I've thought about doing the following: buying some good ones, then subjecting them to the ultimate test- seeing which of them I actually turn to the most frequently, after an extending test period. Then selling some of the "losers" and doing it over again.

But $$ constraints prevent me. That, and also I'm happy enough with what I've got that I don't care any more.

There's no guarantee that the luthier/shop who made the Mahogany/adi dreadnaught that you are crazy about necessarily makes the best Braz/German 00 on earth.

so I can definitely see the benefits of diversifying suppliers.

On the other hand, if you've already found that luthier who builds with a "tonal vision" that exactly matches yours, and makes a neck that fits your hand perfectly, I can see someone sticking with that person through multiple guitars of various sizes. No need to keep searching for your " sound mate" if they've already been found.

Like both of your thoughts.

I tell you one thing. I'm already learning a lot. The Walker is a very special guitar. But, as another Walker owner once said, my first reaction was to be a little underwhelmed. But then I just kept playing, and the tone took me as it rolled across the room.

D2H - I basically just lived your philosophy. I figured. How far could I go wrong buying a Walker. They've been going up in price by 10% a year for 10 years. One can always sell such a guitar. They're pricy, but I'd been saving for a few years and if I have to sell it or want to sell it so be it. What a great edcuational experience.

And it's proving to be just that. Though I almost got cold feet. In the end I drove down to Kims and played it just to be sure, in advance. That's not like living with it, but it gave me enough confidence to carry through with the purchase.

I'm having a ball with it now. Tone is wonderful, the projection is difficult to understand unless you play it. It's louder than my 000. The mids are incredible and so is the base. And the trebles are fatter but have a bit of an edge to them. The guitar can be played hard with no ill effects.

So I'll enjoy it to death, though it will show some wear and tear. The tone will just get better as it's an adi top.

So I agree with you. And you're right. What a great way to get educated. I'm already comparing the two guitars re playability and string height and stuff. I look foward to the third, and will try to slow down, though I really would like a vintage sound in my arsenal.

I think there's more to it than finding a great tone. I really appreciate switching from the Collings to the Walker - two very different tones. I am constantly reminded just how amazing the Walker is. And the Collings, while it does not have as pervasive a tone, is an incredibly well made guitar and it's fun to play.

Great fun eh.

Stuart

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stuart,

Reading this thread made me think about Eric Clapton.In his auto-bio I think I remember a passage where he talks about Blackie,his famous 50's Strat being hard to play but loving it so much that it was hard to go with another guitar,sort of his signature sound/look. Most folks look at that time period with Blackie as some of Claptons great playing although not too consistent recording wise. Funny how when he went with his Fender EC Signature model that he designed an easier playing guitar with added tone features but a lot of people can't stand his newer, post-Blackie sound.

What I'm getting at is I dumped my vintage acoustics in favor of Collings and other new builds because the newer are easier to play,more durable,etc. but the better sound/tone may have been lost in the process.

Perhaps it makes up for better playing though because while I hear a different tone from Clapton these days, I also hear a smooth,confident maturity that comes in some part from how he reacts to his instrument along with his physical age and experience.

While playing the field,anyone here make the same discovery or changes ?