What’s your favorite guitar for finger picking and why?

[ataylor]

Fairbanks F-35. It’s got the widest nut and bridge spacing of any of my guitars, but more importantly, it’s very light and well-crafted, making it incredibly responsive and expressive. It’s got a dry, vintage tone with lots of available volume, and while I think this guitar would be a bluegrass/flatpicking dream in the right hands, in mine it actually lends itself well to gentle picking with bare fingers and light strumming with nails.

[Wags]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob

What gauge strings do you use?

12's, but can't recall which exact ones. I'm about ready for a change. Got several sets on hand and might try a set of Martin Retros or perhaps John Pearse.

[BoneDigger]

As of right now, probably my Martin OOO15SM. It has such a sweet and fundamental tone.

[GeneralDreedle]

The Guild and the Nick Lucas. The other two I have sound great as well, but the Maple guitars sound nice.

[Silly Moustache]

Spoilt for choice!

I do feel that it should have a smaller body, and, of course a widr fretboard.

1. My 1998 built Hockey 0028, 24.9", 1 & 7/8"
2. My 2003 Collings 0002h, 25.5", 1 & 13/16"
3. My 2016 Waterloo WL12, 24 & 3/4" & 1&3/4" (bit thin but with a 2 & 3/8" string spacing)
4. My 2019 Eastman E20-P -24.9" 1 & 13/16"
5. My 2020 Eastman E40-00 -24.9" 1 & 13/16"

S'pose I should also mention my National Estrelita 1 & 13/16" and 25" scale.

[emtsteve]

Originally Posted by Robin, Wales

I have an Art & Lutherie Legacy guitar which is 000 size and has a solid spruce top and plywood back and sides (3 ply of cherry/maple/cherry)...I love the timbre I'm getting from this guitar - it is very earthy and honest, with a lot of character...

This is exactly the tone I'm getting from my Seagull Folk cedar (also lam. cherry b&s). With it's short scale and nice wide string spacing it is a breeze to play as well. And, as sweet as it is, I'm afraid my Martin 000-15 is in 2nd place due to it's being a bit quiet and the 1 11/16" nut. But I can and do fingerpick with all guitars. I play about 80% fingers only anyway.

[emtsteve]

Originally Posted by ataylor

Fairbanks F-35. It’s got the widest nut and bridge spacing of any of my guitars, but more importantly, it’s very light and well-crafted, making it incredibly responsive and expressive. It’s got a dry, vintage tone with lots of available volume, and while I think this guitar would be a bluegrass/flatpicking dream in the right hands, in mine it actually lends itself well to gentle picking with bare fingers and light strumming with nails.

That is a stunning guitar! The aged binding and burst are perfect.

[whvick]

Old Aria A-560 classical. Nylon fingerpicks better than strums.
Taylor 414. Bought it over D-28 years ago cause I wanted something that would fingerpick as well as strum. This guitar does it all well.

[curbucci]

Guild M-20 (Oxnard). Focused sound perfect for all flesh fingerstyle. That small bodied guitar seemed to clean up my playing.

[SprintBob]

All in my collection are excellent and distinct from each other. I’m blessed.

[Bluenose]

My Martin Om18A 1933 because it's ***** awesome.

[jklotz]

Originally Posted by SprintBob

All in my collection are excellent and distinct from each other. I’m blessed.

That is quite a collection you have there sir!

[BrunoBlack]

All my guitars work well, but there are a couple the stand out. My SCGC 1929/00 and my Froggy Bottom C are both superb. They respond to the lightest touch and provide great feedback. The 00 size is great and the extremely light weight makes them perfect for what I’m looking for. Both can play sweet, rich or edgy. A very, very close second would be my Goodall GC. Totally responsive, rich sounding and easy to play. You don’t have to fight with these 3 in any way, in any position. Great fun.

[PassingThru]

While i own a Taylor 314ce, a Martin had been my favorite for fingerpicking. They just fit me and my writing the best. The Taylor is okay. I would get another Martin but I'm currently limited in space and the funding required for a 60's D-41.

[Slim]

Martin CEO-7. Because of the generous string spacing and the notes jump off the soundboard!