Best guitar for playability?

[RustyAxe]

Give me any $5000 guitar and I can set it up to be virtually unplayable. Give me almost any $150 guitar, and I can set it up to play "like butter".

[ThermiteTermite]

Gibsons taste best but Martin's are more nutritious.

If you're asking which big factory takes the most care in setting up their guitars before they ship them out to the dealers, I would have to say, Not Gibson.

[bitraker]

When I say playability, I am referring literally to how easy it is to play the guitar.

Many think a 1 3/4 nut is best for playability - my small hands would disagree - they prefer a 1 11/16 nut on a Martin dread neck

it all comes down to preference

some love the feel and playability of a short scale neck - I don't - short necks cramp my fretting hand-arm - can't play them - I've tried - no good no go

once again preference

[cmd612]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

I love to play ping pong with them

Timing is everything in comedy.

[Gasworker]

Originally Posted by TaylorGA8

I always find it funny. Every time I post on here instead of answering the question people only ask another question. I am not asking about the finer points in life and how its all about personal choice. All I was asking is "In your opinion strait out of the box which guitar is best for playability?"

I don't understand why people insist on giving generalized it depends answers.

I have literally played so few guitars strait out of a box that any opinion would be strictly brand preference. It's is true that there is no question that can't be answered on the AGF and you have years of experience I personally would like to know your opinion.
Maybe it would have been easier or less funny if you posted " I think Taylor's are the most playable guitars straight out of the box, what do you think?"

Ps based on the recommendations of players on this forum I took my Larrivee in for a "Good Setup" I didn't notice any difference

[Tico]

Right from the factory? ... Taylor.

[Gasworker]

Originally Posted by Tico

Right from the factory? ... Taylor.

Not even close to Larrivee (it's important to note that I have never played a factory direct Taylor but I have played a factory direct Larrivee)

[cisco7]

From personal experience i'd say eastman. 25" scale, 1 3/4 nut, 12" fretboard radius, and eastman C neck profile. Fits my hand greatly.

[Oldguy64]

Originally Posted by TaylorGA8

What guitar company (mainstream factory Martin, taylor ect) has the best playability.

When I say playability, I am referring literally to how easy it is to play the guitar.

I currently own a number of guitars.
Both my Taylors play like "buttah".
And all my Alvarez guitars also play like "buttah"

One plays so nice, it actually plays as well or better than my Taylors.

As has been said, a good set up can make a HUGE difference in playability.

[Scotso]

generally

Breedlove USA and Taylor

[Watt]

When the OP posted his question SEVEN YEARS AGO he did not qualify it with "from the factory." (He's been inactive for six years. I don't think that he's still looking for an answer.) There is no best guitar for playability. What is best for me is not necessarily best for someone else.

[ukejon]

Rather silly original question....sort of like asking which car comes with the seats in the best position for drivers.

As for playability, CF guitars certainly allow for the creation of pretty consistently low action if that's what you want.

[bentay]

I think there are some definitive traits of an easy playing guitar - low action, light string tension, wide neck. That's why most people recommend a classical for beginners. Actually, an electric would be the easiest to play - but least satisfying until you learn how to play it.

The shortcut is to ask what acoustic plays most like an electric?

Of the popular upper-end brands, Taylor is known for this characteristic. Especially if loaded up with light strings.

But playability isn't everything - there's sound, feel, and intangibles.

Usually, when people ask about the easiest playing guitar, it's because their fingers hurt from playing a difficult guitar. If I were to recommend a steel string for a novice, I'd focus on

1. Small body.
2. Short scale (lower string tension).
3. Wide neck.

That opens up a whole other set of options regarding guitar brands.

[Gasworker]

Originally Posted by nkatsonis

When the OP posted his question SEVEN YEARS AGO he did not qualify it with "from the factory." (He's been inactive for six years. I don't think that he's still looking for an answer.) There is no best guitar for playability. What is best for me is not necessarily best for someone else.

DOH! Sucked in again