I just voted Mahogany/spruce yesterday. It came at quite a price, two mandolins and my 00 15 Custom plus cash, but I broke all my rules for a 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W. It will be an interesting test for my 70 D 35. It was an instantly, this makes me play better, experience.
I still think both is the answer. My Martin D 35 custom is good to have around. When it comes to smaller guitars I think the builder, ie throw money at the issue, is the important factor. Early days with the Cruz but it was a rare instant bond for something totally out of my normal personality, and has tested every one of my hard fought tenets except for pounce when the magic happens.
I too was one of the what I play is fine folks. But I think that over time, as finances dictate, and skills improve, one comes to a different realization. I was forty before I could afford a Martin. I bought a $12,000 cello and a $6500 viola before that. Kids are expensive. I'm in the process of reevaluating my whole guitar related point of view. I really have played a hundred boutique guitars with nothing but indifference. It wasn't a lack of experience that formed my view they, to me, weren't worth it. Then one day your world order changes, and I'm left with only one rule, play guitar, like guitar, buy guitar. But in the end, you must rely on your own senses. Now I have to rebuild my online persona. Reevaluate who I am. At 73 that is a strange trip to be on, but to ignore reality would be far worse.
Stagnation has certainly been shattered. First, I've been on a tear to increase my abilities to the extent I'm able. I assure you that is to be better than I am now, no I'm going to be as good as so and so. Perhaps the increased ability left me open to finding an instrument I could use to exploit my progress. I was ruthless in exacting a measure of pain in the process. I do not, really do not, like to give up instruments. Who would think an instrument could exert such profound change? But it feels pretty good because I wasn't using them. And who knows what might change with the untouchable big three? Time will tell. We'll find out the next time I run into a twenties Martin 00.
