Have You Gone Full Circle With Anything?

[Wellington]

Guitar related of course. Was thinking about people who maybe start off with something basic, be it a guitar or accessory, go through a period of upgrading and always looking for something better, then one day return to the simplicity they started with.

I got thinking about it in the first place as I've primarily been using my trusty Kyser the most in recent months. Sure, my adjustables keep intonation better (and I really love my Shubb and Paige) but I'm getting more "who cares"-ish. The Kyser works fine, easy and quick, clips on headstock, looks cool.

How about anyone else? Have you found yourself back to playing a simple D18 or J45 after years in the boutique world?

[Andromeda]

Started with inexpensive guitars and from 2001 to 2020 owned nothing but custom Taylors and Guild guitars. Now I'm back to the guitars I loved when I began playing in 1982.

[Mark Stone]

After going through a long series of expensive instruments, the last one a Taylor 814ce, I’ve gotten tired of the ngd world and the “lusting” for the cool guitar, and am settled with a good ol’ solid performer and practical 110e.I still love playing, but I’m tired of the gearhead thing.

[Brucebubs]

Hated 80/20 strings on anything I owned ... until my SJ-200.

The Gibson sounded muddy with PB's, worse as they wore in.

I thought to myself, "do I dare?" ... so glad I did, John Pearse 80/20's sound wonderful on this guitar.

Go figure.

[jrb715]

Oh, yes. Shubb capos. Started with a capo noir then floated through a bunch: including two G7s, a Thalia, D'Addario Artist and Pro Plus, and an Elliott Elite.

The Shubb just suits me best: most convenient and best sounding.

So far . . .

I've a Kateyz on its way, and I'm looking at the D'Addario Cradle Capo.

[theghostwriter]

The first decent guitar I had and the first guitar I actually enjoyed playing was a Martin DX1, which was a spruce top HPL Martin. This was long enough ago that it was made in the US.

After going through a lot of other guitars from other brands, I finally ended up with a Martin again. Something about their sound just feels right to me.

[UncleJesse]

Been through lots of boutique guitars but have returned to Martin Authentic as my main two dreads at the moment.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

American guitars. Started off uninformed and uncaring, evolved into a snob but eventually settled into the realization that a good guitar is a good guitar regardless of where it was made.

[Kyle215]

1 11/16 nuts. Turns out I can play them just fine, as long as the neck has a nice V carve.

[Doubleneck]

As most played wood guitars most of my life. Had a long time of carbon fiber fascination. Maybe had 5 different ones from most all the manufactures. Purchased a handmade wood dred online and that brought me back to wood. Have purchased several handmade wood guitars and haven’t played carbon in quite a while.

[Nymuso]

Nope. I don’t “circle back.” At least I haven’t as yet. If I find something better, it’s because it’s better.

Electric guitar. Started out officially at 13 on electric (aimlessly plonked away on my brother's acoustic for years before that) in 1985. Slowly traded my way up to a matching sunburst Fender American Standard Tele and Strat and a Marshall half stack in my late teens/early twenties. Had some QC issues with the Strat and wound up selling everything and moving over to an ES-335 and a Boogie amp. When my daughter was born in 2002 I sold it all again and moved over completely to acoustic focusing on fingerpicking on Martins and Gibsons. In 2021 I returned to electric with a matching Fender American Professional II Tele and Strat and a Marshall amp. How's that for full circle?!

[Mr. Jelly]

Often for me. Strings, picks, guitars and repertoire. Nuff said.

[brancher]

Full circle - Yes and no. Bought a cheap Martin years ago (had spent years with an old Alvarez), traded, traded, traded.... and ended up back at Martin with my D18. Someone before put it succinctly - there's something about the Martin sound.

Of course along the way I also stumbled upon a GREAT J35 and a GREAT Eastman E6d.

and I hope I am done......

[llew]

Somewhat a mix. Still have a Kopp and Walker, two Boucher's and an Edmonds. But Martin, Yairi, and a Gibson AJ round out the pack. Plus the one I built (with a lot of help) at Wayne Henderson's luthier school.