Guitars costing less than $3K but that compete on tonal grounds with 10k plus guitars

[gitarro]

I would like to ask the advice of the members here on your experiences being pleasantly surprised by playing a guitar whether used or new costing 3K or less which impressed you so much tonally speaking that it was on the same level as solo puthier made guitars costing more than 10K. From a cost to benefit ratio perspective, I am sure the benefits of knowing what guitars tend to punch much higher than their weight would be of great interest to many here...

[Fatfingers12]

Any ideas to triple my investment encouraged

[gibpicker]

Originally Posted by Fatfingers12

Any ideas to triple my investment encouraged

Hi ya fatfinger! Didn't know there was a forum member living is the same city as us - Encinitas!

[Rosewood99]

I wish I had a dollar for every time somebody said a guitar punched above its weight. I’m wondering which guitars punch below their weight.

[J Patrick]

…guitars don’t compete…..they just try to fit in…

[loco gringo]

I know of three of them. For $1000.00, I'll tell you one of them. If you want to know all three, we can negotiate.

[PTL]

Originally Posted by loco gringo

I know of three of them. For $1000.00, I'll tell you one of them. If you want to know all three, we can negotiate.

[Purfle Haze]

Originally Posted by gitarro

I would like to ask the advice of the members here on your experiences being pleasantly surprised by playing a guitar whether used or new costing 3K or less which impressed you so much tonally speaking that it was on the same level as solo luthier made guitars costing more than 10K.

guitarro,

A question like this comes up here from time to time, and I always wonder, if over on some Car and Driver-type forum, someone is asking about a $30k car that compares to a $100k car. Seems unlikely.

[slimey]

I always thought there was not really one, until recently. Furch vintage models are really quite surprising.
I don't think I'd compare with 10K models but certainly 5 to 6 k models , that's what I have experience with.
If you get the chance to try one see what you think..

[b1j]

The thing is, how would I know? I don’t spend ten grand on a guitar. I suppose you could ask those who do throw down big like that AND buy Standards (or maybe used to). That’s who should weigh in here, but here I go anyway, as if my opinion matters.

For me the question is, can a contemporary “Standard” or flagship model by a skilled maker, large or small, satisfy one’s desire for a professional- or near-professional-level instrument? I say, yes, absolutely. Look no further than Martin’s 18 or 28 style or the Gibson J-45. I’m sure Taylor players have their nominee, too.

No need to pay three to seven times as much.

[Aspiring]

My personal experience is that if you can find them used instruments from solid but not as well renowned single Luthier shops that focus on tone rather than bling can be had in the 2-3k range and will play and sound better than many instruments at higher prices.

But that's for me as a finger style player and to my tastes.

Ted Thompson, Northwood and other Western Canadian Luthiers come to mind.

[RRuskin]

I have a Martin SWOM-16GT that punches way above its weight class.

[pcf]

…diminish exponentially the more expensive a guitar gets IMO. That is my first hand experience having owned everything from a $150 travel sized Alvarez to a Henderson and 30’s, 40’s and 50’s Martins and Gibsons.

[pvfederico]

I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that the sound of a $10,000 guitar won't please you three times more than the sound of a $3,000 guitar.

I think that the folks that buy NEW very high priced guitars regard them as more than guitars -- maybe objects of beauty and pride.

I personally love to pick up and play a beautiful guitar. Since I rarely play for others, it's a "me" thing, not a "what they will think of me" thing. In other words it's a very personal experience.

[JMW01]

Originally Posted by gitarro

I would like to ask the advice of the members here on your experiences being pleasantly surprised by playing a guitar whether used or new costing 3K or less which impressed you so much tonally speaking that it was on the same level as solo puthier made guitars costing more than 10K. From a cost to benefit ratio perspective, I am sure the benefits of knowing what guitars tend to punch much higher than their weight would be of great interest to many here...

From a cost to benefit ratio perspective, find a used Martin Authentic that makes you feel happy. It may cost more than what you want to spend, but it costs way less than what you don’t want to spend.