pete.young Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 So, I have a new gig playing a bit of upright bass and a bit of acoustic guitar in an old-time band. We had a festival gig last weekend and I took my guitar. It's a Fylde that I bought in 1977, and it's more important to me than any of my other instruments. It doesn't have a pickup, and I spent most of the time crapping myself worrying about it getting damaged, overheated in the sun, tripped over by drunks etc. I'm now thinking that I need something less expensive, more disposable and with electronics built-in. Thoman have a Harley Benton model, solid spruce top, rosewood back, sides and fingerboard, mahogany neck, Fishman electronics for £180, which is the same price that Wunjo's quoted to fit a pickup to my Fylde. Anyone have any experience of the more expensive end of the Harley Benton guitar range? I guess it's pretty low risk with their returns policy, I can send it back at not much cost if it turns out to be a dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgmh315 Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) http://www.guitarbitz.com/guitars-c48/electro-acoustic-guitars-c82/ashton-acb100ceq-electro-acoustic-bass-p1982 No idea what it's like of course but I know the shop well and they're a nice lot. Sorry, just noticed its out of stock. Edited June 9, 2014 by jgmh315 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 For a few quid more, the Ibanez Talman range is amazing. Worth a look. http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/ag_series14.php?series_id=91&area_id=3&year=2014&cat_id=3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 [quote name='jgmh315' timestamp='1402337914' post='2472412'] [url="http://www.guitarbitz.com/guitars-c48/electro-acoustic-guitars-c82/ashton-acb100ceq-electro-acoustic-bass-p1982"]http://www.guitarbit...stic-bass-p1982[/url] [/quote] That appears to be a link to an acoustic bass. I'm looking for a guitar. [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1402346960' post='2472560'] For a few quid more, the Ibanez Talman range is amazing. Worth a look. [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/ag_series14.php?series_id=91&area_id=3&year=2014&cat_id=3"]http://www.ibanez.co...r=2014&cat_id=3[/url] [/quote] Nice idea, but I need something that looks a bit more traditional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I'd recommend a freshman, really good for the money and available in shops so you can try before you buy, I have a friend who's main guitar is a 70's fylde but his 12 string is a freshman, the quality is stunning, the last one I tried didn't have a price on and after playing it I guessed at about 400, the actual price was about 180, and it was a full electro with a good preamp. Another option might be an aria sandpiper but these are quite a bit more expensive, as are Mayson, both around the 400 mark but excellent guitars. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thanks Matt, I will see if any of the local 'stockists' have any in stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom1946 Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Until I retired I was a Freshman dealer and while the expensive ones were quite good and well made, the cheaper end of the market were a bit 'hard' sounding. You have to work hardto get a good tone imo so choose with care and make sure you try first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 I ended up with a Vintage VE300: solid spruce top, Fishman electrics, nicely finished and a nice clear bright acoustic sound. £189 from a local dealer who also has an internet business and was happy to price match himself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts