I do love my Taylor. It’s not the most expensive model or anything. Actually, it’s only a couple steps up from entry level, but from a company whose half sized guitars list at a price that keeps them away from most beginners’ hands, two steps up is pretty good. What I love is the shape. It’s like a parlor shape, they call it the Grand Auditorium style. Sounds pompous, huh?

Actually, it makes for a softer, more balanced sound. It’s great for everything from finger picking to heavy strumming. It is an ideal singer’s guitar. And for a world-class instrument maker, it’s really not that pricey. Not when you consider the quality.

What keeps it so reasonable? Laminated back and sides. That’s why the next step, the step out of the lower rungs of production and into the realm of truly exceptional guitars is such a big one. Like, many hundreds of dollars big. That would be the step away from laminated wood into all solid hardwood pieces. Oh yeah, now we’re talking rich tone. Now we hear what different woods, exotic woods, can sound like. How different they can sound.

So I continue to build my new toy fund, sometimes coveting a vintage semi-hollowbody when I’m going through a noisy rock phase, sometimes dreaming fondly of a sweet, sweet acoustic that I’d probably be afraid to take out of the case.

Oh… decisions, decisions. I suppose it’s a good thing I’m at least a grand away from either option.

I suppose.