The BEST SOUNDING Guitar you've EVER Played is...

[jmagill]

in 1980, at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, a 00 Braz. rosewood Martin, -21 or -28 model from the 1930's- fairly plain-looking. Played it for about five minutes and knew that it would haunt me forever; unbelievable that so much sound could come out of such a weightless little thing; sadly put it back on the rack because it sold for the unheard-of (at the time) price of $6000 - far beyond the means of a humble road musician such as myself. 27 years later, I can still hear it, and it's the sound against which I compare every other guitar that passes through my hands, hoping that one day I'll find that sound once more, and if I do get a second chance, I won't let it go again.

[PTL]

There's no way I can pick just one but 'what the heck'. Here are a few that stood out for me. A couple of Thompsons, a Langejan, and a Ryan.

PTL

[Picker2]

That's an easy one. My Taylor K22ce.

Although it's not the "best" guitar for all styles (I want shorter sustain and more "poof" for up-speed songs), its sound, per se, is to die for.

It has Koa top, back and sides. I think that this uniformity of specific mass has to do with the sound it produces. A spruce top (lighter) would tend to sound more towards a banjo, i.e., shorter sustain. The tonal spectrum I guess is caused by the Koa.

It's a small guitar, with a rich, full, warm bass, and very striking silky, smooth mids and highs. Smooth and silky, those are the words. I have said it before: I think this guitar will be famous one day for its sound, because I don't think it's representative for all Koa guitars.

Here's the sound, below are the looks.

[kerrinsdad]

It was this morning. I'm sitting on a stool in my local luthier's shop when he hands me a 1923 O18 Koa. I haven't been able to think about anything else all day. That thing just sings and talk about easy to play...set up perfectly. I think I'm in lust.

[Taylorplayer]

One that's currently in my collection -- a 2001 PS-10 / Brazilian / E. Spruce -- Sunburst Top (pics in tge Gallery section -- under my 'nic name')

What's even more wonderful that that? My wife insisted that I buy that particular guitar... I Am a Blessed Man!

Tp

[Taylorplayer]

Originally Posted by Picker2

That's an easy one. My Taylor K22ce.

Although it's not the "best" guitar for all styles (I want shorter sustain and more "poof" for up-speed songs), its sound, per se, is to die for.

It has Koa top, back and sides. I think that this uniformity of specific mass has to do with the sound it produces. A spruce top (lighter) would tend to sound more towards a banjo, i.e., shorter sustain. The tonal spectrum I guess is caused by the Koa.

It's a small guitar, with a rich, full, warm bass, and very striking silky, smooth mids and highs. Smooth and silky, those are the words. I have said it before: I think this guitar will be famous one day for its sound, because I don't think it's representative for all Koa guitars.

Here's the sound, below are the looks.

Picker 2

That's very upsetting -- nobody should be allowed to have such a fantastic looking instrument

That's just way too nice! Surely you know I'm just kidding... what a beauty! Please contact me first if you ever deceide to sell it

PS - are you using the original "ES" system? what are you running in it to / playing it through? That's a really great sound you're getting

[Guyute]

A Bruce Sexauer assymetrical fan-fret adi/brazilian rosewood 13 fret slothead. The guitar just felt alive and the fan fret design was extraordinarily comfortable.

There wasn't a tone on that guitar that wasn't spectacular. Great lows for a smaller body, chiming trebles and nothing lacking in the middle. I attribute it to Bruce's exceptional attention to detail.

At about the same level was a 1931 Martin OM-28. Adi/Braz also. Beat to hell and back and it still have everything you'd ever want in a guitar, tonally. Obviously, it's seen a lot of history and you'd think that after all that abuse, the tone would suffer, but no, it enhanced it.

Actually the fact that these two guitars are on the same level says a lot about Bruce's work. And at 1/3 the price of the OM-28, well his guitar is a relative steal (while still costing more than my car ).

[Jeff Flowerday]

My Martin J41S.

Sitka and I. Rosewood. Big warm and full like a D martin but with more chime and balance.

[rgregg48]

steel string? a 1985 santa cruz,, bass strings rattle the fillings in your teeth.
the trebles, clear.. I like a Taylor 710 with the ad top... and a few Martins have moved me.

nylon string? a Fleta, a Brune, a Hascal Haile, and my Walker


I guess there is no "one best" now that i think about it.


Rick

[manhattanguitar]

Definately a Darryl Perry handbuilt Canadien classical... I believe it was a 2004?

[Kabookie]

Martin HD-28.
Balance & resonance.
Sonically ~ X-scalloped bracing....Philosophically ~ Kismet.

Regards....Kabookie

[T-120]

1) '00 TAYLOR 814BCE (Braz/Engel).
2) '57 000-18 MARTIN (Mahogany)
3) '62 MARTIN HD-28, (Brazillian)* *
(Sold the MARTIN HD in '00 to buy the TAYLOR)

[esundell]

Goodall GC
Redwood Top with IR B/S

Perfect balance.

[pakhan]

Close tie, but that 1930's OM45deluxe just about takes it. All round balance, power and response. Close second is a 30's shadetop D18... also killer but not as many overtones.

Warmest regards,
Terence

[HealthBar]

Lowden G9C

Japanese made Lowden from mid-80's with Cedar top and Ovankol back and sides. Great highs and lows, amazing tone, aged very well for a laminate body instrument. I really wish I would have had the money when I played this one, it was going for just under a grand!