Finding a guitar with the right construction - questions

[budda]

My first requirement is “do I find the neck shape comfortable?” Followed by “does it balance properly (not parallel to the floor/closer to classical position) on a strap?” If neither of those things happen the rest doesnt matter.

Also not mentioned: preferences change over time. In 5 10 or 20 years what may be your perfect guitar might look different.

 

[Moongrum]

which, to my mind, has coincided with an increase in tendonitis and complaints of pain from guitarists.

interesting. A big thick neck is more comfortable for me, but I also wonder if the player who gravitates towards shredder necks tends to have techniques/practice regimens that would lead to an RSI.

 

[Alberto7]

Also not mentioned: preferences change over time. In 5 10 or 20 years what may be your perfect guitar might look didifferent.

This is big. Some people take longer than others. For me, I don't know what I will like tomorrow. I kinda have to ride it out with a guitar I feel I'm not vibing with for long enough to make sure I actually don't like it. I didn't vibe with my Ibby AZ for months, until one day for some reason it was my absolute favorite guitar once again, and now I know I friggin love it, but it's a slow burning flame that will often take a background seat for something hotter and newer for a bit... but I keep going back to it.

On the other hand, I had to wait for two years of not vibing with my RGA121 to know that it just wasn't for me. Sold it a few months ago and I haven't looked back. Can't say the same for my AZ.

 

[Rubbishplayer]

interesting. A big thick neck is more comfortable for me, but I also wonder if the player who gravitates towards shredder necks tends to have techniques/practice regimens that would lead to an RSI.

Correlation does prove causation, but it is interesting.

 

[wheresthefbomb]

90% is how cool it looks
5% is pickups/quality electronics
5% is construction/hardware

 

[odibrom]

90% is how cool it looks
5% is pickups/quality electronics
5% is construction/hardware

True metal, this is the way...


... a guitar that makes on smile is the one that makes one perform better, tone comes with it, that's why tone is in the fingers, and also why it's subjective as each one of us' moods day by day.

 

[jaxadam]

Also not mentioned: preferences change over time. In 5 10 or 20 years what may be your perfect guitar might look different.

You say that, but look at this PM someone sent me over 15 years ago:

 

[Moongrum]

You say that, but look at this PM someone sent me over 15 years ago:

What emgs do you use btw?

 

[gnoll]

It's hard to completely predict what will work. I can have an idea of things I like, but even the individual piece of wood a guitar is made from makes a difference. Two guitars of the same model can be quite different.

So at the end of the day I need to have a guitar in my hands to know what I think of it. And then it's down to a combination of things. Sound first, then playability, stability, looks. And almost always I can find some things about an instrument that I really like, and some things I don't.

If you're gonna record and you have some guitars to choose from, pick the one that works best. If you only have one guitar, use that one and don't worry about it.

 

[AwakenTheSkies]

If you're gonna record and you have some guitars to choose from, pick the one that works best. If you only have one guitar, use that one and don't worry about it.

Actually I like to switch it up when recording something. The idea is to get every layer to sound ""slightly"" different. If you do something drastic like changing your amp, cab or IR then that's gonna throw off the whole mix. But a different guitar or a different mic position is just different enough to make it stand out without breaking the mix.
Some guitars are better with chords, other solos, others cleans, etc