The Best GUITAR You've Played?

[deaconblues]

There's a "best bass" thread, so I thought I'd start one for guitarists.

I think the best guitar I've played would be my uncle's '60-'61 Gretsch 6120.
Best new guitar would be a Gibson L-5 Wes Montgomery...the tone was so incredibly smooth.
Best Rick is a tie between a version 1 Blue Boy 360F and John Simmons' '64 360/12 at MARF.

Let's hear some of yours!

[peewee]

Ooooooh... this will take some bandwidth!

Electrics:

My former museum quality 1954 Les Paul goldtop that I owned back in the early '80s and paid a mere $1250 for. THE Les Paul that I compare all others against. I Still kick myself to this day for ever parting with that one!

Baltimore luthier Phil Jacoby's parts Telecaster; easily makes the top of any Fender list I could ever compile. Japanese neck that has been compound radiused, USCG Thinline-type body with Strat like body contours finished in a thin coat of blonde nitro, Joe Barden pup and a left handed Tele bridgeplate from Glendale Guitars as well as Glendale compensated saddles. Incredible playing and sounding guitar!!

My current 2001 Gibson Historic '56 Les Paul reissue that has been with me for the last 8 years and logged many miles and stage hours. This was my main touring guitar from 2002 until 2005 and is my #1 player. This deal was played to DEATH in that time span and had to be brought back to life by Phil Jacoby in 2007. I've replaced the stock electronics with a set vintage 1955 P90s, a virgin set of 1950s Sprague NOS "bumble bee" caps and matched CTS 250K pots. The stock tailpiece and studs have been replaced with vintage Gibson parts from the 1950s. In its short life span, its had a total refret (because the stock ones were spent), had the nut replaced twice and two ABR-1 bridge replacements. Plays and sounds incredible and I constantly get compliments about the tone from other players.

An early 1980s Gibson Super 400 jazz box that was every bit as big as myself and was owned by a friend. What a tone and was practically self playing; big, warm and organic sounding guitar. AND I could have lived in the case if things got bad!

Best Rick would be my former 2007 360/12c64 FG. Man, how I miss that guitar!! Nothing sounds like that and the head turning factor was like nothing I've ever had before.


Acoustics:

My 1966 Gibson J-50; the guitar that I learned to play on. It just came back from a 14 month restoration by Phil Jacoby and plays and sounds better than it ever has in the 44 years its been in the family. It'll be around for at least another 50 years now.

A 1957 Martin D-28 that was for sale in a local shop in early 2009. This thing had been played to death and had been cleated, had a new bridge and bridge plate installed and a refret... and was a freaking CANNON! This is probably the best acoustic I've ever laid hands on without a doubt and if I had the money at the time, it would be in my possession today. Unbelievable instrument in every way.

My buddy Rob's 2008 Martin D-18 Authentic. Nearly as good as the '57 D-28 mentioned above. Give it another 15 years and it'll be a monster guitar possibly on the same level as the D-28. I'm jealous!!

[collin]

My 1959 Gibson ES-335 is the best playing guitar I have ever touched. Period.

[Ric-O-Buc]

My McPherson 4.5 XP.

[jimk]

Oh man, that's a no brainer! My answer of course is my April '09 Rick 360/12 string.

As far as acoustics go, I played on an Eastman model AC530-12, a very nice 12 string guitar I'd love to own one day.

JimK

[elreydlp]

No contest. My '99 Reverend Slingshot. Of all the MANY electric 12's I've owned, my FG 330/12 wins hands-down.

[winston]

Mine..........and that answers the bass question too.

[scotty]

One of my friends used to have a old Eko acoustic 6 string.I loved that guitar sounded great.I quite fancy one of the Ranger 6 50th Anniversary models as me thinks to himself and goes off to internet shop........

[antipodean]

Mine..........and that answers the bass question too.

I wish I'd said that.....

[Danotron]

My 1959 Gibson ES-335 is the best playing guitar I have ever touched. Period.

Yeah, I've got to go with Collin on this. He brought it over and it's all that.

I have a 1978 Gibson 355 that's my favorite of my gigging guitars. People try to buy it from me all the time but she's a keeper. If Norlin era Gibsons are hit and miss this ones a hit!

For Rics it a toss up between my '73 620 (amazing!) and my '65 365 OS (also amazing). I dig the thin vintage necks!

[kiramdear]

Wow, toughie!

Best acoustic is probably one of the ones that Paul made that I've been lucky enough to enjoy before they fly out his door. Best acoustic I've owned is the Martin D-16 that I have now. Acoustic twelve would be a Guild F-212. Best six string is a tie between a 325V59 and a mid-Sixties' ES 335, with a Parker Fly in the running. Best electric twelve is a Carl Wilson.

[paologregorio]

Easy; one of mine!

[sloop_john_b]

I think I would have to say my Les Paul R8, only because I wasn't intending on buying a Les Paul at all until I picked it up on a whim. It has been my go-to in every situation since. I can't picture myself ever selling it.

[fatcat]

370-12 RM
"68 Gretsch Streamilner.
Fender Tele De Luxe
Mitchell 12 str acoustic
These are ones I own.
Not owned-- a nice Ric 12 str acoustic that was at the DCM conf.Easily the best 12 acoustic ever.

[weemac]

A 1962 ES-175 that Jacksons (in Sydney) had on the wall at the price of $6000 (bare in mind this was about 1990 and it was expensive for the time, I think the highest price in the store)
I asked to touch it and they said "Sure get it down" I played it for about 5 minuets and exclaimed "Its worth every cent!"
I've never played anything quite like it since...

Eden.