Original poster: A decade ago you tried out a bunch of guitars, and I would say that is still the best way to find what will please hands/ears/wallet. You already have a kind of design/performance envelope in mind, but it's a big one. And there's no guarantee that a given guitar that fits it will turn out to be the one that says, "Buy me."
In more than a half-century of trying and buying instruments, I've been surprised more times than I can count. I once thought that big rosewood guitars (Guild D-50s, Martin D-28s) were too boomy, but my current go-to is a rosewood Goodall Standard. I thought that rosewood was optimal for smaller guitars--but another of my favorites is an old Martin 0-18. Go figure.
There are too many variables operating in a guitar's design, materials, and construction formula to make generalizations reliable. Your materials/design envelope is a starting place, but be prepared to be surprised.
My gut says you're right.
My impatience to wait until covids over argues.
But my memory confirms what you're saying.
I've bought 2 guitars online in the past (both new) based on specs and they both underdelivered once in my hands. Looking back I think yeah, if I had picked those up in a store and played them, I honestly think I would've passed on them both.
The only possible way around it that I can think of (with an acoustic) is if I hear a guitar on a record and I want that sound. But even then if I could identify the exact model, if it's not pure unplugged version I guess there's always the EQ'ing and everything that's going on if its plugged in, or any sound engineering that happened between the guitar and my headphones.
I've heard a guy playing a guitar that Sheryl Crow used on tour that he somehow worked his way into buying for God knows what - and it had the same sound.
But finding a guitar used on a Linda Ronstadt or Carole King record or another off of my list that was actually played on the record would be hard enough. I imagine obtaining it without breaking the bank would be pretty hard too hah.
Maybe the way to go is finding the era, model, specs, etc - narrow it down that way - then search them out and play them in person like you're saying.
I'm starting to think I need to stop buying a bunch of 800 to 1500 guitars and just find the one or two that are perfect to my ears.
I was pretty sold on the f47r, but you're making me want to go play one in person first.
Long story long - advice taken.
letstalkguild.com
reverb.com
