Where do you come from?

[Guitarplayer_PR]

For those of you who don't know, I'm an American citizen who's never lived in the continental US (in other words, a Puerto Rican), and one of the most curious things for me is the fact that, depending on where we live or have grown up, we develop a likeness or distaste for certain guitars, which you may or may not know, influences the way we think about specific brands.

As a personal curiosity, where are you from?

[Wooly]

Can't vote. No Canada on the list.

[nitram]

Canada? We're still independant, you know.

[packmule]

I know we've got Australian/New Zealand membership as well, might want to add them to the poll too.

[mawmow]

I live in Quebec city area, Eastern Canada : warm humid Summer with cold dry Winters.

I play only acoustic guitars, mostly orchestra models, as I play only fingerstyle.

My first guitars were a Fender Nylon made in Korea, then a laminate Yamaha dreadnough.

My first solid wood was a Taylor 510, then a Spanish classical Aria AC-80.

I got plenty of "Made in U.S.A." acoustics before I discovered quality guitars
built by Godin and Boucher, both builders within a hundred miles from my
home : I now own three Godins but kept no Boucher.

As I also own some Taylors, Larrivees, Gibsons, and Guild, I do not think the
climate or my style have anything to do with my guitar choice : I guess a
strummer could also find happiness with the same builders, but different models.

[Rosette]

Inland Northwest. Not sure it has any real influence on my perception of guitar brands. The internet probably has more influence there.

[Silurian]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

one of the most curious things for me is the fact that, depending on where we live or have grown up, we develop a likeness or distaste for certain guitars, which you may or may not know, influences the way we think about specific brands.

Do you have much evidence for this?

Whilst it may be true that we develop a fondness for guitars that may only be readily available in our home markets. I can categorically state that I don't have any "distaste" for any guitar brands. Indifference certainly, but not distaste as such.

If some people have a "distaste" for a specific brand I feel this is often driven by other considerations that cannot be addressed here, rather than the merits of the guitars themselves.

[Brucebubs]

No Australia ?.... and the Brits quit Europe didn't they?

I'm in a small (no traffic lights!) coastal town almost exactly half way between Sydney and Melbourne.

[Silurian]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

No Australia .... and the Brits quit Europe didn't they?

I'm going on holiday to Spain in July, I hope they let me in.

[619TF]

Planet Earth

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I'm in NE USA within driving distance of the Martin factory. Availability also has an influence. I have a lot within my grasp but I don't see many Matons for example.

[Bob Womack]

Um, the US Southeast and Southwest are two extremely different creatures as are the Northeast and Northwest.

That said, I am from the Southeast.

Bob

[rllink]

I voted West, even though Iowa is not West, it is Midwest. Close enough. I don't know how living in the Midwest affects my preference in guitars, but up until two years ago I also had a home in San Juan, PR where I spent as much time as I did in Iowa, and I had the same preferences in either place. Sadly I was forced to sell it. But living in PR did have a huge influence in the songs I play. Lagrimas Negras and Odiame are two of my favorites. Honestly this place right here has more influence on me than anything else though.

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by rllink

I voted West, even though Iowa is not West, it is Midwest. Close enough. I don't know how living in the Midwest affects my preference in guitars, but up until two years ago I also had a home in San Juan, PR where I spent as much time as I did in Iowa, and I had the same preferences in either place. Sadly I was forced to sell it. But living in PR did have a huge influence in the songs I play. Lagrimas Negras and Odiame are two of my favorites. Honestly this place right here has more influence on me than anything else though.

I’m in Northern California, calling that West, so pretty much the same place.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

...depending on where we live or have grown up, we develop a likeness or distaste for certain guitars, which you may or may not know, influences the way we think about specific brands...

True in my own case - while I've probably owned one of every major US/European/Pac-Rim brand at one time or another I've always felt the greatest connection with/preference for the historically "New York" marques: Gretsch, Guild, Epiphone, D'Angelico, Ampeg...