The "best" maple guitar is. . .

[llew]

"Other": My John Walker Wise River slope shoulder in Adirondack over flamed western Maple.

[zombywoof]

We have several maple body guitars in the house but they are all older instruments. The best sounding of the bunch though is my wife's 1960 J200. But it is really not comparable to a Bozeman-made version. Not only does it have a laminate body but a bracing system which was unique to that model and which Bozeman has never attempted to reproduce. I will say though that those Fairbanks Super Smecks sent me running for the drool bucket like no other new/newish guitar has.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

Well, there is this - a slow-boil lust for me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATMl...l=BrianTruesby

Dang!
…………..

[SuperB23]

I've played a lot of killer gits over the years and the best maple acoustic I've played was a 1949 Gibson SJ-200. Tough to beat a good SJ-200 by any brand or builder.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

. . . the one I'm looking for, so help me decide

Hi Gp
The one I have never played yet, which will grab my ears, and hands and change my music.

This is not a brand, body size, but a matter of an individual guitar.

If you want an eye-opening read, Ervin Somogyi published an article a couple decades back which explains the inconsistency of manufactured instruments over hand built. Changed the way I chose and played instruments.

Some Thoughts on the Difference Between Handmade and Factory-made Guitars - CliCk

If you really want the best guitar for your buck, this is a worthwhile pursuit. And this article is written by arguably the best guitar maker in the world over the past 20 years or so. Certainly considered so by other builders.

The best instrument I ever played was a 2005 Somogyi OM - Brazilian/German Spruce at the 2005 Healdsburg event. I just didn't have $32,000 at the time.

[rstaight]

The one guitar I want to own before the end of my days is a Gibson Dove.

But, I went with what I currently own and voted other. I own 2 Takamine GJ72CE's. One a six string and the other a 12 string.

[ssstewart]

(other)

This one

[tadol]

Santa Cruz model F - I absolutely love mine, especially in maple -

[J Patrick]

I like maple a lot. I think it’s got a lot do with where my hearing, or lack there of is at these days. The relative lack of overtones and straight forward dry uncomplicated tone is easy on my ears. The fact that much of it is downright gorgeous is a plus. I had to choose other as I have a 12 fret maple slope shoulder on order but we all know there is no “ best”…

[Mark L]

Many “others” including Circa, Collings, Flammang and several others mentioned here.

A Taylor 655 12 string in maple I played once still haunts me. Guild maple 12’s are vert nice indeed. But I would look elsewhere for the right maple 6 string.

Right now there’s a Collings 000 12 fret in maple w a solid headstock (rather than slotted) FS on reverb and another forum. Very reputable seller (not me, nor do I have interest). Fwiw.

[Deliberate1]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Dang!
…………..

Ha! Welcome aboard the Circa maple lust-boat.
Take a seat, if you can find one.

David

[Rockysdad]

Other, Larrivée Custom shop Sitka/Flamed Maple L-03

[SpruceTop]

I think in the real world where most of us players financially reside, I love my stage-ready, 2015 Taylor 618e and 2016 Taylor 614ce. This is Maple done like most folks haven't heard it sound like before as its tone is warm, balanced, woody, and very responsive to playing dynamics. These are the first Maple guitars I decided to buy after many years of auditioning other brands and models, including even Taylor's sonically marvelous sounding, bright-toned, previous, pre-Andy Powers models.

[davenumber2]

I’ve never played one but have drooled over this model many times. Gibson AJ Iron Mountain

https://youtu.be/maw6V2rRBXQ

[jrb715]

I checked other; and for me, it's a coin flip between a Collings SJ and a Huss and Dalton MJ.