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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | We often hear someone say that the such-and-such has become my "go to" guitar. The only time I could say that I had a “go to” guitar is back when I owned but one guitar. Once I owned a second, then a third, etc., I didn’t “go to” any one in particular. I played them all. I could not say which one was my favorite, nor even which one I played the most often, even though I was often asked the question. I didn't really know. At that point, I began maintaining a record of everything I used when performing with the band or solo. Rehearsals and practice didn’t count. Just the gigs. After 225 gigs, the record is clear. There is no “go to” guitar. I’ve used 25 guitars, with a clear preference for five specific models, the top ranked model being the VXT at just over one out of every five gigs. The second and third ranked guitars are interchangeable with the 1187 custom, used since December 2010 and ranked second, replacing the 1881, ranked third and used before December, 2010. In time, it would, therefore, appear that the 1187 will become my most frequently used model. Even so, based on how often others continue to be used, it would be difficult to say it is my “go to” guitar. The top five are listed below. After this group, the individual percentages drop off quickly. When I consider what I use for practice and rehearsals, I suspect (but don’t actually keep track of the numbers) that the single year 1984 1567 Legend, the 1881 and two USA Fenders (a Strat and a Tele) probably get played the most. If there is a point to all this, it would be that when you have a choice, variety is preferable.
VXT 20.9%
1187 15.1%
1881 14.2%
EA-6 12.9%
Tak EF75 11.1%
20 others 25.8% |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | My "go to" guitar is whichever one happens to be on the closest stand. They are all outstanding so which one I grab doesn't really matter. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Agreed my fellow Brad!
I sure don't gig as much as you (wish I did)... but I know what your mean. Why even have a guitar that you don't like?
For instance... until a few days ago I had not touched my UTE for at least 5 months. That's because I was playing my AD-II which in turn I had left hanging for a period of time before that.
It's like re-discovering a great, (IMHO) guitar.
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So I guess I contridicted myself... I do have a "go-to" guitar. It's just not always the same one. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I go to the one that's in the stand next to my chair.
The one in the stand changes regularly but on no schedule. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | While I am fortunate to have a fair number of guitars to choose from for any possible gig or situation, I do have favorites and I have always used various guitars from time to time. During the years that I gigged every night for nearly 15 years, I used 4 Ovations: Legend Cutaway and Pacemaker 12 and then the -6 Elites. That was then and this is now and the Book 12 that I referenced to as a "Go To" guitar is just that: it was never played until I bought it. After doing an initial needed setup when I first got it, it has filled most of my needs for the past nearly two years and I have enjoyed seeing and hearing it open up to become an incredible guitar...of course, I have and use other guitars but for most situations and weekly Sunday applications, I use the Book 12. I also use the Villette Gryphon Octave 12 for a great change of pace sound. There may come a time when I find I use something else on a regular basis, but I'm satisfied with what I use now. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Good point, prof. I have narrowed my idea of "go-to" somewhat: For gigs with Bose L1 and other amps my classic Legend 1117 with Fishman preamp is most reliable: great tone, no feedback. For pure acoustic recording in the studio, it's definitely my Adamas 1581-5. Gotta have that rich bass and clear highs. Unplugged: no worries about the thin carbon top. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | 1537 !!!.. then there`s the 1617 .. then there`s the 1618 , hang on , that`s a 12 stringer .. there`s the ZEPEDA , a sort of hy-brid , a Classic with Silky-steel`s .. the WASH J-9, a slimline electric jazz-box .. and then there are them there amps,.. ,I need help......
Vic |
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Joined:
November 2010
Posts: 125
Location: Derry NH | my 1778. no- my 99C. hold on, my 1112. wait.... |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1565
Location: Indiana |  |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Now, THERE'S a visual metaphor! |
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A "go to" guitar? Not for me.
