referencing Timidi...that's exactly what happened with my 410CE purchase.  I was with my best bud (a killer diller guitarist) and his son (ditto) and we were all just hangin in the acoustic room at GC with no intention to buy anything...just seeing what was new.  While my god-son was trying out a couple of higher end Taylors and Martins I happened to pickup the 410 and start noodlin.  5 minutes tops and I told my GC guy...let's make a deal.  Instant wow.  Instant love.  Wasn't going to let it get away.  Would nevah evah sell it.  Listen to your heart, ol pal.  And your ears.

Well in truth I'd have a set amount of money and one shot
to get it right.

If I were to get the "wow" I'd probably get home and wonder
why I didn't take the time to play the new PRS and countless
others. Just how many "wows" would I have had.

I've never bought a car on "wow" and I've been "wowed" more times
than I can recall. I bought on matters that mattered.

It really sounds to me like you want a Martin and just trying to get the
best one for yourself so in your case I think "wow" works...and that's the
only reason I agree with it. Take the name brand out of the picture and
everything changes.

Personally I'll build my next acoustic so I don't have your issue so I'm probably not one to listen to anyway lol. And just trying to imagine that we're in a world that there is only one guitar that will
"wow" you....??....well something about that just doesn't seem right.

But ... *pause* ... but ... *pause ... but ... how am I gonna do my cover of El Paso without a Martin? I have to get a Martin. It's an unspoken rule, a code, have you, in the traditional country music biz.

I could never use a Gibson, that's for folk music. Tak-imanotcha-hooma-coochie or whatever the blazing saddles they are called, are for Rock ... it's just, well, ya have to have a Martin guitar and only play 3 chords, an occasional minor, and the even rarer key change (if you're covering Buck) if you're gonna do country. That's just how it is.

@FBB ... that's an excellent way to go about deciding on a guitar. I tried that the last time I went looking. I kept telling myself, what do people see in Gibson Les Paul's that I'm not seeing ... of course, my selection was limited playing left handed. The one that felt the best and sounded the best was the stripped down, chrome hardware, cherry red, Epiphone Les Paul Studio (or Epi's equivalent). That thing blew me away. IIRC it was around $499. I always check the neck, intonation, how smooth the tuners will tighten and loosen a string, and how well it stays in tune when I do a lot of bends, and I intentionally do a lot when test running a guitar. It was like someone spent hours on it setting it up.

As for going 'Wow', that's exactly what happened to me when I grabbed that HPL one. I went, 'Meh', when I played the DC Aura which at the time was one of their upper mid end/lower high end guitars.

For me the most important thing is how well the guitar feels and how well can I play it. They are all different as night and day. I tried playing my Taylor 12 string  450, it played like butter compared to my old Martin 12-20, so I bought the Taylor and sold the 12-20, just on that fact alone. No regrets. I also bought a new D-18 back in 1975, and still have it, and it plays just like when it was new. It's got a lot of battle scars but sounds fantastic. I wouldn't sell either one.

For electric guitar, I bought a Stellar Les Paul "Black Beauty" copy. It looks and plays just as well as a real Les Paul, I wouldn't sell that one either.
 

djwayne


For me the most important thing is how well the guitar feels and how well can I play it. They are all different as night and day. I tried playing my Taylor 12 string  450, it played like butter compared to my old Martin 12-20, so I bought the Taylor and sold the 12-20, just on that fact alone. No regrets. I also bought a new D-18 back in 1975, and still have it, and it plays just like when it was new. It's got a lot of battle scars but sounds fantastic. I wouldn't sell either one.

For electric guitar, I bought a Stellar Les Paul "Black Beauty" copy. It looks and plays just as well as a real Les Paul, I wouldn't sell that one either.
 

I have a Gibson Black Beauty Fretless Wonder. Left handed of course.

I hate it.

I regret ever buying it.

It's for sale if anyone wants it. I should take pictures and post. It's road worn that's for sure.

One of my favorite Acoustics at the house is a $289 Simon and Patrick from Canada.

Love  the "Simon Patrick.".....guitars...........great value.

Bub


But ... *pause* ... but ... *pause ... but ... how am I gonna do my cover of El Paso without a Martin? I have to get a Martin. It's an unspoken rule, a code, have you, in the traditional country music biz.

I could never use a Gibson, that's for folk music. Tak-imanotcha-hooma-coochie or whatever the blazing saddles they are called, are for Rock ... it's just, well, ya have to have a Martin guitar and only play 3 chords, an occasional minor, and the even rarer key change (if you're covering Buck) if you're gonna do country. That's just how it is.

bub, The Tak-imanotcha-hooma-coochie (I assume Takamine :) ) are very country! Just check out the website, the artists using them, and the signature models they offer!

OK Spacey...since a "wow" factor doesn't matter when choosing a guitar (admittedly a very, very personal decision) then...other than structure and intonation...what are those "matters that matter"?:-)

yorolpal


OK Spacey...since a "wow" factor doesn't matter when choosing a guitar (admittedly a very, very personal decision) then...other than structure and intonation...what are those "matters that matter"?:-)

OK yourolpal....since when did I say it didn't matter?
 
Her are some matters that matter....
Some can buy any guitar they want and money isn't a factor. They can afford to make
a mistake. Find out after buying that there may be problems or they may have played other
guitars and found a bigger wow.
Some shop around and some don't. May be a factor to those that may have limited shots and
can't afford a bad purchasel
Some don't have a preference for one particular model or make. Some do.
Some want one for a specific playing style and performance. (stage, studio etc.)
 
 
Bub has a few basic guidelines leading him- make, being left handed -genre/playing style- that we're aware of. He wants a left-handed Martin.
 
By him being set on a Martin the wow factor is limited to Martins. Makes it easy. Especially since
he's already found it.
Should he be shopping around then as I pointed out the wow factor is expanded...unless
one thinks it's highly unlikely that they'll find another guitar that wow's them. So the wow becomes not the only decided factor in making a choice when one may have shopped around and found more than one to make a decision.
 
Other factors that matter are based on what one knows about them and what comparisons
there may be between all those that wowed them. Many I already addressed as some of
the characteristics of the guitar that I would consider...including price and service- another
factor that Bub has already mentioned...he knows the folks.
 
The way it stands....
He found a left-handed Martin.
He has checked out some of the "matters" I mentioned and found no problems.
He was quesstioned about the construction- specifically lamination. It was addressed.
He was wowed and many believe that that was good enough. Probably is because
of his selection limitations he as made and he likes the store.
Game over.
 
And I'd like an answer to my question.
 
 
 

Of course the only trouble with being kept in the dark regarding the price tag is that at some point in the future I may have to start auctioning body parts....