Black acoustic guitars, are they rare?

[GSM]

There doesn't seem to be very many options when searching for a black colored acoustic guitar (that isn't a "beginner" guitar), and I was wondering why.

I realize the finish needs to be very thin to not adversely affect the tone, but I'm not sure that is the reason. Is there just not a large market for black guitars? Martin made/makes a Johnny Cash model in black, and their cheaper HPL guitars are available in black.

I'm waiting for the only black Taylor I could find to arrive, and I'm pretty excited about it, but I probably would have gotten a fancier series with all solid woods, if they were more readily available.

It seems like each maker only offers a couple models with the black colored option, maybe it's just me. I'm guessing most folks prefer to see the beauty of the fine "tonewoods" they're paying for, and I appreciate that aspect too, but black just puts me in the right mood for the music I want to play.

Looking at a brown color takes me out of the zone while playing, sets a different mood for me. Puts me in a country or folk state of mind. Black puts me in a mellow, dark place, more along the lines of the feelings I want evoked from my guitar. I find it soothing to not see brown.

Is it just me, or would you like to see more "fancy" models available in the color black?

[joeguam]

At first, I couldn't stand a colored guitar...until I got my Voyage Air VAOM-04. It has a black top with natural mahogany back and sides. With the the white binding, it really is truly artistic.

[Dru Edwards]

Hi GSM, I don't think it's just black but most solid colors are rare on acoustics. They're out there but just not popular. I'm not sure if it's because there just isn't a market for it or if it is because it's difficult to finish those guitars. Lots more love for the burst finishes on acoustics.

[jp2558]

Takamine EF341 series.

[GSM]

One reason I can think of is that a black guitar would "disappear" on a dark stage, especially wearing black clothing. Maybe that's important to some people, but the white binding on my new 214ce DLX should stand out pretty well.

I ended up getting "less" of a guitar than what I was hoping for, making a small sacrifice for the color (because of the "mood" it puts me in while playing), and almost wishing color was less important to me. I could have gotten a much fancier model if I wasn't so compelled by aesthetics. Such a shame I'm so shallow like this.

[Bingoccc]

I prefer natural or burst on acoustic. I have a white electric archtop though.

[Mr Bojangles]

[QUOTE=GSM;4118461]There doesn't seem to be very many options when searching for a black colored acoustic guitar (that isn't a "beginner" guitar), and I was wondering why.

I recently purchased a black matte acoustic Simon & Patrick Songsmith dreadnought from a friend. It has creme-colored binding and a dark pickguard. The intonation is spot-on and the fit and finish is excellent. I know that it isn't a high end guitar, but it is made in Canada, has decent tone, and is quite loud. He offered it at a price I couldn't refuse. When he first told me about it on the phone, I thought that he must have been "off his rocker" for buying a black guitar. But once I played it I couldn't put it down. I get a lot of positive comments about its looks. I would like to see more black guitars, but perhaps they wouldn't sell. I do know that it gets very warm to the touch when I play it outdoors in the sun at the local farmers' market.

[Lacks Focus]

A few years ago when we were on vacation in Austin, we took a tour of Collings' operation, and they talked about a new finish they were trying out, called something like "dog-hair." They used a light-colored grain filler on mahogany and then stained the wood dark, like black or at least a very dark gray. That left the pores of the wood grain light, creating an effect like a blue-tick hound or a German short-hair.

Distinctive, but kind of odd to my eye. But then there's that whole "beholder" thing going on.

[Captain Jim]

I thought about this for a moment - I prefer to see the wood on my acoustics, but there have been two black acoustics for me: the first was an Ovation that I played for a lot of years. And currently, a RainSong Shorty...



There is something unique about the black carbon fiber guitars. This one is the SG FLE model from Ted at LA Guitars. That said, from a purely visual perspective, I find a wood grain very appealing, too...



I guess I am not drawn to just one color/visual appeal.

[T1mothy]

For me this is the best looking "black" guitar http://thenorthamericanguitar.com/eh...uce-pre-owned/

[Jim Owen]

I didn't vote. If a guitar I liked the tone and play of were black, I would buy it. Yet I've owned a gloss black tele that was really hard to keep clean--every smudge or finger print stood out. Same with Les Paul Customs.

I think that black guitars look classy. But they're probably better suited to someone less sloppy than me.

[posternutbag]

In the 1990s, it seemed like cheap black acoustic/electrics with cutaways were everywhere. I wonder if the dearth of black guitars today is a reaction to the proliferation of poorly made black GSOs from the 90s.

[Thunder22]

I've got a black OMCPA5, wasn't looking for a black guitar, it just came in that color.

[kydave]

Is it just me, or would you like to see more "fancy" models available in the color black?

Not just you, but fortunately, close enough...

That's what electric guitars are for.

[Ramesses]

Probably has something to do with black showing everything. When you paint a car black you have to be extra meticulous with the body work and extra careful while spraying the paint. Then when you're able to drive the car you have to constantly wash it because it shows dirt the worst.

Guitars are the same way, when you see someone playing a black guitar they almost always look filthy. Any little ding that wouldn't normally show up does. Its probably tougher to sell guitars that show every fingerprint and imperfection too.