The perfect guitar: a life-long search?

[clintj]

I think I've found mine. It's a Collings OM2H. I spent about a half hour playing one, and couldn't find anything I didn't like about it.

[6L6]

Six of the 13 guitars I currently own are perfect to me:

* '97 Martin D-45V

* '11 "1937" Martin D-18A

* '11 Collings D2HA

* '08 Collings D-42A Varnish

* '71 Guild F-312NT (12 string)

* '60 Harmony Meteor w/Bigsby

Of the acoustics listed above, my fav is the '97 Martin D-45V. I played at least a dozen of these before finding "the one". Bought it new at Gryphon and it's the best sounding acoustic I've ever played (and that includes four different Pre War Martin D-45's I've had the honor of playing). Here's a pic:

[rmyAddison]

Perfect certainly implies "for you", we all have different tastes and criteria.
I started playing in 1966, untold guitars, 37 Martins, this is my perfect for me trio, 3 guitars, 6 woods, only took 48 years to get them......



OM-18 Authentic 1933, OM-45 Tasmanian Blackwood, Custom Shop OM-28 Madagascar

[Guitarfish]

Goodallboy is the only one that posted about the magic of finding a guitar that plays effortlessly, while still sounding good.

All the pics of collections don't do what one guitar like that will do for you.

I have posted before of a guitar with just that quality made by John Kinnard in Fallbrook Ca.

Alas, it is my nephews and I never get to play it as he lives half a state away.

My hands knew where they were, no flubbed notes, just easy magic.

Thanks Goodallboy, I thought I was the only one that understood.

[Goodallboy]

Guitarfish, after owning several Martins and Goodalls, all of which were fantastic guitars, the ease of playing the McCollum came as a great surprise, unlike any experience I'd had playing guitar. And I'm not referring to the fretting hand ease one might experience with a Taylor set-up, I'm talking about the right hand falling across notes and strings that seem more ergonomically positioned. As hard as it is to explain, it's equally hard to believe until you play this guitar. Others notice it immediately so I know it's just not me.

Thanks for the kind words.

[s2y]

Should not be a lifelong search. What tone are you looking for and how do you get it? Simple as that.

[Guitarfish]

I have currently 10 guitars to pick from, none of which does the same thing for me. Close with one only.

I actually contacted Mr. Kinnard about making me a duplicate. But though he is what most would consider very reasonably priced for his talent, the reality of two kids in college hit hard.

I think occasionally of the fact he is getting older at the same rate as me, and as retirement gets closer, it does for him as well.

I have a guitar build fund but it seems to grow ever so slowly. Selling some of the others is going to have to happen.

Congrats on the McCollum find. Funny how rare it is that people mention the right hand fit too. Magic I say!

[TBman]

I think instead of focusing on finding that "one" guitar, effort should be made to collect the right "herd." I'm dread heavy right now, but I plan on retiring 2 of them and adding a parlor, a grand concert and a better quality classical. I like having the choice of different tones.

[Acoustic Beatle]

Hi guys, more than happy with my two acoustics, haven,t available funds enough
to be shopping around chasing dreams and its all about the playing for me, when alls said
and done. Saying that , Im not quite happy with the too bright a sound
coming from my Tak , so Ill give it a few more hours playing time and put
some "Rotosounds" on her. Before her recent re-set I hadn,t changed strings
since the last time, Lol, and she sounded dream, but I do favour the Rotosounds.

[swsman]

Quest continues as my needs and playing styles change.
Just picked up Blueridge BR-341, love the specs of 12fret 00 body, 1 7/8" nut width and 2 5/16" saddle string spacing. It really makes intricate fretwork all that much easier as compared to narrower specd instrument.
Missing having a twelve string in my arsenal but am also aware of its limited use to me.
Keep debating on National 0 size metal bodied resonator and how much it would be utilized in the big picture.
One electric, one acoustic/electric and debating on spot #3.
Got electric and acoustic/electric spectrum covered for the most part (Fernandes Stratocaster and Blueridge with Dazzo pickup).

[jpd]

As many times as I've tried to deny it, my "soul mate acoustic" is a 2002 Gibson L-130. That's not to say I'll find another one, but this Gibson continues to captivate me.

Thankfully, I can say that I've been very happy with every guitar I've bought, from my first guitar back in 2001, a Takamine G-series classical, to a Takamine EG560CBS a couple years later, to my Taylor 214 in 2006, to my custom builds in recent years from both Bill Wise (Charis) and Jim Olson. Although I got...ahem...a bit carried away with the custom builds, I can say with confidence that Bill Wise builds what is to me a "dream guitar." Just amazing responsiveness, tonal depth, playability, and construction. They don't look too bad either My classical equivalent of my "dream guitar" is my Manuel Contreras II Doble Tapa.

I feel blessed beyond imagination to own these fine instruments, and have determined to settle down with these instead of constantly dreaming of what I could have built next. The excitement over a new commission or purchase is great--while it lasts--but it is very fleeting. Far more lasting is the joy that comes from making music with what you have.

[Mycroft]

There is no such critter as "The Perfect Guitar." There are only "Great" guitars, but even a great guitar is not great at everything. A great fingerpicker for Blues may suck at flatpicking Bluegrass. Not only that, but what I find a great guitar has evolved over time, so even if perfection is achieved it is ephemeral. And what I find as a great guitar may be different from what another finds a great guitar.

I have a number of "Great" guitars. I have no "Perfect" guitars.

TW

[Oldguy64]

Perfect? No.
I know which one I'd grab if the house were on fire.
It is not perfect.
It needs a pickup. And a new nut.
And with those things it won't pass muster for most folks.

I have perfectly good guitars. And I'd hate to lose any of them.
But there are only two currently that I'd just hate to part with.