Well I'm not even totally sure what the hell we're talkin about it in this thread, but I wouldn't trade my J-45 for anything. She's a beaut, and a workhorse, at $1800ish a couple years ago.
Guess only a few have opinions on very high end guitars...but some are gonna be collector's pieces that would appreciate in value.
Again, not that I could ever afford something like that. But I've been listening to some of the high end guitars and wondered what some of the folks here have heard that they loved.
But I'm not planning to buy something that expensive. Just wanting to listen to examples of such great guitars so as to better inform the type of sound I'm looking to approximate in a purchase.
$10k? no offense yat but that's a weird price point.
For ten grand I'd buy myself another bike (Hmm, maybe another Hawk GT) and still have enough left over for a Taylor 512ce 12 fret, a rainsong Parlor, an Orange CR120 with 2x12 cabinet, and a few electrics. And a bunch of pedals.
But I'm a thrifty guy. If something is setup well and plays well, I'll rock it.
Martin has an event called the Martin Experience where they send reps to Guitar Centers with some unbelievable guitars for demonstration and sale. The price tags get very high, but there is some stuff available under 10k, and they are ridiculous. Some of these guitars are made out of woods I had never heard of before.
I always remember the Gibson Hummingbird as my fav overall / standalone. Iirc was a 65
Martin in general couldn't go wrong
Taylors to me sound a bit high end / brittle, but as anything work in the right situation. Often great in a rock mix for ex. But lots of people love them
Then again I just bought a cheap ass Ibanez for $120 because it was a/e and blue. Even b4 new / decent strings, sounds better than a lot of $4-500s out there
buys a lot of guitar and with that budget you might want to look at some of the one man shop luthiers or the small builders that have 2-5 employees.
James Goodall, Froggy Bottom Guitars, Kinscherff, Collings, Santa Cruz, etc..
Or you can look for a used James Olson. Olson's start at 15K and can sky rocket from there depending on wood choices. Or a used Dudenbostel. I can list others, but if you're serious looking for a high end guitar contact me via email. I know a few of these builders and have bought and sold dozens of high priced acoustics.
If you're into eye candy as well as great tone, check out Harvey Leach. He's as good a craftsman as any of them and is one of, if not the top inlay artist in the business. In fact, Martin hired Harvey to inlay their one millionth guitar, and he builds a great guitar himself even if you want a plain jane look.
If the D45 is your highest benchmark, you might be surprised that your benchmark might raise considerably if you do some research about the small builders. Martins are great guitars but there are others out there that might suit you better and in some cases for less money.
For ten grand I'd buy myself another bike (Hmm, maybe another Hawk GT) and still have enough left over for a Taylor 512ce 12 fret, a rainsong Parlor, an Orange CR120 with 2x12 cabinet, and a few electrics. And a bunch of pedals.
But I'm a thrifty guy. If something is setup well and plays well, I'll rock it.
LOL. My first thought was that I would be wearing a $6K - $7K watch and also be buying a nice guitar.
I took the Martin Guitar factory tour last year. It is impressive,
entertaining, instructive, and free if I recall correctly. The factory is in PA, but there is another in MEX.
The thing I got out of the tour is that the construction of the guitars is done by very skilled folks with really good machines and that most guitars are built the SAME way. The biggest difference in price is that some guitars are fancier than others rather than there being a real difference in sound quality. That was the conclusion that I came to after asking the tour guide a few pointed questions. They don't advertise that fact.
"I want to buy a cheap, 1 bedroom house. Somewhere under $10,000,000".
Like, what do you actually want to remove from your bank, hand to the guy at guitar center, and walk out with a guitar worth in the range of $XXX -$X,XXX.
$10-20k for a good Classical guitar, but you can get
a good steel string for under $5000. I like Taylor for sound
and intonation. They are very fragile. I am working a trade
for a Seagull Canadian guitar $500.Not bad. If I ever
get a Martin it will be an old one, most new guitars
are made and sound like crap. I am looking at some
custom guitars made in Virginia and out west.
I took the Martin Factory tour in PA a few years ago. Very interesting to see them at work. There was a Consignment Shop at the Factory with some beautiful vintage acoustics hanging on the wall. I don't think there's any bargain prices out there, but if you're ever out in eastern PA.....set your GPS for Nazareth.
that kind of $ for an acoustic guitar, and hoping to ever get your money back, or at least have it appreciate (possible significantly), it needs to be a vintage Martin.
If you're just spoiling yourself (or wife), then that's a different story and Martin (and many others) make plenty of guitars in that range, or just under. But don't expect to ever get your money back or easily find a buyer.
Stating the obvious here, but the laws of supply and demand are really only working for you on the vintage collector pieces.
Now you have me dreaming about all of the frigging gear I'd be rocking with 10 G's. Because, it'd be A LOT of gear. And I'd LOVE another Hawk GT to go along with all of that new music equipment... lol
Enjoy your washed up log with a wire nailed into it.
You couldn't even afford yat's strap.
I think we could possibly make a deal for less than 10k
I think we could possibly make a deal for less than 10k
Tell him $9999 or GTFO
Well I'm not even totally sure what the hell we're talkin about it in this thread, but I wouldn't trade my J-45 for anything. She's a beaut, and a workhorse, at $1800ish a couple years ago.
Again, not that I could ever afford something like that. But I've been listening to some of the high end guitars and wondered what some of the folks here have heard that they loved.
Rossww at yahoo.com. I spent way too much time researching each one ....and all were under $5k
But I'm a thrifty guy. If something is setup well and plays well, I'll rock it.
Martin in general couldn't go wrong
Taylors to me sound a bit high end / brittle, but as anything work in the right situation. Often great in a rock mix for ex. But lots of people love them
Then again I just bought a cheap ass Ibanez for $120 because it was a/e and blue. Even b4 new / decent strings, sounds better than a lot of $4-500s out there
James Goodall, Froggy Bottom Guitars, Kinscherff, Collings, Santa Cruz, etc..
Or you can look for a used James Olson. Olson's start at 15K and can sky rocket from there depending on wood choices. Or a used Dudenbostel. I can list others, but if you're serious looking for a high end guitar contact me via email. I know a few of these builders and have bought and sold dozens of high priced acoustics.
If you're into eye candy as well as great tone, check out Harvey Leach. He's as good a craftsman as any of them and is one of, if not the top inlay artist in the business. In fact, Martin hired Harvey to inlay their one millionth guitar, and he builds a great guitar himself even if you want a plain jane look.
If the D45 is your highest benchmark, you might be surprised that your benchmark might raise considerably if you do some research about the small builders. Martins are great guitars but there are others out there that might suit you better and in some cases for less money.
But I'm a thrifty guy. If something is setup well and plays well, I'll rock it.
LOL. My first thought was that I would be wearing a $6K - $7K watch and also be buying a nice guitar.
The thing I got out of the tour is that the construction of the guitars is done by very skilled folks with really good machines and that most guitars are built the SAME way. The biggest difference in price is that some guitars are fancier than others rather than there being a real difference in sound quality. That was the conclusion that I came to after asking the tour guide a few pointed questions. They don't advertise that fact.
"I want to buy a cheap, 1 bedroom house. Somewhere under $10,000,000".
Like, what do you actually want to remove from your bank, hand to the guy at guitar center, and walk out with a guitar worth in the range of $XXX -$X,XXX.
a good steel string for under $5000. I like Taylor for sound
and intonation. They are very fragile. I am working a trade
for a Seagull Canadian guitar $500.Not bad. If I ever
get a Martin it will be an old one, most new guitars
are made and sound like crap. I am looking at some
custom guitars made in Virginia and out west.
If you're just spoiling yourself (or wife), then that's a different story and Martin (and many others) make plenty of guitars in that range, or just under. But don't expect to ever get your money back or easily find a buyer.
Stating the obvious here, but the laws of supply and demand are really only working for you on the vintage collector pieces.
My wife is Andres Segovia, and thanks for asking!
Guys, I'm not planning to spend 10K on a guitar; I'm just enjoying listening to great guitars, and wanted to hear which ones some of you love.