blog
Dream Guitars
Most guitar players have a “dream guitar” they would own if they only had the money. I actually got my dream guitar – a natural finish Les Paul Custom – very early in life when my wonderful parents surprised me with it instead of a senior trip. (Les Pauls cost considerably less back in the 1970’s. My mother says she paid $350 for it. They go for about ten times that now.) That guitar is still my favorite and I play it regularly today.
All these years later I still remember staring at that guitar in the music store (many times), knowing there was no way I could afford it. I imagine many of you have been there too, especially those of you who are in your teens, as I was then. Which is not to say that all dream guitars have to be expensive. Many players favor inexpensive guitars. Which makes it far easier to turn dreams into realities.
Of course, we all know that guitars are merely things. Chunks of wood and metal. But for some reason, most players seem to settle on one particular guitar that they value over all others. Why? It could be looks. Everyone defines beauty a little differently, but certainly looks play a role. The way a guitar feels and plays is another big factor. And of course, the way a guitar sounds is vital. I think, however, that it is the combination of all three that create a true “dream guitar.”
While I do own my dream guitar, I have to admit that I have been dreaming again. For the last couple of years semi-hollowbody guitars have been my dream/nightmare. (Self to self: remember its only a thing; covetousness is a sin; you have bills to pay; you love your wife and want to stay married…OK, I’m better now. Let’s continue.)
I have played several but never owned one. I am talking about the ES-335 type of semi-hollowbody. Of course Gibson makes many models that taunt me. Naturally the most expensive ones call loudest – like the Larry Carlton ES-335 model [top image]. Very sweet-looking. The hand-carved solid-top Eastman T186 [center image] is another fiend crying out to my credit card. But the one that really gets me is a guitar like no other I have found. Created by some German craftsman with unnatural skills for making the irresistible. I am talking about the Hofner Verythin JS with the violin finish [bottom image]. The natural finish is a beauty also. But the violin finish has captivated me, probably because it’s so unusual.
Of course, I have never played any of these three simply because no local stores carry guitars with such a low selling potential. They are too costly, too unusual, or too unknown a brand for the mass guitar-buying market. So in my case we are talking infatuation based on looks alone. Most of us would have to buy a guitar like this online. Unless you happen to be one of those fortunate people who live near a guitar shop like Jeff Hale’s in Wisconsin.
In fact it was at the J. Hale Music website that I first saw the Verythin JS, and the only place where I have seen it shown with the violin finish. Jeff graciously allowed me to use a photo of it (and the Eastman T186) from his website for this article.
The interesting thing about Jeff’s website is he started out selling jazz guitars online because they are so hard to find locally. He became so successful that he ended up opening a retail store. Shows you what good service can do. If you love jazz guitars, you have to check out the website.
Well now you know about my latest dream guitar. Here’s hoping someday you have the opportunity to own a dream guitar of your own (or two.) [Smile]