Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just wondering how a RIC acoustics compare with a Martin or Taylor. Is there anyone out there who has played one who can report?

The RICs look amazing. Just wonder how they sound compared to a $3000 Martin or if they are as easy to play.

I A/B'd the Comstock and Shasta with scores of Martin, Taylor, Gibson, etc. at Dave's Guitars.

Taylors have a similar playability, but tone-wise, the Comstock won the day. A Lowden guitar was maybe equal in sound detail, but overall, the Comstock beat the pants off all comers. In tone, resonance, note bloom, playability, and construction. It has a similar shimmer to a Gibson J100, but with a bit more sparkle and top end. The bass is similar. What surprised me was that I could play single note lines which cut through despite the guitar's jumbo body.

Yes, I have always regretted NOT buying it.

I have played Martins, Taylors & a Comstock & the Comstock is in the same class. So it would come down to individual preferences. I found the Comstock easier to play than any acoustic that I have played & the sound was absolutely top notch. I am generally not a Taylor man, but love Martins....I would still have the Comstock over anything though & that's not bias, I thought the playability & sound was exactly what I am after.

While I'm pleased to hear the positive comments and flattered by some of the comparisons, I think it's a bit over the top putting it in the same category as a Lowden. In my book, George Lowden is the premier guitar builder alive today, an innovator that's been positively referenced even by other notables such as Chris Martin and Bob Taylor. He's certainly had his problems as a business man but his designs and product are simply exquisite works of art and rarely matched. The A-frame bracing scheme and unique strut shape have become a classic, timeless, definitive acoustic guitar design.

As an aside, I might mention that one former member of this board whose name surfaces from time to time, was hired by McIlwrath aka Avalon Guitars as a so-called "expert" to testify against George in a N. Ireland court, in an attempt to impugn Lowden's tremendous originality and talent. It essentially was an act of prostitution and has been the basis for my ongoing contempt for this individual.

Hey, Richard Thompson plays Lowdens and I've seen him live many times and they sound wonderful! If a Ric sounds *anything* like that, I'd buy one sight unseen.

But that's the trouble - I've never seen a Lowden or a Ric in any store.

Fwiw, Taylors feel/play great but they sound tinny to me. I like some Martins and the Gibson J-200. But I liked my Guild DV-52HGE the best when I was in the acoustic buying mode a few years ago.

I would love to do a comparison if only I could find one...

I have a Guild D55 that I bought new in 1977. To my ears, it's similar to a Martin D35, but much more playable. I've never liked Martin frets (the Guild's are like Ric's.) Gibsons don't seem to have enough brightness for me, and Taylors, while very playable, seem "too bright" (or as Steve said tinny.)

I have a Gibson J-100X, that is the best acoustic I have ever heard, although I, admittedly, have limited exposure. The jumbos can be fatiguing, though. The Taylors I tried sounded so thin in comparison. I did try a Guild D55 that was also splendid, also the Gibson J-45 "Moracass", or some sort of custom shop job, very sweet and luscious sounding.

The Lowden guitars and Rickenbacker jumbos I compared were really apples and oranges. I only mention the Lowdens because nothing else came close to the Comstock in note definition, detail, and bloom. Breedlove's nicer guitars do these things well also, but they're SO ugly.

If you could only choose one, the Comstock would win because it's a more versatile instrument. But yes, Lowdens are superb guitars.

I think it is safe to say when you are at the top of your field, or in the Top 3, you're in good company, and at that point, it's a toss-up anyway. If you are holding a Rickenbacker acoustic in your hands, and it has a price tag on it, buy it.