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi thank you for your comments. I'd rather not name the reviewers that flat pick 0 and 00 style guitars,bit you can find them on Y/T pretty easily. I Know Michael Watts and I think he is a very fine player and a very nice bloke.

[@joekagerer]

No argument, just my 4 cents... (inflationary period) I only owned one guitar for 25 years, a Yamaha FG450SA Dreadnought. It was the only guitar I had. This year Eastman released a few more E40-OO guitars here in the States. Having close access to an Eastman dealer I was able to get one. I only bought it because I thought it looked cool and it's specs were amazing. I was quite surprised with the neck width, but after the 6 month wait, I decided I was fine with it. My Yamaha has a super narrow neck, the strings at the bridge are 5cm wide where the Eastman are 6cm a full string spacing wider. It's taken me a long time to get used to it. Now I'm what you call a terrible guitar player, but whatever style I'm attempting is going to be done on the same guitar. Strumming, flat picking, fingerstyle it doesn't matter. I'm playing the Eastman. I don't know any better... My point is, if you see someone playing the wrong style of guitar, it may be the only one they own... I appreciate your insight on why one style may be better than another but everyone doesn't have a choice. God forbid any budding young artist is dissuaded in pursuing a specific style because they don't have the correct shape of guitar. Before the 1930's there were no dreadnoughts, what did people do? Anyhow thanks for the video! 🙂

[@traceystern6592]

What is the neck width on the E40's?

[@joekagerer]

@@traceystern6592 1 13/16 inches is the spec for the E20 per their website. The E40-OO isn't on the site, but I believe it's the same. I've had difficulty measuring mine. My Yamaha has a very narrow neck it was surprising the difference.

[@SillyMoustache]

Joe, I am not speaking of the players but the reviewers "selling" these finger style guitars. Before the '30s? They played fingerstyle or flat picked like Jimmie Rodger, or frailed like Mother Maybelle. In 1929 Martin launched the "OM" designed as a "Rhythm" guitar. It failed - Gibson archtops got that gig. . In 1934, Dreadnoughts and Jumbos were launched as rhythm guitars but were used in small acoustic combos, not dance bands with brass sections.

[@SillyMoustache]

1 & 13/16" as are most 12 fretters.Earlier Martins were 1 & 7/8".

[@joekagerer]

@@SillyMoustache Thanks for your response, you were fairly clear in your video. I follow the Acoustic Shoppe from Missouri and when they demo a guitar they generally do a bit of each style. I always felt it to be nice and consistent so you could hear the difference. They were who I discovered the E40-OO from and that guitar connected me to you. I love these conversations across the pond. Thanks again for your videos.

[@andrewbowen6875]

Actually you just reminded me of all the guitars I tried at Rich Tone there was one corner with about ten Eastman guitars and between myself and a gentleman who ended up buying one, we was so impressed with tow tobacco burst J35 style guitars whose difference was the Mahogany and Rosewood backs. I felt embarrassed upon having a modern Gibson 1936 era model given me to try and despite it costing over 4 grand it just didn’t impress me as the much cheaper but better made Eastmans imo

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi again, this doesn't surprise me at all.

[@PsionicAudio]

I enjoyed this. I do primarily electric demos demonstrating the sounds of amps, but when I say “listen to the overtones in this doublestop” or “listen to the sweetness of the third and sixths” trying to show the electric equivalent of your point, people criticize me for not doing flashy doodley-dweedley stuff.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks for watching.

[@TT-wz6xy]

Hi friend, I noticed on your Eastman guitar around the 3:15sec , the difference in string spacing between the B&G & D&A strings is really tight compared to the others , do you not notice that imbalance when playing ?? You can rally see it at the sound hole , no offence meant just stood out to me , you can really notice the larger gap between the G&D, looks like it’s coming off the saddle like that

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, You're right, just measured across the centre of the sound hole. In m/ms - e b = 10, b-G = 10, G-D = 11.5, D-A - 9, and A-E =10. Over the saddle (which has no notches) there is the possibility for some variance. The E40s are , I believe, hand made by one person, and some dimensions vary slightly. It hasn't knowingly affected my playing. Perhaps I moved the G or D string by whacking it with a Blue Chip TAD 50 instead of finger picking it (!) 10/10 for observation!

[@texhaines9957]

Thanks, Andy. I try to select guitars I can sing with, and largely play finger style. But a few songs go nicely with a Primetone, Toneslab or Bluechip 1.2~3 pick. I sing best in the key of G, so a single strum in G, E & C are a nice part of a review. I really like my Martin 12-fret D-28 with Adirondack VTS top. I also like a good 000 with a nut narrower than 1.75 inches, due to injuries. I also play an Eastman E40 OM TC and E22SS-V-sb. I heard them on KZbin and asked for a Tone sample, which was provided. I also ask for the sound with capo on 3rd & 5th frets. My guitar size depends on the size of the audience. I will bring a 2nd guitar for an alternate tuning. Thing is, if I'm interested in a guitar I have no problem asking for a Tone sample with specific things for my voice.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks for the input Tex, Best, andy

[@TheRamsberg]

Ironically, although my only acoustic is a dreadnought, and I only play it fingerstyle(I play my electrics both fingerstyle and with a pick), I totally agree with you. As in, there's virtually always too many variables introduced by the player, when demoing an instrument. Curiously, if the player always demos in a singular style, then a cross referenced analysis can be accurately conducted. However, we desperately need a standard of demoing guitars, but it needn't be all they do with it in the demo, but without that constancy, what's the point of it?(besides self advertisement, or what have they)

[@SillyMoustache]

My point exactly. Thanks.

[@bobnolin9155]

A quality dread is a "man for all seasons". Think of James Taylor playing "Fire and Rain" on a Gibson J-45.

[@VictorMawhinney]

👍 No17 👍 Well, I really enjoyed watching your video , thank you for posting 👍🎶👍 🎸🎶🎸…..Vic.👍👍👍

[@SillyMoustache]

Thank you too

[@kelley71]

I think Tony Polecastro nearly perfected reviewing guitars. He plays every review same way, 4-5 different passages that include drop D, finger pick, fingerstyle, strum, and basic chords as you demonstrate. So that method can show the guitar in all settings. Also Ian Meadow Meadows is an amazing reviewer. I have a similar collection as you sir, but after years of physical work, I like to flatpick a small guitar. You should procure a 0000-12 fret guitar. Amazing dreadnaught alternative for those with rotator cuff injuries and age related issues.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Kelly, thanks for introducing me to Ian Meadows. Yes, I like his style. It might also help to mention strings, and their age, and the pick/thickness as well.

[@rdstreets]

"Ive got a bit of a hump" - Never heard that one before. Love it. Using it. Thx

[@SillyMoustache]

"I've got the Hump" in the UK means I'm angry. or in a bad mood.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I heartily agreed However, as a fingerpicker, I also enjoy playing a 12 fret Martin D-18S and D35S. 14 fret dreads are plectrum guitars. A flat pick on a 00 or 0 is a travesty. I started on a 1939 00 Martin in 1961 and now have a 2015 Martin 00-18VS with flamed mahogany back and sides Neither have ever seen a flatpick. PS.. Flatpicks are best on mandolins.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Jeff, Great taste in guitars sir! I do use picks on my dreads and 000 as I am basically, an old bluegrass flat picker. but I totally agree with what you say about 14 fretters!

[@jamesmacdon9351]

I agree with you…I use my dreds with picks…and if I do use a pick on my OOO size extremely light attack…also I like extremely low action on my OOO size for finger picking and ease of chording as generally many more complex chording arrangements. Highest end guitars I have are a Yamaha FG5, LL16, LS6 (OOO size), Guild GAD 50 and a Martin DX1AE. All sound good but nowhere near your Collins class….beautiful sounding instruments are those.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thank you James, your comment was seen as spam by Y/T hence delay in responding. Apologies.

[@mickymillersson4376]

Couldn't agree more. I'd also add, reviewer, please play in standard tuning at least initially. But my particular dislike, no almost hatred, is acoustics with pickups and reviewers who insist on showing us what it sounds like amplified. If I want to listen to electric guitars, I will find reviews of them.

[@SillyMoustache]

Oh Micky, couldn't agree more! In my humble, if an acoustic is sold with a pickup ... is an electric guitar!

[@Peter-oh3hc]

I am new to guitar and interested in fingerpicking. Is there a difference in the space between the strings on the different sizes? As far as reviews I wish they same thing on each guitar to show the difference

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, nut widths and fretboard widths got thinner from the 1929 OM when Martin changed to 14 fret designs, as they were aimed more at "rhythm" players than fingerstylists, or more complex flat-picking styles (think Jimmie Rodgers). 14 fret guitars were really aimed at former tenor banjo players as popular music changed from Dixieland to swing. So 14 fretters tend to have 1 & 11/16" nuts, and 2 & 1/4" string spacing (over the bridge) whereas 12 fretters had 1 & 7/8" nut widths to 2 & 5/16" string spacing. As you may see from my other videos, ALL my flat tops are the original 12 fret designs. Hope that helps.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

@@SillyMoustache perfect. Exactly what I needed to know. Thx

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

G'day, matey! I haven't seen your videos in a while. Hope you have been well, and are enjoying good health and good fortune. Take care!

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Jerrel, I'm OK thanks for asking - life has been complicated lately and I haven't had time to make decent videos, but "I'll Be Back" Thanks for watching.

[@rodrodriguez460]

EXACTLY! A superduper guitar virtuoso can sell [crapola] guitars all day long.

[@SillyMoustache]

Maybe, but apart from telling the world that they have it in stock, are they really demonstrating the instrument?

[@appleturnover519]

I just noticed that the string distances at the bridge are not uniform, i.e., the gap between the 3rd and 4th strings is greater than between the other strings.

[@SillyMoustache]

Someone else mentioned that before,maybe on the Eastman 00 ?

[@heywhotsgoinon8286]

Your first comment was correct 'you can play anything on any guitar" with one proviso, if the guitarist is proficient enough. I sadly dont fall into that category. I do my best however.lol. best wishes , youre looking well. Keep on doing what youre doing.👍

[@SillyMoustache]

Thank you. Your comment was seen as "spam" by KZbin - hence delay in responding.

[@skintslots]

I mostly play a Parlour and a Concert size and would say that on the Parlour if you play with a pick,as I often do,then the pick needs to be light and flexible to get the best sounds from it. I find thick and inflexible picks sound really scratchy and overwhelm the sound of the guitar.

[@SillyMoustache]

Interesting. I've just tried an experiment onmy size "0" and "00" guitars. I started with a .60 m/m pick (thinnest in my collection and very old) my guitars it sounded tinny and lacked bass tone. I progresses up to 1.25 and 1.5 m/m picks (Primetone, Blue Chip and Wegens) and the tone filled out significantly. I would only use a pick on my 000 "auditorium" and dreads. Just doesn't really feel/sound right on a short scale small body with lights. I may make another video!

[@skintslots]

@@SillyMoustache Yes,very interesting. I wonder if string choice and quality of guitar make a difference? All my equipment is very much on the budget side of the scale.

[@keithskelton2287]

Andy totally agree you are very lucky to have such a wonderful range to choose from andthe high quality acoustic & sonic presentation sounds keep it going did you ever finish yte Magnolia Wind tuition vid ? Thanks for posting ✌

[@SillyMoustache]

I don't usually do tutorials as I tend to make my own arrangments, ans i encourage my "Zoom" clients to do te same, but maybe you mean this : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHKzeK2spZdnfMU best, Andy.

[@j_m101]

Good rant, Andy. I have a Martin dread and and Eastman E20-OO. Totally agree that the Martin sounds best with a pick and that only make sense for it. I used to play fingerstyle on it, but only because it was the my sole guitar, so I had no choice. Since I picked up the Eastman earlier this year, all fingerstyle is done on that. (As an aside, I love this Eastman so much, I find myself playing the Martin less and less - I've been looking at the Eastman ACxxx series which may displace my Martin altogether if the quality is as good). One thing I would add, though - the double-O actually sounds quite good with a pick if played very delicately. Aggressive picking sounds clunky and the sound breaks up easily, but gently played picking gets a nice "woody" tone. I think the plectrum activates the Adirondack top in a way that fingers can't quite. I should add, perhaps, that I keep my fingernails very short, so my fingerstyle is very fleshy and somewhat muted. Lastly, greetings from Massachusetts! Keep the videos coming. -Jamie

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks Jamie, will do.

[@andrewbowen6875]

In my short time playing if I learned anything from having a boutique made 12 fret OM, is that the big difference is up the neck on those treble strings

[@piano2873]

So glad I found you video. I agree with you entirely. I have a dred and an OM and find the dred great for strumming with a pick and the OM sweet sound perfect for finger style.

[@SillyMoustache]

I think that many would agree with you - ironic as the OM was introduced in '29 as the first Martin rhythm guitar!

[@joelgevirtz6181]

To continue the rant, I would like to hear how a guitar sounds in other keys other than the open ones. Play some in Bb or Eb (without a capo) for example, so I can hear how it sounds in those keys. I don't really care how a guitar sounds when vigorously strummed in open E or open G since I rarely do that, but I would like to hear how it sounds in some of the closed keys as well. Also, Compare and contrast finger style with flat picking so that the tone control can be discerned. Many more things I could say, but that's enough for now.

[@SillyMoustache]

HiJoel, well said, and totally agree. best to both, Andy.

[@andrewbowen6875]

Having seen a short film the other day of the boutique relic’d guitar maker Pre War with Norman Blake. They got most of the measurements from a guy who happens to own four 12 fret Martin Dreadnoughts out of just 12 made at Martin during the golden period. I can only think that Bob Collings must of done something similar in order to build your 12 fret Dreadnoughts 🤔

[@SillyMoustache]

Bill Collings did his research very well, but had no concerns about improving on them!

[@Saladzingers]

Have to agree really… while you can do what you want on any guitar, few people buy small bodied guitars for strumming. I have a penchant (let’s be honest - addiction/obsession) with parlour guitars (have just given into temptation and bought a used Steve Toon 😬 Arrives this week!) and when I look for reviews, it is irksome to find them being strummed heavily. Sometimes guitar review channels try to be all things to all men, and some long-haired metal head is pounding a parlour guitar, telling me all about The Tone… arrrgh 🤦‍♂️

[@SillyMoustache]

Abso flippin' lutely!

[@Paragonx135]

I like to strum smaller bodied guitars, so I am glad someone strums them in youtube reviews. And I like custom light strings on a Dreadnought. And I hear the bass, trebles, everything. Yup, this was a rant.

[@SillyMoustache]

Fine, different strokes for different folks.

[@carlyoung5035]

Interesting points Andy - I don't totally agree, but then I find that most online reviews aren't worth the digital space they inhabit anyway. As for your comments, well I get what it is you're trying to get out of the review, but others may be seeking something else, so playing various styles should cover 'all'. There's also the budgetry/guitar count/wife equation, which you appear to have cracked having a rather nice collection. Most of us have our wings clipped after a while, so we need guitars that can cover more than one base, for example I have a Furch Vintage Dread which I can use for accompaniment AND fingerstyle (sometimes both at the same time ;-) and it works quite well for both. Obviously I use my 12 fret OO for most fingerstyle pieces however the dread can give a different slant on some songs.

[@SillyMoustache]

Ho Carl, that's just fine. However to demo a size 0 or 00 by strumming it doesn't seem right to me, YMMV etc. Talking about the "budgetry/guitar count/wife equation" gives me a great idea for another video, thanks! and thanks for watching.

[@carlyoung5035]

Hi@@SillyMoustacheI get what you mean and indeed my OO with a plectrum is - well - I don't. But many do - potentially as a result of budget restrictions ​- which is the point I tried to make (badly). Some cheaper OO's aren't too bad strummed because they don't project well with fingers, so it probably works for some people. I'm sure the'll be quite a few peeps who play mainly finger style but have a few songs in the set that need vocals and accompaniment so they just use the OO instead of buying another guitar for the sake of 2 songs.

[@glouismusic]

I also want to hear more about the shape of the neck and how it feels

[@SillyMoustache]

Yes, very good points! Scale, nut width, string spacing, neck profile etc. Of course how it "feels" is subjective.

[@andrewbowen6875]

After I acquired a really good example of a second hand J35. After many months of playing the same kind of music on a dreadnought that I happen to like the most for what we know as Country, Bluegrass and the odd finger picked blues standards I just didn’t have the same enthusiasm for my Brook 12 fret Taw similar to a OOO -OM. The Brook instruments are bought by predominantly folk players for a reason and as such it was only collecting dust so I had what I thought was a very reasonable offer from Rich tone music in Sheffield. To get to the point I was open to a possible exchange for something that I really liked and I have to say after playing several Gibson acoustics from J45s, Hummingbirds I can say that they just didn’t impress me like my own J35. I was rather proud with myself for a reaching a point where I can recognise what I like in a guitar and come away with nothing if nothing spoke to me. I know it may seem ridiculous in a shop full of high end acoustics but I can tell you that none had that living breathing thing that your Collings has here. So finally all the reviews in the world on KZbin would never persuade me into ordering a guitar via mail order without having heard and felt it in real time

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, early in my guitar playing days, I have had a Gibson J-50 (sounded like cardboard), a '50s SJ200 (previously owned by Don Partridge, and an Epiphone Frontier which had been butchered by some bad repair work. I had a 1915 Gibson L-3 that I loved and would love to replace but I've never found a Gibson flat-top that pleased me. If you can find a good one - hang onto it! The large majority of my current collection were bought via Ebay, or online. If you do your "due diligence" to ensure that you are buying what will suit you, and have a return option, then that's Ok, but many guitars, especially high volume items like Gibson or Martin, be prepared to work to open them up.

[@andrewbowen6875]

@SillyMoustache well I got lambasted for suggesting that Albert Lees Everley Brothers J200 sounds like cardboard and yet with the huge damper pick guard I honestly think that is what they wanted in that percussive fashion. Yeah I really did get a good one and basically held out until I found one that I instantly liked. It’s super light and unlike the other I’ve tried it rings like a drum when I tap the top. I believe it’s called the law of diminishing returns and yet Eastman doesn’t suffer the same or Yamaha

[@andrewbowen6875]

@SillyMoustache I guess Collings is the one make you could trust to buy without playing as they are historically all good

[@scottf2199]

I’m a very crude fingerstyle player overall and my only requirement is to have a deep bass driven tone with no sparkle or chime in the trebles. The smallest guitar I can get away with is a 000-12 fret, but my 12-fret dreads are my ideal for the tone I require - George Gruhn was the first to tell me that 12-fret dreads are some of the most versatile guitars ever and would absolutely work for my fingerstyle requirements , and later your videos turned me onto 12-fret dreads. Although some people have been enormously successful at 14-fret dread fingerstyle, I’m not one of them. Again, this is likely a result of my profound lack of guitar experience as a middle aged guy who took up the hobby just a few years ago - prior to that I had been heavily involved with the British brass band movement here in the USA - cheers!

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, Thanks for your thoughts. I'm sure that your playing isn't as bad as you assert, but maybe I could help (I do one-to-one Zoom lessons , well more mentoring really).

[@CameraLaw]

You make your point well that simple playing of the strings puts the focus on the guitar’s tone. Yet I liked the bits of playing that you did quite simply and nicely. So, I think both help provide a picture of the instrument. As for the fingerstyle/pick debate, I do both and generally agree with your recommendations, but it is fun to mix things up. Fingerstyle on a dreadnaught, though challenging, has its rewards.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yeah, I'm REALLY not telling players what they should do, I'm just commenting on reviewers on Y/T.

[@CameraLaw]

And you are doing it with some very gorgeous sounding instruments!

[@SillyMoustache]

@@CameraLaw Thank you sir.

[@seniorp9444]

I agree with the premise that using (at least part of the review) to pick individual notes and simple chords is better for helping us appreciate the sound of the guitar. When I see an acoustic review where the person is just picking bluegrass, as an example, it doesn’t mean that much to me because I don’t play that style so don’t really know if the guitar is good or bad based on that one thing.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yes, thankyou.

[@barryhambly7711]

I agree that a number of reviews are hopeless for actually hearing what the guitar really sounds like they can be badly recorded or someone just strumming a guitar so loud as they can etc. I have been looking around trying to compare reasonable priced guitars like the Eastman E20p E20 00 and Sigma s000r 45vs and s000r 42 trying to get an idea of sound but it is difficult. You have given the best review for hearing the over all sound, I think you have sold me the Eastman they seem to have that singing richness or depth of sound that my Guild has. Your Eastman 45 I just love the sound of it I am thinking the E20 00 will have a sound something the same I would like to compare it with the Sigma 45 vs but can not find them together on here. Very interesting channel you have here👍

[@SillyMoustache]

I would love to access some guitars to do A-B reviews, in in particular the Sigma models, but whilst there are may dealers offering them online, no-one seems to actually have them in stock. However, I'm have just acquired a 1998 built Collings 002h, so I will be doing a comparison with my Eastman E40-00, like I've been doing for myself got the last week! n

[@barryhambly7711]

@@SillyMoustache Interesting to hear comparison because your recording is good and gives a natural sound of the guitars body. I have no really large guitar shops where I live which would carry higher end guitars.

[@PaulOwens]

I kind of know what you mean but there are so many exceptions to the rule - John Martyn used to sound pretty good finger picking on a dreadnought and Sir Richard Bishop sounds terrific playing a 19th century parlour guitar with a plectrum - to make it meaningless. Some people just make it work. Myself I always think that it's the width at the bridge that really determines how to play it.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Paul, yes of course there are exceptions and alternative opinions, and that is, of course, your prerogative. This is my opinion, and others will reasonably disagree. In fact I have a coffee mug with the following inscription : "I could agree with you , but then we'd both be wrong!" Best wishes, Andy.

[@johnhiscutt1853]

Some OM's made today are just as loud as a Dreadnought some Bedell's Boucher Atkin guitars are Awesome

[@SillyMoustache]

Of course, but it isn't just about "loudness" it's about projection, and clarity. The difference in body sizes will (or should) give a different "EQ" of the strings - you'll get more bass from a good larger body, and more treble clarity from a smaller body, but body depth, the way the top has been "thicknessed" braced and finished, even the mass of the neck are all factors that affect tone, balance and and projection.

[@johnhiscutt1853]

Hi Andy I watched a video at Norman’s Rare Guitars in LA on KZbin it was Orianthi and Ritchie Sambora They picked up A size 8 Martin and commented on how loud and Clear it was. I suppose all a matter of opinion though. I myself Have a Tanglewood historic tw 40 0 A N E it’s a great guitar British Co as I am. Your videos are great keep up the good work👍

[@paulabuls5802]

Totally agree regarding reviewers. I traded my Martin OM-28 Marquis for a 1996 Limited edition 000-28 12 fret. The OM was really just too much for the finger picking I normally play. The 000-28 is perfect for finger picking with the occasional flat picking thrown in. And of course I love the 12 fret scale.

[@SillyMoustache]

000- 12 fret scale? Should be standard 25.4" scale. just like an OM but with the wider fretboard.

[@paulabuls5802]

You’re right of course. I was really more thinking about the placement of the bridge on the belly. Not scale length at all.

[@yamahamusicians]

A lot comes down to cost. There are a lot of people looking at KZbin guitar reviews who just want to buy a budget guitar that does everything. Simply because they cannot afford to have several guitars for different play styles. Once you become more proficient and hopefully more affluent, then for sure, buy the guitar or several guitars for the different styles of music you may want to play. Reall though you can play anything on any type of guitar. A lot of the end result comes down to the player.

[@SillyMoustache]

Ok, but I think that demo-ing an instrument by not playing it the way that potential buyers would play it seems silly.

[@yamahamusicians]

But how do we know what way a potential buyer is going to play? I have all styles of guitar here but I don't pick one up and only play flat picking or only play fingerstyle because that is what the makers of the guitar had in mind for it. I play what I want on whatever guitar I feel like playing it on. I have never stuck to any sort of rule book. Perhaps I would have been a better player had I done so. I think it is a bit too late to change now 😂@@SillyMoustache

[@markharwood7573]

First thought: there is no need for a guitar to be so big. Then: ooh, it's a 12-fret, and a fretted headstock. Then: listen, the man is talking sense.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks Mark.

[@lukethedrifter100]

🤣🤣🤣 love your rants,, I agree with you, and that E40 Eastman is a beauty. ❤

[@SillyMoustache]

It really is! Thanks for watching.

[@danmar007]

Lovely! And spot on.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thank you.

[@ScooterD35]

I am inclined to disagree, of course, simply because the choice of one’s guitar and preferred playing style is entirely subjective. Generalizations such as yours are best avoided, particularly where newer players are concerned for fear of instilling advance bias on their decision. When I have helped folks choose a new guitar over the years, I’ve found a tried and true formula that has literally never failed. I take them to the best guitar shop we can find with the largest selection and I ask them what the absolute top of their budget is. Then I sit them down somewhere quiet and comfortable (Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island was the best once upon a time) and start bringing them guitars from all over their budget range. Different shapes, sizes, makes, models, materials, specs… whatever the shop has readily available. As the day goes on, the heard thins substantially but at some point something very organic happens and a decision is made. I described the process to them before we started like this: “At some point today I’m going to hand you an instrument and as soon as you hold it and play it, you’ll feel like it’s already yours.” This is the point where the process moves much more rapidly, as any other guitar they play afterwards has a very high bar to reach to stay in contention. This scenario has yet to fail after many years of implementation, although it is considerably more difficult to find appropriate guitar shops in today’s world of online shopping. As for online “review” videos, I watch them more out of boredom and amusement than anything else as they are based entirely on the (understandably) biased and subjective opinions of the reviewer.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Scooter, I'm afraid that you might have missed my point a little. Your method of helping friends choose a n instrument in a large shop full of options is fine - IF there is a shop full of options. My video is how video reviewers (often sales guys from various shops) play guitars that they are reviewing, I don't want to see them "performing" I want to see that particular brand/model demonstrated to hear its qualities in the way that most would expect to play it themselves. i.e., it is the quality of the sound of the item, not the demonstrator strumming that I am referring to. However, thanks for watching.

[@2628064379]

I agree with your comments regarding demonstrators showing off their own playing instead of highlighting the instrument. That is why there are only a few demonstrators I listen to. I also don't watch demonstrations that use capos and alternative tunings. And don't get me started on these idiots that have to use their tapping technique as a main part of their demonstration.

[@SillyMoustache]

Fair enough! Thanks for your thoughts.

[@mharri3677]

Very interesting video and lots of great discussion. I suppose online reviews are helpful to some extent, but wherever possible i guess the best advice is to get out and play the guitars. I've bought 2 guitars online, both sold now. The keepers i have I have played before buying. I know you have said there are exceptions to the rule and i think Eric Skye is one of those. Enjoyable content as always.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yup, maybe there should be a part 2 to this discussion. Thanks, Andy

[@banjo1434]

Good rant. There's a chap in Singapore who insists on imposing his playing style on every "review". He's a good player, but his style of playing leaves me cold and makes every guitar sound the same. I can no longer watch his reviews. Ian Meadows is pretty good. Keeps it simple and lets the guitar speak for itself.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yup. Thanks for watching.

[@lukethedrifter100]

Man, that 000 Collins is a beast..

[@SillyMoustache]

I think so too, but maybe more a beauty than a beast. Thanks for watching.

[@volpe109]

Exactly. So many just show off how fast they can play.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yes , zactley!

[@barrymead8414]

Hmm interesting thoughts. I think many reviewers tend to try and show what a guitar sounds like by playing a mix of finger picking and flat picking and whilst some may not give much thought to the idea of what may be more suitable many do suggest what they feel is more suitable style for the particular guitar I think the idea is to then let the individual decide. I guess some flat pickers want a smaller body guitar, maybe some finger pickers want a bigger body and some prefer a narrower or wider string spacing, There's also the fact that many people have just one guitar (they may like more but there's lots of reasons why many only have one) and if you have one guitar you might still want to play both finger style and strumming. Versatility is a very useful thing if you have just the one So I tend to think I can see why they try and show the different styles but I do think there are a number that lets say show off their playing rather than play to show the guitar sound better

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, starting my little rant made me rethink how I make guitar comparisons too!

[@PB200559]

Tend to disagree Andy. I feel anyone demo-ing a guitar on line should play a range of styles on it, including finger style and flat picking to show what the instrument is capable of in defferent scenarios. Not everyone has the luxury of a guitar for every occaision. Also a review should make comment about build quality and materials used - however subjective this may be. All set in the proper context of the price point for that instrument. I suspect you may knowingly have been seeking to spark a debate here however😉

[@SillyMoustache]

I take, and respect your point, BUT - is a size "0" or "00" REALLY a plectrum guitar? I think not.

[@PB200559]

Does the same logic work in reverse? Should you never play fingerstyle on a dread?@@SillyMoustache

[@SillyMoustache]

@@PB200559 Hi PB, I'm not a rule maker, I'm querying those who demonstrate 0 and 00 style guitars using picks rather than fingers. From a personal perspective, I tend NOT to play fingerstyle on my dreads (with medium strings and a bluegrass style action). It is not for me to tell people what they should or should not do, apart from demo players/reviewers of guitars that will largely be played fingerstyle.

[@PJ-ff5jy]

I use an Auden Emily Rose (parlour), great guitar and definitely takes a strum due to depth of body whereas my Martin 0015M needs a lighter touch if strumming. Both great pickers.

[@SillyMoustache]

Interesting. Thanks.

[@pickersgrip]

Great collection!

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks for visiting

[@ilblues]

Agree in part .... if I were covering American Pie, I'd use my Larry spruce/mahogany dread; the opening and closing verses would be finger style or flatpick with a couple fingers - everything in between I'd want the dread for that big strummy sound. My 00 is fingerstyle only - in fact an all mahogany because the timbre is better fitting my bari vocals. My L spruce/rose is mostly fingerstyle, esp. open tuned stuff. Strumming on the L is more about accents on a largely fingerstyle tune. My biggest gripe about YT guitar demos, are the drone-strummers - working their way up and down the fretboard, fingering the lower 4 strings and hitting the open B and E. Man - MAKE A COMPLETE CHORD! And for pete's sake - use something better than the onboard mic of your cell phone or cheap pocket cam. Use an H2 or something to capture the sound and some skills in post to strip the sound from the camera and insert the H2 sound.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yeah, I believe that we can play any style on any guitar, but I'm just talking about You Tube marketing demos.

[@keithskelton2287]

Hi Andy again for general info I tried the super light strings by D'Addario on my 00028 has an unwound G string and the sound was very light/tiny changed back to lights aftre a day or two it sings :-))

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Keith. Super light ?? .009" ?? I can't imagine I use two gauges on everything. Lights .12 - 53 , 0,00,000, and mediums on dreads, jumbo, archtops, resonators.

[@keithskelton2287]

Thanks for that tip Andy I generally use lights & extra lights I might follow suit with you and try a different gauge on the bigger bodied guitars I only have acoustics I just for the first time tried the Super lights after it was suggested I saw them in the shop string rack when stocking up after a high E string break[same proce but waste of money for me at least] Additionally do you play any solid bodied electric intruments do you paly mandolin or uke ? take care autumn & later winter approaches in the UK long evenings /nights coming up for playing & practice sessions @@SillyMoustache

[@snörre23]

Same with electrics, rock powerchords on 1950s (or 40s) amps or guitars (or replicas of those). As for acoustics, strumming demos dont do anything for me , i want to hear a few Lightnin Hopkins and Robert Johnson licks, i think i never "strummed a chord" on an acoustic in my whole life.

[@SillyMoustache]

I'd rather hear the instrument, rather than the muso/sales guy.

[@davidscotbrown3241]

Hey Andy, I'll not agree or disagree - I'll simply point out that, when I grew up in the late 50's and into the 60's, dreads, OM's 000's, 00's and yes, even archtops (remember Mother Maybelle) were being used all over the place for both flatpicking and fingerstyle. As you correctly point out right off the bat, you can indeed play any kind of music, in any style on any acoustic guitar. My first book on playing Bluegrass guitar had a picture on the cover of a guy holding an OM (or perhaps 000). Take a look at 60's era video of Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Joan Baez... etc., etc. You will see an assortment of different sizes and shapes. Of course, if we wish to fall in line with the era of clever marketing, one must use a certain type of guitar to play a certain style of music or employ a certain technique. Yes, the OM was designed as a rhythm instrument, yet, so many have been convinced - through clever marketing - that it should only be employed as a fingerstyle guitar, and a dread is necessary for Bluegrass. Nonsense!!! I've played all of these guitars at different times over a 54 year period in as many different styles of music. I do agree, however, that when reviewers play a guitar, give people the benefit of what the guitars sounds like with pick and fingers... it isn't about you, it's about the instrument and people deciding if they should check it out.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thank you for your comments. I would defend the necessity for a dread in bluegrass, and a good one with good projection. Back in the '50s and '60s it was more a matter of what we could find to buy/play etc., at least where I grew up!

[@davidscotbrown3241]

While I wouldn't recommend it now, in University I even played an Ovation Custom Balladeer in a bluegrass trio - guitar, banjo and bass. Industry marketing has been a powerful force in convincing us that we need a certain guitar for a specific purpose - good for business. I dare say that whatever guitar you had access to or could afford where you grew up, you made it work. @@SillyMoustache

[@lhvent]

Love the Collings Slope Shoulder

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Larry, As you may observe all my flat tops are 12 fretters, and my dreads are the original dreadnought design although built by Collings rather than Martin.

[@traceystern6592]

That was such a polite 'rant'. 🙂

[@SillyMoustache]

I'm old, and I'm British, we don't get excited about such things, thanks for watching.

[@billpiotter8190]

I’m in total agreement with you Andy

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks.

[@gwolsen1]

thank you for remembering alice restaurant

[@SillyMoustache]

well, and a thousand other songs.

[@jasperjoppegeers8448]

Well! Not half as angry as i expected! :)

[@SillyMoustache]

Nah, I'm too old to get angry about such things, just hoping to promote some discussion! (and get off my lawn!)

[@bobnolin9155]

I've always believed that what you're paying for in a Collings or other high-end instrument is *balance*. Even intonation from top to bottom. I once owned a Collings OM and it sounded like a piano. But I moved away from fingerstyle and got into bluegrass picking, and that guitar was not the right one anymore.

[@SillyMoustache]

Not quite te point of the video, but certainly there are different sized guitars for different purposes.

[@bobnolin9155]

@@SillyMoustache I'm sorry, didn't realize there were comment guidelines on your channel. Are you trying to piss people off? Well done, mate.

[@SillyMoustache]

@@bobnolin9155 Hi Bob, No, I don't wish to upset anyone, and I take your point. What i REALLY meant in the vid was a rant about professional KZbin reviewers (usually trying to sell us stuff. You are a user, (I don't know if you are a reviewer or guitar seller, but moving to a dreadnought for bluegrass sounds eminently logical to me. Ironically, the "OM" (the revised design of the 000) was designed as a rhythm instrument (for tenor banjo players) before the dread came out. so I'm sorry if my comments were misconstrued - in retrospect it isn't my best video and I called the 000 a Concert - no Andy - it is/was a Auditorium . Thanks for watching Bob.

[@ellenrugowski6255]

Hi Andy - good video. As you alluded to, I take most videos with at least a little bit of a grain/pinch of salt, when it comes to guitar tone. IMO they give you a good general idea about the basic sound, but even stating that a guitar is mainly a finger picking guitar (because that's what it sounds best at) or a flat picking guitar (because it sounds best when played in that style) is misleading. The way you play, is such a huge factor. I know some players that get a wonderful sound out of a 00, 0, or Parlor sized guitar, while playing with a pick/plectrum, because they play with a light touch. While I myself (due to a 40 plus years of playing speedy runs as a lead guitarist, and loving to play acoustic guitar in general, in a less laid back manner), sound awful IMO, when playing anything smaller than a 000 with a pick, due to my propensity to dig in, and use the rounded shoulder of the pick (I get better control, when I alternate, and double pick), instead of the pointed end. Ditto for using finger-style to play a larger bodied guitar like a dreadnought or a jumbo. I know some players who get a wonderful sound out of those types of guitars, due to the way they play them with their fingers, while many finger-stylists make jumbos and 'dreads sound downright weak and muted.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, thanks for your considered response.

[@raulands]

I'm personally at the point where I'm starting to find most guitar reviews very unreliable and annoying. Too much hype, some seem like overly produced with effects, transitions, lighting too perfect. Then you hear the reviewer mentioning how awesome the guita is, but then you hear him review other guitars that are equally as awesome or even awesome-er. My favourite reviews and most credible ones are those with little production done by people who are just happy to speak about their guitar.

[@SillyMoustache]

I promise you that my videos will never look perfect, with great lighting or editing! But then I'm not selling anything!

[@howlemt6569]

I think music is an art. I don't care if a person plays a ukele with a coin. I don't believe there are any rules regarding this. If you can show me an owner's manual stating "finger picking only..."? There are folks in the this world who can play circles around you and me with anything (or nothing) between their fingers, no matter the guitar size. That's my $0.02. That said, I really enjoy your videos!

[@SillyMoustache]

Thank yoy for sharing your point of view and for watching my humble videos.

[@MarkJones-fw3mo]

Any guitar that makes you want to play it is a great guitar.

[@SillyMoustache]

Agreed. My issues is how some reviewers demo them.

[@mandojimmy]

I totally agree with your first comment re demonstrators showing off their dexterity. There is one in the mandolin world who does it all the time. What an idiot. Yes you should let viewers hear the tone, the volume etc and best done by playing slowly. Also the action and a general chat about balance etc. Good point made.

[@SillyMoustache]

Good points all! Thanks.

[@6thwatergateplumber]

Following your method would lead to shorter KZbin videos, and that would be a terrific thing. I can't stand these 30 minute plus videos, and find myself advancing through mostly BS until I find the part of the video that actually INFORMS me.

[@SillyMoustache]

Understood. I try to keep my videos under 5 minutes for a song, and under ten for a discussion, such as this. As I don'#t do any editing (wish I could) each video demands a good "storyline" and hard thinking about how to hold the viewer's attention. I take the "fireside chat" approach, but the point must be made!

[@Stringbean421]

I have to disagree with you. I feel that every individual acoustic guitarist will find their own style and comfort of playing and on any size of guitar whether it be a dreadnaught or a size O. You do what you have to do and let others do what they want to do. I do agree with you though about these KZbin guitar demonstrators that just like to show how fast they can move up and down a fretboard which is both tiresome and annoying.

[@SillyMoustache]

yup, its really the demonstrators that I have an issue with.

[@jordangibson695]

My beef is an electric guitar or amp review where the demo is loaded down with pedal effects.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks for your input - as I don't play electrics your comments are helpful.

[@ZionForman]

Doc Watson made it pretty far in life and in music playing fingerstyle on a dreadnaught. however, if I am watching a review or a demo of a dreadnaught it would be preferable to hear it flat-picked and no capos please,

[@joekagerer]

Doc Watson couldn't see what he was doing! First off I'm sorry for the poor joke, but in some ways I think it's the truth... You can do whatever you want with whatever guitar you have.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yes, you can, but if reviewing a guitar built for fingerstyle , why strum it with a pick?