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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2 3 4   |
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| fullerton guitars | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Fri Apr 13th, 2007 04:46 am |
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1st Post |
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fullcircle Approved
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I purchased 3 guitars from Music 123. The greewich is a fantastic chinese made guitar- no problems yet. The Allare was B-stock and required more work than I wanted to do. The cumberland was also B-stock and I expected the worse after reading the negative reviews, however; I put some new Martin 4600's on it and it sounds pretty good-no problems. I'm having a bridge doctor installed to avoid any future problems and I'm replacing the plastic saddle. I may also install one in the greenwich. Ialso oiled the fretboard which was very dry on both guitars. If the Elwood gets a drop in price, they'll go quickly.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 13th, 2007 02:18 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Will Approved 
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fullcircle wrote: I purchased 3 guitars from Music 123. The greewich is a fantastic chinese made guitar- no problems yet. The Allare was B-stock and required more work than I wanted to do. The cumberland was also B-stock and I expected the worse after reading the negative reviews, however; I put some new Martin 4600's on it and it sounds pretty good-no problems. I'm having a bridge doctor installed to avoid any future problems and I'm replacing the plastic saddle. I may also install one in the greenwich. Ialso oiled the fretboard which was very dry on both guitars. If the Elwood gets a drop in price, they'll go quickly. The Fullerton Elwood (solid spruce top, solid mahogany back & sides, auditorium size) guitar has an additional 10% discount of the $200 price, so it's now selling for $180. http://www.music123.com/Search/Default.aspx?N=64&Ntt=elwood 
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2007 09:23 am |
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3rd Post |
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Chaoscat Approved 
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OK, my Pro Auditorium came yesterday. Visually, it's very clean. The only defect I could find is a slight discoloration where the neck meets the body - and this is reaching to say the least. This is a very compact guitar. I was really expecting something larger, I mean they call it the Auditorium? Out of the box, it was pretty much a box o' bees. It had an unplayable fret buzz on the low E. The action was set very low. I pulled off the junk strings that came with it, put on some DR's, shimmed up the saddle and went back at it. The setup still needs work, but at least now I can play it. I've never owned a guitar this small, but this one just nestles down in my lap under my arm like my springer spaniel. It plays like a little dream. My fingers just seem to fly over the thing. I had a hard time putting it down last night. The sound is nothing to write home about. It's a nice sound, just somewhat muted to my ear. As someone whose used to banging bigger boxes, this just seems very quiet. But, it's loud enough for me to play and hear in a quiet room, and if I really want/need more noise I can always add a pickup. I would have to say that while this is not a "wonderful" instrument, it is definitely a nice one. I'm already getting attached to it and would have a hard time giving it up. My son bought a left handed Parkdale and it is beautiful. I coudn't find anything wrong with it. (even the electronics work) It has a nice full warm sound. Can't say much else, as I can't play the wrong handed thing. lol I can only vouch for the 2 Fullerton's that we got but it's probably a good thing I didn't find out about this sale earlier, before they'd sold out of some of them. My wife says I suffer from TDMG syndrome ( too d*** many guitars) I've already tried to snag one of the 12 strings off ebay. lol
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2007 10:53 am |
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4th Post |
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fullcircle Approved
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you may want to get rid of the cheap plastic saddle that these guitars come with which would probably give it more resonance and sustain- all of these guitars seem to have that problem however; they are pretty good for the price.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2007 10:55 am |
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5th Post |
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fullcircle Approved
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I to suffer from TDMG but I'm getting better about it. Now I just limit myself to 5.
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2007 03:05 am |
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6th Post |
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Will Approved
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"Auditorium" is just another synonym for the Martin designation "000," which is quite a bit smaller than a full-sized dreadnought.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2007 06:52 pm |
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7th Post |
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fullertonboy Approved
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Actually, if you compare thr Fullerton Greenwich with a dreadnought, they're about the same size, except the Greenwich has a little smaller waist and is a tad thinner. Put them back to back and see...
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| Posted: Mon Apr 16th, 2007 05:17 am |
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8th Post |
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Will Approved
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fullertonboy wrote: Actually, if you compare thr Fullerton Greenwich with a dreadnought, they're about the same size, except the Greenwich has a little smaller waist and is a tad thinner. I think Chaoscat was referring to the Fullerton Elwood, which has a different body shape and might be smaller than the Greenwich, also sold as an auditorium guitar. I can't really be sure, because I don't own an Elwood, and I don't know that the dimensions of that instrument are. If I owned an Elwood and found it to be lacking a bit in volume, I would change the saddle and bridge pins to a harder material, and switch to phosphor bronze strings. The Elwood is a solid wood instrument with a satin finish, so the guitar's materials should be able to produce a good tone with a bit of tweaking. The Fullerton Greenwich seems to be actually bit larger than the standard 000, at least compared to my Blueridge BR-73. The body shape is similar, but the Greenwich is about 1/4 to 3/8" thicker than the Blueridge, but still about 1/2" thinner and 1" shorter than the Montclaire dreadnought. Also, the Greenwich headstock is larger, making it about an inch longer than the Blueridge.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Mon Apr 16th, 2007 06:42 am |
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9th Post |
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fullcircle Approved
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I'm quite happy with the greenwich. I changed the strings to martin 530's and I will be replacing the saddle and may install the bridge doctor. For the money that I saved, I can afford it and still have a nice guitar and when the solid wood top ages some, it's only gonna sound better.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 20th, 2007 02:07 am |
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10th Post |
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Will Approved
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I'm going to try out some D'Andrea brass bridge pins. They're $12.99 a set, and don't cost much more than Tusq or ebony pins. They even come in different designs: plain brass, abalone, and mother-of-pearl: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/DAndrea-Tone-Pins-Brass-Bridge-Pins?sku=364789   
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25th, 2007 09:30 pm |
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11th Post |
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Will Approved
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Just spotted this! There is a Fullerton Kingwood 6-string selling on eBay, with a final date of April 30, 2007: http://cgi.ebay.com/Fullerton-Kingwood-Solid-Spruce-Top-Quilted-Maple_W0QQitemZ190106383468QQihZ009QQcategoryZ2385QQcmdZViewItem
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28th, 2007 04:24 pm |
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12th Post |
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fullcircle Approved
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I just had the bridge doctor installed on my cumberland and it really does enhance the sound quality of the guitar. I just need to change the saddle now.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28th, 2007 07:59 pm |
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13th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator 
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Just for the record, my Fullerton Elwood ended up being a complete dud. The action was too low so I took it to a luthier. When I went to pick it up he showed me how part of the fingerboard was radiused and part of it was flat, which made it impossible to adjust correctly unless they did major neck work and he said I'd probably just be better off getting a decent guitar. Total cost was $224 -- $179 for the guitar from Music123 and $45 for labor and strings. It's still playable on the first five frets though so it's not a complete loss, but not what I was hoping for. 
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29th, 2007 12:14 pm |
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14th Post |
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fullcircle Approved
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You really are taking a chance with these guitars and I agree that if you can afford a higher end (better quality guitar) I would do it. I already have a martin and would never part with it. I only went for the cheaper ones so that don't have to take out the martin. I think that Ibanez probably makes the best chinese made guitars and they are starting to get pricey now. They now have all solid wood acoustics. If I wanted to get a good chinese made, I would check out Ibanez.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 02:11 pm |
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15th Post |
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Will Approved
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I've bought 7 Fullerton guitars (Kingwood and Cumberland 12-strings, Kingwood 6-string, Montclaire and Brigantine dreadnoughts, Greenwich auditorium, and Winslow biscuit cone resonator), and either I've been extremely lucky, or I bought early enough during the Music123 sale to receive the better instruments that they had in stock. To make sure I wasn't deceiving myself, after I did my own minor set up work, I brought some of the Fullerton guitars to the local jam and let the really experienced guitarists try them out (some of them own guitars costing $2,000 - $3,000), and becasue they liked the way my Fullertons played and sounded, I am really pleased.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 04:06 pm |
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16th Post |
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fullertonboy Approved
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I'm with you, Will: I bought 5 Fullertons [GOT GAS BAD, REALLY BAD, ESPECIALLY @ $100 A GUITAR] (2 each of the Greenwich [I LOVE ROSEWOOD] and the FW20CE), and a Crosswick. ALL play excellently right out of the box, with nice low action, and sound great. There was only some minor cosmetic challenges on the fretboard binding of one Greenwich (a liitle rough at fret 1; plus the inlay on the word "Fullerton" on the Greewiches' headstocks are a slight bit ragged) and there were slight buff marks and a rough rosette edge on the FW20CE's (gotta tilt it in the light close-up to see it) Also, some of the fretboards shed a black finish that comes off on you fingers for the first few times you play. I am basically pleased with them. But buying by mail order is about a $30 crapshoot, as that is the cost to ship a dreadnaught back.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 07:23 pm |
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17th Post |
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Will Approved
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FULLERTON MAN (sung to the tune of "Traveling Man" by Rick Nelson) Parody lyrics by Will - inspired by Fullertonboy Click here for MIDI accompaniment: http://members.aol.com/midman/travman.mid (I've boldfaced the accented syllables to make it easier to sing) I'm a Fullerton Man, Collecting guitars, made from 'round the world. And on many guitars I've bought, they've got Fancy abalone and pearl. Kingwood spruce and maple 12-string, lovely to see; Has a loud sound, you know. And I even own its 6-string brother, too Plus the Cumberland jumbo. Music123 had a big markdown; New guitars, my heart did yearn. Aquisition Syndrome, although it's wrong; None did I return. Dreadnought solid wood beauties, named Brigantine, And Montclaire, sound so right. Own enough to stock a band, but still bought to see If the Greenwich sounded bright. (instrumental break) Music123 had a big markdown; New guitars, my heart did yearn. Aquisition Syndrome, although it's wrong; None did I return. Dreadnought solid wood beauties, named Brigantine, And Montclaire, sound so right. Own enough to stock a band, but still bought to see If the Greenwich sounded bright. Oh, I'm a Fullerton Man... Yes, I'm a Fullerton Man...  Last edited on Mon Apr 30th, 2007 08:46 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 08:41 pm |
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18th Post |
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fullertonboy Approved
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Hey, Fullerton Man! How're those brass bridge pins, do they improve the sound signifigantly? I'm dying to find out, and the suspense is killing me. I keep checking this board obsessively for an update. God forbid I should spend the money and try 'em myself -- as you know that would seriously compromise the financial advantages of being fullertonboy, if ya know what I mean (and I think from your latest hit single, YOU KNOW what I mean.....)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 09:05 pm |
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19th Post |
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Will Approved
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fullertonboy wrote: Hey, Fullerton Man! How're those brass bridge pins, do they improve the sound signifigantly? I'm dying to find out, and the suspense is killing me. I haven't ordered the brass bridge pins yet. On another thread that I had started, Roj installed brass bridge pins on a small parlor guitar and stated that it made a huge difference in the tone. http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/forum32/3569.html The physics behind the brass bridge pins seems to make sense: brass, being denser than wood or ivory bridge pins, increases the mass of the bridge and makes for a more efficient transfer in the the energy from the vibrating strings to the guitar top. Similarly, the "bridge doctor" that Breedlove uses as standard equipment for their guitars not only solves a bellied top, but also transfers guitar top vibrations to the sides of the guitar to enrich its tone. It's the degree of tonal improvement resulting from these modifications that will be subjective to each person. Last edited on Mon Apr 30th, 2007 09:07 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Fri May 4th, 2007 08:23 pm |
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20th Post |
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gmorgan Approved
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I sent away for the Fullerton Crosswick, and am rather pleased with what got dumped on my doorstep (so far). True, the saddle and pins aren't really that great, but they're easily upgradeable down the line. What does matter is that the guitar is, as far as I can tell, structurally and electronically sound. The action needed a bit of adjustment, as did the neck -- nothing serious, mind you -- and the strings it shipped with are D'Addario XLP lights, which sound pretty good. It plays and stays in tune well, and has a beautiful acoustic tone. The projection suffers a bit from the laminated back and sides, but that's a fairly small niggle. So, I have a solid-topped OOO-size cutaway acoustic with onboard 3-band EQ and tuner electronics package for $99. I'm not complaining a bit. In fact, if there are others that have ordered the Crosswick, I'd be interested in hearing if you've had a similar positive experience. If you've got a horror story to tell, toss that in, too. Whatever the reason Music 123 was tossing these babies out the door for $99 a pop, it's certainly gotten some attention for the brand and their guitars.
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