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

[GuildInAtlanta]

Thank you for all the stories and insight!

Although everyone may have different ideas when it comes to a "dream guitar", it's helpful to hear about different models and learn why someone fell in love with it. Who knows? Someone may describe the tone or complete package that you've been looking for too!

Heaven knows I have a lot to learn, and it's fun to hear about any model worth pursuing. BTW, today I got to play my first J-200...and it was really nice! I liked what I heard, but the shop was fairly noisy so I'll definitely need to go back and play it again.

So, at the moment our list of dream guitars is the following:

1. Vintage Guilds from the 60's & early 70's
2. Martin 000-42
3. Vintage and maybe recent Gibson J-50's
4. Gibson 1939 J-35
5. Gibson 185
6. Guild D64, DV52, & DV73
7. Guild 512 & 412
8. 65' Epiphone Texan (That's the same model that opened my eyes to vintage guitars!)
9. Limited edition guitars from Taylor
10. Creating a custom build from a favorite builder
11. Plus...the "sleeper-guitar", a less expensive guitar that somehow received an extra helping from the tone-fairy on the day it was born.

 

[Bill Ashton]

If I had to go down on one guitar (), I would be really hard pressed between my (2014) NH Guild D55 and my (2011) Huss & Dalton DS. would depend on what I was expecting to do, after the dreaded "purge" of instruments. Each, in my estimation, is a dream-guitar.

 

[donnylang]

Speaking of dream guitars ...

So, with the assistance of a very cool LTG member- I just pulled the trigger on what’s been my “holy grail” guitar, but one that I didn’t think I would ever have the option to find or buy- a 1960s F412. It doesn’t seem like there are more than 15-20 of these in existence. I know Paul Simon got one of them, as shown in this clip from 1968:

 

[Br1ck]

I've come to the conclusion that dream guitars are just that, a dream. I have experienced, about once every ten years, a guitar that was hard to put down, and if at all possible, buy it. It is usually financial sensibilities that get in the way and prudence rather than funds, since I'm pretty strict on not playing $10,000 vintage guitars. There is on hard fact that can take a lifetime to come to grips with. It is better to have your dream ability than a dream guitar.

One of the better guitars I've ever played was an Olson, a fine guitar I'd find pretty near useless for playing bluegrass, but it was far and away the best sounding modern guitar I've ever played. Chasing a dream is fun though.

 

[Shakeylee]

i like guild,gibson,martin and favilla.i play blues,

i put any guild F or jumbo,gibson J-35,45,50,185, martin 000 or OM, and favilla F6 etc on the same level. i would be happy with any of them.

for acoustic shows i use either a '38 national duolian , a '79 fender F15 or a guild GF-25 from 88.

i use dearmond pickups and would put them in any of the flat tops mentioned.i do not have any desire for any guitar you can't replace for under 2 grand.