Once in a lifetime guitar opinions....

[psg1]

Crazy question.... but I'm lining up my 40th b day gift for myself... A year and a half away. I was thinking about using some stashed cash for a R9. I would have around 5k by then. But then I got to thinking maybe a custom made job or something other than a Gibson ( or Fender or PRS) might be better for a once in a lifetime purchase. Any thoughts on where I should start looking... I play at home just for a hobby but I have acquired some decent stuff over the years.... Nice Les Paul, Tele, Strat, PRS... all keepers. I"m just trying to fine the home run , over the top awesome axe that I could pass on to my kid. I know there is a lot of stuff over 5 stacks that would fit the bill...but that is my limit. I like the looks of the Thorn stuff I saw posted here... also maybe Collings???? What do ya think.... I'm partial to humbuckers....but never played anything with p 90's.

[karmadave]

Find yourself a really nice R9. The alternative would be a 59 Historic ES-335. You wouldn't be sorry with either...

[stratzrus]

I'd strongly recommend a 335 or similar semi-hollowbody.

A Sadowksy or Johnny A Signature would also be strong contenders. You can still play the things you play on the solidbodies but have a some tones that your other guitars can't produce.

It could easily become a family heirloom.

[Notverysuttle]

Keep saving and playing--you'll figure it out by then.

[dkaplowitz]

Originally Posted by Notverysuttle

Keep saving and playing--you'll figure it out by then.

+1

Let the once in a lifetime guitar find you first, then buy it.

[RRfireblade]

"Once in a lifetime guitar opinions.... "

Here's the thing , if this is truly your honest intent , you can't buy that.

What I mean buy that is , you can have a dozen custom guitars built and buy the top shelf product from a dozen different manufactures and still not find it.

If you have your heart set on something you've always wanted then that's a different story. Find it , buy it , be happy.

But if your looking to buy like your favorite guitar from that point on , your going to have to do it like the rest of us , spend the next year and a half playing everything you can get your hands on and hope you get lucky. At least you'll have the luxury of (for practical purposes) money being no object.

Good Luck and Happy B Day.

[Bryan T]

Don't make it a trophy. As a kid, my friend's dad had a lifetime guitar that lived in a case under his bed, never to be played. The instrument probably isn't going to appreciate, so get something that'll inspire you to play.

Personally, I'd recommend a trip to a city with a good selection of guitar shops and find something that speaks to you. Ordering guitars is a lot of fun, but getting a 'lifetime keeper' doesn't happen too often.

[DGTCrazy]

If you've got great guitars /tones covered, you may want to think of a great amp. For under $5k, you could get a Bludotone Ojai, Glaswerks SOD II, Red Plate, or something similar. Heck, for $5k you could get a beautiful Blackface Fender type amp that will only increase in value.

But..............I know what you're thinking, as I had a special guitar made for me. I had a Hollow body made, with humbuckers that could be split, and a Piezo, so it covers so many tones. I also had custom inlay work to give it the personal touch. I picked out the woods, fretwire....totally spec'ed out the guitar. But I was lucky, and had a prominent builder that was local so I could be there every step of the way.

The tough part is that there's so many amazing builders, with Tom Anderson, Thorn, Colling, Suhr, MJ Engineering part of my favorites (there's so many more though). You can also contact Gibson or Fender and spec out your own build.

Good luck!

[Atomic Punk]

http://www.mcinturffguitars.com/

This is what you need. I will have me one of these some day....oh, yes I will.

This one here.

http://www.mcinturffguitars.com/06-G...andardTrem.asp

[Devnor]

Hard to argue with a great R9 esp if it's speaking to you. Otherwise save some money & get an Anderson Bulldog

[ToneBrokerBill]

I agree that you shouldn't force the issue and you should try to let a guitar find you. At the same time, I agree with the areas where others have said to look while waiting for that to happen: just about anything by Collings, 335s, Johnny A, Grosh (esp. the set necks or Electrajets), vintage Strats. Have fun.

[stratzrus]

Originally Posted by DGTCrazy

...I had a special guitar made for me. I had a Hollow body made, with humbuckers that could be split, and a Piezo, so it covers so many tones. I also had custom inlay work to give it the personal touch. I picked out the woods, fretwire....totally spec'ed out the guitar. But I was lucky, and had a prominent builder that was local so I could be there every step of the way.

Even with all of that, when you get it you may still be disappointed.

I had a guitar built and when it arrived my heart sank to the floor. Luckily they took it back and built me another one that turned out to be spectacular so all was well in the end, but I'll never have another guitar built again.

I'd much rather play one before purchase and know exactly what I'm getting.

[straightblues]

Speaking from a guy who has owned well over 100 guitars, I don't know if there is any such thing as a lifetime guitar. But there are lots of special ones. I have about 10 right now that I don't ever think I will let go of.

In my mind, there are two things for you to consider. Is this an investment or is it truely something you will own for your whole life? If it is an investment, buy a used or new Gibson R9. It will keep its resale value and make you money over time.

If you want a lifetime guitar, figure out exactely what you want in a guitar. If it is out there already, buy it from somebodies stock. If it isn't, have it built for yourself. What you need to decide is what is important to you in a guitar. From the looks of it, you have tried all the different styles of guitar. Which one could you be happy with for the rest of your life? Once you decide that, let us all know, describe the guitar in detail, and I am sure folks will come up with lots of suggestions.

[bassethound]

Just a thought, but if you think you might like to give P90s a try, $5k would get you a nice golden era SG Jr. or LP Jr.

[Hulakatt]

talk to Creston, he might be able to help for well under 4k let alone 5k