Recommend a Guild for fingerpicking

[Siwash]

What's a good model for fingerpicking? I've already gotta dread.

 

[taabru45]

Thats a good start. Steffan

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I like the ones that start with a "G".
Actually, I really liked my JF55 best when played finger style.
It was very reminiscent of the sound of John Denver songs.
It would fill the room with music.

 

[jgmaute]

I really like the sound of my D55 for fingerpicking as well as strumming. However, when I'm doing blues or songs that just work better with a wider neck I use my Martin NewYorker (not a Guild, I know) or my GAD 30R which has a 1 3/4" nut. So what are you looking for in a Guild for fingerpicking, a different sound, different feel, or a wider neck? joan

 

[dreadnut]

another Guild dreadnaught

 

[chazmo]

It's funny how certain manufacturers think they've got a lock on what a fingerstyle player wants, but the players are all over the map on what they like.

So, I'll abstain, Siwash.

 

[cjd-player]

There isn't a "correct" answerr to your question.
I think it depends a lot on the type of music that you play and sound you want.

The dread will give you slower response when you pick a note and long sustain.
Depending on the song, I don't normally like that for solo fingerstyle, but generally I do like more sustain for accompaniment of a vocal.

For solo fingerstyle I like smaller bodies. You get faster response and less sustain. Both of these help to keep the notes separated. I also prefer 1-3/4 inch nut spacing to make left hand manuvering easier for me.

Whether you use finger picks, finger nails, or the flesh will also effect the results. If you use flesh, you may have difficulty getting enough volume from a guitar with a stiff top.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to the individual guitar, not a generalization about body shape. You may have or find a dread or jumbo with a very responsive top that is a dream to fingerpick.

The other factor is simply the size. For some, a dread or jumbo is just physically uncomfortable to play with your hand down near the strings and palm on the bridge (for Travis style).

 

[dane]

What don’t you like about your GAD50 for finger picking? Seriously, is there something about it that just doesn’t fill the bill? I’m not trying to talk you out of buying another guitar, (every player should have at least 6 or more IMHO ) but I am curious where the GAD50 is falling flat when it comes to picking.

 

[Graham]

I like the F47's for fingerpicking.

 

[West R Lee]

Well don't ask me, I use a dread.....and my bare fingers. :wink:

West

 

[dane]

Well don't ask me, I use a dread.....and my bare fingers. :wink:

West

That makes two of us West…that makes two of us. 8)

How about bear finger picking on an electric? :shock:

 

[West R Lee]

Well don't ask me, I use a dread.....and my bare fingers. :wink:

West

That makes two of us West…that makes two of us. 8)

How about bear finger picking on an electric? :shock:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Now that's rare.............you'd have thought he'd have played an acoustic! :lol: :lol:

West

 

[Frosty]

What's a good model for fingerpicking? I've already gotta dread.

First comment: a dreadnought guitar can be perfectly fine for fingerpicking. Listen to Doc Watson, or Ed Gerhard's "Night Birds" album, or Leo Winjkamp or... that whats-his-name with the dog on youtube... countless others!

Second comment: not all dreadnought guitars are the same. Took me years to get over a prejudice that kept certain models out of my hands... lost time, I say.

 

[Brad Little]

Dave Van Ronk preferred an F-50 Rosewood. He was a pretty fair fingerpicker.
Brad

 

[Scratch]

Just a personal thing: I prefer folk ('F') models followed closely by Dreads...

 

[kyguild]

I love my F-50......

 

[killdeer43]

I highly recommend fingerpicking the one you're with (sort of a takeoff on "Love the One You're With"). All my guitars respond well to the fingers, including my 12-string.
IMHO, it's more the song than the guitar that dictates whether I fingerpick or flatpick.

Joe

 

[zplay]

There isn't a "correct" answerr to your question.
I think it depends a lot on the type of music that you play and sound you want.

The dread will give you slower response when you pick a note and long sustain.
Depending on the song, I don't normally like that for solo fingerstyle, but generally I do like more sustain for accompaniment of a vocal.

For solo fingerstyle I like smaller bodies. You get faster response and less sustain. Both of these help to keep the notes separated. I also prefer 1-3/4 inch nut spacing to make left hand manuvering easier for me.

Whether you use finger picks, finger nails, or the flesh will also effect the results. If you use flesh, you may have difficulty getting enough volume from a guitar with a stiff top.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to the individual guitar, not a generalization about body shape. You may have or find a dread or jumbo with a very responsive top that is a dream to fingerpick.

The other factor is simply the size. For some, a dread or jumbo is just physically uncomfortable to play with your hand down near the strings and palm on the bridge (for Travis style).

Great answer!
I agree with all of the generalizations herein, as well as that second to last paragraph. Depending on the style of song, I like picking my dread(DV-4), CV-2C(shallow F body) and an OMC. String spacing is important for my left hand also, particularly to get clean notes and sustain when I'm fretting some strings while moving a finger or two to others. However, you can get good spacing on many fairly narrow necks(most dreads) with favorable fret end real estate by getting nuts recut. And if you're sitting while playing, comfort IS an important consideration, especially if you're not blessed with long arms and/or limber shoulders.

 

[Siwash]

Thanks for the comments. I guess I was just liking the idea of a GF minijumbo with the maple, thinking the smaller body plus maple would work pretty well.
\
I also like what I've seen of Martin's 000-15. smaller body, and I love mahogany.

 

[fredpamm]

I think that it is whatever fits your ear. I have a d25 and a d212 both of which I fingerpick. Both sound great to me. I use mostly flesh with a little nail...