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Acoustic Dreaming
When I play live it is almost always electric guitar. Although I love playing acoustic, I don’t get many opportunities. I’ve sort of been pigeonholed as an electric guitarist. I had an Ovation that I used as a stage guitar for a few years, but it got so little use that I eventually sold it. I still have the Alvarez Yairi acoustic I got way back in 1981, but it doesn’t have a pickup, and I really wouldn’t want to use it live. It was a gift from my wife, so I would hate to see it get damaged. So the last couple of times I played acoustic on stage, I had to borrow one.
Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Standard
Lately though, I have been thinking a lot about acoustic guitars and wanting to devote more time to improving my acoustic playing. I really can’t justify buying an expensive acoustic for as little as I use one live, but I can still dream can’t I? If money wasn’t a concern I would probably have one custom built by a small luthier such as Charis or Bashkin. Or choose a model from a small company such as Collings. But custom guitar prices are out of reach for all but the richest pickers and super-stars. A higher end “stock” model from one of the big names is more realistic, although still very expensive.
I have tried several Taylors, Martins, and Gibsons over the years. And while the Taylors are always consistent and the higher end models play like butter, I just can’t warm up to them. I think is partly the tone, partly they seem a little “too perfect”, and partly everyone has one. High end Martins can sound great, but there are so many models it’s hard to choose. And many of the high end models are similar looking and a bit plain, especially for the price.
Most of the Gibsons models seem to have some character. They don’t look like every other acoustic out there, but they also don’t look too radical, which for me is a good thing. To me they seem to have that “X factor” that so many acoustics lack. Of course they all have their own unique tone, and I don’t care for them all. But one I have tried and really like is the Songwriter Deluxe (non cutaway.) There are three versions, the Studio, the Standard, and the Custom. The studio is the least expensive model and has split parallelogram inlays and a unique “mustache” bridge. This is the first one I played and loved the feel and tone. It made me want to play it. The new Standard is a little more understated in the looks department than the Studio, which I also like, and has better electronics. The Custom is just too fancy for me with its elaborate body inlays (something I have never really liked.)
So if I had three grand laying around unused I would probably buy a Songwriter Deluxe Standard (dream, dream, dream...)
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Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Standard Acoustic-Electric Guitar Antique Natural