Help choosing guitar for fingerstyle

[AZLiberty]

At $1000 US (from a Retailer) that Larrivee Forum IV is tempting. A Forum III would be more of a fingerstyle guitar IMHO though.

[Wags]

A used Taylor 314 is a good option at a nice price point. I use my 314CE for gigging, got it on CL or <$1K. Solid Sapele body with Spruce top, 1.75 neck width. I think mine compares favorably with my D18, at half the price.

[Woolbury]

Of course al this is personal preference, but since you asked...

First thing it would have to be a 1 3/4 neck at least, and I actually prefer my wider 1 13/16 Collings neck. The extra 1/16 is a very big difference, check one out and see if you like it or not. Very easy to play at the neck, but bar chords become more difficult. I love 12 fret, slot-head. I suspect its mostly aesthetic, but when I get a wide neck 12 fret the fingerpicked tunes just roll out. My Collings is a 12 fret, my next guitar will also. I also love mahogany guitars, that dry mid rangy sound just appeals to me. My Gibson is mahogany, my other 2 are not. As for brand, i just don't connect with Taylors and haven't had a chance to play Larivee. Most Martins I pick up sound great(wide range though) I also like a smaller blues style guitar like Waterloo($2K), and more in your price range Recording King. Good luck!

[zombywoof]

Some of the best fingerpickers I have ever run across were originally built for Hawaiian slack key playing and converted. A wide flat board and a string spread often of 2 5/16". About as good as it gets.

[DukeX]

Originally Posted by _Tachyon_

I've recently found out the OM-09 is a custom build... instead of rosewood back and sides, it's Koa... was wondering what kind of a difference I should expect when I go play it and whether it would still be suitable for fingerstyle...

Absolutely, and per the Larrivee website it would be a $1,500 upgrade if purchased in 2018.

[Woolbury]

Originally Posted by DukeX

Absolutely, and per the Larrivee website it would be a $1,500 upgrade if purchased in 2018.

I've played a few koa guitars, and to me they closely resemble mahogany. I liked them a lot.

[ManyMartinMan]

If you've auditioned guitars for over a year and haven't found one you adore.................. I would head in another direction. Every guitar made can be a finger-style guitar. A Martin 000-18 is about the most versatile all-around fantastic sounding - and playing - guitar.