A few days ago I got to spent an afternoon at a few local guitar shops to buy my first ever new guitar. Picking up the first one to try in the shop was very nerve racking, but all of the staff were super helpful and encouraging, despite my terrible playing.
At the first store I tried some from Yamaha: FS800, LS6 and a red label (FG3 I think). Also tried a few higher end models, a Martin 000-15 and a Cole Clark. No intention of buying the more expensive ones, but they were happy for me to try them, just for comparison. The result… I could not really tell the difference in sound or playability between say the Yamaha FS800 and the Martin 000-15. If anything I thought the Martin seemed a bit plain and just didn’t feel as nice as any of the others. I’m aware of it’s legendary status, so does this make me an absolute dunce?
At another store I tried a parlor size, but the shorter scale length felt cramped from what I’m used to with my electric (a used Cort G100). So the 000/OM size certainly seemed best. I then tried a Sigma SOMM-TE, a Cort L300VF All Solid and the Cort Essence OC4. I ended up taking home the later. They had it in the natural spruce color or the black top. I went with black, a decision highly influenced by me listening to the Johnny Cash American IV album in the car on my way to the store.
At the end of the day, at my Beginner Grade 1 level, I couldn’t really hear or feel much difference between any of them. The Cort ES OC4 just something about it told me it was the one. Lower price tag helped. I also liked that it had the same torrefied wood top like the Yamaha L series and red label, but also had a bone nut and saddle (which the Yamaha L series did not). I hope I still feel the same way about it in the months and years to come. So far loving it!
Here is a demo of the new machine and the Zombie chords I spent the afternoon strumming in the guitar shops of Brisbane
Hi Kim, Congratulations on your beautiful new guitar! I love the black top. I went the other direction - my first guitar was solid white! I still love it.
Regarding the Martin 000-15 - you’re not a dunce! I think our ears grow more sophisticated as we play longer. And I suspect that as our skills develop, we’re able to coax better sounds out of any instrument. As for Martins: I have a Martin that I love. And I don’t care for the 000-15. It’s got a mahogany sides and top, and I find the sound, I don’t know, dull? thumpy? Not to my taste in any event. I suspect it’s perfect for a type of music that I don’t play!
Thanks for posting the video. Hope to see you around!
About Martins and also Taylors… I can remember my first attempt buying new guitar, I got topic for that here and I was really dissappointed how YouTube is saying how some guitars are great… then you pick them up in store and they are dull, no soul and poor build quality. I had really bad experience in x times more expensive guitars. So I dont think it is in you… you just really need to feel if its right guitar or not.
Brisbane… you should do an intro post. There are quite a few Aussies around here, including a couple of Brisbane & the sunny coast.
Choosing a guitar is personal, so good on you for doing it in person. I’ve gone into shops set on a particular model from what I read online and then been woefully disappointed on picking it up and playing. Enjoy your Cort.
I might just do that (intro post). So you’re sunny coast. Other than a bit of wind, the last few days in SEQ have been absolute passport shredders
It was actually your NGD Guild Polara video that inspired me to do a video NGD demo instead of just a photo. I also just learned I share the same first name as the guitarist from Soundgarden.
So I dont think it is in you… you just really need to feel if its right guitar or not. 
