Help me find my dream guitar?

[Tony Burns]

If youve never played a model of an instrument , i wouldnt buy one blind -
take a road trip and play what your looking at - and if its the one- buy that guitar . I wont sell a guitar to someone who doesnt know the tonal qualities of what im selling . Id say they need to visit me and play it ( if possible )








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[moosebreath]

Thanks all! This is really helpful info, and gives me some idea what to keep an eye out for. (And what to make sure I play if/when I do get to take a guitar vacation to the big city.) I appreciate everyone taking the time to weigh in.

I've only ever played one Gibson, a J-45, and it was seconds before I played a 1937 D-18 that sounded like the heavens opening and angels singing, so I may not remember much about the Gibson.

[moosebreath]

Originally Posted by SRL

or a short scale version of the Iris AB or Collings SJ or Bourgeois DBJ.

Holy cow, that Bourgeois sounds amazing. Was not familiar with them at all, so thanks for that tip!

[SRL]

Originally Posted by moosebreath

Holy cow, that Bourgeois sounds amazing. Was not familiar with them at all, so thanks for that tip!

Yes they are quite nice. You can get them with a cutaway and short scale too, but not many exist.

Same goes for the Goodall RCJC, which would meet your requirements if you can find one of the rare short scale ones.

I'm sure either shop would build one to your specs too, of course, but it will likely be in the $5-10k range.