Major issue with G.A.S. - cannot find "the one".

[Arthur Sweeney]

I have been struggling with GAS (guitar acquisition syndrome) for years.

I thought I just beat it, but now methinks not.

I have 3 acoustics: a 2010 Taylor 110, a new GS Mini mahogany, and a 'beater' OM-size guitar

that is in need of attention and not worth me paying a luthier to get it right.

Anyway, here is my new plan:

I am searching for just the right guitar for myself. I love acoustics, and have come to love Taylors.

I currently have a 2010 Taylor 110 and a new 2015 GS Mini mahogany. While both are great guitars,

I find myself continuing my search for a guitar I can keep for life, that fits me just right. I have found the 110

to be a bit too big, in both body size, and scale length. I have found the Mini to be a bit too small, in both body size and scale length. Can you point me to some Taylors that have a smaller body size (no 12-frets though), and an intermediate scale length (such as 24.5"), but ideally still with the 1 11/16" nut width? Price is a concern too, as

my plan is, if I find the right one, to offer-up my 2 guitars (one mint condition, one brand new condition) as possible trades, hopefully an even trade. Used is fine, and if Taylor makes none that fit my description, then perhaps another, like a higher-end Yamaha, or non-HPL Martin? Taylor would be my first choice though. Thank you for your time. -Arthur

[Brian Evans]

Google is your friend...  Check out their Grand Concert size.  Model 312 has 14 fret, 1 11/16" neck.

Well, that chart didn't work out well.  Here is the link, about 3/4 way down the page.  http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196135

Taylor Dimensions
......................Grand Symphony......Dreadnought........Grand Auditorium.......Grand Concert..............Jumbo
Body Width: .....16 ¼ inches.............16 Inches...........16 Inches...................15 Inches...............17 Inches
Body Depth: ......4 5/8 Inches.............4 5/8 Inches.........4 5/8 Inches................4 3/8 Inches.............4 5/8 Inches
Body Length: ....20 Inches...............20 Inches............20 Inches..................19 1/2 Inches............21 Inches
Overall Length:..41 Inches...............41 Inches............41 Inches..................40 1/2 Inches............42 Inches



Sound Board Area

Grand Concert:......223 sq in
Grand Auditorium:...243.5 sq in
Grand Symphony:.....247.25 sq in
Dreadnought:........252.5 sq in
Jumbo:..............267.4 sq in

[Ned Knepp]

Hey Arthur, In about 40  years of playing and searching, I've never found the "one". At this point, I don't think it exist. That doesn't mean that the same is true for you but I finally realized that the more I looked, the more I learned and the more I learned the more I accepted that I want mutually exclusive attributes in my "one". 

 I now have two "main" players... but I'm just as likely to reach for one of the other "not main" players as I as one of the "two" and the choice has a lot to do with type/style of music I feel like playing.

The guitar that's too big may boom like I want for bluegrass and the too short one may have the sweet tone I love for fingerstyle. The biggest difference between my "two" is that scale length and neck joint location. I love them both for completely different reasons. Some of my friends don't understand how or why I make a distinction but they tend to have spent less time on the "hunt" than I have. In my opinion, they will understand too if they keep looking long enough. ( BTW, one of them is a Uku player that only owns 3 that she "needs" now... I think she gets is now but won't admit it.)

One of my brothers started this hobby with me but was less inclined to total restorations than I am and ended up as more of a broker/trader than I could ever afford to be. This wasn't something he did for a living,It was his hobby.  At one point, I asked him how many guitars he'd owned in his life and we started a list which we stopped adding to at 250 instruments even though he continued to remember others over the next few weeks. I asked him which was his personal favorite and he couldn't come up with one. In fact the subset of "favorite" guitars kept growing too. Some of those were "favorites" because of their ability to sound just right on only a single song or two.  Maybe the most telling thing was that there were something like 25 guitars in his living room... and not a single one of they was exempt from the possibility of being sold. 

 I know we've all said that you should find a guitar you really like and buy it, which I earnestly believe but almost anyone that spends time educating themselves about guitars will fall subject to GAS (even if they resist actually buying another guitar.)   Maybe you can find the "one" but I don't think I know anyone that is absolutely, completely satisfied with a single instrument... or even two. 

[Paul Verticchio]

Hi Arthur.

I'm reluctant to join this conversation as I may have nothing but considerations that may be impractical for you.

I understand your specification desires for a guitar. Here are some tough facts to consider:

Buying a guitar sight unseen/unplayed is ALWAYS a crap shoot. No two guitars are identical. You need to put in travel time & leg work to play the guitars before you buy them... unless paying shipping back to a distributor after an audition period is your thing. It gets expensive.

If a Taylor 110 is too big, then you've eliminated ALL dreadnaught sized guitars. Consider 000 or 00 sized instruments. In Taylor's language, those are the GC & GA series.

A scale length under 25" on an acoustic is relatively rare in a full sized factory made instrument, even those with 12 fret specs.

The guitar you eventually find with those specs will likely be over $1500 [MAP]. If that number is too high, let's just say "well over $1000".

Your hopes of an "even trade" will get you the worse deal ever. Remember, no dealer will give you more for your instruments than what they can get them for WHOLESALE. Add to the equation that they're used instruments (regardless of condition) without warranties and the trade-in value becomes even less.

Be blind to name brands. There are a few VERY GOOD Asian instruments out there worth looking into.  Remember, you're buying a guitar, NOT a registered trademark.

To semi-echo Ned's comments; After 50 years of playing, I have several guitars (6 to be exact chosen to fill specific purposes). Some sound like my dream instrument and some play like my dream instrument. That combination exists in none. It's close on a couple but I've learned that "personal standards of perfections" are a pipe dream to those of us that won't put out several thousand $$$ for an instrument custom built to our specifications. Even then, what suits us today may be completely different in a couple of years as our abilities, ears and preferences evolve. Believe it or not, my FAVORITE go to guitar is the least expensive.

I wish you A LOT of VERY GOOD LUCK in your search. Just realize that it will be a journey that will require a MAJOR INVESTMENT of YOUR time & effort. No one can find your perfect guitar but you.

Best regards my friend.

Paul