I think Rick's got it right. Your best off camping out at a place like Dream Guitars, Eric Schoenberg's shop, etc., and playing a bunch to see what blows you away. And at that price, you've got every right to expect to be blown away. At 10k or more, great isn't enough. It's the kind of decision that will probably take a while, playing many at several places over time. Talking to the luthiers is also in order.

If your thinking Merrill, then maybe an OM28 Braz/Adi would do the trick. Eric Schoenberg's got one in stock. And if your thinking dread at 10k+, I'd be tempted to try that new Santa Cruz 1934 that Buffalo Brothers has listed. And frankly I wouldn't rule out Collings Maybe one of those super de duper Braz/Adi/Varnish models over at Carmel Music. And speaking of Ryan's, Hill Country Guitars has two used ones in stock. Man, the possibilities are frickin mind boggling. I need air. Have fun.

This is great feedback. A couple of responses...

quote:

Originally posted by elambo:
This is great feedback. A couple of responses...

You're welcome!

quote:

Originally posted by RickS:
Personally, the few Olsons I have played did nothing for me at all. I have not personally played a Ryan yet, but the ones I have heard up close and personal sounded no better to my old ear than a Goodall.

Don't know how much a new Merrill would set you back, never had the chance to play one of those either.

...Of all the big money brands they carry, the two that really stood out to me were a Charles Hoffman dream series in Braz and German, and a Wingert in Coco and German.

I haven't played an Olson either, but they record well, that's for sure. There's certainly the risk that I may not find it as stellar as some fans have suggested. Hard to predict.

Merrills are reasonable. Depending on the dressing, they're often around $5k and up.

I think I heard the Wingert on Dream Guitar's site and it was very nice. I'll check out the Hoffman, too.

quote:

Originally posted by mwilkins:
IIf you want a more modern-sounding fingerstyle guitar, I think the Ryan Missions are amazing (much moreso than his larger-bodied guitars)...

...or a Slobod D. I've heard great things about them from people who know what they're talking about.

That's two strong votes for a brand I'd never previously heard of - Slobod. Precisely what I was hoping to get from this thread.

quote:

Originally posted by rick-slo:
Your best bet is some hands on playing, maybe a place with a good selection like Dream Guitars, The Luthiers Collecion, ect.

I'm 100% certain that you're right, but I simply can't get away in the near future. This week I'm on the first vacation I've taken in 3 years, and driving or flying to any of these better stores won't be possible.

quote:

Originally posted by Tom F.:
If your thinking Merrill, then maybe an OM28 Braz/Adi would do the trick. Eric Schoenberg's got one in stock. And if your thinking dread at 10k+, I'd be tempted to try that new San

That Merrill at Schoenberg's is a stunner. Love that Braz!

Thanks for the heads-up on Hill's Ryans - I'll look there, too. I've never heard a Ryan I didn't (really) like.

You guys are KILLING me - these are some beautiful guitars indeed. It's hard to justify a vintage guitar when all these smaller luthiers are producing guitars this good. I don't think it's going to be an issue of finding an incredible guitar, it's going to be weeding through the (sometimes) small differences that separate them.

So far the Merrill and Ryan are sticking with my the most. Couldn't find a Slobod or Hoffman. I'll keep looking.

Elambo, John Slobod builds under the name Circa Guitars. Check out the beautiful D-28 Braz/Adi Circa at Gryphon

Thanks Tom!

Elambo, Dream Guitars sells both Hoffman and Circa guitars. Last time I looked they had a couple of new Hoffman's, including the one I played that stood out to me. And they had a new Circa 00 I believe. Circa is Slobod.

And BTW, that is what Al Pettiway actually owns and uses.

That Circa D-28 at Gryphon is killing me. Please, Mr. Moderator, buy it before I do something crazy (like call them with my credit card out).