Dean V Coustic

EOR · #1 09-30-2007, 05:44 PM

http://www.***************.com/product/Dean-V-Coustic-Thin-Body-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar?sku=512910

I'm no good at playing guitar(s). I have like a Squier and a Jackson, but I want also an acoustic one too (actually 2), and this seem way too cool to skip.

Any thoughts about this "axe"? Anyone tried it out? I don't care so much about how this one sounds, but more about the playability.

Oh, the url is to MF.

**elcid** · #2 09-30-2007, 05:47 PM

I would buy one, but only if I had every other guitar in the world ever and still had $200 left over that I had to spend on a guitar and I couldn't throw the money away or flush it down the toilet.

EOR · #3 09-30-2007, 06:01 PM

So you are recommending it.

Great, thanks.

Any other voices?

ChopTart · #4 09-30-2007, 08:11 PM

I wouldn't. Part of an acoustic guitar's inherent tone comes from how its body is shaped (in addition to woods used, bracing etc.), so realize that you're probably not going to be getting good sounds from it. I can't possibly imagine that thing projecting and having a full, rich tone and dynamic range that one would expect from a decent acoustic.

TommyGuitar · #5 09-30-2007, 08:41 PM

I've played it, it sounds like a cardboard box. It's a toy.

CityofBlindingLights · #6 09-30-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EOR

Any thoughts about this "axe"? Anyone tried it out? I don't care so much about how this one sounds, but more about the playability.

Okay, tell me how a guitar sounds won't factor in as much? It's true playability can be more functional, but when it comes to acoustics honestly the loud booming sound is what you want. If you want a true acoustic, I've seen Ibanez acoustics that sound halfway decent for about $200. Go to your local Guitar Center (or any guitar shop for that matter) and play about every single acoustic in your price range. You'll find acoustics that skimp out on sound in exchange for added flash will wear off after a year at most. Trust me, you do NOT want to buy that instrument.

Quite frankly, I agree with elcid, though there are other guitars I'd buy after one of these.

I do not mean to be mean, and if it comes across as such, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to help you out and stop you from making a bad decision.

Petie · #7 09-30-2007, 10:21 PM

I doubt the body shape has any impact on the amplified tone if it's just a piezo pickup, so if you like the playability, it's going to be an adequate toy with a lot of visual impact on stage. Just don't expect a great guitar for that price, from any company.

quik · #8 09-30-2007, 10:26 PM

The shape is adventurous, which I appreciate, but if I were looking for an inexpensive acoustic, I'd get a Taylor Big Baby (used, if necessary - they sell for $449 brand new).

DavyH · #9 10-01-2007, 09:44 AM

Thanks EOR. Now I've seen something I hate more than every other Dean ever manufactured.

EOR · #10 10-01-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CityofBlindingLights

Okay, tell me how a guitar sounds won't factor in as much? It's true playability can be more functional, but when it comes to acoustics honestly the loud booming sound is what you want. If you want a true acoustic, I've seen Ibanez acoustics that sound halfway decent for about $200. Go to your local Guitar Center (or any guitar shop for that matter) and play about every single acoustic in your price range. You'll find acoustics that skimp out on sound in exchange for added flash will wear off after a year at most. Trust me, you do NOT want to buy that instrument.

Quite frankly, I agree with elcid, though there are other guitars I'd buy after one of these.

I do not mean to be mean, and if it comes across as such, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to help you out and stop you from making a bad decision.

The sound doesn't matter to me as much yet because I only play for myself. I can barely play the Iron Man riff for crying out loud. So I need an instrument that is fun to play. If I have the bestest sounding guitar that is a bitch to play, I doubt I'd enjoy it enough to keep playing for too long.

My priorities are playability first, economics second and sound third. I don't even know what sound I like as I'm still struggling to get any sound clean. I guess my priorities will change, but there's absolutely no reason for me to waste $3000 on a Taylor or Martin at this point.

This V Coustic looks great to me as I really really like the headstocks on them Deans and shape of the V, ML and Razorback. Also, I've been reading on Dean forums and I hear them Deans are quite a joy to play. Obviously you guys are into Ibanez's but I thought it might be better to ask here because I'd like an unbiased opinion and I thought I'd get it here. Maybe I was wrong.

As for going to my local guitar shop, well, like I said, I barely know the riffage to Iron Man so I wouldn't feel very comfortable trying out guitars with my skills in public. Also I wouldn't know what to look for, what to avoid and so on. I want something cheap, yet somewhat good quality and playability, and since they all sound pretty much the same to me the sound can wait till I can hear the difference and know what I like. Today I know what I like when it comes to looks and the price tag, the rest I need help with, and that's where you guys come in, and that's why I post this here. I apologize if I hit a nerve and/or offended anyone.

**moebius** · #11 10-01-2007, 02:46 PM

I have never known a V shaped guitar to have great playability. The necks could be good, but the shape of the guitar will likely limit you to playing standing up. As for being embarrassed to play at a store. Don't worry, since your playing acoustic, no one will hear you over the kid across the store butchering metallica on a half stack turned to 11.

Hikey Mikey · #12 10-01-2007, 06:12 PM

I've not played one either, but I can imagine that the body shape will not produce a nice acoustic tone. You seem to think it's cool, and if that's it, go for it. You're not playing for other people, you're having fun and learning.

I recommend you try a nylon-string classical for your first acoustic. It's smaller than a dreadnought and therefore more comfortable. The nylon strings are easier and less painful to fret.

You could also check out Fender's California series, which have Strat-style necks for easy playability. Ibanez also makes some slimmer-necked, reasonably-priced acoustics that will sound much better than that Dean.

Good luck!

EOR · #13 10-01-2007, 09:55 PM

How about this one then? €369 is a tad more than I was [originally] ready to pay, but we'll see. The 'thing' on the 12th fret doesn't do it for me quite, but I guess it's not all that ugly either.

Also I have to ask what the difference between AEG10 (€309) and AEG8 (€239) is, except the pickup and price. I mean, the difference is €70 so that pickup must be something out of this world if it is the only thing different.
The nylon stringed one is gorgeous (also €309), but I can't get it in black here and I'm not too happy about the natural wood color so...

And the last one I could think of would be this one, also €309. I'd rather have a black one, but again, this is the only color, but here I can compromise as this is not natural wood color. Yay for flames.

I'm sorry for being a pain, but really, I know very little of these things and you know alot. And these amounts are pretty much my pain threshold until I get better at playing. I wanted to get away cheaper, but I guess it is impossible.

Oh, I have pretty small hands too, if is it worth knowing.

Also, I looked at Fenders and none of them pleased my eyes, and I don't want an ugly guitar.

CityofBlindingLights · #14 10-01-2007, 11:10 PM

Actually, I have to say when it comes to electrics I'm a Fender head, and I'm fairly unbiased when it comes to acoustics (obviously I love Taylors, but I play whatever sounds and feels good to me).

I think that if you want to improve as a player, you should probably rank your sound higher in priority; considering, sound is pretty much what guitar playing is first and foremost about. Think: what if people have never seen you, they'll judge you on sound. Flash is cool, but I just think it's a secondary add-on. But then again, it's all your call. Whatever you feel is right, I think you should go with your decision.

But, also NEVER buy a guitar without playing it first. It's like clothing, would you buy an article of clothing without wearing it? What if it's ugly? What if it's itchy? You have to try it out first before you can decide wheter or not it's for you.

And on a side note, Iron Man is REDICULOUSLY fun to play, even for people who are into two-handed tapping. I certainly enjoy it, I sometimes use that intro as part of my warmup. But yeah, it's one of those rock out moments.