Any guitars you bought that were unexpectedly great?

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by Photojeep

My Martin DCPA4 Siris is probably the one that has turned out better than I had imagined. I got it in a trade with a fellow AGF member.

Maury of Maury's Music gave me an incredibly great deal on a GPC16E that I never really bonded with and one day while checking out the listings here in Classifieds Guitar, I found the listing, contacted Terry and the rest is history.

I love my Gibson J15 and it is everything I expected it to be; and I had incredibly high expectations, but I really didn't know what to expect from the Martin. Boy am I happy I traded!

An interesting side note is how heavy this Martin is. It's much heavier that my Martin DRS2. Now, I know next to nothing about guitar construction but I do know this Martin is heavier than my Gibson and my Martin DRS2 so I really don't know why it weighs what it does. I've been thinking the name may be a clue. I've read that Performing Artist series guitars are intended for actual performing players and are therefor built to withstand rugged playing night after night.

I have no idea if that's true but whatever the reason, it's my heaviest guitar and my most unexpectedly great guitar.

Best,
PJ

The Siris back on the 000RSG I’ve seen in shop is incredibly beautiful and I believe dense and heavy.* If it wasn’t for the included electronics I’m sure I’d be happy with it over the standard series 000-14s I’ve had for a little less than half the price. Martin is hitting it out of the park with Siris.

* one database cites it being more dense with longer sustain than Indian rosewood(!)

[srm1]

I recently bought a Kala Parlor Guitar, brand new, $214. Excellent quality, big sound for a small guitar. Lots of features not found on higher priced guitars.

[jp2558]

My M-36. It is my GAS killer and i could not be happier.

[beatcomber]

Not an acoustic, but when I visited a Craig's List seller to check out a 1964 Kay Speed Demon, the guitar had a lot of issues, but I could tell it had some real potential. The soft-V baseball bat neck immediately felt "right" to me even if the poor action made it a bit difficult to play.

I bought it very cheaply and managed to fix the electronics myself, and then had a luthier take care of the neck. It was heat-pressed back into shape and then got a full set-up and fret dressing, and the action is now remarkably low and fast. The luthier even admitted that it came out a lot better than he expected. I have it strung with roundcore nickel Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swing Series .011 gauge flatwounds, and it is now my favorite electric guitar in my collection. I even found (again on Craig's List) a Taylor 00 hardshell case that is a perfect fit.

[Tycobb73]

Originally Posted by Scolaguitar

My Eastman E1ss-cla-ltd. Wasn't looking for another guitar. Certainly wasn't looking for a cheap guitar.

Just went to get some guitar stands and try out the new slope offerings from Taylor and Martin just for kicks. Saw the Eastman too and thought, sure what the heck. Expected it to be fine but nothing more than that. It was way more than fine. I took it home.

How does it sound plugged in? I keep on looking at these but then think if i have to buy and pay someone to put in a k&k mini....

[Mr. Paul]

Soon after I started playing 25 years ago there was a used Sigma dread at the Denver Folklore Center for $250. I bought it because it sounded good for the price.

I got "better" guitars over the years but kept it as my office guitar as it's a laminate and has proven impervious to the dry Colorado winters.

It now hangs at the local radio station for anyone to play. It has gotten lots of compliments as it ALWAYS sounds better than folks expect. It's an Anniversary model, D18 style from 1980, made in Japan. It's the main reason I've never connected with a new D18, I like the sound of this plywood cheapo better ��

[whvick]

I had a Tacoma parlor that I really got attached to. My grandson has it Now and I miss it.
It was like $1200 MSRP IN 2000 and got stuck in the back of the store when Tacoma went under. I got it for $200 in 2010. The neck was ok at the nut but a little high down the neck. And the finish, like a lot of Tacoma was peeling.
It sounded great, and I did not worry about humidity hurting it any more. So it was always close by on a stand. I could grab it any time and not Have to pull out a case.
Definitely miss it.

[RP]

I'd have to say my Taylor 524 First Edition. It was my first all-hog guitar and it came from the "Taylors are too bright" (2013) era so its warmth of tone surprised me then and continues to surprise me the longer I own and play it...

[thomasinaz]

The Gibson L-00 that I got last month. I was expecting a smaller sound, with that nasal thing that I've heard in other smaller bodied guitars. It really has a nice round tone that sounds bigger than the guitar. About 80-90% of the J-45 I have. Gibson knows how to make a little acoustic body sing. Very happy with this one.

[mawmow]

Unexpected...
While looking for short scale and 1 3/4" nut width guitar, I came to Alvarez AP.
A nearby pawn selling some brand new guitars had an Alvarez AP-66 (all mahogany) : very nice guitar I bought as soon as I tried !

Also once gave a try to a Taylor 322 (mahogany/Blackwood) which pleased me more than the all mahogany 524 : Bought it !

[Cheezeweggie]

My Yamaha FG800 has incredible voice and sustain for a embarrassingly low cost.
I don't think Yamahas instrument division is given the respect they've earned - being a company that also manufactures motorcycles and jet skis.

[Scolaguitar]

Originally Posted by Tycobb73

How does it sound plugged in? I keep on looking at these but then think if i have to buy and pay someone to put in a k&k mini....

I haven't played it plugged in and I know it's the cheapest pick up. I know another owner here switched his out for a better pick up.

[AndrewG]

I recommended a 'Vintage' V300 mahogany-topped, laminate b/s to a friend after reading many positive reviews. It needed some set-up work but it's a remarkable little thing for very little money. I believe its spruce-topped cousin won a 'best buy' award from a British guitar mag. Video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYnM1OBP5GQ

https://www.jhs.co.uk/brands/vintage...uitar-mahogany

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Cheezeweggie

My Yamaha FG800 has incredible voice and sustain for a embarrassingly low cost.
I don't think Yamahas instrument division is given the respect they've earned - being a company that also manufactures motorcycles and jet skis.

I agree, and the automotive and electronics sides of the business came much later in Yamaha's history. It began in 1897, building organs. Guitars first appeared from around 1940. Their high end builds are world class; concert pianos, brass etc. Their most expensive custom order acoustic, the LL86, will set you back north of $12,000 US. I'd love one!
Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=928O9MreNf0

[GoneTroppo]

My Mexican made Guild DV-6 blew my socks off I have to admit...

All solid woods (Spruce and Rosewood) and the thin satin finish must help the tone because this is an absolute cannon.

And it smells like chocolate wood...