Which one? Petros/Froggy Bottom/Kinnaird/Lowden/DeJonge/Ryan

[Thin Crust]

I have a Petros. It's not for sale. That kind of sums it up.

[Steve Kinnaird]

I have several Kinnairds. They're all for sale.

[TuckerRE]

Originally Posted by Steve Kinnaird

I have several Kinnairds. They're all for sale.

Trying to set a record on Kinnairds. Maybe corner the market with TomB'Sox and

CigarFan.

[Guitars44me]

Nice going Tucker!

Anyone have more than 4 John Kinnairds?

Corner the market indeed...

Cheers

Paul

[TomB'sox]

Just an amateur here, 2 S, 1 J, but have to say that OO is looking mighty tempting that Bob is having built.

Just so as not to be accused of a hijack, I think you can see how some of us feel about Kinnairds and I feel they belong right in that list. As mentioned before I would put them against anyone....although I was trying to stay away from sounding like an advertisement, it is hard. I hope you can try one some day before making your choice.

[ericcsong]

Originally Posted by gitarro

I would echo what some people have already advised on this thread - rhe tone of guiitsrs is a very individual and subjective thing and atone that one person likes may not be so well liked by another. So if at all possible try before you buy.

But if you are unable to try, then I would say that of all the brands you have chosen as possibles, ryan guitars have been one of the brands that have literally served as the benchmark sound to define what modern tonality means in guitar fingerstyle music. Especially the mission grand concert which is a genre defining guitar being one of the first to adopt a longer scale for lowered tunings and perfect balance.

Whereas the nigntingale is the model whereby ryan pioneered the famed ryan arm.bevel.and and the acoustic flutes and the tone is singularly powerful and versatile. I can speak with some personal experience as I bought a nigntingale recently.


The cathedral is again totally different in tonality having what sounds like a subwoofer permanently switched on and big tone.

So if it is compelling for you to own one of the guitars that have defined the understanding of what a modern fingerstyle guitsr is, then the ryan would arguably have a more compelling claim to be the guitar you should buy in favour of the ithers mooted so far by you and others here.

my vote for Ryan as well. I've played many samples of all listed and Ryan is the only one I'd commission from. But as a few others said, play as many as you can and then decide. What is right for me might not be right for you and vice versa. A great problem to have!

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by Steve Kinnaird

I have several Kinnairds. They're all for sale.

You mean you just can't seem to find one that bonds with you?

[Prizen]

As I live in Ireland, I'm giving Tom Sands in the UK a lot of consideration.

[SiliconValleySJ]

Originally Posted by Prizen

As I live in Ireland, I'm giving Tom Sands in the UK a lot of consideration.

Highly recommend that you go to a place in the UK where they have a lot of high end guitars (either a shop or other AGFers who have a lot) and try them out. All of the luthiers you've listed have distinct tones, and not a lot of them strum that well IMHO. It feels like you're just adding people to your list based on recommendations at this point...

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by SongwriterFan

You mean you just can't seem to find one that bonds with you?

Ha! Actually, like children, they are all loved for their individuality. And yes, they are all my favorites. (Only some are more favorite than others.) But it's time they left the nest and made their way in the world, you know.

Steve

[gitarro]

Prizen, that's quite a left turn you are taking from the tone of a Circa to that of a protégé of somogyi. Methinks you had better pay a visit to England to actually play an example of Tom sands' guitar and maybe compare it wih the used OOO Circa that is on sale at tamco currently. While John Slobod's guitsrs vary in tone depending on what the customer wants, the latter should give u an idea of his house tone so to speak.

[stringjunky]

Originally Posted by Steve Kinnaird

Ha! Actually, like children, they are all loved for their individuality. And yes, they are all my favorites. (Only some are more favorite than others.) But it's time they left the nest and made their way in the world, you know.

Steve

That one you made Welshboy brought out my inner Gollum:"Precious!".

[robj144]

Well, price wise, Ryan, Petros, Froggy Bottom, and Lowden will probably get over $10k with just a few non-standard options. So, you might want to consider that.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by stringjunky62

That one you made Welshboy brought out my inner Gollum:"Precious!".

Ah, thanks for that stringjunky. That was lovely set of wood, and a joy to build.

Steve