What makes a guitar a 'Work Horse'?

[Stonehauler]

J45, D18, and (sometimes) the 314 are what I generally hear being called workhorses in acoustics.

Why? probably because we hear them so often when we listen to professional musicians on the radio.

While I would not generally call a Guild 512/412 a workhorse, when it comes to 12 strings, that's probably the one most think of. The reason I don't think of it as a workhorse is that it's a specialist instrument, not a generalist.

[Steve DeRosa]

• Ease of play
• Broad dynamic/timbral range
• Tonal consistency
• Durability

My workhorses:
Acoustic: Ovation Custom Balladeer acoustic-electric (first-generation), Rainsong JM1000/JM3000 (6- and 12-string), Godin 5th Avenue archtop
Electric: Gretsch G5622T-CB, Gibson '60s Studio Tribute LP goldtop/P-90, Yamaha SSC-500 (MIJ)
Bass: Gibson SG Faded, Ibanez SR405, Pedulla P/J

[Blackmore Fan]

Originally Posted by sinistral

For example, most people who spend $30k+ on an Olson probably don’t gig with it and treat it as a delicate, prized possession—to James Taylor, it’s a workhorse.

I've always admired James Taylor, but never paid any attention to the brand of his guitar. Finding out it costs $30,000 is a little....depressing...LOL!