Feynman

There's something we can all agree with.

If one (or some) of you with a good camera could take some better pics of these things, I would appreciate it. My camera broke shortly before I received them, so all I have is those couple of mediocre shots. The guitars are fairly nicely detailed I think, front and back.

It's my pleasure. You all deserved it.

Do you have an ugly headstock fetish?

I just picked up Roy Clark and Joe Pass doing Hank Williams tunes. It is superb. This is not a combination of things that I would think I would like, but it's truly excellent.

Why would anyone intentionally distort the beautiful sounds that guitars make?

Thanks all. I just figured a decent prize was in order. I wanted Standards instead of Vectors, but that was an even longer delay.

After an extraordinary run of bad luck, the Buy No Guitars Challenge 2013 prizes have finally arrived. Were I a man of means, you would have all had new guitars for your efforts. As it is these will have to do, but I wanted the prize to be worthy of your resolve. I will try to scrounge enough boxes to have them on their way soon. Again, congratulations to everyone who made it. As we all know, it's no small accomplishment among this community of enablers. Your humble servant, Me --- Sorry for the lackluster photos - I'm having camera issues.

Great idea. I think he would be pleased. You're a good guy.

I agree with that too. People sometimes slag Fender as cheaper working man assembly line stuff, which only goes so far. Who had better quality than Leo? Certainly he came up with some production efficiencies, but that stuff was top notch. Compare those old amps and guitars with the other crap people could buy. The internals of those amplifiers were real works of art, and the cabinets too, and the designs themselves. he was boutique before it was cool.

Yeah, that too.

Last week I played a Benedetto that had me wondering if I could do without my car. I've never played a classical under $2500 that I thought was anything special, but I have played some that were absolutely pure magical instruments. I've never heard a D28 that sounds like my friend's Collings. I don't believe this is corksniffery - I think the differences in sound quality would smack you over the head even if you are nearly deaf. I realize of course that you are talking about solid body rock instruments in this Great USA-Canada Goateed Metalist Debate, but I had to find a reason to mention the Benedetto somewhere anyway. The Monaco III has sounded sort of lifeless since that moment.

When I want to use a real amplifier, I am in love with Princeton Reverbs (and Super Champ XD/2). This is one of the best practice setups I've ever had though. Great sounding amps and effects, built in multitrack recorder, tuner, backing track loader/slowerdowner/pitchchanger...available on every iOS device in the house or on the go...for $8 (plus a digital interface if you don't already have one). Not counting the iPad/iPhone, the whole rig comes in under $100 (the Line 6 Sonic Port works beautifully for $87 Amazon Prime).

I find Prototypes to be very, very ugly, for whatever my opinion is worth.

Some of you people are insane. Edited to add, since we can evidently post ridiculous ideas here: Monaco 2 (two pickup) Hardtail Blank ebony board $900

Catch and Release: Monaco III Axis (The Penguin) The Red HectorP Newport (stopped by my house on its way to carfish7) Kept: Harmony vintage classical (one of the dearest gifts I have ever received) Richard Howell Classical Another Monaco III Laney VC30 Zoom G5So, I've got my Harmony, Howell, Monaco III, G5 and the Laney. I don't really need an amp, as I seem to use the G5 99% of the time. I couldn't refuse the Laney though since Rob was literally giving it away. Bonus statement: There are exactly two guitars I would have to buy back if they presented themselves to me (and I don't think they ever will). Aside from those I'm set and won't be buying any more guitars.

Ladies and Gentlemen and Bubs_42, May I present to you your winners. [APPLAUSE] Well done, everyone. We all know this is tougher than it sounds. Bravo to all of you who made it an entire year without acquiring a new guitar. --- ATTENTION WINNERS: Please PM me a shipping address. I have a small prize for each of you. The prize will be delayed due to supply issues (I ordered after the Christmas rush took them out of stock). But, be patient and someday you will have your amazing reward.

........2.......

Three weeks left! Good job everyone.

I have to say I'm a little disappointed in some of you.

Damn.

I am impressed. Good job everyone - it's the home stretch now.

Excellent review. Thanks for sharing it with us. Awesome guitar.