crunchee Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Date on the magazine says June 2007...just about the time the economy started tanking. Coincidence? One thing's for sure, you don't have to be rich to think like that; but boy, does it help.
jwhitcomb3 Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 I see a large difference between high end acoustic and archtop guitars from the lower end stuff, but the range compresses with solid body electrics. Material selection aside, I don't see much value that handcrafting of the body of a solid body guitar adds. And if a machine can get a neck in the ballpark, a good luthier can tweak and dress it most of the rest of the way for much less than a fully handcrafted neck. There is certainly value in skillfully joining the neck and body, but with modern machining tolerances and automated quality control, this too is becoming less noticeable in machine made instruments.When you get to acoustics and archtops, I believe there is much more art in tapping/listening to tops and braces. That doesn't mean that a machine can't churn out a good sounding acoustic, or that a skilled luthier won't occasionally build a dud.After purchasing three acoustic guitars currently valued north of two grand, I spend most of my time playing a China made acoustic that I bought new for $270 delivered. The bracing inside is rough as hell, the wood isn't very attractive, and there are several irregularities in the fit and finish. But after working the nut and adjusting the truss rod it plays great and sounds terrific. I haven't yet sold off any of my high end acoustics, but I wonder if enjoying the idea that I have these in my closet outweighs the opportunity cost of, say, a nice vacation with my family.I haven't touched my Hamer 30th Anniversary Ltd for a year. I played it some for the first year I owned it, but since then I break it out of its case for a day or two a year, marvel at its beauty and enjoy the great tones it puts out. It is a great guitar, but not a great fit for me, so back in the case it goes. For the last six months I've almost exclusively played that Luna acoustic (AMZ 100), a MIM Fender Strat (with stock electronics but hardware upgrades), and a Carvin Fatboy HF2S. I never feel like I'm slumming when I play them. They just feel good to play. It is likely I will part ways two or more of my higher end instruments soon. More cash in pocket, more room in closet.
Ethan Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 I feel pretty confident that I could grab a Schecter or cheap Squier, do a few setup tweaks, and play a gig with it (and I have), but having said that I definitely feel a pretty big difference between my buddy's Collings 290 and a Les Paul Jr, or the Suhr Pro S1 I played over the weekend and any USA/Custom Shop Strat, and I know which ones I'd rather have...Schecters rule pretty hard by the way! Best out of the box setup of any guitar under $1000 I can think of, better than a lot over $1000 too...
MCChris Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1393225
hamerhead Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^5 pages in under 24 hours. F**k me right in the ear.
bcsride Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1393225fantastic
sixesandsevens Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 When you get to acoustics and archtops, I believe there is much more art in tapping/listening to tops and braces. That doesn't mean that a machine can't churn out a good sounding acoustic, or that a skilled luthier won't occasionally build a dud. I heard there's a guy in the DC or NoVA area that can re-voice a classical guitar's bracing, so maybe even that's not something you can't "fix" aftermarket. Someone I know's son travelled cross country to get the guy to mod his classical, but all the names are escaping me at the moment... I haven't yet sold off any of my high end acoustics, but I wonder if enjoying the idea that I have these in my closet outweighs the opportunity cost of, say, a nice vacation with my family. ... It is likely I will part ways two or more of my higher end instruments soon. More cash in pocket, more room in closet. That's a wise position, I think. I hadn't really thought about it like that, but maybe Disney demands I move some guitars.
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