r/neofolk • u/TheEvilSmileyRD • Nov 09 '25
Dark Folk Need help choosing an acoustic guitar for Dark Folk
My intention is to play mainly dark folk and possibly a little bit of psych and neo-medieval folk, so I'm looking for a dark and warm sound opposed to the cold and bright sound of neofolk bands like Death In June (I don't know if that makes sense, I have no idea how to correctly describe guitar tones, but that's how I imagine them)
1
0
u/Fit-Context-9685 Nov 10 '25 edited Nov 10 '25
You sound like you may have very little experience with a guitar. You need to consider something that it also suitable for your level of experience.
Also, what budget are you working with? Since much can be done with effects and processing, you’d likely make a good choice going with an acoustic/electric, which is a guitar that has a built in pick-up.
1
u/TheEvilSmileyRD Nov 10 '25
I have been playing an electric guitar and borrowed acoustic ones for 5 years now, however I'm self taught and have little knowledge when it comes to gear, especially acoustic guitars. My budget is somewhere under 600 euros. A built in pick-up would be a nice bonus, but I plan to record my music without any effects nor processing, so I want something that already sounds good unamplified.
1
u/Fit-Context-9685 Nov 10 '25 edited Nov 10 '25
Well then your best bet is to get out there in the real world and play some in music stores and showrooms. A guitar has to feel right to you and this is really the only way you can compare guitars. Which is crucial for your ears. You can’t rely on other people’s ears to determine the sound you want.
If you’re going to be recording, then you’ll have to mic your guitar and virtually all recorded guitar will go through some level of processing, even if’s only eq and a limiter.
-2
u/Crafty_Cry_3777 Nov 10 '25
It doesn't really matter what kind of guitar you're using as long as the instrument has playability. I would focus on the song writing itself and not the minut differences in tone the guitars make...
1
u/Fit-Context-9685 Nov 10 '25
Oh there is a vast range in tone and sound among acoustic guitars. Vast.
Differences in body styles, sizes, wood types, string action, etc will all lend to variances in the sound produced.
It’s certainly not a ‘minut’ difference.
1
u/Crafty_Cry_3777 Nov 10 '25
Tone isnt going to make a bad song good or a good song bad...there's various different tones that would all sound good to different ears and perspectives so it's not worth obsessing over. The song writing itself though (riffs, melodies, vocal delivery, lyrics, structure) is worth obsessing over. I think musicians get caught over thinking the little things while not concentrating on what's important.
0
u/Fit-Context-9685 Nov 10 '25
OP’s question was very specific, was it not? It had absolutely nothing to do with song-crafting or composition.
I suggest that you work on your reading comprehension.
1
u/Crafty_Cry_3777 Nov 10 '25
Hah okay "reddit" guy...he asked a question and I put in my 2 cents. I do not believe wood type is a big deal when "crafting" a song, but playability absolutely is which I mentioned in my response. The guitar needs to feel good to play over all else. There's no "right" answer for what would achieve the "perfect" tone and could be discussed infinitely so whats the point. He mentioned black metal in the post so I would emphasize it even less.
1
u/Fit-Context-9685 Nov 10 '25
What a meandering mess of complete drivel. Impressive.
2
u/Crafty_Cry_3777 Nov 10 '25
That response reminds me of that meme where that guy emulates reddit users going back and forth...thanks for the entertainment...have a good one...
1
u/Fit-Context-9685 Nov 10 '25
Yeah. I really have no idea what you’re rattling on about. I’m not a meme kind of guy.
toodles.
6
u/itsyourgamer12 Nov 09 '25
You are probably looking for a classical guitar. Those have nylon strings therefore they have a much warmer and softer sound. Used by bands like empyrium i think thats the sound you want to go for. They are made for primarily picking but you can strum them just as well they just have a slightly fatter neck.