Forgive me, non-guitar nurds!....but I gotta tell my Mudcat friends about THIS one.

Went over to a music store this afternoon to help a friend make some tough choices and I saw (and played) THE BEST GUITAR I'VE ENCOUNTERED IN 30 YEARS. It's a 1950 Gibson Southern Jumbo and it literally EXPLODES with sound. I tried some three finger picking and some bluegrass flatpicking on it, and I was amazed at how "fast" it played. Did a couple of slow tunes (Patsy's "I Fall To Pieces") and it just filled the room. When my friend (who's not an experienced picker YET!) played it, you could just see her light up.

We've had discussions here about whether a certain instrument can make you play better or not, and as usual I tried to look at both the pros and cons of such a proposition..... after all, I've probably owned fifty or sixty guitars, and they all had "something" special to offer. But I think I've now seen my own personal "Holy Grail".

Oh...and no, I'm NOT buying it. I've developed an excellent personal relationship with "Woody", my little 51 year old Martin 0-18. I'm hoping my friend gets it.....'cause then I'll get to play it now and then (and record with it!)

Ahaaaah, that feels better. Glad to get that off my chest.

Rick