What Have You Not Bought Guitar-Related in the Last 48 Hours

[blackonblack]

That’s a nice price for a nice SS amp. I’d jump.

[Tele-Bob]

I just passed on another Surf Green Strat that was priced right, in good shape, sounded terrific, but had vintage fret wire n a maple neck.

If it was rosewood, I have just re-fretted it, but I prefer maple. Oh well.

[OldStrummer]

After days of frustration trying to find a Maton 808TE Tommy Emmanuel, my efforts were finally rewarded today. Melbourne, Australia appears to be the home of Australian guitars, and I found not one but two terrific guitar shops. Thanks to the generosity of my tour group leader and his "touch on, touch off" transportation card, I found myself at both the northern and southern ends of Melbourne. My first stop, at Guitar Paradise, found my making friends with a fellow named Mack, who pretty much gave me free rein with the acoustics. I played a number of delightful guitars, Maton, Martin, Alvarez and another Australian brand, Cole Clarke. But no Tommy Emmanuel. After thanking Mack and getting his suggestion for a lunch stop, I then headed to Acoustic Centre, which they told me was the largest Maton dealer in Australia. Finally, I found the Tommy Emmanuel models! I played the 808TE and the 808TEC (cutaway). Great playing guitars! I pawed a nice 12-string and one or two others as well. The guitars were priced very nicely, too! Getting one back to the states proved to be the deal killer, as I couldn't carry it around with me on my travels, and the cost to ship would have made the cost savings a wash.

So, I did NOT buy a guitar today. I got pretty close, however.

[DanTheBluesMan]

Tried out a '77 refinished in natural Stratocaster, replaced bridge pickup and pickguard. Very nice, 8 lbs 2 oz. Neck felt great. Frets were a little uneven need level and crown. I liked it, they made a nice deal but it just wasn't "I gotta have it" nice at least not to me. The strat I already have is nicer. It did give me hope to keep looking, maybe some day the right one will come along.

[blackonblack]

I turned down yet another Gibby SJ-200. This one sounded too ?tight?. I only found 1 that spoke to me in the last decade plus. Didn?t have the coin for it and let it get away. If I find another, it?s coming home with me.

[OldStrummer]

It seems the time to walk away from guitars these days. Today, Musician's Friend was offering a Martin D-X2E for only $449. Solid Sitka Spruce top and HPL Koa lalminate back and sides. Fishman electronics, a Performing Artist neck, fingerboard and bridge, and a nice, soft, padded gig bag.

I walked away not because of the HPL; I have played guitars with laminate and loved their sound. No, despite the price, I'm not into Dreadnoughts. It was pretty, at a nice price, but just not enough to get me to pull the trigger.

[blackonblack]

A Martin D-18 Authentic.

Very sweet guitar. But the price, Ouch!

honestly the difference between the authentic and the other D18 that was there in sound is about 25-30%. So notable. But I already have a great Alvarez that?s at least 95% of that other D18. I right now can?t justify the coin for the change in tone and playability The Alvarez goes for a bit under 1k. Did some work on it. Plays sounds great. Hard to justify the 7k additional investment into the D18 Authentic.

[Cogs]

I want a D-18 SO BAD

[blackonblack]

It would look great next to my 1971 D-28

[blackonblack]

Oh I should note: I caved a couple weeks ago and got the D-18 Authentic. A Goodall, the Alvarez and top line GoldTone Banjitar are on their way out.

[bvoss]

A plane ticket to get from LAX to DTW tonight last minute to attend my aunts funeral tomorrow. It's still "on time" presently, but no idea if it will actually fly tonight or not. I arrive at 7am tomorrow and the funeral is at 11 then I'm right back on a plane.

[OldStrummer]

Mark's (blackonblack) recent post in the "other" thread on the Guild Westerly Collection OM250CE (and the note the cutaway "E" versions are all sold out) got me to thinking of another inexpensive acoustic that punches above its weight: The Ibanez AAM50CE (interesting how closely the model names coincide). I know Ibanez doesn't get a lot of recognition when it comes to acoustic guitars, but in my mind, they own the archtop segment, and many electric players like their "shredding machines."

Still, for an astoundingly low $299.99 (Guitar Center price), you get

• A slightly re-invented body shape
• A new "scalloped X" bracing design
• The AA stands for "Advance Auditorium" body. New ergonomics with a slightly wider waist moved closer to the neck.
• Solid spruce top and (likely laminated) sapele back and sides
• An A. I. R. (Acoustic Information Responce) sound port
• Tapered headstock and Low Oval neck grip
• Rounded body edge binding
• Purpleheart fingerboard and bridge
• Ibanez's Advantage bridge pins
• Ibanez AP11 Pickup and AEQ-TP2 Preamp
• Chrome Die-cast tuners (18:1 gear ratio)

That's quite a lot of guitar for not a quite a lot of money!

Haven't pulled the trigger on one, but I have $500 in GC gift cards going unused...

[blackonblack]

Mark's (blackonblack) recent post in the "other" thread on the Guild Westerly Collection OM250CE (and the note the cutaway "E" versions are all sold out) got me to thinking of another inexpensive acoustic that punches above its weight: The Ibanez AAM50CE (interesting how closely the model names coincide). I know Ibanez doesn't get a lot of recognition when it comes to acoustic guitars, but in my mind, they own the archtop segment, and many electric players like their "shredding machines."

Still, for an astoundingly low $299.99 (Guitar Center price), you get

• A slightly re-invented body shape
• A new "scalloped X" bracing design
• The AA stands for "Advance Auditorium" body. New ergonomics with a slightly wider waist moved closer to the neck.
• Solid spruce top and (likely laminated) sapele back and sides
• An A. I. R. (Acoustic Information Responce) sound port
• Tapered headstock and Low Oval neck grip
• Rounded body edge binding
• Purpleheart fingerboard and bridge
• Ibanez's Advantage bridge pins
• Ibanez AP11 Pickup and AEQ-TP2 Preamp
• Chrome Die-cast tuners (18:1 gear ratio)

That's quite a lot of guitar for not a quite a lot of money!

Haven't pulled the trigger on one, but I have $500 in GC gift cards going unused...

The E designates electronic (pickup). The C denoted cutaway. Thats a OM-350CE.
I could find any, but quite pleased with the OM-350E

[OldStrummer]

Well, faced with the choice of buying a nice guitar at a great price out of pocket that wasn't quite what I had in mind, or using the Guitar Center gift cards I had been given for my retirement, I opted for the latter.

Sorry, @blackonblack, but thank you so much for thinking of me when it came to that very nice Guild. I passed.

But stay tuned to the other thread. When my new Ibanez AAM50CE arrives, I'll let everyone know.

[blackonblack]

Enjoy! Make sure to post it.

[DanTheBluesMan]

I ended up passing on the Timber Strat. I got some unexpected bills from my surgery 13 months ago that my insurance refused to pay. If I had taken possession of the guitar, I'd have a hard time selling it for close to what I paid. I would have still owed money on the guitar, no guitar and still have to pay those bills.