Quality, Uniqueness or Quantity?

[West R Lee]

The way I look at it is if I spend money on a guitar right now, then it won't be on a motorcycle, so I can pretty much get away with anything, because it's such a sound reason.

And that's my thing......no bass boats, no Harley's, no drugs to spend money on.......we're all allowed one vice, aren't we?

West

 

[davismanLV]

I would not know what fret I am on, West, but I guess with that beauty, would it even matter?

Having a mix of super plain and super fancy, I find I just use the side markers when I'm playing. I don't even really see the fretboard any more. I mean, it's there but I don't use it for orientation. So, yeah, make it fancy as you want. I'll take side markers......

 

[davismanLV]

......we're all allowed one vice, aren't we?

West

Well, I thought it was two or three, but yeah....

 

[SFIV1967]

Ebony is supposed to be a great finger style B/S wood.

Wonderful looking guitar!
Just as additional info: That is not the ebony we know for fingerboards for instance. The ebony we usually know is West African ebony (Diospyros crassifloria Hiern) which is for instance the wood Bob Taylor grows in Cameroon and sells in higher volume now to guitar builders.

Taylor Guitars: The Ebony Project in Cameroon

This inspiring docuseries takes you to Cameroon for an immersive look at Taylor’s efforts to create a new model of socially responsible and sustainable ebony forestry.

www.taylorguitars.com

This Collings guitar is using Diospyros mespiliformis from the savannah of Eastern Africa which seems to be used less for guitars but more for drums and for construction purposes.

Diospyros mespiliformis (PROTA) - PlantUse English

uses.plantnet-project.org

So quite a rare wood choice!

Ralf

 

[Guildedagain]

I'm basically saving my own life ;[]

And in regards to question above, uniqueness/quality always trumps all.

Way back when when the vintage Strat craze hit, I wanted one, willing to travel to Seattle to find one, and bring lots of trade guitars with me. I found the [1960] Strat I wanted, traded a killer Pre CBS Cempetiotion Red Mustang, plus a Page Dano in coffin case, plus other guitars I can't remembers and pedals until I walked out with the Strat. Win win for me, like cleaning house of lesser guitars and assorted junk to end up with one masterpiece. I was strutting around Seattle visiting friends, playing it in bars, that was a good day.

And the day I sold it, that was a good day too.

Like a boat.

 

[Stagefright]

Does anyone ever just get a few nice guitars, keep them forever, and be contented? I'm going to ask on all the forums to see if I can find a couple.

With the exception of a 1998 JF-55 purchased in the last two years, the average ownership exceeds 20 years. I like to think I'll sell something to buy the perfect guitar, but I've yet to run across anything that motivates me to make a change.

True story. Just last week, I left the JF-55 at home because I thought it was too much bling for the local county store jam session. That and my fingers refuse to accept the feel of the imperial tuners.

 

[West R Lee]

Wonderful looking guitar!
Just as additional info: That is not the ebony we know for fingerboards for instance. The ebony we usually know is West African ebony (Diospyros crassifloria Hiern) which is for instance the wood Bob Taylor grows in Cameroon and sells in higher volume now to guitar builders.

Taylor Guitars: The Ebony Project in Cameroon

This inspiring docuseries takes you to Cameroon for an immersive look at Taylor’s efforts to create a new model of socially responsible and sustainable ebony forestry.

www.taylorguitars.com

This Collings guitar is using Diospyros mespiliformis from the savannah of Eastern Africa which seems to be used less for guitars but more for drums and for construction purposes.

Diospyros mespiliformis (PROTA) - PlantUse English

uses.plantnet-project.org

So quite a rare wood choice!

Ralf

Yes sir, that it true. I'd wondered the same as fretboard ebony would seem a bit stiff to me. But I'm not a woodologist.

West

 

[adorshki]

Well, I thought it was two or three, but yeah....

You'd still be over limit even if it was 2 or 3.

 

[Boneman]

I don’t think you’re nuts, I think it’s rational thinking. I’ve gone through a similar exercise recently, where I’ve been downsizing and tweaking the collection accordingly, selling multiple inexpensive ones for upgrades to one or two quality ones. Except I don’t really like blingy guitars, in fact I sold my D55 in favor of my D46, then got rid of my “cheap“ electrics in favor of my bucket list guitars, a Gibson Les Paul Standard and an American Ultra Luxe Fender Stratocaster.

I used to feel many inexpensive guitars was better than one top notch one, and boy was I wrong. One day with the Les Paul and I understood the hype, and had the epiphany, lose the cheap ones and while you are at it, now just get the top of line strat too. That is the best decision I’ve made with guitars, because downsizing has been so liberating. I guess I don’t like having that much money tied up in guitars, so selling off and replacing several with a few was freeing. Plus the ultra luxe is such an amazing guitar. And the LP, dang, sort of feel like I should have just saved and bought one years ago. Instead of thinking the Agile I was lugging around was comparable, and glad I didn’t spend all that money on a Gibson. Foolish to be sure. And hey, visually and sonically they were similar, but fit, finish, playability is light years ahead on the Gibson. Anyways now you can count me in as preferring quality over quantity. So sell the two and get the one if that suits you

7 guitars seems to be my sweet spot, and I was up to 15 only a couple months ago. Making progress, and only two more to unload!

 

[chazmo]

Some will think I'm nuts (most probably already do), and I know of several who say they don't care for bling, and that's fine too. And some love to own many guitars, and though I've changed my priorities these past few years, I respect all opinions and collections. Me, I love bling, and I love fine guitars even more. This would whittle down the collection a bit more, while offering something VERY unique.

I'm seriously considering trade of two of my Collings guitars for this beauty. I'd have to add some cash I'm sure, Not ready to make the call yet, but considering. Ebony is supposed to be a great finger style B/S wood.

Collings D-42 Tree of Life Alaskan Blue Sitka Spruce and African Ebony Custom NEW | Reverb

A one-of-kind D-42 Tree of Life custom dreadnought crafted by Collings Guitars in Austin, TX features a soundboard cut from old-growth, reclaimed Alaskan ‘Blue’ Sitka Spruce that spent decades underwater in remote Alaska. This custom dreadnought has a unique story woven into its fibers that few o...

reverb.com

West

Oh wow, Jim. Really? Beautiful wood, if you do go for it, but *gulp* on the price

 

[adorshki]

I don’t think you’re nuts, I think it’s rational thinking. I’ve gone through a similar exercise recently, where I’ve been downsizing and tweaking the collection accordingly, selling multiple inexpensive ones for upgrades to one or two quality ones. Except I don’t really like blingy guitars, in fact I sold my D55 in favor of my D46, then got rid of my “cheap“ electrics in favor of my bucket list guitars, a Gibson Les Paul Standard and an American Ultra Luxe Fender Stratocaster.

I used to feel many inexpensive guitars was better than one top notch one, and boy was I wrong. One day with the Les Paul and I understood the hype, and had the epiphany, lose the cheap ones and while you are at it, now just get the top of line strat too. That is the best decision I’ve made with guitars, because downsizing has been so liberating. I guess I don’t like having that much money tied up in guitars, so selling off and replacing several with a few was freeing. Plus the ultra luxe is such an amazing guitar. And the LP, dang, sort of feel like I should have just saved and bought one years ago. Instead of thinking the Agile I was lugging around was comparable, and glad I didn’t spend all that money on a Gibson. Foolish to be sure. And hey, visually and sonically they were similar, but fit, finish, playability is light years ahead on the Gibson. Anyways now you can count me in as preferring quality over quantity. So sell the two and get the one if that suits you

7 guitars seems to be my sweet spot, and I was up to 15 only a couple months ago. Making progress, and only two more to unload!

Funny, I just realized I got one of each, by Guild's scale: my D25, entry level and a mind-blower for me, my F65ce, every bit a top of the line model with full bling to prove it, and my D40, an upper mid-range mainstay of the line for generations. It has a chesterfield and a paddle headstock.

Bought 'em all new for different reasons but great price was common feature. Never really had much GAS until a few years back when I thought I might like to get some rosewood, but Guild doesn't offer it in the body size/scale I want right now.

 

[bobouz]

In my personal world of aesthetic attraction, a guitar’s overall visual balance becomes a significant factor. Tree-of-life inlays always seem to throw off that balance. To date, I’ve never seen one that has truly appealed to me. However with that said, the rest of this particular Collings is very nicely done!

 

[Br1ck]

Does anyone ever just get a few nice guitars, keep them forever, and be contented? I'm going to ask on all the forums to see if I can find a couple.

Quite a few, but they are not big on forums. I've managed to have a few. I spent 25 years with a Martin M36 exclusively, sold only to fill a need for power. I just traded three instruments and cash for a Santa Cruz. I'm at the stage that I can walk away from 99 of 100 guitars, and the 1% I usually can't afford. The SCGC D P/W was an instant bond, a very rare thing. Buying and selling guitars is not really a good thing, it's more of a dopamine reaction. Addictions can be far worse though. But there are a good amount that bought a D 18 in 72 and are playing it today. They are often really good players because they practiced instead of shopped.

As for aesthetics, I'm not that into bling. I do appreciate a D 55 though, and the herringbone on my Santa Cruz is nice. The wood binding on my Martin D 35 Custom is understated. The Cruz looks much like a D 18 with binding and nice pearl logo, and the bear claw is nice. But that really isn't bling. I do like to look at a D 45 though, and the fern on my mandolin headstock, so I guess I go either way depending.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Quite a few, but they are not big on forums. I've managed to have a few. I spent 25 years with a Martin M36 exclusively, sold only to fill a need for power. I just traded three instruments and cash for a Santa Cruz. I'm at the stage that I can walk away from 99 of 100 guitars, and the 1% I usually can't afford. The SCGC D P/W was an instant bond, a very rare thing. Buying and selling guitars is not really a good thing, it's more of a dopamine reaction. Addictions can be far worse though. But there are a good amount that bought a D 18 in 72 and are playing it today. They are often really good players because they practiced instead of shopped.

As for aesthetics, I'm not that into bling. I do appreciate a D 55 though, and the herringbone on my Santa Cruz is nice. The wood binding on my Martin D 35 Custom is understated. The Cruz looks much like a D 18 with binding and nice pearl logo, and the bear claw is nice. But that really isn't bling. I do like to look at a D 45 though, and the fern on my mandolin headstock, so I guess I go either way depending.

The P/Ws are fantastic. I had a hog b/s one. No Truss rod of course as they are designed literally after P/w Martins. Still, had a great depth to the sound.

 

[West R Lee]

Oh wow, Jim. Really? Beautiful wood, if you do go for it, but *gulp* on the price

Well the seller is a great guy for sure, and we've had a couple of very frank discussions from both sides. I'd buy a guitar from him anytime, just not this one. Though I got serious bargains on both guitars when I bought the guitars I'd have been trading, and though he can offer more than I have invested in the two, he obviously can't offer retail price for them and make a profit, and I understand completely. That, combined with the fact that I'd be on the hook, to ship, insure, and take the damage risk on not one, but two guitars, and if anyone has shipped one lately, they know the cost of doing that might be $350, plus the shipping risk.

As beautiful as it is, I simply can't justify the risk, or the cost of such a long distance transaction. If it could all be done face to face, then maybe.

West

 

[West R Lee]

The P/Ws are fantastic. I had a hog b/s one. No Truss rod of course as they are designed literally after P/w Martins. Still, had a great depth to the sound.

I owned a SC D/PW as well. It was so light I was afraid I'd break it. I eventually sold it to a member here who hasn't been around in a while. Great guitars though. Cool video Wood.

West

 

[Westerly Wood]

I owned a SC D/PW as well. It was so light I was afraid I'd break it. I eventually sold it to a member here who hasn't been around in a while. Great guitars though. Cool video Wood.

West

right? they are so light West. and the scalloped bracing just did not work for me in the end, the sounds was too profound if that makes any sense.

 

[West R Lee]

right? they are so light West. and the scalloped bracing just did not work for me in the end, the sounds was too profound if that makes any sense.

Same here, and I DO know what you mean. They have a very unique sound, not bad, just different. They are very resonant guitars though.

West

 

[richardp69]

Well, for me anyway, pretty much anything made in the USA is a qual;ity guitar (for the most part). I am no longer interested in quality. So, I'd sau uniqueness, playability and tone are my hot buttons.

 

[walrus]

...so I guess I go either way depending.

You know, I once knew a girl who said the same thing, and then - oh, wait! Wrong forum!

walrus