Intro and hypothetical question

[Triumph1050]

I have enough of what I need but I've always been interested in a decent Yairi.
Or... a Guild.

[ChrisE]

I already have a D-18 and an HD-28 and a Taylor. The only guitars I think I might like in addition would be a J-45 or an all-mahogany Martin like an 000-15m or a DSS-17.

I've also been wanting a Les Paul studio, though I'd probably hardly ever play it. That and/or a Gibson or Epiphone semi-hollow body like a 335 or Casino.

[Kh1967]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

It’s hard to go wrong with a used Martin Standard Series guitar.


whm

^^^This....

00-18
OM-28
D-18

Any of those would suit me just fine.

[LadysSolo]

I'd probably look at another Larrivee parlor in a different wood, or possibly a Gibson parlor (used,) and have money left over. That would be fine with me.

[Matt G]

I am waiting for a new Halcyon MJ to be delivered today or tomorrow, so that's what I just spent my $ on.

If I were going to buy something else today, it might be a carbon fiber or a harp guitar. Or both - an Emerald harp guitar.

[gocamels]

Well, it turns out that now I get to answer my own question. I had to take my middle son (15) to the pediatrician today, and as a "reward" for good behavior (he has severe anxiety disorder/panic attacks, so a good trip to the doctor is always a pleasant surprise) we went guitar shop hopping.

We started at Midwood Guitars in Charlotte. First time I'd been in there, and I was really impressed. We played some Matons, a couple of Eastmans, and a couple of Taylors. I really liked the Matons we tried, but we ended up not buying there. Then we went to Guitar Center, just planning to play anything that caught our eyes.

What caught my eye was a used Taylor 612CE 1st Edition at a really good price. It made the trip home with us. So, my answer is a Taylor 612CE.

We also bought a set of D'Addario Nickel Bronze to try out on my Breedlove - which just so happened to have a broken string, thanks to previously mentioned son. I was really blown away with how much those strings brightened up that cedar top. I can honestly say that my Breedlove has never sounded better.

[Paddy1951]

For my purposes, I would seek out either a clean D-18 or a J45. For $2000, I should be able to find either of these in near mint condition if I am patient.

[StevieMar]

I’m with Raysachs on this. For me, an Emerald X7 in amber without electronics. It’ll be a bit less than 2,000 new from the factory.
Steve

[Rumblefish]

I would buy a used Gibson J-15 and treat the wife to a long weekend away with the change.

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by gocamels

Well, it turns out that now I get to answer my own question. I had to take my middle son (15) to the pediatrician today, and as a "reward" for good behavior (he has severe anxiety disorder/panic attacks, so a good trip to the doctor is always a pleasant surprise) we went guitar shop hopping.

We started at Midwood Guitars in Charlotte. First time I'd been in there, and I was really impressed. We played some Matons, a couple of Eastmans, and a couple of Taylors. I really liked the Matons we tried, but we ended up not buying there. Then we went to Guitar Center, just planning to play anything that caught our eyes.

What caught my eye was a used Taylor 612CE 1st Edition at a really good price. It made the trip home with us. So, my answer is a Taylor 612CE.

We also bought a set of D'Addario Nickel Bronze to try out on my Breedlove - which just so happened to have a broken string, thanks to previously mentioned son. I was really blown away with how much those strings brightened up that cedar top. I can honestly say that my Breedlove has never sounded better.

Sorry to hear about your boy, but I’m hoping he grows out of it. FWIW I have a 15yo too who has had behavior problems. Those meds aren’t cheap, but insurance covers most of them (he’s also mentally disabled) so there’s a good side somewhere. Fortunately, he likes music - when he’s in the mood, that is.

That being said, I’ve walked in your shoes somewhat. I’ve been playing for over 35 years though and around when he was born I had my “AHA!” moment and discovered the guitar which I call my “carpenters cup” (which is a poor man’s Holy Grail that looks ordinary but sounds heavenly) in the form of my Larrivee OM-03R. Turns out Larrivees are sturdy too - particularly the rosewood models. My little Chucky threw it like a javelin and the only damage was a stoved in side that I opted to fix myself (though there’s still a nasty scar) and I swear the guitar sounds even better!

If I had to do it all over again, I’d have still gone with the Larrivee. Even though it was a gift, it was still priced much less than $2k even after I upgraded some parts and added a K&K Pure Western Mini (which I got a really food deal on.) Nowadays the OM-40R calls to me but I’m not likely going to trade up. Instead, i’d Be in the hunt for a used HD-35 or HD-28V which would still be slightly above $2K on the used market.

Regardless, the point is now moot since you came across a Taylor 612ce. I can respect that; I was really impressed by the larger 618e. I’d be careful with it though: mahogany doesn’t handle key cracks as gracefully as rosewood. Fortunately I look after my mahogany/Sitka D-16GT a little more closely. Martin’s are more lightly built than Larrivees, though I still favor the latter.

[phcorrigan]

I'd buy a used Martin D-28. In fact, I did. I bought my 2012 HD-28V for just over $2,000.

[gocamels]

Wow, I was tired last night. It's a 614ce, not a 612.