Why did you pick your favorite guitar?

[Mikey2201]

Why is your favorite guitar your favorite? Looks, Sound, Playability or something else?

[bjjp2]

It picked me.

[usc96]

all of the above.

[Don A]

I didn't pick it, I assembled it from USACG wood, Fender and Glandale hardware and Fralin pickups.

I guess I got lucky that it worked out really well.

[Mike9]

I built my favorite guitar . . . from parts nobody else wanted.

[Flyin' Brian]

I picked my Heritage Prospect because I had owned 3 other Heritages all of which I thought combined great playability, sound and value.

So I special ordered a 7/8 size 335 type with many extras for under $2K. It's my #1 of 5 to choose from.

[angrybandnerd]

Because I built it and it's perfect for me!

[dantedayjob]

I chose looks, not because that's what matters, but that was why I bought the 2 guitars that are juggled in the #1 spot. They are both PRS Cu24s. I had 4 Cu24s before these 2, so I knew what I was getting into. I found a nice Vintage Yellow one and a Purple one on ebay. I got them because of how they looked, but I knew that they would have the sound/feel that I wanted due to past experience with the model.

[shane88]

It picked me.
:beer yee ha - u pick a plank up and it says - your mine

i've done this @ least a few times - cos i got 3 faves - all bolt ons w/ 1 humbucker

[stratzrus]

I'm not even sure what my favorite guitar is anymore, but among my favorites, playability was always the number one consideration with tone and resonance right behind.

To me, playability covers a lot including how the neck and frets feel, intonation, and tuning stability. Without those I don't even get to tone.

[sleepingtiger]

Yes!

Tony

[TwoTubMan]

For me, this is as perfect as it gets. My CJM. He made 3. I own 2. He owns 1. This one has a HUGE neck. My favorite body style, my favorite picup combo.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/TwoTubMan/DSCN1298.jpg

[harmonicator]

2009 Gibson Joe Bonamassa 'unaged' Les Paul.

picked it because...

1. I wanted a LP, and I wanted it built by the custom shop.
2. I dig Joe B's tone and playing.
3. I like the "unaged" goldtop version better, and there were only 25 unaged ones built!
4. I got it at a more than fair price.

It's one of my favorites. For the LP humbucker/Marshall bag...it delivers!

[Ian Anderson]

I'll go with the rock and roll answer.

It was the one closest to the door.

[shane88]

I'll go with the rock and roll answer.

It was the one closest to the door.
:beer

[dantedayjob]

SO... I'm the only one who admits that it was because the guitar(s) looked cool... Yea, I know you guys... I ain't buyin' it...

[harmonicator]

SO... I'm the only one who admits that it was because the guitar(s) looked cool... Yea, I know you guys... I ain't buyin' it...

Actually, the black and gold look of the Bonamassa had A LOT to do with me wanting/getting it. I thought it looked kinda different in a cool way. I found it refreshing compared to the usual flame/cherry sunburst ones. I found the black/gold combo to have a classy look.

[stratzrus]

SO... I'm the only one who admits that it was because the guitar(s) looked cool... Yea, I know you guys... I ain't buyin' it...You know, I hadn't thought of it that way. I was thinking of why my favorites are my favorites, but in retrospect, you're absolutely right, looks were what initially attracted me to my #1...that and the fact that it was an ebony board strat with a humbucker.

[Mikey2201]

You know, I hadn't thought of it that way. I was thinking of why my favorites are my favorites, but in retrospect, you're absolutely right, looks were what initially attracted me to my #1...that and the fact that it was an ebony board strat with a humbucker.

OK i was begining to think i was one of the few. It was looks that initally caught my eye. But playability and sound are what made me buy.

I ask this question because i have a descision to make. I have to sell a couple of guitars and the choice is down to a really beautiful guitar that sounds great but does not fit me in terms of playability or a nice looking guitar that sounds great and has excellent playability.

[luv2playm]

I just love the sounds of a good Strat.

[Jarrett]

I only have one guitar now and I kinda got it as an accident. I wasn't looking for another guitar, but my friend asked me to go with him to the Dallas Guitar Show and help him find a guitar for himself. In the process I picked up this Tom Anderson Cobra and it just clicked. He wasn't interested in hearing that one, so I didn't even plug it in. Just stood there strumming it acoustically. It was really light and resonant and sounded great unplugged. Felt like the neck had been made for my hand. I put it down and walked off telling myself I didn't need a guitar. We eventually found my friend a guitar and left, but I couldn't stop thinking about the Cobra.

So for the next few days I literally lost sleep obsessing about that dang guitar. Finally I thought I'll just call the dealer so I can hear that it sold so I can put it to rest. Of course, it hadn't sold which just made it worse. So a couple of days later, I decided to go play it plugged in hoping it would sound bad and I could put it to rest. Of course it didn't. It sounded better than any of my guitars. I bought it on the spot. It was WAY more than I've ever spent on a guitar. And its all flame topped and pretty, which I generally don't like for me. I typically like plain Alder guitars.

I was initially sort of embarrassed to play it. Just not one to play a "foo foo" guitar historically. Always felt it was like showing off and that's not my style. But I got over that as well and have been playing and gigging this guitar every week for the last three years or so:
http://www.plaidfaction.com/cobra_small.JPG

[Scott Peterson]

All the above. Mine was like a gift from the heavens (cue the angels singing...) and to this day, nothing has even come close for me. (Except my other Melancon).

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/2004-Melancon-Custom-S.jpg

[Reeltarded]

Agree with first response. They pick us, or you are doing it oddly, if not wrong.

[Phil M]

all of the above.

Exactly. I wouldn't keep one that didn't have everything I wanted. There are way too many great guitars out there not to love the way it plays AND looks.

Scott that guitar rules! Melancon you say?

Uh oh, it's happening again...

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

All of the above. :dunno I also kind of like the vibe that so many of my favorite classic rock bands made history with the same guitars! It's just that killer tone when matched up with the right amp!

[paul1122]

05 sg 61 ri

[tonesurfer]

Have a few #1s, I was drawn to each of them. They are all off the charts.

[Bluesbuff]

I saw Sean Costello at a workshop at National Guitar Workshop. Knew then that LP GT with P90s was for me. Love with my Deluxe with Lollars!!!

[semi-hollowbody]

LOOKS!!!
I bought my first guitar with ZERO knowledge on the subject...
an epiphone dot deluxe (Semi-hollowbody)

And now an epiphone LEs Paul, G-400 (all upgraded) and an american strat later, my stock dot is still my favorite, but now because it sounds and looks good...

[shredtrash]

I play Gretsch's so all of those factors come into play for me. However, the sound was the key. Filtertron pickups are one of the keys to my tone.

[LHanson]

Hmmm.....
Favorite guitar is an '01 McCarty, which I got in a trade for a '97 CE22, which I got in a trade for a '78 Les Paul Custom (refinished, don't get upset), which I got back in '80 in a trade for a '60 Stratocaster (feel free to get upset), which I bought with a BF Vibrolux Reverb (sold for $150) for $500.

So I guess it picked me.

[monty]

Had a dream.

[Old Tele man]

...a Tele is never easy to master, so it was for the "challenge" of it all.

[Darkburst]

all of the above.

Exactly! A guitar has to have all of the above.

[msr13]

My first reaction is playability, but sound is right up there. Although, if the guitar feels amazing, and I know I can amp up tone with better pickups or something, than I will make the investment. I put looks down on the priority list. Important, but not a major choice in my picks if the guitar is reasonably attractive.

[dhdfoster]

All of the above, but I got really lucky.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-6/1265452/%21BR8N78QBGk%7E%24%28KGrHgoH-CMEjlLly1TnBK%21l9cb1%2Cg%7E%7E_12.jpg

[RiseofRock]

How well it fits my hand.

[Josh O]

Definetely all of the above!

[Tonemeister69]

It picked me.

This thread picked me.

[Coach]

First it was looks. Then I played it and it was the playability. Then after a long time playing it, and switching to other guitars, I realized it was also the sound I was looking for. All three.

[Zero]

Current favorites being Ibanez RG550's, I chose it because of how it played. I don't think I even plugged it when I bought it. The thin neck, the low trem, big frets, flat radius - blew me away.

[stratzrus]

I have to sell a couple of guitars and the choice is down to a really beautiful guitar that sounds great but does not fit me in terms of playability or a nice looking guitar that sounds great and has excellent playability.Playability is critical, I'd never put looks over that.

It was WAY more than I've ever spent on a guitar. And its all flame topped and pretty, which I generally don't like for me. I typically like plain Alder guitars.

I was initially sort of embarrassed to play it. Just not one to play a "foo foo" guitar historically. Always felt it was like showing off and that's not my style. But I got over that as well and have been playing and gigging this guitar every week for the last three years or so:
http://www.plaidfaction.com/cobra_small.JPGThe same thing happened to me. I was never a quilt top guy either, but due to playability and versatility my quilt top HSS Strat became my number one by default. When it counted, it knew I could play better on it and get the tones I needed out of it more than any of my others, including my 18 year old CS Strat which had been my number one since the day I bought it new in '91.

[Boobala]

Two words...

David Gilmour.

[calebwebb]

Playability, tone, and oddly enough, if the date code is 100% spot on, we were both born the same day.

I really am not that fond of how it looks, but that LP Firebrand Deluxe from '81 sure plays nice enough to forgive it's metallic teal color.

[67blackcherry]

I wanted a tobacco sunburst Les Paul since 1978 when I first started playing. I first saw Ace Frehley's guitar on KISS Alive and Joe Perry's sunburst '59 on the liner photos of Live Bootleg so I my Lester had to be tobacco sunburst.

I finally found a good one, '88 Standard, "practically dead mint" back in '92. I've had her the longest, gone through a few p/u's and she's sporting a set of humbucker sized P-90's. It's everything; the playability, tone, and cool factor. Nothing beats a Les Paul, it's such a rock and roll guitar.

I've got 14 guitars and they're all gems; however, she's the only one I'd keep if I had to get rid of them all.
That's a very nice Cunetto Relic strat but I'd still keep the Lester.

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll141/67blackcherry/455pix2001.jpg

This is all my playing wear which I think is pretty cool...
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll141/67blackcherry/455pix2002.jpg

[zombywoof]

Didn't pick it - I settled for it way back when I was kid when I did not know a good guitar from a can of tuna. Was not what I wanted but it was cheap and I could even pay it off a few dollars each month. Decades later, I was still playing that 1958 Tele.

[1973Marshall]

I have many guitars, but my faves always have the same thing in common - CHEAP! lol

I discovered CIJ Strats a few years ago, and found they are WELL PRICED GIGGING MACHINES that will survive anything you throw at them. Never have to worry about babying it or damage. Great for flyaways! Ever since Vintage Fenders became the rage the last 10 years, its been great to get CIJ 54, 57, 62, and 67 RI's!

[derekd]

Had mine built due to the ergonomic design the builder used. Picked the woods, parts, colors to suit the look I was going for. Plays, sounds and looks just as I asked for.

[stratzrus]

Had mine built due to the ergonomic design the builder used. Picked the woods, parts, colors to suit the look I was going for. Plays, sounds and looks just as I asked for.You're lucky. Custom guitars do not always turn out the way you'd hope.

I had one built and it just didn't sing; wasn't resonant at all. I sent it back and, to the dealer and builder's credit, they built me a second one and it's a work of art that I couldn't be happier with, but that made me realize that there's really no guaranteeing how a custom build is going to turn out.

[Mikey2201]

You're lucky. Custom guitars do not always turn out the way you'd hope.

I had one built and it just didn't sing; wasn't resonant at all. I sent it back and, to the dealer and builder's credit, they built me a second one and it's a work of art that I couldn't be happier with, but that made me realize that there's really no guaranteeing how a custom build is going to turn out.

I had a friend have a very similiar experience, just because it is custom built does not mean it will be great.

[derekd]

You're lucky. Custom guitars do not always turn out the way you'd hope.

I had one built and it just didn't sing; wasn't resonant at all. I sent it back and, to the dealer and builder's credit, they built me a second one and it's a work of art that I couldn't be happier with, but that made me realize that there's really no guaranteeing how a custom build is going to turn out.

So true, but that's part of the adventure no? I think you can hedge your bet by going with a builder who has a good rep.

[Beng2040]

Bought my favorite for looks and kept it cause it perfectly suits my playing style. If it didn't, I'd have sold it long ago. But, yeah, I initially bought it for it's looks.

[phoenix 7]

Yeah, an "all the above" option is needed.

[Bleak]

I didn't read the whole thread, but I'd vote sound/playability if I could do two. Looks are cool and all, but absolutely not the defining factor in the guitar for me.
Can't see the guitar I used listening to it on the stereo, right?