Guitars you bought that surprised you?

When I played in a party band, I wanted a guitar that did it all - electric, synth access and acoustic piezo, on the fly and fast, no switching and less to carry. So I ordered a Godin LGX-SA as a sort of Swiss Army Knife gigging guitar, having never played or even seen one up close.

Over the years I have really come to like this guitar. It has the best neck of any guitar I've ever owned and the overall sound and feel is top notch. The piezo bridge does not provide a sound convincing enough for me to replace my acoustics in my current acoustic based project, but I am seriously considering getting an A6 Ultra with an eye toward that possibility.

[roylor4]

My Ibanez AC240 is my go-to guitar for my preferred tone. $230 as a second with Hog top and lam B&S - this thing just sounds WAY better than it should.

[numb fingertips]

Three inexpensive guitars that have left a very good impression are Ibanez AC240, Seagull Entourage mini jumbo rustic and Washburn Woodline WL020S.

[Stratcat77]

Originally Posted by RussL30

Taylor GS mini. I own nothing but dreadnoughts so I was hesitant, but it definitely holds it own and puts out a ton of sound for its size.

Ditto. I bought it to be a "travel guitar", but it gets played a lot at home! Amazing sound and playability for such a small inexpensive guitar.

[Nctom]

Surprisingly, a Gibson J-35 that I spotted hanging in GC. It had been in the store a while, was shopworn, missing its pickguard, and had two minor cracks in its soundboard. A quick strum (I was afraid of getting of tetanus) and I was hooked.

Even better was the offer they made to unload it.

I brought it home, gave it a good cleaning, a little glue work, and it is a GREAT playing and sounding guitar. I had an old case for it and it may or may not get get a pickguard, but it has earned a place in my small collection.

[Gasworker]

Short story. Larrivee announces closure of their Canadian operations and moves to the US. I get all snooty and pouty and decide to liquidate. I need a guitar and happen to listen to a Fretboard Journal podcast about some former Larrivee employee making guitars in a small shop for $1000.
https://www.fretboardjournal.com/pod...lcyon-guitars/

I contact Ed and a year later I have my first Flamed Walnut/Sitka AJ. Site unseen sound unheard. It is the most amazing guitar I have owned and anyone who has played it is stunned by its simple beauty and sound and playability. I still feel like I should have paid a lot more. I made it up to Ed by buying another.

Thanks to WHM I fell in love with Shertler open gear tuners so I have had those installed.

[j.blay]

My Takamine TF340S BG. I bought this for the Cool Tube preamp system, and the hard to find 1 3/4" nut width. It seems that 99% of the Takamines are 1 11/16", or narrower. I was pleasantly surprised at the generous sustain and sweet overtones this beautiful, well braced, solid Mahogany body and Sitka Spruce topped model supplies. I look forward to soaking it all in as I sit quietly, finger picking this sleeper of a gem. I own a Jake Robinson, Sitka/Brazilian, but I find myself playing the Tak more, lately. This is the first guitar I've owned, since getting the JR SJ, that this has happened with. Although nothing Ive ever played surpasses the JR SJ for a perfect amount of sustain, and orgasmic overtones, the Tak has enough to keep me playing for hours.

[Johnny.guitar]

My Seagull Entourage QIT Rustic that I paid little for. Bought it for camping, gigs etc. Still love my Gibson but find myself playing the Seagull a lot. Not having to worry about a few scratches and dents is priceless

[Shades of Blue]

My 000-17 Whiskey Sunset, which I stupidly sold. Dang it I miss it already.

[Nyghthawk]

The Yamaha FS700s in my signature. It was $179 on sale. I bought it as a beater. I now use it at work for the acoustic guitar Reminiscence Group I do at work. One of my patients always asks me how many gears it has! It has a wonderful tone for old folk songs and gospel tunes in a sing along format. Easily worth more than I paid for it.

[muscmp]

actually, they all have surprised me how good they are.

play music!

[51 Relic]

Yes my Yamaha SLG200s . I use it for live worship and the tone and playability never ceases to amaze me

[Scootch]

I once bought a used Ventura V10 for $100. It was a little 000 sized overachiever. I loved it. I originally bought it to take camping, something cheap enough that it it got broke I could toss it in a fire.

Turned out it was really a nice simple sounding guitar. I called my Neal Diamond guitar. I could slam out chords like nobodies business and it's sounded like whatever guitar was used on the Gold Live at the Troubadour album.

Years pass..

One day after I had restrung it, I noticed it sounded amazing. So beautiful, so sonorous, so luscious. I thought I had found the prefect strings.

The next day, thunk! A brace broke. It was done. I tried to glue the brace back on but it never sounded good again. I sold it back to the same used instrument store.

A guitar never sounds better than just before it dies.

[Jerry D]

My Yamaha LL16. It didn't surprise me that it is a good guitar, because I had read really favorable reviews on it. What surprised me is how good it is. And after I had my local guitar genius
(I won't mention his name Jason Burns) do a setup on it, which I at first debated with myself as being unnecessary, it surprised me what a great guitar it is. Absolutely top notch.

[Puerto Player]

I really liked the way my GS Koa Mini played but it didn't sound great unless it was plugged in. It's gone.

My SJ200 still amazes, but needed to be property setup to do so.

My Goodall does everything; tone, harmonics, touch, loudness, etc.

My Emerald Artisan is pretty cool too, lot's of touch sensitivity that always inspires.