Це відео не доступне.
Перепрошуємо.
7 CHOICE Guitars a Professional Reviewer Buys ★ Acoustic Tuesday 149
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 сер 2024
- After reviewing over 600 guitars in my career, these 7 dreadnoughts are some of the best guitars I've ever played. In this video, I'll go over each of these guitars and why they stood out after playing hundreds of other incredible guitars.
Since my guitarsenal, or guitar collection, is so large, I've narrowed down this list to just my dreadnought guitars. You'll be hearing about my dobros and small-body guitars later this year!
In addition to hearing about my guitarsenal, you'll get a chance to see a Heartbreaker of the Month: the guitar that @HeartbreakerGuitarsin Las Vegas has picked out for us to showcase! Also, you'll get some advice from @JeremySheppard, a guitar hunter who is here to help you find the guitar that works for you! Last but not least, I'll feature @dogwoodtales, an acoustic duo from Virginia.
Alright, without further ado, let's dive into my list of the 7 dreadnoughts I bought after reviewing hundreds of other awesome guitars!
#1: Santa Cruz Guitar Company Vintage Southerner
This is the most different of all the dreadnoughts in my collection because it's a shorter scale. For that very reason, I tend to favor the Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner for fingerpicking. Lightly built with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this guitar really is a great accompaniment instrument.
#2: Bourgeois Country Boy Dreadnought.
This particular Bourgeois Country Boy is an absolute bluegrass cannon. If you want a guitar that can stand out in the mix when your flatpicking through fill after fill, this is your guitar. But, this guitar isn't just a standard Bourgeois Country Boy. This guitar was originally owned by Courtney Hartman and used when she was in the band @DellaMae.
#3: Martin D-41 Special
Indian Rosewood back and sides...Sitka spruce top...I mean, this guitar is a classic combination of class and power that I can't get enough of. Additionally, the forward-shifted bracing helps this guitar really open up and resonate at another level. But here's the fun part: this guitar was owned by my dad after I sold it to him while I was working at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
#4: Taylor 717 Grand Pacific Builders Edition
@taylorguitars has built some incredible guitars, and I've been lucky enough to have them send me this model for review. After I reviewed this guitar, I knew I needed to add it to my guitarsenal because of its remarkable laser-like projection. The V-class bracing and the torrefied Sitka spruce top definitely help give this guitar an unforgettable sound.
#5: Taylor 517 Grand Pacific Builders Edition
This Taylor was actually sent alongside the 717 I mentioned previously. As I kept this specific guitar around the studio for the review, I started playing it more and more. I was captivated by the mahogany back and sides that set this guitar apart from the 717 and any other guitar in my guitarsenal - and I liked the visual look of a sunburst guitar!
#6: Thompson DCMA
With an Adirondack spruce top, Cuban mahogany back and sides, this guitar really, truly, sings. After discussing Thompson Guitars with a few different friends of mine, I decided that I NEEDED to have one of these guitars. This guitar has tons of horsepower and clarity.
#7: Martin HD-35
The last dreadnought in my guitarsenal, this guitar feels like a trusty old companion. This was the first "real" guitar I ever purchased. This guitar has been with me since I had my first gig, and I truly love it for its warm, woody tone.
★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: tonypolecastro...
★ All show notes and links: acousticlife.t...
★ Get the show: tonypolecastro...
![The Best Guitar Amp In The World [And Tips On Using Pedals With It]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6j0hOIu6LeM/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Best Guitar Amp In The World [And Tips On Using Pedals With It]](/img/tr.png)
I’m so excited for our build, to be able to share the journey with the Acoustic Life family is going to be such a trip!
God, that Martin D-41 is something special.
Funny, I got it.
Acoustic Tuesday #149 totally ROCKED! The best part for me is seeing Tony P. as a musician, we see him everyday as a teacher on TAC, so this is a real TREAT! Jeremy had some great guitar shopping tips to making a better purchase of a guitar. I'm a singer, so that tip really hit home for me. The Dogwood Tales are simply refreshing and wonderful. They will be added to my playlist ASAP! Thanks TAC for another great show!!!
I didn’t think you Kept the Taylor Grand Pacific’s, I own both and love them. You are right they are cannons! Up next for me is the Santa Cruz Vintager Southerner Tony Polecastro edition.
The HD35 is my favorite and I had the feel that you feel the most comfortable playing it, you could really tell... ✌️😊
Oh, I absolutely love that Koa guitar, I’m only seven months into my guitar journey and already have three guitars in my collection trying to figure out what works for me. I’ve come to realize a few important specs, but also I want beauty and this Koa sure is beautiful 😊
The D-35 was also my first big box guitar in 2015. Love that guitar and it is my comfort go to.
Vince Gill's guitarsenal would be like a trip to a museum.. I could spend days there just roaming around
So excited to see the small bodies!!
My Martin D35 retro never fails to make me smile every time I play it. Wonderful guitars
Hey Tony! Thanks for continuing to inspire my guitar geekiness! I'm a left handed guitar player who purchased a used right handed 1976 Martin D-41 in the early 1980's. I flipped the strings, turned it upside down, and played it for many years. I absolutely loved that guitar, but sold it as our family grew and I received an offer to sell the guitar that I couldn't refuse. When I retired in 2017, my wife and I were talking and I said one regret I had always had was selling the D-41. She suggested I purchase a new left handed D-41. Well I agreed with her quite rapidly and received my new D-41 in August of 2017. It sounds amazing and gets better every year! My guitarsenal now includes 9 guitars and one mandolin. I recently purchased a 2015 Gibson J100 and a 2020 Taylor 322ce 12-fret. both lefties of course. Now when I get the urge to expand my guitarsenal, I can remind my wife that my friend Tony has 30 plus instruments in his guitarsenal! Wish me luck!
Recently added a Martin OM-21 to my guitarsenal and it's going to be my main guitar for a long time. My first Martin and it sounds so amazing.
its the best sound for the dollar from martin. its really an allrounder. love mine
That’s some slick banjo playin’ there Tony. You never cease to amaze me. From one Chi-town boy to another. 👍🏻
I have the Martin Robbie Robertson signature which is a 00-42K all Koa. Though the sound is not my “go to”,when I play it I appreciate the brighter sound. We all know switching around different guitars is a great way for me to have the extra joy of playing along with an extra bit of motivation.
It seems like there’s some room for a 12 fret dread!
My ears did a Scooby Doo when you played that fretless banjo! The tone was so subdued and mellow. Really cool!
Finger nail strength: Best thing I ever did, take Vitamin D. It takes months for it to show up to the point where it impacts finger picking, but it's very noticeable (night and day when your nails grow out to that point). I take 40 IU per lbs bodyweight (based on a doctor's recommendation from 10 years ago).
Loved seeing some of your collection, can't wait to see the rest.
The Martin HD-35 did it for me, same for the Preston Thompson. But.... no Gibson in the lineup?
Cant wait to see the rest of your guitarsenal. Really digging that fretless banjo, never seen or heard anything like it. Really digging that Thompson dread too.
That fretless banjo is really beautiful and the sound is mild and sweet! Nice!!!
That all-Koa dread from Heartbreaker is a revelation. I would not thought it possible, but Bourgeois did absolute magic with it. It goes on my "legendary" list. Juan John is a magician and when he plays a magical instrument, it's heavenly. His rendition of "The Entertainer" knocks me out.
Agree that the all koa is phenomenal, but note that it's not a dread. It's an OM: heartbreakerguitars.com/collections/bourgeois-guitars/products/bourgeois-oms-custom-master-grade-koa-12-fret
The Santa Cruz was very cool, Tony ....The All-Koa 12 fret Bourgeouis is outstanding
That is so cool to hear the story about Courtney Hartman's Bourgeois guitar! My then band The Good Honeys supported Della Mae at their London show about five years ago at the Borderline - such a pleasure and honour.
Courtney Hartmann is amazing. So subtle. Saw her at Woodstock Luthier Showcase. Hoping for the miracle of a future showcase at Utopia Soundstage.
We flyfish once a year in MT and Music Villa is my first stop on our trip, then River's Edge for our gear and license. Unfortunately we had to cancel this year but we'll be back in 2021.
Great video Tony! Absolutely loved the sound of your Martin D41 special.
Quite sneaky Tony ! Divide the guitarsenal up into segments so Whitney doesn't realize how many you have .
I wish you would look into a Guild D-55...even if just as a review, if not in your personal guitarsenal.
That Master Koa guitar is so gorgeous in tone and looks! It’s such a drool worthy guitar! Love it! Love all of Juan Johns’ expressions when he plays!
I actually have been gettin really into finger picking, but I’m thinking about getting finger picks( the kind that attach to your finger tips) since I kind of have pudgy, surprisingly sensitive, fingers
Hey Tony, I have spent the last few years playing, buying/selling,trading, flipping, and finagling many acoustics. I started out with an Alvarez about 20 years ago, but I’ve tried /owned many others, including Martin road series, Taylor’s Mexican models, Larivee’s, about 6 Eastmans, and some Gibson’s. I finally found a mint 20 year old Larrivee p-09 on Craig’s list, and then a used Taylor 322ce...both are 12 feet smaller body acoustics, and I love them. They are always kept in a humidity/temp controlled area. If you want to find the best guitar/(s) then you must be willing to search for them. It’s not ab the price or brand, it’s ab what works for you and your playing. I would not give these guitars away for anything and it was so worth the painful process of searching and the time and money spent is well worth the price(even if you ask my wife)!
Also being a uke geek, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the all koa guitar. Plus a 12-fret. WOW. I'm in. Would add it to a guitarsenal in a heartbeat. Plus it wasn't a standard dreadnought, which happens to be a little too big for me to manage.
oh Tone, that D-35, oh man, love the sound of that one in particular -- alternate tuning? so cool
For your dreadnought collection, I recommend Yamaha’s LL56 (Japan Custom Shop), it will blow you away. Each guitar is made by one Master Builder from start to finish, it will compete with any dreadnought in your collection. That all-Koa 12 fret Bourgeois guitar sounds awesome but surely looks like that it is going to break the bank of an average joe.
Wow!! That Santa Cruz OM Koa has a wonderful voice!!!
Thanks for letting us see and hear your dread guitarsenal Tony, and the sweet banjos. They all sound really fantastic.
Dreads to add... Froggy Bottom D12 Deluxe Acoustic Guitar, Rosewood / Adirondack Spruce, amazing sound, the Gibson FJN Folksinger Acoustic Guitar, Sitka Spruce & Mahogany - looks special, or how about PreWar guitars?
Can’t believe the tone from the Martin D41, absolutely wonderful.
Mr. Polecastro,
Regarding this portion of your guitarsenal:
1. What happened to your Gibson Southern Jumbo?
2. You are missing, in my opinion, a Pre-War Model HD and/or a Pre-War Model J. These comprise my favorite dreadnaughts in the Martinesque and Gibsonesque traditions respectively. I personally would love to own both one day. I am considering getting on the list for the HD in the near future.
Fantastic episode today! Thank you for showing us your Dread/Jumbo department! Great instruments!
Respectfully,
JR
North Carolina
Thanks for the mention but I’m not the Dogwood Tales you intended to tag.
Haha!
The Bourgeois koa is a stunner, beauty!
The 12 fret is great i have a Eastman 00 12 fret myself, they give lots of sound!
Dude...the HD 35...💎
That KOA was .. just wow! From over the internet , one of the best i've heard.
Don't forget the audio in UA-cam videos gets compressed.
The HD-35 stands out to me....sounds great
What ... no D18 ? 😳 otherwise very nice, maybe a Gibson woulda’ been cool.
Love the banjos, thanks for not forgetting them!
Love the full martin tone ! my takamine isn't far behind .
ohhhh man, that herringbone is my absolute fave .. . dang.
Chet Atkins said in an interview that he didn't use long fingernails. He just let them brace the fingertip flesh. That's why I don't worry about them. Of course on Nylon string guitars it makes more of a difference.
Hi Tony. You asked us to comment, so here we go -- As "perinold" just commented: No Gibson?? I agree. A Hummingbird and/or a Dove/Dove In Flight should be in every serious/dedicated guitar geek's dreadnought collection... And a Lowden. And a Collings. And why not a Larrivee as well ;-)
just got a sinker mahogany d18 but the d35 still has my heart
No Gibson? J45 or Southern Jumbo?
i suppose santa cruz does the job :)
I own six dreds you have me beat but I'm still lucky of course. I want a Thompson real bad.
Wow that D41 is awesome! The Taylor 717 is nice too but doesn’t have the family history of the Martin. Having said that I don’t think I would say no to either of them!😝
I have very, very weak nails. I take biotin and I've just started doing silk wraps on my right hand. So far so good!
I normally find that "plain" koa guitars seem to sound better to me than some of the crazy figuring, but that Bourgeois...
That's the difference between it and the Taylor. The Taylor just seems to poke you right in the ears. The Bourgeois is bright, but envelopes you.
That Thompson is something else. BUT your review of a Bourgeois H13 and an OM and reference to Eddie's Guitar & Matt C caused me to investigate a Bourgeois OMS with the help of Matt. That used Country Boy is a stand out.
The martins always have a very complex tonal voice in my opinion. Great flat picking. But the Taylor’s have a brightness and projection that in my opinion cut through a little better. Not just volume but actually cutting through a mix.
Did you say TOM SANDS is building you a guitar?
Holy Capo Batman!!!😍
From hot and humid Cayce,SC, greetings fellow guitar geeks!!I A glowing report of your glorious arsenal, Tony. Thank you so much for sharing your dreads!! One glaring hole as I can see is, being that you are in Bozeman. I think A Gibson would be in that fold since the factory is right there nearby. A Hummingbird, a J45 , something as a J200 or some along those lines would fit right in with those stellar instruments you've shown. Bless you for a wonderful show!
Okay D-41 was my favorite for both story and tone. I’ve been looking for a 12 fret, slot-neck all Koa. Loved that Masterpiece Koa but not prepared to pay out 5 figures it’s likely to go for. I’ve seen all Koa 12 and 14frets but no slot neck
I want the HD-35 2018 re imagined so badly.
Love, love, love the Bourgeois Koa ... I've been looking for a 12 fret (but not a parlour) guitar for a while. Out of my budget but one can always dream :)
Tony, loved the additions of the banjos. A delight to hear the variety of tones your instruments represent. Along that line, I just added a new Yamaha CGX122MCC Spanish style, nylon string guitar to my collection last weekend. Solid cedar top, acoustic-electric. The sound its absolutely divine. Honestly, I have yet to plug it into an amplifier. It is an acoustic wonder. During this difficult pandemic, I'm all for supporting independent businesses. I purchased it at my local music store. Sorry, no fighter jets in this installment (check it out on Instagram). Fun show today! 🎸 🎼 🪕 . . .
Hey Tony, what gives? Where's the Southern Jumbo?
Dear Whitney, Your husband showed us the six guitars from his collection and banjos as well. As you know, 7 is a special number and some feel a very lucky number. I personally have always held seven as my favorite since I can remember and that's a loooong time. Therefore, I'm asking you to encourage Tony to add a seventh guitar to this category which shall make it a a very special and spiritually enhanced musical energy that I personally would love to see, as all our other guitar geek family of a United bond that we are. I'm sure you'd Love to see this seventh addition as well as me and others for more spiritual enhancement in a world needing merriment! Thank You! Love, Light, Peace, Music, Guitars and Audio Rush! DaveyJO in Lancaster Co. Pa.
At last a serious review and comparison -so many anonymous reviews and robot voices!
Tony playing the Banjo 🔥🔥🔥🔥
for a missing dread maybe a vintage or relic one :P
I perceive Taylor guitars the way I see Italian wines, they are never the finest examples I come across, but have never met a bad one.
Jeremy is the best and a good segment. Great show and great channels! thx
Oh my ! Your D41 is unreal! Is it a 2008? And, I’m a repair guy, and just had in, a very run of the mill Taylor 410 - and I loved the neck and the tone! This surprised me because I’m a dyed in the wool Martin guy, and have just never liked the Taylor guitars upper register sounds. Both the Taylor Grand Pacifics - weirdly - I’ve loved every review I’ve read, but I hated the sound of those ones. Thankfully it’s an “each to their own” type of world - lol. Your D35 was a knock out, too
My second fav was the Thompson !
Peace!
(I have 12 acoustics in my guitarsenal - one day I’ll crack all the cases and get a family photo done for y’all - 5 Martins, 3 Guilds, 2 Gretsch acoustics, a Gibson SJ, and an OM I hand built with Sergei de Jonge (one of three I built in the spring of 2009 in Quebec at his shop. Then there’s the electrics, the banjos, mandolins, ukes and other assorted stringed oddities.)
Great dreads Tony. What do you make of the grand Pacifics...I've not seen you do a review of them??? And how come you have no vintage dreadnought? ?? I'm toying with the idea however I have owned a 70 martin d28 and a 71 d35...they didnt float my boat.
Can you review James Taylor’s custom acoustic, the Olson Guitars with cedar Top?? Thanks
Maybe a segment, if not an episode on 12 string guitars? What do you mean you don't have one in your Guitarsenal?Still askin'. Cheers!
Those are some incredible guitars. Very much looking forward to the rest of your collection! As a guitar junkie and avid buyer and seller (over 100 guitars, in and out, over the past 4 years. I usually keep 7-8 in the house at a time, hey I gotta feed my kids as well as my addiction), I continue to be surprised at how incredible the Grand Pacific 717 is. I know I should say the smaller bench makers: Bourgeois, Collings, Santa Cruz, Huss and Dalton, and Froggy Bottom should be at the top of the most enjoyable (enjoyment to play, I'm not comparing tone all of those builders are superb), but I gotta say the 717 by the Big Old Mainstream Taylor company is just about the tops for me. The thing is just magnetic. It just has everything from comfort to tone and versatility etc. I can't get enough of it.
Music Villa is my home away from home.. Gawd I miss those faces so much.
Man what a great set of dreads Tony! As you know, I've been VERY fortunate to be able to acquire the same Thompson D-CMA that you have and I couldn't agree more about how fun it it to play and what an amazing sound it puts out! I've also be incredibly fortunate to more recently come across a Pre-War Guitars HD with old growth EIR, a burst finish with a level 1.5 distress level. What a killer sound that thing puts out. It's a perfect compliment to the Thompson hog. I know you love those guitars too based on your D-18/D-28 episode, and I think you need to own one! Now you've opened my eyes and ears to a few more for me to watch out for. I was particularly impressed and surprised by the two Taylors you have. I really love that 517 and will take a look at one for my own collection! I don't know if I should thank you or curse you! :-) Great episode my friend!
As far as banjos goes the OME sounded much better than the other two, just my opinion. :)
I want the 30 plus video!!!!!!!
Music Villa is exceptional!
Ton, having numuerous guitar in your guitarsenal, i would like to ask you on how would you able to maintain its great tone from changing their strings, humidification, and sll those stuff... i love all youre videos. Keep it up
You should consider a high-end Japanese acoustic guitar to your collection.
All nice guitars. I find it odd that you have no Gibson dreads. Especially seeing that you are happy Bozeman transplant.
Dear Tony, can you have a video explaining your resonators of your #guitararsenal? Just your dreadnought collection is amazing! Can you show more in the next episode of #acoustictuesday?
Amazing collection and there is More!!
Thank youTony, a pleasure as always! 👍🤘🎸🎸🎸👌
I have far few guitars-- a Martin OM 28 , a Gibson HB, a Voyage Air (for travelling but an _amazing_ guitar), and a Waterloo 12 fret mahogany. How do you choose which to play?
I'd like to see a small review on something that is a little different. How about reviewing a few backpacker guitars? I've never seen a comparison for these type guitars.
How can a guitar geek in Bozeman not have a Gibson?! That’s terrible.
Agreed, I just picked up a limited run 2019 Hummingbird AG and am in love. Best guitar I have ever played and owned and I own a Taylor and have played a fair amount of Martins. Hurts a little that Gibson doesn't get many nods from Tone in general.
Gotta love the sound of that well-broken in HD-35; btw, Tony, what's the name of the tune you play on it at roughly the #14:05 mark?
Random person: "How many guitars is enough?"
Me: Just one more... ;)
Surprised there wasn't a Collings or Huss and Dalton dreadnought....maybe one of them will show up within the other body styles?!?!?
Thank you Tony another great show!
James Taylor says he uses "glued on" artificial fingernails cause his real nails would not last long on tour. I've tried different finger picks and did not like any until i got some Fred Kelly picks. They feel natural and are not shaped like hooks. Look forward to your next show, Lee.
i would love to own the preston thompson, or at least play one. here in EU its a rarity i assume.
I’ve always questioned why do you never promote Collings Guitars? Is it because they don’t give you free guitars? I’ve asked this before, but don’t recall getting an answer.
Love that beagle!
Like your Santa Cruz Southerner and Martin D-41. I thought you owned a Gibson J-45?
You need a Guild dread in your guit Arsenal!
I wish more than anything you hadn't talked about the "horsepower" of the Thompson DCMA and then played a lick with a capo and minimal low E string notes. The open low E string tells you almost everything about a dreadnought. All the open strings do, but lowest two strings are setting the limits on dynamics, volume, tone, everything.
Same for electrics; a Fender low E is still spanky while a Les Paul low E growls and even wants to distort if you play it hard and loud enough, even on a clean channel.
For my taste: the Martin HD series, with the scalloped bracing is where its at.
But if you can ever find it, it'll likely be much cheaper and the finish will be peeling, a Tacoma DR-38 is the capital D of Dreadnoughts. RIP Tacoma, it was "the" guitar for those in the know.
Of the dreadnought collection, the D-41 from Tony's Dad really stands out. It has that sweet resonant voice that marks a great instrument where all the parts work in unison and the music seems to just emerge from the wood. Not usually blown away by Martins or dreadnoughts, but this one does it for me.
My choice.
First position: Dad's guitar. Come back home son, Dad's Martin guitar.
Second position: The other Martin.
So the pole position my opinion goes for Martin & Martin.
Third position: The rest of the guitars haven't arrived yet.
As for me, Yamahas, Aria and japanese Ovation guitars here. Mostly bought second hand. A Martin is too much priced for me here, but I am ok with Yamaha and Aria. Japanese Ovation is on my eldest son hands by now, as your dad's guitar is on yours. But I am ok with these guitars.
Greetings from Argentina Republic, nice videos!!!