I used to have a small collection of guitars when I was younger and had money to spare, but then I stopped playing music for health reasons, and either sold guitars off, or they were stolen. So now, my main guitars are just:
1) 1994 Taylor 412 with rosewood back and sides
Because: I love Taylors, despite what the detractors think they have to say about them. Mine is a small bodied, salon-style guitar that it's not boomy and obnoxious like a dreadnought. The neck is prefect for my small hands, and with silk & steel strings, the tension's just right. I bought it new for wholesale when I worked at the Guitar Gallery of Houston (now defunct), and this was the first year of the 400 series, and the only with rosewood. It's been through the wars with me and it shows. It's idiosyncratic tone-wise, and it's a bitch to record with (because it's odd balance of tone). I love it because it's unique, and I've played it so long, my style as developed around it. I do a lot of songwriting with it, and it's excellant for some serious acoustic blues playing. It's wonderful for any fingerstyle because it's so responsive dynamically, yet it sound almost like a completely different guitar when played with a pick. It's been long dubbed "Gibby" after Josh Gibson (see my avatar).
2) 2002 epiphone AlleyKat semihollow body
Because: I eventually needed a replacement for my stolen '88 Les Paul Studio, and was too broke to buy another good LP. This has been a suitable substitute in many ways, although not the same level of workmanship. Because I'm not a very big person, I need an electric that's short-scaled, and the archtop makes it easier for my short arms. I play on heavier strings than most rock guitarists, so I also need something that's built to handle that, and the bridge on this guitar (which is the same as on a LP) seem to be the best for that, in my experience (save for the older style of bridge on jazz hollowbodies that's similar to a violin bridge). I love the pickups on these AlleyKats too, and it's more or less a very versatile instrument.
I also have:
- 197? Fender Lead I - currently not playable due to foolishly allowing some moron try to repair the bridge. I played it mostly in high school. It was sheer Roger Miller (Mission of Burma guy) worship, but it paid off, because for me, it was a very playable guitar and so I practiced a lot. Plus no one else played one (except Roger) and that made me feel special. I hope, when I have the money, to ship it off to a reputable repair shop and have it healed.
- Jay Turser 3/4 size Strat copy - this thing's ridiculous. I paid $25 for it, on a whim. The noisiest, shittiest pickups you can imagine. I doubt potting them would help. But it's strangely a lot of fun to play and to do twisted, fuck-up shit on. The neck and action aren't bad. I might even play this is public, it I didn't feel silly doing it. I wish I could get a Fender Strat with good pickups in this size, because actually it's very comfortable to play.
- A newer model Fender Jazz bass - because I need a bass guitar.
