Like what you like (and play what you play)

[Woolbury]

I think the setting and type of music you play influences this choice of instrument also. I was in an acoustic blues ensemble class, 2 guitars, bass, harmonica, bottleneck player, and I found it really didn't matter which of my guitars I brought, At home on more intricate compositions, the nuance of each particular guitar really come out. I appreciate the subtle shades a nice guitar offers, glad Im at a point I can indulge.

[Ameridane]

Believe me, I have had (and continue to have) GAS.

I think I just have to remind myself sometimes that not only am I very happy with the guitars I have now, but they deliver what my hands and heart want them to. That's really the bottom line with any instrument. Do they sufficiently allow me to express myself in the way that I want to get across,

Look, I played a 6,000 Euro Taylor when I was in Paris this summer, and believe me, there was a difference between that guitar and my Sigma. :-) The sound and playability and build were just out of this world....as was the price. lol

I certainly didn't intend for folks to start bickering over how much their guitars cost or whatever when I wrote this post this morning. It's all good. Like what you like and if what you play puts a smile on your face or a tear in your eye then that is a good guitar. :-)

[Nyghthawk]

Originally Posted by woodbox

I smile when I play them.
Simple as that.

I could not have said it better. Last night when I struck the last chord of The Weight and heard my Blueridge's sustain go on for 9-10 seconds and I still heard the strings mute when I put my hand over them. I shook my head and grinned from ear to ear. So much better than the pawn shop wonders I could afford in years past.

Love the One You're With indeed.

Now if someone wants to send me their neglected OM-21 or M-36 my P.O. Box is BR-549.

[bluesfreek]

Of course people should love their instruments regardless of the name on the headstock or value. My 1976 made in Japan Morris dreadnought is also an inexpensive gem that sounds and plays wonderfully. Very much a vintage v-neck style Martin copy and with a 42 year old solid spruce top and really nice laminate rosewood back and sides. Beautiful abalone inlay around the edge of the top and sound hole and white neck binding. The tuners are cheap but functional. I bought it used at a music consignment shop that specialises in used acoustic guitars, electric guitars and amps. The previous owner must of hardly played it. Sure it has a couple of tiny dings but It's basically a closet classic. No neck angle problems, perfect action, no lifting bridge. It's as if it's only a few years old rather than 42. Even the hard-shell case it came with is in excellent condition.

Unfortunately I don't have a camera but here are pics off the web of the exact same guitar in basically the same condition as mine.





Again mine is a keeper that will never leave my possession. With this dread and the Sigma 000M-1ST I don't need anything else. They both do everything I need.

[jricc]

Originally Posted by Ameridane

Hi everyone,

While I love to drool over NGD posts of guitars here on the forum, I have to admit that (and some of you may snicker at me here lol) my main guitar is a Sigma OOOM 15S. It's a rather inexpensive instrument, all Hog (back and sides are laminated, top is solid), very plain looking with no bling at all. And.....in the two years I have had the guitar I have bonded so much with it that I actually prefer it to guitars that are 10 times the price.

Am I saying that my Sigma is better than a Lowden or a Taylor? No way, of course not. But.....and it's a significant but, to me it plays almost as well as a high-end guitar. I'm sure I got lucky with this particular model and it just suits my playing so well and responds so well, and it hardly cost me anything. lol

While I still love to drool over high-end acoustics, I don't think I would trade this particular Sigma for any other guitar. Anybody else have a similar love story to tell? :-)

I totally get what u are saying...I have a 90's Korean Danelectro that hangs on the wall, and is always my go to guitar around the house. Is it my best, no, but it's my 1st pick...

[LadysSolo]

I too get what the OP is saying. Whenever I play my Larrivee P-09 and my Alhambra classical or my Seagull parlor size, I smile. They were all a bit more than $200, but none of them are high-dollar guitars, and I enjoy them anyway. And isn't that what it's all about - that we enjoy playing our guitars? I totally agree, "love the one you're with!"

[fred4321]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

What many don't get about high end guitars is that they are only a little bit better than less expensive guitars. And that little bit might not be in a tonal direction of a persons preference. Hence if one buys a high end guitar just to upgrade it can be a mistake. I've said it before, laminate guitars don't get the respect they deserve.

My 2 cents...
In all due respect, in my personal experience that is not quite true. I have played a lot of guitars and own(ed) quite a few. I recently pulled the plug and purchased a high end custom made guitar and the difference is amazing! Backed up by all who have played or listened to it.
But I have played expensive guitars and compared to less expensive, and in some cases your comment applies, and some guitars you pay for the name not the instrument.
But quality craftsmanship makes a huge difference in my book.

[musicman1951]

I think it's great that you love your guitar. You have agreed with my philosophy on just about every purchase. We all find a level where spending more just doesn't make sense - and I agree 100% - don't spend more.

I had this explained to me by a sales woman when I was shopping for a diamond for my wife. We A/B'd a few and I could see the improvement in beauty from the cheaper stone to the better one - for a few levels. Then the next two diamonds suddenly looked exactly the same to me. They didn't to the sales woman, but she told me to never pay for quality I couldn't see.

I think that applies equally to instruments. Never pay for something you can't here - no matter what name is on the head stock.

I also follow this philosophy for purchasing wine, shoes, cars, etc.

Enjoy that guitar!

[Ludere]

I definitely get what the OP is saying ...

And while I am in the process of saving my ducats for a better guitar, the Takamine G330 that I've been bangin' on for 20 some-odd years will always be in my rotation, of this I am certain. There is just no way I could part with it.
Not sure if it's "just right" for me or not, because I have little to compare it to, but I know it plays a helluva lot nicer than the dog I traded (plus cash) for it, back in '95 ...

[DukeX]

I get what the OP is saying as well. I also think we tend to like what we can justify. If all I could afford was a single $300-$500 guitar, and there are many quality ones out there, I would still consider myself blessed.