So here are 5 instruments that I’d like to own:
Breedlove #3: I played this guitar pretty regularly. It’s owned by Larry Breedlove, and it was bought for him by his father and given back to Larry as a gift. Walnut and cedar, it is the essence of what Larry founded the company on. I almost bought it for $1,500 ten years ago, but at the time I didn’t have the cash.
Stradivarius’ Messiah: Priceless, and un-played for centuries, this violin is a time capsule dating back to the days when a single craftsman made instruments for the ages. Stradivarius made the best violins of all time with the tools of his time.
A Harp Guitar: I love playing the guitar, and I’m gaining some skill on the harp, so why not combine them, maybe one by Duane Noble. Most are eclectic in design, incorporating art and sound for a pleasing combo.
Roland G-707: This would be a guilty pleasure for me. When it first came out I thought it was pretty cool looking, and the sounds it could produce were just as cool. At the time I could probably afford the guitar, but not the module. Oh well, money gets in the way again.
A Small Concert Acoustic: Brazilian Rosewood, with redwood top, probably a 12th fret, with an almost flat1-3/4 fingerboard. Maybe even a parlor guitar. I’ve always liked small guitars. The CG body style that Taylor has is a good fit for me.
Gasp!
Guitars thrill me, but owning Brownie, the sunburst Strat on the back cover of Layla, is distinct from owning any other old Stratocaster only by history, not by sound. At least that’s my take. So I went “This is a type of guitar I want” rather than “This is the specific guitar I want” for that reason. And except for the untouchable (literally) and the one that got away, that’s the way you went.
(I went old L5 rather than a new archtop not because the old of it, but because new ones seem to have gold appointments and cutaways, and I would love a non-cutaway jazz cannon instead.)
But we’re talking guitars! The Messiah is a violin! Which means you got another free choice there, brother.
I’ve just checked the site for Breedlove guitars, they are just beautiful. To be honest I don’t usually like all the futuristic stuff I see as custom work, sometimes custom guitars are not so well “resolved” as a whole, but I just love the look of these guitars!! I didn’t try any so far, but they are beautiful!
Dave, I think it’s OK to put here a violin, IG put an uke and somebody else put a mandolin
Dave – My spin on it was instruments in general, frankly, I don’t think I could come up with a 6th choice. I’ve never really adhered to the set rules of the “meme” anyway. One connective tissue is tat Stradivari made one guitar in his life…I think it qualifies.
GF -Breedlove makes fine instruments however now a days, it’s like “post CBS buyout” Larry and Steve started a good thing, but it needed some muscle, both financial, and from a business standpoint. Larry’s brother Kim is still involved, but the grass roots / upstarts attitude has been replaced by a corporate mentality.