If you had $50k to spend - what guitars would you consider?

[jontewright]

I think I might be tempted to go all in with this Nick Lucas Special.

https://thenorthamericanguitar.com/p...ruce-pre-owned

Edit...
In reality (yeh right...because I've really got 50k to splash on a guitar....I'd probably hold out for a maple back with a little less work done on it.

[Ernesto]

Easy, three high end luthier-built guitars in the Martin, Gibson, and Larson camp respectively, covering some of the traditional tone woods, and one that represents the pinnacle of contemporary lutherie:
- Circa (John Slobod) OM 28 in Adi and Cocobolo (should be around 14k)
- Fairbanks F35 in Adi and Hog (7-8k)
- New Era Maurer in Euro Spruce and Koa (5-6k)
- Greenfield G3 in Euro Spruce and some alternative rosewoodish wood like Wenge or Padauk (should cover the rest)
And I'd probably still be thinking what guitar to buy next

[raysachs]

If I had $50k to spend, I wouldn’t be thinking about guitars. I might take $4000 of it to pay off the Pre-War 000 I have on order and expect to be finished in about two years, but I’m gonna do that anyway. And if I like it enough to keep it, I’ll be selling something else anyway, so it will end up costing me more like $3000 or less, net (including the $1000 deposit I already put down to get in line). Other than that, I’d put the money toward something more important than guitars, or just keep it in the bank or a safe investment for when it’s really needed.

I’ve already got as many guitars as I want - probably 1 or 2 more than I’ll keep long term. I have five (3 acoustic, 2 electric), but only regularly play 2 acoustics and one electric. So I may “upgrade” one, but I’m not gonna add to the number I have now and will probably be down to 3 or 4 in time.

-Ray

[tsmith28]

At the risk of reiterating what you already know, this sounds like a case of trying to time the market. Even with the recent poor performance, the $50k that you "lost" in the stock market will inevitably be worth more than the hypothetical guitar at some point in the future. The decision to buy an expensive guitar should be more about having the guitar than as an investment.

FWIW, if I had $50k to spend on a guitar I would probably buy a $3-5k guitar and save/invest the rest. ;-) Regardless of my financial situation, I just couldn't stomach the idea of spending that much on a single guitar. If it ever got damaged I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

Originally Posted by KevinH

I'd start with a Wilborn Arum. But the wait time is around 5 years, so I'd need to fill in a couple more. Maybe visit Rebecca Urlacher, or Mark Hatcher. So many choices.

+1 on a Wilborn, and with any leftover money I'd get lots of guitar lessons!

PS He had me at the redwood tree age rings in the video. LOL.

[Rick Shepherd]

I am leaning towards a Greenfield guitar as my first option.

[Rusty55]

Yeah, there is a 1943 Martin D-28 that is currently for sale, but the asking price is $25,000 past my limit - and I think I could and would rather have three of Jim Olson's

[ewalling]

From the point of view of investments, I'd aim at the famous brand $3,000- $5,000 range - stuff like Martin 42 series, Larrivee 10s, US-made Ovations, maybe some signature small body Gibsons. I'd also look at some of the wooden body Nationals. A nice Gretsch Country Gentleman in green wouldn't go amiss, either.

[jay7347]

Fifty K to spend... I'd probably try to find a really nice used Olsen and put the rest in the bank to pay for gas... (the kind you put in your car/truck).
-jay

[mr. beaumont]

A 50'S, single pickup 175, and a minivan.

[Rusty55]

many many years ago I had a housemate who subscribed to Wooden Boat magazine. Somewhere in one of the issues lying about the house I read a passage that has stuck with me - 'In the long run, you can afford the better tool'

[zombywoof]

Being in the same boat, that is an interesting, although somewhat depressing way, to come up with what you would spend.

If I entertained the notion of spending far above what I normally would the guitar what would come home with me would be either a 1930s Gibson Jumbo or Advanced Jumbo.

[Mrbirdog]

Easy... would get on list for a Olson Braz build then custom Martin 000-45 and if funds were left over a Froggy.

[edcmat-l1]

I'd buy a 2K Les Paul and offer Jimmy Page 48K for a 30 min one on one.

[Glennwillow]

I don't know what I would buy.

Every time I go out looking for a guitar, I buy something different from what I went out looking for.

I have also been both delighted and disappointed by various guitars that either fit me very well or didn't work for me at all.

I guess I would just have to go on the adventure and see what I found. I really like the guitars I currently own, so I'd have to imagine that they were all gone.

- Glenn