What's your idea of a dream acoustic guitar...and which guitar has come the closest so far?

[GuildInAtlanta]

It's a long story, but about a year ago I received a near mint 2012 F30R as a surprise gift from my father that I've really enjoyed. It was a replacement for a guitar I had given away, and I was in the process of trying to save up for a possible "dream guitar" when this amazing blessing came my way. My plan is to enjoy it for the long haul and one day pass it along to my daughter who thinks it's the most beautiful guitar in the world (she's 7 by the way). These days one of her favorite things to do is sit in daddy's lap, strum the guitar and sing while I change the chords. Fun times, and I'm becoming a wizard at Disney songs.

Anyway, although I'm fairly new to playing the guitar I'm not new to being around guitars, and I have friends with some really nice collections. I thought I had a fair understanding of general differences related to size, wood and tone until I played my first real vintage guitar. Wow!! What a difference! It was a 1965 Epiphone Texan and the depth of the sound and how it permeated the room was unlike any new or 20 year old guitar I had ever played before. In that moment I learned there really were special guitars out there, and finding "the one" would be a fun and worthy quest. So the F30R is my companion until this amazing guitar comes along, and I've been putting money away every month for a while so I would be ready to workout a deal whenever lighting strikes. As you can tell I'm not in a rush, so I'm trying to get ideas on what I should consider.

What guitars have made the biggest impression on you during your guitar journey?

I like Guilds but I'm open to all brands. At the moment I've been drawn to slope shoulder 50's era Gibson's, but a great vintage D-18 or D-28 is something I would consider too. There's a guy on this forum named Blake that lives a couple hours away that appears to sell vintage Guilds so I've discussed visiting him in the future to see if a vintage Guild might be the ticket?

Due to Covid it's all just planning and dreaming at this point, but I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks,

Robert

 

[donnylang]

I think no guitar is perfect- each one will have its strengths and flaws. The ones that are the best are those ones that are “special” like you say- that create some emotional bond IMO. And the ones that songs come out of if you’re a songwriter. I guess what I’m saying is inspiration is the thing. This can be despite flaws they may have- and the “perfect” ones might not be special or inspiring.

I do think some of this stuff is “random”- people could name a make/model, and there will be good, bad, and ugly examples- vintage or otherwise.

Martins to me have a vibe that seems a bit boring overall. I’ve owned a few vintage models (12 strings), and they tend to be solid and consistent, though somewhat fragile-feeling for me to ever be super comfortable. Good for writing songs IME. I played a pricey 1949 small folk-size all mahogany (not sure the model) Martin once that was way good.

I’ve always wanted to like Gibsons, and tried several times- but I’ve played and owned more dogs than good ones on the vintage side, and the good ones were not that good. Never entertained models older than the ‘60s- supposedly the best ones are before that. The newer ones are cool in their way but still too slick for me.

I would strongly suggest looking at 1960s Guilds. The Hoboken models from the ‘60s, or the early Westerly. My own guitar is a 1968 D40. I’ve had the best luck with Guilds from 1968-72, and they’re also the sweet spot for bang for buck for any vintage acoustic IMO. An early D35 or D25 is a crazy deal.

 

[ruedi]

Nice little story here, good on you that you make music with your daughter! I do the same, even if that means I have to go through Disney songs

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to play a fantastic Martin 000-42 Custom guitar, owned by the guy I bought my Strat from. He is still trying to sell it... An absolutely beautiful instrument, very rich in tone and projection (as an electric guy I'm actually not very qualified to judge this, and I may have been biased by the nice appearance and the high asking price, he wanted CHF 8000 at the time, by now he is down to CHF 6000, which roughly equals USD 6666 and is still wayyyy more than I would ever consider spending on an acoustic).

Here's a picture:

I'm with @donnylang on this matter, in the end it comes down to if the guitar inspires you or not, and this can be very individual, subjective and independent of the price tag or exclusivity of the instrument.

 

[kostask]

The best Guild I've owned was my DV-52 from 1993/1994. It has what I would describe as the ideal dreadnought sound: Balanced, with a deep bass, and appropriate mid-range and highs. It didn't really have any preference for how hard you played it, lightly or digging in hard, it just sounded great, just louder or quieter. it had a fast attack, and a long reverb time, nice overtones. I bought mine for a fairly low price, and very much wish I still had it. They are not all that common, and I understand, still much cheaper than a D-18 or D28 from the 1960s. In Martins, I am a bigger fan of the D35 than either the D18 or D28.

Best guitar I have ever heard was a 1934 or 1935 Gibson J-35 that was rebuilt by a luthier friend. It had the more "old timey" sound, but it was just great. Bass was sort of lacking, but it had a great midrange and highs. It was remarkably light, and it seemed like sound just jumped out of it.

 

[GGJaguar]

For me, the acoustic guitar of my dreams was realized by luthier John Osthoff when he built this 12-fret dreadnaught. If I can only have one acoustic guitar, this is it. The guitar is 12 years old now and just keeps getting better and better.

 

[jedzep]

If you're relatively new to playing, you're already ahead of the game with an F30. The 000 size might be where you want to stay if it's comfortable for you, but the long trek of finding your 'best' guitar often involves climbing up a ladder of different guitars, discarding, then re-visiting, regretting, comparisons, and periodic ear re-tunings. Often, having two different guitars gives you a satisfying range to appreciate broader tonal facets. Playing comfort should always rank high on your scale.

That said, I bought my last guitar 3 guitars ago, so I'm a bit hopeless, and I love my Hoboken era F30, but 'dream' acoustics are in a league of their own, financially and aesthetically. A 000 or 00 pre-war Martin would be a starter for my 'Holy Grail' guitar, but I could buy a nice new car for the money, therefore illogical, especially given my skill (intermediate?) level. Most Martins ring like a bell, to quote Doc Watson, so I'll never get the opinion that they're boring. To my ear larger Guilds are boring and boxy, along with many other 'lesser' builds (Taylor, Ovation, Tak, etc) but I always go back to smaller bod Gibson, Martin, and Guild. The Martin OMs are particularly well built and consistent.

Have fun in your search. Cash in your 401K and start spreading it around on Reverb. Soon, you'll be surrounded by guitars and your wife may throw you out. Your daughter may become the next Jewel, or Sheryl Crowe, pay for your funky studio apartment, and support your guitar addiction.

 

[Stuball48]

No perfect guitar for me but the last one I bought is my favorite---FOR A WHILE!!

 

[ezstrummer]

I have a pretty good variety of guitars now so it keeps me from the GAS feeling. My Breedlove master class was my dream guitar when I bought it... Now I would love a Gibson J200...

 

[dreadnut]

My old DV52, and I gave it away! I told Mrs. Dread when I bought it: "OK, I'm done, no need for me to shop for any more acoustic guitars."

Of course that statement doesn't hold true any more seeing as I gave the guitar to my son!

Still Jonesing for a DV-73 but it's unlikely I'll ever be able to afford one.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Center

 

[richardp69]

My problem, and one that I refuse to apologize for, is that I tend to love 'em all. That's the reason there is so little room for any more in my music room.

 

[Cougar]

...I thought I had a fair understanding of general differences related to size, wood and tone until I played my first real vintage guitar....

I've played dozens and dozens of guitars, but not hundreds. But I don't care. The Guilds in my sig are holy grails for me. The Gibson Songwriter 12 is a fine guitar, but it comes in third behind the Guild 12-strings.

 

[cupric]

In 1986 I went to Providence Music Company in Providence RI. I was there to purchase a 1960's ES335. I had $2000. I think the guitar was around 1600. It turned out that the ES was beat. Missing chunks of wood...just too mojo'd for me. BUT.......I had two grand burning a hole in my pocket. Well, just by chance there was also a huge Guild sale going on. There was at least fifty Guilds there. Every model. This was probably the single best place to get a Guild in the world at that time. Two grand would buy pretty much any guitar there....and they were awesome! I played several. I decided on one D35, it was a tobacco sunburst, and it played and sounded great. The shop was busy and I was told that they're be right with me to complete my purchase.
As I waited I scanned the rows of guitars. And then tucked behind them all...almost hidden behind the cash register area was this brown guitar. I asked if I could try it. Nothing else sounded like this! It rang. To this day nothing else has been better. And it is the only guitar I never sold. My D15. I found my lifer.
When I told the clerk that I wanted this guitar instead, he said "really?" . Yup. " That's the guitar I play all the time".

 

[dreadnut]

Great story, bowen, I'd been wanting a D15 for a long time and I finally got one recently! Simple, yet elegant. Sings like a bird.

 

[Budha]

Right now, and probably for a long time to come, I am taken by Guild jumbo 12 strings. I don't know why it took me so many years to finally own one (... two). Seems to be the only guitars I play now.

 

[millrat]

In 1975 I played a Gibson Heritage Deluxe in a shop in Eugene. Can't remember the price but it was perfect! Walked out and never saw it again. The stuff dreams are made of.

 

[ezstrummer]

My old DV52, and I gave it away! I told Mrs. Dread when I bought it: "OK, I'm done, no need for me to shop for any more acoustic guitars."

Of course that statement doesn't hold true any more seeing as I gave the guitar to my son!

Still Jonesing for a DV-73 but it's unlikely I'll ever be able to afford one.

That is Beautiful!!!!

 

[ezstrummer]

In 1986 I went to Providence Music Company in Providence RI. I was there to purchase a 1960's ES335. I had $2000. I think the guitar was around 1600. It turned out that the ES was beat. Missing chunks of wood...just too mojo'd for me. BUT.......I had two grand burning a hole in my pocket. Well, just by chance there was also a huge Guild sale going on. There was at least fifty Guilds there. Every model. This was probably the single best place to get a Guild in the world at that time. Two grand would buy pretty much any guitar there....and they were awesome! I played several. I decided on one D35, it was a tobacco sunburst, and it played and sounded great. The shop was busy and I was told that they're be right with me to complete my purchase.
As I waited I scanned the rows of guitars. And then tucked behind them all...almost hidden behind the cash register area was this brown guitar. I asked if I could try it. Nothing else sounded like this! It rang. To this day nothing else has been better. And it is the only guitar I never sold. My D15. I found my lifer.
When I told the clerk that I wanted this guitar instead, he said "really?" . Yup. " That's the guitar I play all the time".

Great story.. any pics??

 

[walrus]

Well, since my '84 D64 was the only acoustic I played for 30+ years, I guess it was my dream guitar. Until shoulder issues caused me to sell it (to LTGer wileypickett). So now my '11 F-30RCE is my dream guitar, it's the only acoustic I'm playing. It's easy to fulfill your dreams if you don't ask for too much.

walrus

 

[Westerly Wood]

Probably the F312.