The Holy Grail?

[Dan Winheld]

“The grail isn't the guitar. It's the playing.“

BINGO! -from Charlie Bernstein

For what it’s worth to this discussion, my holy grail thing would have been a custom ordered 10 string, fan-fret archtop steel string guitar. But the luthier developed macular degeneration and the project was abandoned. I think the true “Holy Grail” can only exist in the mind.

- and sometimes (rarely) I approach it in the playing, the best way anyway.

[Silly Moustache]

The Holy Grail ? Well I do have my favourite tea mug.

It helps to get to your destination if you know where you are going and what to do when you get there.

My guitar journey started in, I think, 1965/66.

The guitar wasn't the destination - being able to accompany myself singing was.
It took time.

It wasn't really until about 1996 when I realised that I needed certain things from a guitar that I hadn't realised until then.

Although I'd happily played my 1973 Martin D35 for 21 years.

In 1999, with the help of an excellent sales guy in a dealers in Wapping (East London) I got my first Collings DS2h A 12 fret "original" dreadnought, the second of the first two Collings to enter the UK.

I kept that one for 21 years too.

Now I have three Collings original dreads.

The guitar that I play most now ? my Collings 0002h. (The light gauge strings help my ancient fingers).

[Mr. Paul]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

...
Of course not. And I've never met anyone who did. Ridiculous. Ask us a hard one!

Hi Charlie, nice to meet you.

Here's my grail, it's a Wingert F.


https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=656305

[jmagill]

The term 'Holy Grail' is deliberate, because, like the one in the quest, it's mythical. It doesn't exist.

[BrunoBlack]

No such thing imo. My experience is that I’ve found several guitars that have “something” that sets them apart from the field. However once a guitar crosses some line of personal preference they just don’t get any better. I have 6 that belong in that category. I also have another 6 that don’t quite meet that criteria but are great instruments and will probably never be sold because they are excellent and provide a fantastic playing experience. I enjoy the variety.

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

To me there isn't one single end-all, be-all guitar because one guitar can't be an archtop AND a flattop AND a resonator AND a 12 string AND a 6 string AND a dread AND a 000.....

I crave the variety that can only come with multiple guitars. Any single guitar, no matter how great the tone, playability, fit and finish can't do everything I want to do.

"I second that emotion". I've got 8 acoustics; no redundancy. I'm inspired by each one of them.

[Mbroady]

When I got my first Taylor, an early 710, I thought I had the holy grail. Then I got a Martin 000-28, the search was over, until I got a Lowden, then a Martin D-35, then a Boucher, then ……

I no longer have any of those guitars.

I’m happy, or at least content with what I have now. There might be a few more down the road but my holy grail guitar is more about the exploration and discovery than the destination.

[donlyn]

The Holy Grail?

I have a number of guitars that make me very happy. Most all of them in different ways. And the best part is that I have choices. Sometimes I pick up one guitar time after time. And then the next . . .

It's what works for me. I'm in 12 string heaven again, opting for my Guild F-1512 spruce over rosewood Jumbo. All I've been playing for the past few weeks. Got a lot of fine comments on its sound the other day. In the groove. Funny part is that I know my Taylor 12's are better but just a bit different.

That's what 'keepers' are for. You know what you are getting and can trust the guitar to deliver.

I fingerpick all my guitars using my nails as picks.
And I tune all my 12 strings a semi-tone down to D#.

Be well, play well, and enjoy what you are doing,

Don
.

[lowrider]

If this lives up to my expectations, I think it will be my Holy Grail;



That is a Grand Jumbo 28 Baratone. I have a Custom Shop GJ 28 on order, based on this guitar. It will be like that with Golden Era bracing and 1935 burst. If looks can kill, I might keel right over the first time I open the case. Just look at this thing. What else could a heavy hitter/big beater want?!

https://reverb.com/item/76657502-mar...caAu3IEALw_wcB

[Lillis]

I fall into the camp that needs/wants variety. I can't even nail down which guitar of mine is the best. Fortunately I often feel like the one I'm playing at the time is the best.

[donlyn]

Originally Posted by Lillis

I fall into the camp that needs/wants variety. I can't even nail down which guitar of mine is the best. Fortunately I often feel like the one I'm playing at the time is the best.

To speak in titles,

*

Love the One You're With

I Second That Emotion

My Girl

*

Be well and play well,

Don
.

[KevWind]

Well I'm reminded of Monty Python

[rllink]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

The Holy Grail ? Well I do have my favourite tea mug.

I think that pretty much sums it up for me. The term holy grail conjures up way more passion for guitars than I feel. I have my Guild D-20 which has some nostalgic importance to me, but hardly at the holy grail level.

[Gasworker]

Hi my name is Gary and I have GAS. I haven’t bought a guitar in almost 10 years. I’m going to guess that Holy Grails are in your heads not your hands.

[slimey]

Last year I was looking for a new Dreadnaught, gave myself a 10k ceiling. I was determined to take my time and try every major factory and boutique guitar I could get my hands on . I tried over 20 different builders and models.
I came to the decision they were all really good. Really, really good. There was not one I would not have been happy with. Sure the tone varied a little, little variances of mid , bass and treble, but all very close to each other sounding like, would you believe a dreadnaught.
The quality of construction was universally excellent , some sun bursts were more to my tastes than others, some natural tops were lighter or darker than others. I'm not a huge fan of bling and some had more than others.But all were attractive visually.
In the end I chose by projection and feel of the instrument when you played it, because tone was not a big enough deciding factor.
I think once you get to certain level of instrument the variation between them becomes very small.
So my holy grail is a very good Dreadnaught, a very good OM, a very good jumbo, a very good 12 fret 000 and a few National's for giggles.