What is the best guitar you have ever played?

JerkMoans

The Feline Lion Supreme Slash 2  

Looks a bit like this: https://imgur.com/a/Lym1Y

As near close to perfect as anything I’ve twanged out a three chord trick upon.

richardhomer

Teyeplayer said:

A ‘64 es335 that was neither mine nor perfect and only briefly borrowed, there was something in the imperfection though that made it work perfectly for me. 

it got sold in a hurry as the owner went bankrupt and I believe I saw it surface in the usual second hand vintage circles soon after, before it going for what I (having played and bonded with it) believe to be a steal. 

That guitar remains both my holy grail and my albatross.

Mine is for sale

ICBM

Bigsby said:

I reckon you need to spend a year or two with a guitar to really know how you feel about it - and even that might change over time. Probably why the 'best guitar you ever played' so often is one you can't play anymore.

Not with that Les Paul. I had borrowed it for a couple of weeks for some recording, and it was instantly obvious to everyone in the studio that it was something very special. I can listen to the songs I recorded now and the tone just jumps out as being in a different league from the several other guitars I used, which I find hard to tell apart.

What’s so frustrating is that it was for sale, and I could have bought it if I’d traded all my guitars for it and a small amount of money - the owner was happy to do it. But I convinced myself it was better to have a collection of versatile guitars rather than one great one. Every time I listen to the recordings I kick myself for being completely wrong.

Lebarque

The latest guitar that I thought 'phwoar' was @RiftAmps ' vintage Casino. On the Monty's neck pickup. Through Chris' PR18.

grungebob

A 1979 RD artist, there seemed to be no frets left but it played great and was oh so musical. Sadly my mate wouldn’t sell me it and still won’t despite it being 12 years later. 

Vibetronic

definitely my Vigier...had it a year and a half now and the rest of my guitars are gathering dust a bit apart from a couple of 7-strings for band stuff. I think they're very good guitars anyway, but I just got very lucky with this one as it feels like nothing else I've ever played. Playing it feels a bit like sitting back in a favourite and well-worn chair, or putting on a pair of very comfy slippers...plus I still get the same feeling playing it now as I did when I first tried it in the shop. Not very rocking comparisons but the best I can come up with 

tone1

A Gary Rossington Aged Les Paul

stratman3142

 Someone once asked me what's the best guitar in the world. My answer was that I already own it and that it's my American Standard HSS Strat.

I also own the best Telecaster and Les Paul that I've played. But my Strat is the one.

KKJale

There've been so many...

A big-necked '54 Strat that was in a shop a few years ago... had it through a BFDR and it was an extraordinary, game-changing instrument. I think it was about £15k. Pretty immaterial.

A '53 goldtop that belonged to Dave Gregory and which through various circumstances ended up being in my care for a week or so. It sounded outrageously saucy and had a stunning neck. Left an impression on me like ICBM's Custom. Unforgettable. Not for sale...

ourmaninthenorth

Greeny. 

TA22GT

My 81 Tokai ES150.  There is just something in the way the strings bend with you. It isn't a fight it's a pleasure.

designerseye88

1958 Strat 

AlexC

@EricTheWeary Thanks for clearing that up. Good clip too!

Kebabkid

A mate in the US had a VOS LP that had been refretted by Stewart MacDonald. It was superb.
Also, an old, cutaway Taylor. 

My current squeeze, a Suhr Standard with a big neck.

sweepy

There is a new Fender EJ Strat with the F Hole too, quite intrigued to hear what it sounds like 

soma1975

I have a 2006 Fender Classic Players 60s Strat with Bare Knuckle Mothers Milks that is a far superior instrument to the custom shop Strat Deluxe I'd previously owned. I play my LP a lot more these days but if my life depended on playing a solo that's the guitar I'd go to.  Best neck (for me and my style) of any guitar I have played. 

Keep thinking about swapping it for a 335 which I would use more but a) it feels amazing in the hand and b) It's probably only about half the cost of a 335. 

usedtobe

One of my mates Martin acoustics.. D-something or other. It just feels right, and sounds right, even when I play it..

equalsql

A rare 1972 Les Paul Custom 54' reissue.

It was at a guitar show in Southampton around 1977-8. They also had a Travis Bean at the same show and I got to play that too. I was a very inexperienced player back then but those two guitars just blew my mind. I've lusted after both ever since.

57Deluxe

I am still waiting to be 'totally' blown away but in the meantime guitars that I own that make me smile constantly and without fail are PRS SE P90 and my LP DC Jr which is just nasty and unruly and every bit anti social teenager-esque.

My 335 has definitive 335 tones, looks lovely, has a nice slim neck, but at £2k you expect them too rather...

brooom

vintage would be either an early 69 telecaster thinline with mahogany body, a late 58 single cut les paul junior (with 59 serial number) or an early 80s greco super real. Any one of those 3 would rate the highest.

Newer guitars, there are several. Right now for me Navigator LPs and a greg fessler masterbuilt 69 thinline.