Would You Buy A Guitar You Love From A Brand You Don’t?

[jim1960]

It's an Iris (looking back at a person's recent posts is something we can do on here).
I understand the headstock is polarizing for some but Adam had a vision and it's working for him. Every month more stores are carrying the line and the wait to have one made in the shop is in the 9-12 months range. I really didn't think too much about the headstock when the brand came out because there wasn't an Iris model I really wanted ...until the ND-200 showed up. I got over the headstock issue pretty quickly once I heard that guitar. Mine showed up here in November and hasn't been back in the case since.

But if it really bothers you, an Iris can now be ordered with a modified headstock logo (just the star thing on top and nothing else).

[Zissou Intern]

Nope. I couldn’t do it. That headstock shape is ridiculous.

[sakar12]

Originally Posted by fartamis

The moral of the story, when you don't like the looks of a guitar you don't play it, that way you are guaranteed not to be torn between buying it and not buying it. I don't like the overly pronounced runout and when I see it I don't play it for fear of liking the sound and playability.

My best guitar has runout, but luckily I actually like it.

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by jim1960

It's an Iris (looking back at a person's recent posts is something we can do on here).
I understand the headstock is polarizing for some but Adam had a vision and it's working for him. Every month more stores are carrying the line and the wait to have one made in the shop is in the 9-12 months range. I really didn't think too much about the headstock when the brand came out because there wasn't an Iris model I really wanted ...until the ND-200 showed up. I got over the headstock issue pretty quickly once I heard that guitar. Mine showed up here in November and hasn't been back in the case since.

But if it really bothers you, an Iris can now be ordered with a modified headstock logo (just the star thing on top and nothing else).

Not on Iris. You must’ve missed the post where I revealed the maker: Dean.

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by acgprf

I thought the OP might be talking about a PRS or D'Angelico, but that Dean headstock sure is one of a kind.

I bought an Anderson electric a couple of years ago. To me the headstock looks like someone sticking their toe into a sock. I don't like it, and I don't love the finish, but wow I love to play that guitar. I sold my other two electrics since they were just sitting in their cases.

I still wish the guitar looked better, but I'm very glad I bought it anyway.

The Anderson headstock doesn’t bother me, but the ones from Suhr and Friedman are almost deal-breaker ugly to my eye. Cool guitars otherwise.

[rollypolly]

The original question was would I buy a guitar from a brand that I dislike. Yes, I would and have. I don’t really like Taylors for whatever reasons, but I’ve owned two and liked them well enough.

To me an ugly headstock or other aesthetic choice is one thing, but disliking a builder altogether is another. I never liked Seagull’s headstock but I like the Godin brands and love that they’re made in Canada.

[musicman1951]

This would be a very easy choice for me - buy the guitar. How much time do you spend looking at the headstock vs how much time listening to the guitar?

But if you're going to spend a portion of every day looking at the headstock and throwing up a little in your mouth find a different guitar.

[pcs264]

As was said, there are lots of fish in the sea. Never buy a guitar where your going in view is "I hate this part of the guitar, but I think I'll eventually get over that". Maybe, but there's at least as good a chance that the ugly headstock becomes the main thing you notice every time you open the case or see it hanging on the wall.

And this got me thinking about (for my tastes) who makes particularly ugly headstocks? We don't need to mention names here, but their initials are "PRS"...

[ALBD]

I've never even heard of Dean guitars somehow. The headstocks on those guitars aren't as bad as I thought they would be. I've seen way worse.

Buy it.

[Bluenose]

I bet it's a Blueridge. They made some pretty fugly headstocks but if I really liked its sound and how it plays I'd buy it knowing looks ain't everything.

[Sarhog]

Originally Posted by Bluenose

I bet it's a Blueridge. They made some pretty fugly headstocks but if I really liked its sound and how it plays I'd buy it knowing looks ain't everything.

Really? I’ll take that bet, and say it’s not a Blueridge. 🤣

[kizz]

If the headstock has always bothered you, it will bother you again at a later stage no matter how good it sounds and plays. Skip it, there's an ocean of other lovely guitars out there...

[Justbrandon]

Aesthetics are important to me, so I would pass. My advice would be to hunt for a guitar that you love the aesthetics and tone of and enjoy the hunt until you find it.

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Sarhog

Really? I’ll take that bet, and say it’s not a Blueridge. 🤣

Some folks need to read the thread! It’s a Dean.

[Monty Christo]

Would You Buy A Guitar You Love From A Brand You Don't


Just as there are brands I dislike even though I like their headstocks, I don't necessarily dislike the brands that make the ones I don't.

But I wouldn't buy a guitar from either.