Ranking favorite guitars in a collection can be virtually impossible. The best I can do is pick one from each category.
For 6-string steel, this be it.
It’s a Taylor 314-MCE. What makes it special? It’s a 25th Anniversary model that I bought when I lived on Maui.
I literally spent six hours trying every guitar on the wall at Bounty Music. All price ranges. I narrowed it down to six, then to three. And finally decided on this one.
The tropical mahogany top produces a lively and glowing tone, and it really projects. It’s a fun guitar to play.
Like the J-Dub 12-string, the soundhole of this guitar is also loaded with a vintage Sony ECM-50 lav. And I mic it with a condenser as well.
The guitar is currently in recording mode.
Yes, it has a Fishman pickup. But it doesn’t sound accurate in terms of capturing the best recording of the natural sound of this acoustic guitar. The pickup is definitely workable, if you want to go direct into a PA or acoustic amp for a live performance.
But recording an acoustic guitar is a whole different ball game. Hence the ECM-50 and a not-so secret weapon condenser mic. (Neumann U67 reissue).
