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Post subject: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to buy
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 5:57 am
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Hi, this is my first post here. I'm looking to buy an acoustic guitar for my daughter (for her birthday). she's been learning to play for about a year on a battered old secondhand guitar and now wants a better one. She's a mad Alkaline Trio fan so I think she'd love the look of this guitar.

I'm hoping someone can give me their opinion about this guitar (or the Malibu acoustic in general) whether it would make a good 2nd guitar, sound quality, etc, or would I be better off with another model? (I realise this forum is hosted by Fender so it's probably not going to get a really negative comment).

Apart from the AT connection, I thought this would make a good model for her as she is not very big and has small hands so the smaller folk size might be easier to play.

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this as it seems that I'll have to buy the guitar online or have it ordered from a retailer without having a chance to try it (I can strum a few chords but am in no way an expert).

thanks


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 8:35 am
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I have played the Malibu and really liked it because I found the neck is very similar, almost identical to the neck on a Strat. Comfortable and easy to play on. My Montara is similar as well.

Seemed to be a good sound as well. You can always spend more but for the price I thought it was a good buy. I am pretty short, 5'6" if I'm being generous, so I play short scale basses and I find the Strat style necks favorable.

Good luck, hope it helps even a little.


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 8:57 am
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And btw, I know NOTHING about Alkaline Trio, just offering an opinion based on what I've played. :D


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:23 am
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I had to look up the specs on this guitar to really give an honest opinion. Looks very nice and love the headstock design. My concern would be with the size; I've found that smaller body guitars deliver smaller sound. That is less bass and volume when played acoustically, which might be okay with you and not a problem. If it is a problem and you want something with a little more full body to the sound, but not much bigger maybe the Fender CD140SCE. If you feel that is still too big I would consider an Applause by Ovation AE128 or AE148 for it's size it really delivers on the sound. Best bet is to try these guitars out at your local dealer or check YouTube for reviews of these models, but if your heart is set on the Malibu well enough said.


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 1:05 am
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thanks for your thoughts guys, very helpful. I'll check out the guitars mentioned and see if I can find a Malibu locally that I can try. I'm leaning towards the AT version as it's an 18th birthday present so I thought it would be more personal to her to have the connection to her favourite band (I know nothing about Alkaline Trio either)... and it's cheaper than a car!!!

Ive looked on YouTube for a review of the Malibu but they all seem to be for the electro-acoustic versions and I wasn't sure how the sound/tone of them would differ from the acoustic, are they comparable?


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 6:30 am
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And RIX11 has a point, the smaller body tends to be less "full" when played acoustically. But in the interest of comfort and playability they are exceptional. I had an ovation before owning my Montara and what I may have given up in volume /bass levels when played acoustically I more than made up for in comfort and smooth playability.

Again, good luck. Let us know what you decide on too.


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 9:13 am
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colintr wrote:
Ive looked on YouTube for a review of the Malibu but they all seem to be for the electro-acoustic versions and I wasn't sure how the sound/tone of them would differ from the acoustic, are they comparable?


I think at that size there wouldn't be any difference in sound between the electric/acoustic and an acoustic version.


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 11:12 am
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RIX11 wrote:
colintr wrote:
Ive looked on YouTube for a review of the Malibu but they all seem to be for the electro-acoustic versions and I wasn't sure how the sound/tone of them would differ from the acoustic, are they comparable?


I think at that size there wouldn't be any difference in sound between the electric/acoustic and an acoustic version.


Acoustically you'd probably not notice any difference I wouldn't think, just paying more for the option of plugging it in. If she's a campfire player exclusively than the A/E model shouldn't matter.


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 10:30 am
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Not to rain on your parade but it seems to me that the best thing that you can do is go shopping with your daughter. Set a price range together and let her play everything in the range that she can get her hands on. In the end the looks of a guitar should be the last thing a player considers; how it sounds and how playable it is will ulitmately determine how inspired she is to continue playing. There are many things that will determine playability some like action and string gauge can be addressed with a good set up, some like body size, neck width and string spacing are fixed and unchangeable and are very important to how playable a guitar is for a specific player. She should find one that feels and sounds good to her.

You can buy a player an instrument but only the player can choose the instrument.

Just my $.02 worth, happy shopping.

Cheers,

_________________
Zach

What I play:
Larrivee OM-03MH
2011 Fender CD-220SCE
1979 or '80 Fender F-35 (date has been hard to pin down)
Samick Greg Bennett D-2


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Post subject: Re: Malibu Artist Series - Alkaline Trio - to buy or not to
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 1:15 am
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Thanks for all the advice, it does seem like a good idea to get her to try a few guitars first. I've not had time yet to find a local music shop which sells the Malibu, but I'll probably just take her to my local shop and see what she picks (although colour seems to be her main requirement!!!), it will be less of a surprise on her birthday but as you say, she will get the best guitar for her.

cheers


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