Which brand makes the best looking acoustics?

[Herb Hunter]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

...Taylor is kind of plain Jane if you ask me, Except for their koa models which are beautiful...

There is nothing plain about my Taylors as evidenced by these three images:

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[UncleJesse]

To me there's nothing more beautiful that a simple vintage inspired dreadnought like a D28 Authentic or actual vintage D28.

[ataylor]

If I was going to play multiple guitars from just one brand based purely on aesthetics, it would have to be Collings. Their attention to detail is immaculate, and their ever-so-slightly-modern take on vintage styling is exactly my preference.

They do a great job of executing this across a variety of sizes, shapes, and instruments, and between both acoustic and electric lineups, not to mention a separate in-house brand that has a fantastic look that means even further into vintage territory.

They do it all well — from the branding to the building. If I was starting a guitar brand, they’d be the gold standard for me in terms of how their guitars show up, whether on a website, social media, or a store’s wall.

Taylor used to be my favorite, but my tastes in tone and aesthetic have gone more vintage over the last decade or so, their guitars have shifted too much into electric cutaway land, and their branding and art direction has lost a lot of the elegance it had up until the mid-2000s.

And if we’re talking about just one guitar, I might have to move my vote from Collings to Fairbanks...

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

There is nothing plain about my Taylors as evidenced by these three images:

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

As I said every model has exceptions but I understood the OPs question was what brand makes the most beautiful guitar, not what is the most beautiful individual guitar. That is an amazing guitar, and I have played one like it but other than the inlay it pretty much looks like most of the other Taylor’s.

[Rosewood99]

This is why I said Edwinson:




And Charis:


And Bashkin:

[zmf]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

So far the dreads I’m seeing here all look pretty much the same.

True. May as well pick one example to represent the quintessential guitar -- beautiful in its simplicity -- and it might as well be the D-18.

[foxo]

I’ve never even played one but Bourgeois guitars look truly stunning by the photographs I have seen.

[Tnfiddler]

Originally Posted by foxo

I’ve never even played one but Bourgeois guitars look truly stunning by the photographs I have seen.

I think Dana has some of the most beautiful sets of wood on the planet!!

[TBman]

Gee there's so many. Ryans, Taylors, Avalons, Fairbanks..... Too many to pick just one.

[Tico]

While I love and own many brands, to me the best-looking acoustic is Martin ... specifically the D-28.

Proof of its iconic status is how many other makers copy it.

You didn't ask, but for electrics I'd say a Gibson ES-335 in cherry red.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by zmf

True. May as well pick one example to represent the quintessential guitar -- beautiful in its simplicity -- and it might as well be the D-18.

you have a good point there.

[MickZ]

I can't bond with any Taylors, in appearance or tone, and I dislike the look of the bridges. From what I've seen, played and owned, I like the looks of Collings' guitars, and especially their sunburst finishes. Not overly ornate . . . and finished to perfection.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Tico

While I love and own many brands, to me the best-looking acoustic is Martin ... specifically the D-28.

Proof of its iconic status is how many other makers copy it.

You didn't ask, but for electrics I'd say a Gibson ES-335 in cherry red.

Being iconic doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the most beautiful. Just means it’s one of the best.

[Rev Roy]

Guess I’m just a steak-and-potatoes kinda guy when it comes to guitar asthetics. Some of the mega bling others find gorgeous I think are over the top. So give me the basics...like a good ol’ J-45 Standard with Gibson’s classic burst.

[Mjme123@aol. Om]

Gibson. Some say it’s over the top but I think there’s nothing better looking than the hummingbird, dove and J-200.