Mandatory Considerations for Your Guitars

[TokyoNeko]

Originally Posted by mtcross

Neck, size/shape is right up there... I looked at a few Gibson's that just didn't work because of the size of the neck.

Tone/Sound it the other criteria, I don't care what something looks like, what size it is, etc. What does it sound like?

Yeah, the neck profile is an oversight on my part.

But as I said at the opening post, tone is subjective and not quantifiable. I'm only dealing with quantifiable attributes here. Besides, it's kind of obvious that if you don't like the tone of the guitar you don't buy it. Or at least if you bought it online, you don't keep it.

[KevWind]

I have to like the way it sounds and plays ....... period

[mrjop1975]

The most mandatory consideration for me is if I like it or not. It could be the best of the best, but if I do not like it, I simply do not like it. The most important consideration after that is if it passes the sit and play test for me. I do not stand and play that much, and a lot of larger guitars simply do not sit down and play well, whereas standing they would.

[Dru Edwards]

I have preferences but I'll buy a guitar that falls outside of those preferences if it's playable, sounds great, and I like it.

[jrs146]

I'm not skilled or experienced enough to have must haves that are written in stone. But so far my preferences are:


Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
Back/sided: EIR
- Body Shape/Size: Grand Auditorium or larger.
- Frets to body: 14
- Nut Width: Between 1 11/16" and 1 3/4"
- Cutaway: if it fits the guitar. Never on a Dreadnaught.
- Headstock: No slotted
- Finish: All gloss
- Fretboard: Ebony
-appointments: I like a guitar with some well done modest bling. Nothing crazy but enough to give it some character.
Pickguard: yes

Like many, it's easier for me to say what I know I don't want:

Cutaway
1 11/16" nut
Laminate
Dreadnought
Bling


Otherwise, I'm pretty open.

[Wade Hampton]

Neko, I didn't vote in the poll because all of those things matter, but what my own requirements have been when I've ordered custom guitars has changed every time I've put in a custom order. That's been part of the process: I get interested in something I can't quite find, or else get interested in a custom builder whose work has impressed me.

So the top and back woods chosen have really depended on what I'm into at the moment. Same with body shape.

Two things HAVE remained constant: I do like 1 3/4" nuts, and that's what I've always ordered. I also loathe slotted headstocks, just like you do, so every custom guitar I've ever ordered has had a solid headstock.

Another constant has been that I like dark tops, and always have. But that's been up to the builders, because not all of them like doing that.

As for back and side woods, this has depended. I've ordered a lot of koa and a lot of walnut instruments (dulcimers as well as guitars,) because I know I like those woods a lot. The most recent custom guitar I took delivery on is a 12 fret Triple O with a hand-rubbed Cremona brown Sitka spruce top and koa back and sides.

The top woods will depend, but what might surprise a lot of people is that I generally prefer to let the builder choose the top he wants to build with, regardless of species. I am fond of Sitka spruce, which I consider to be unfairly maligned by self-appointed tonewood gurus, so most of my instruments, factory-built and hand-built alike, have Sitka spruce tops.

But Howard Klepper didn't want to build my KJ guitar with a Sitka top, so deferred to his judgement and he made it with a Carpathian spruce top. It sounds great.

Anyway, as I've delved into various playing styles and gotten interested in a wide variety of guitars, my tastes and custom orders have changed. I have no current custom instrument builds pending, but that could change easily enough.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[ManyMartinMan]

High-quality guitar that sounds great. NO pre-conceived specs for me.

[Clallam]

I'm a small female with small hands. So OM/000 or smaller body, 1 11/16 neck with thin profile and short scale make for a very comfortable guitar for me. It's been a hard combination to find but that reduces the GAS attacks when nothing in the store is comfortable. There are enough guitars that fit so I'll wait until I find one.

[Doxy]

Body size, scale length, neck shape are the most important to me. If these things are out of whack for me then no matter how beautiful the guitar or fabulous the tone I have no business buying it because it won't be comfortable to play.

[JeffreyAK]

Another other/none of the above here. There are lots of great guitars with and without all of the considerations, often for different purposes or playing styles.

[rogthefrog]

Does it sound good?
Is it comfortable?
Was the wood sourced ethically? Is it contributing to habitat destruction for animals?
Can I afford it?

That's it. I don't care about any of the details.

[LSemmens]

You really did need a "None of the Above" as an option. I might look at the aesthetics of an instrument as an enticement to try it, but, mostly, I look at an instrument as a tool to perform a task. If it performs its designated task to my satisfaction, then I use it.

[Steel and wood]

No cutaway and a comfortable C shaped neck.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Whilst I don't concur with your particular criteria, it doesn't matter. What DOES matter is that each guitarist, through experience, needs to recognise what is their personal criteria.

For me :
12 fret.
1 &13/16" nutwidth.
Must look like a Martin or Gibson (but built by neither).

The rest is negotiable.

I'm with Silly Moustache on this one except I would want a 1 11/16" nut and a short scale. I want easy to play.