What Is The Best Tone You’ve Heard?

[jrb715]

The best tone I've heard-- balanced, beautiful and remarkably expressive--was just a month or so ago from a Koa Collings 2012 SJ on consignment at a local shop.

And I couldn't resist. I struggled for a few days, but against all my good intentions a week later I brought it home.

[johnnyappleseed]

My 1974 Martin D-12-28 in 12 string is the best sounding acoustic guitar I've ever heard/played/owned. To me it rings like a bunch of church bells.

[Unclemike]

1976 Bozo Bell Western 12 string. Sitka on east Indian Rosewood. I had played a number of 12 strings (Gibson, Martin and Guild) but this one was in a class of its own. I never got over it. It sounded ethereal and orchestral. I sold it when I moved aboard a sailboat in 1990, knowing the humidity would kill it.

I bought it at Bozo's shop in Escondido, CA. He had built it custom for a musician that backed out. $1300.This was not one of the clones. He told me a bit about the guitar and I asked him about EIR vs. Brazilian rosewood and he said the difference in sound was small but there. Mostly he put Brazilian on his top 12's for looks mainly. The heavenly ornamented ones went for around $3500. The waiting list for one of those was two years.

Second place was a friend's '61 Gibson Country Western. Wonderful to play and just a very rich sound. The short scale made fingering so much easier than my D-18.

[TOPDOGJIM]

I’d say it was a straight up 2015 (?) D-18GE

[Mezner]

This is one of my most favorite recorded tones that I've heard out of an OM body.

Face to face, a 1930s L-00 that I played at a local store would take that spot.

[StringMeUp]

Okay, here is one of my nominations FWIW

https://youtu.be/1__zh83-_hA

[usb_chord]

Originally Posted by Mezner

This is one of my most favorite recorded tones that I've heard out of an OM body.

Face to face, a 1930s L-00 that I played at a local store would take that spot.

Agreed. That guitar sounds even better in person.

[Mezner]

Originally Posted by usb_chord

Agreed. That guitar sounds even better in person.

I have to say that Franklin Brazilian OM you showcased in your "Boutique Acoustic Guitar Comparison" video sounds absolutely gorgeous as well; so lush! Also, probably my favorite out of the bunch.

[OPJ77]

Originally Posted by Mezner

This is one of my most favorite recorded tones that I've heard out of an OM body.

Face to face, a 1930s L-00 that I played at a local store would take that spot.

My goodness that guitar sounds like a warm pecan pie.

[Tnfiddler]

I’m completely satisfied with my current guitars, so they’re obviously the best tone I’ve heard or I’d be searching for something else.