Guitar trends?

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rsm

rsm

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7,8,9+ strings
fanned frets
relics
fancy wood tops
fancy inlays
unpainted necks.

what other trends are there I missed?


IMO:
7+ Strings - I have enough of a challenge with 6 strings, don't need more; still doing 4 strings on bass for the same reasons
fanned frets vs standard - on 6 strings, doesn't matter to me; both work fine
relics - not interested; if I buy a new guitar, I want it pristine and virginal. If I buy a used guitar, I want it to have minimal signs of use or abuse. anyone buying a new car that's relic'd for an upcharge?
fancy wood tops - do nothing for me; reminds me of dining room furniture.
fancy inlays - do nothing for me, as long as I have side dots; I'd rather have no fret markers on the fretboard
unpainted necks - i learned on painted / gloss necks, don't mind satin, oiled necks, but given a choice, I'll take gloss painted necks.

:dunno:
 
I love 7 strings. more than 7 I struggle with but they certainly have real world uses.

fanned frets are certainly convenient, but far from necessary. I think they are much more useful for extended range guitars that benefit from the multi sale

Relics I could take or leave. Some I like, most I find excessive.

Fancy wood tops are similar to relics. I appreciate some, but find most excessive

Fancy inlays do absolutely nothing for me. I dig the glow in the dark ones though

I prefer a satin neck if given a choice, but as a life long SG player, paint isn't the end of the world


Headless guitars, I think we will start seeing a lot more of. As less and less people give a shit about headstock shape, they will be quick to notice the convenience of nice and light, well balanced headless guitar
 
Classical guitars are becoming much more popular as people realize they want to have a fretboard radius that corresponds to the shape of our world. The harmonic resonance is noticeably better.
 
I was using headless back in the early '90s with my Steinbergers, so I missed that it's getting more popular!
 
VonBonfire said:
Classical guitars are becoming much more popular as people realize they want to have a fretboard radius that corresponds to the shape of our world. The harmonic resonance is noticeably better.
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perhaps lutes will make a comeback next? :D




I'm also surprised at the popularity of ukuleles and mandolins - outside of bluegrass which is big around here (not for me tho)
 
rsm said:
perhaps lutes will make a comeback next?
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You are on to something. Notice the flat top, with a rounded back resembling sheol. Notice the 90 degree headstock, corresponding to the water that drips off the edge near Antarctica.
 
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Beveled tops with natural edges

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They're becoming more expensive. Gear today will be worth a lot more in future, especially as older and more coveted models are no longer seen in the wild.

Of course, global markets could (and probably will) crash again in the near to medium term, which might make them cheaper than now in relative terms, though it will depend on how much disposable income you have to spend on discretionary items.
 
nightlight said:
They're becoming more expensive. Gear today will be worth a lot more in future, especially as older and more coveted models are no longer seen in the wild.

Of course, global markets could (and probably will) crash again in the near to medium term, which might make them cheaper than now in relative terms, though it will depend on how much disposable income you have to spend on discretionary items.
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I think the boomers and genx'ers vintage gear is going to be hitting the market in large numbers starting in the next 3-5 years; unless they have family or friends that want the gear, much of their gear will be sold by their families on their passing or inability to play.
 
rsm said:
I think the boomers and genx'ers vintage gear is going to be hitting the market in large numbers starting in the next 3-5 years; unless they have family or friends that want the gear, much of their gear will be sold by their families on their passing or inability to play.
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Two words..

Estate Sale.

:cool:
 
Headless guitars seem to be getting more and more popular.

I have a hard time with them though. I realized the issue the first time I tried one out. Apparently, I tend to gauge what fret I'm on by looking at where I am on the neck, and my brain takes takes all the wood of the neck into account. Removing the headstock tricks by brain into thinking the first fret on a headless guitar simply is the top of the headstock and the first fret is much farther down the neck, so I always send my hand WAY farther down the neck than I should when I reposition, lol.

Not a complaint about headless guitars, just something I noticed.
 
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rsm said:
I think the boomers and genx'ers vintage gear is going to be hitting the market in large numbers starting in the next 3-5 years; unless they have family or friends that want the gear, much of their gear will be sold by their families on their passing or inability to play.
Click to expand...
I don’t miss all the “gear as investment” threads over at TGP lol
 
I never cared for multi scale guitars until I got one. It took some getting used to, but for extended range & lower tunings, they've got a unique feel that I enjoy. I also find it a lot easier to maintain clarity getting into the low B or A range. I hated tuning down that low for the longest time because it was so muddy sounding to me, I even opted out of a band or two because of it. I never had a problem with the idea of going that low, I just couldn't make it work for me.

It's cool that companies are willing to innovate and find new ideas that work. Even though I lean more toward traditional guitars I grew up wanting, I want companies like Strandberg & Aristides out there doing some innovative stuff.

I also hated relic guitars until I owned a couple. Almost no one else does nitro finishes anymore, and if they're going to get beat the hell anyway, why not let someone make it unique from the factory? But I built one of mine on a $1k budget, and bought the other one used for less than half of what a new one would cost.
 
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