Dream guitar..???

Subject: Dream guitar..???
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 12:03 AM

have you ever been fixated on a dream guitar..

so much so.. that when you were finally able to afford to buy one..

you found you did'nt like it..

but were too emotionaly & financially commited you could'nt get rid of it..

....me.. i'm in a sort of half way limbo trying to make a rational decision
on a new guitar my heart and ears love..
but my hands and fingers hate to their very bones..?????

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: number 6
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 01:04 AM

Actually I'm seriously thinking now of buying a Blue Ridge BR-60.

Remember our threads specifically the ones I posted in regards to those guitars?

I eat my hat .... the local store loaned me one for a few days, I must say I returned it fully impressed. One good bluegrass guitar it is.

Have I ever been disappointed in one that I bought ... nope ... not at all. When I'm on the hunt for a new guitar I make the rounds, do the test driving thouroughly.My last acquistion was a Johnson Resonator,which was not what I wanted in tone, but I had plans to rebuild it at the time of purchase. I'm extremely happy with it after the renovations were applied.

sIx

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: jonm
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 03:13 AM

Try being left-handed. Apart from the beginner instruments (which are never set up as well as the right-handed equivalents - I wonder why?) stores never have any stock and often require a deposit to get instruments in.

Twice now I've parted with £50 and rejected the instrument when I've played / heard it.

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Mooh
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 03:21 PM

No, but there has been slight buyer's remorse based on the money spent, not on what I got for the money. Luckily, my dream guitars have worked out.

Get the thing set-up right if it isn't, just in case it can still be made your dream guitar. If that's not possible, how did it become your dream guitar?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 04:23 PM

I WILL own a Laskin. Thought it would be next year, but huge unexpected expenses this year (5 figures) ended that, or at least set it back a bit.

Mick

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 01:27 PM

I just KNEW that I wanted a 000 12 fret slothead. I played a few Collings in guitar stores and loved them. So I ordered one - but when I started playing it at home I discoved that it just wasn't a good fit. The body size and neck width were not quite what I wanted. I was playing my Martin OM and the 000 was staying in it's case. So I traded it in for a Collings OM and I'm very happy with it.

Is there such a thing as a "dream guitar" or a "Holy Grail guitar" ? I've given up on the concept. It's almost like waiting around for your "soulmate" another concept I've rejected. You are liable to miss out on some wonderful things if you keep waiting for the "perfect" fit. YMMV.

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 01:31 PM

Not quite a 'Dream' guitar , but I decided I wanted a Martin D28 if I was going to get serious about the Folk Scene . I finished up with a D35 (in 1970) and havent lusted after another guitar since ! I think its now just about played in , by the way!

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Steve-o
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 07:08 PM

I have enough guitars that I can't really say I "need" a reso, but it would be fun to have around. Johnsons are pretty cheap- so just what are the "renovations" required, Number 6?

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: kendall
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 08:22 PM

I already have one.

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: number 6
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 08:30 PM

suggested renovations to a Johnson wood body round neck resno:

#1 replace the stock cone with a Quatermann ( the 'stock cone' is an excellent example of how the Chinese are recycling American beer cans).

#2 replace the tuning machinery with good quality ones. My luthier suggested Grovers, so I went with that. I suggest replacing these, it will keep the guitar not only in tune, but also make it easier gettin' it in tune. The stock ones were dreadful.

#3 replace the wood bridge with a bone one. This was another suggeston by my luthier. It took me by surprise since I thought 'the wood' was part of the resno. Then again, I was not looking for a 'Dobro' sound, but more of a ruff bluesy accoustice tone. I play 50 slide, 50 finger picking. Anyway, it certainly made a difference having the bridge replaced.

#4 lower the action to taste. Mine was set high for a 'Dobro'.

I mentioned before in another thread that my luthier found the quality of the construction exceptional for a Chinese offshoot. If you by a Johnson, Reqal or any of those other Oriental Brands definately replace the cone with a Quatermann, it's worth it.

sIx

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Scoville
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 10:22 PM

No--I bought an Alvarez Regent 5212 ($150-ish at a pawn shop, which was not a bargain) and get compliments all the time. Seriously.

I once fell in love with a mid-1930's Martin 0-18 (slightly larger than a ukelele, but it sounded like a cello). I didn't have $1500 and couldn't have justified it, anyway, since I'm at best a marginal guitarist. I don't know if I would have liked playing it even if I had been able to afford it so it's probably a good thing that my instrument budget runs to kazoos and whistle-pops. But it sure sounded great . . .

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: GUEST,test
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 10:29 PM

Actually I'm seriously thinking now of buying a Blue Ridge BR-60.

Remember our threads specifically the ones I posted in regards to those guitars?

I eat my hat .... the local store loaned me one for a few days, I must say I returned it fully impressed. One good bluegrass guitar it is.

Have I ever been disappointed in one that I bought ... nope ... not at all. When I'm on the hunt for a new guitar I make the rounds, do the test driving thouroughly.My last acquistion was a Johnson Resonator,which was not what I wanted in tone, but I had plans to rebuild it at the time of purchase. I'm extremely happy with it after the renovations were applied.

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Mooh
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:50 AM

Folkway Music in Guelph Ontario Canada is/was hotrod-ing import resonators. Huge difference, and they were doing it rather inexpensively. It's a great idea, buy the chassis and customize from there.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Steve-o
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 07:08 PM

Got it. Thanks, No. 6!

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: MarkS
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 01:51 AM

For me it has to be the Epiphone FT-79 Texan. Would love to have one made in the mid - late 60s. See them on ebay from time to time, but the pricing is getting real out of hand and I am reluctant to buy any guitar sight unseen.

Came close in 1967. The music shop had the Texan next to the FT-45 Cortez in the case. The Cortez was my first "quality" guitar and it set me back over $200 then. The Texan was about $ 100 more and I just could not afford it.

Still have that Cortez though.

Mark

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: mooman
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 03:26 AM

I do dream of getting a Linda Manzer guitar one day. That would be my ultimate instrument.

Will I regret it? I don't know yet or if it will ever happen! I've never regretted buying any of the dozen or so guitars I've owned over 40+ years so I hope not and I'm very well pleased with what I have at the moment.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 12:43 AM

Probably one I would build myself. That was going to be a winter project, but circumstances intervened so I'll have to put it off for a bit.

Subject: RE: Dream guitar..???
From: Big Mick
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 01:22 AM

MarkS, I love hearing that. The first guitar that I bought with my own money was an FT79. It had a cherry sunburst finish. I bought it in the summer of 1968 I think. If I ever come up on one, I will sell the farm to buy it.

Mick