Oops, guess I shoulda been in here this morning instead of trying to play carpenter (and I DON'T mean "If I was a Carpenter") out in my new shed.

Marty already has my two cents worth on this issue, but since I love talking instruments, here it is again. Nothing new, 'cause he's getting excellent feed-back and I hardly disagree with anybody's point of view here, but...

...the answer is a difinitive YES! YES! YES!.........and no.

It's all INCREDIBLY personal. For example, on my old Epiphone Texan, with it's micro-thin neck I could play lightening fast chords, runs, and thumb chords. (playing the 6th and 5th strings with my thumb on "Bm" and "Bb" style chords was a breeze) One of my current instruments is a big herringbone D-35. I can knock walls over with it's volume on flatpicked bass runs, but because of the shape of the neck, it's impossible to cover both bass strings with my thumb...so, I have to play a different style altogether (mostly barre chords), and because the guitar needs heavier strings to drive the top, the action is stiffer, and hence the playing is not as fast up the neck. My "little Martin" ('49 0-18) is somewhere in between the Texan and the D-35, and in many ways is an acceptable compromise (after I had the neck shaved)

Part of the fun of playing for me, is to try and get better every year (or month or week) and never let the creative process die. I've worked with both Bonnie and Mike and I gather they feel the same. Sometimes a new instrument can be absolutely inspirational in that process. Whether the "buzz" you get is from the new instrument's physical properties or even if "it's all in your head" who cares? If it makes you play more accurately or faster (if you want) or with more character, it's worth it.

I think any good player can make a cheap guitar sound better, just as I've seen limited players make fabulous instruments sound ordinary...but it's all in what turns your crank, isn't it? Everyday I pass by the service station next door where the three owners park their Ferrari's. There's always a crowd of people admiring them (while they get their Fords fixed), but I'd rather stare at a piece of rosewood!

Rick (only obsessive when it comes to guitars and banjos...and mandolins..and dobros...and)