Today I was in Guitar Center and picked up and played a Fender Kingman (yes, the Elvis Presley model!) not knowing what to expect, but I really liked the sound and playability of this guitar. Great neck, too. Spruce top.

Totally surprised me for a $400 Fender acoustic...


http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/w...man-Guitar.jpg

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/w...gmanhdstk2.jpg

:eek: You get my vote for best post on this thread. There are days when gallows humor is all you can muster. I'll bet that was one of them.

Boulder Creek Solitaire
 

My biggest suprise was when I heard the sustain from the Solitaire by Boulder Creek.
http://www.guitarworld.com/boulder-c...lectric-guitar

It's very different from anything else I've played or owned.

I had the opportunity to play 15+ McKnight guitars.

I thought I would come away most impressed with one of his OM's or his mini jumbo models.

I was wrong - I was most impressed with his dreads.

There was one in particular that really blew me away. I forget the exact tone wood combination, but that thing was amazing.

Tim makes amazing guitars.

I have a Recording King RG-100-S Senorita I got new for $39.00. Put some Gotoh tuners on it changed the saddle and lowered the nut slots.

Sounds like an old L-OO (kinda).

Santa Cruz D/PW, hog, hide glue.


Tom

The first time I listen to the late Nick Webb of Acoustic Alchemy in the 90's introduced me to Lowdens. When I walked into a boutique in St. Augustine (which is now closed) this fellow from Germany had several Lowdens, Santa Cruz, and Martins (which I was set out to get) but when I played some F & O models I was blown away, then when I played the LSEII it was all she wrote and that baby is still with me! :)

What gave it the edge besides the incredible Lowden unplugged tone, was the comfortable F body & slimmer neck along with a great stage & recording abilities. The top on this guitar has incredible response and DEFINITION, from whisper fingerpicking to flatout jammin'. The shallower body allows projection and no muddiness. Most balanced guitar I've played. Not to mention how the sitka top has ambered and the cross-silking is beautiful. It has held up to giggin' on the beach and outside here on Florida's First Coast and the 5-piece neck stays in tune in these humid conditons when other guitars have had trouble and it doesn't sound wet and never thuddy.

The only guitar that has come close is my BTO Goodall CJ, but even she isn't as rugged although she sounds very sweet. ;)

http://www.acousticgallery.com/photo...1_100_2147.JPG

noledog

wow what a beaut in the original post!

on the lower end i am still suprised how good (IMO) the mid-bowl ovations sound.

Out of all my guitars, the biggest surprise for me was the Baby Collings I picked up last year. I really expected it to play and sound like a toy, but it's a real guitar... just a very small guitar. It plays and sounds spectacular... German spruce over mahogany, no frills & nothing fancy.

Taylor GS Mini-amazing sound! For 500.00

I was pretty blown away the first time I played an Eastman E20OM. Just wasn't prepared for it to sound that good. I would have bought it, but the Eastman neck profile just doesn't work for me. Don't ask me why.

JD