Ruh-roh

Derick ,..... let me see can I better 'splain y'all to this journey I've taken- down a rabbit hole? Maybe- but, not really- the first thing that came to mind reading your post- it ain't about need- air, water, food clothing and shelter are needs- (the last two optional depending on environment)- needs are basic- I have them covered, even the optional last two-
It's about desire for one thing and another is the journey- then there is a have to- keep myself (my mind) and hands busy- the journey part of the equation is a bit philosophical- "life is a journey, not a destination"- there is a goal- though under lying, to play the guitar better than I do. That happens naturally through repetition- agreed? That keeps my hands busy- remember, I can't just sit and do nothing, even while watching a sprint car race which I love maybe more than playin at playin a guitar- so, I play solitaire on my lap top to keep my hands busy, until just recently as I've started playin a guitar during the between race breaks- desire is what fuels life- want to- after basic needs are met- mine are- most of my adult life I've had but 3 vices- coffee and cigarettes, sprint car racing and my kids- I now have a 4th- guitars- most of my life I've spent attending to the desires of others (my kids and whoever I was attached to emotionally)
Now, me and Davey are what's left- now I'm attending to my desires- Davey's needs are covered and he requires very little attention- my desires are currently guitar acquisition, for some unexplicable reason- but, along with that- I don't have to provide a reason- reason being a sound explanation- I want to- desire-

I enjoy sharing my discoveries with y'all-

I've been eavesdropping on this across the pond conversation. Gibson and Martin are great guitars and in the video the Gibson nudged ahead slightly.
Poor Taylor doesn't get much luv. They probably have 30 to 40 different models ranging from about $450 to $ 10,000. Something for everybody..

ancient1,
 
 I've been trying to play the guitar for over fifty years, during this time I have bought many guitars.
 But the guitars I have bought have been shall we say, more on the cheap side.
 Now in my humble opinion, Taylor Guitars , Martin Guitars and Gibson Guitars, are seriously great guitars, that only have one problem for me, yes it's the cost.
 I don't think I've ever seen , never mind played any top of the range Taylor, Martin or Gibson guitars.
 I've had a Taylor GS Mini,  Martin junior , unfortunately  no Gibson guitar.
 I do look at all the top of the range guitars on the Internet,  YouTube  and in the Magazines, I enter all the competitions for a nice guitar.
 But in reality they would be spoil on me, and I'm very happy with the guitars that I have now.
 All this to say Taylor are fantastic guitars.

ancient1, you just keep playing and enjoying your Taylor Guitars,  you are a very lucky man.

TonyKgull ,

These are the general comments I hear about the following guitars.

Gibson electric guitars are expensive and excellent.
Fender electric guitars are expensive and excellent.
Taylor electric guitars are expensive and excellent.

Gibson acoustic guitars are expensive but a bit hit and miss.
Fender acoustic guitars are expensive but not well liked.
Taylor acoustic guitars are expensive and excellent.
Martin acoustic guitars are expensive and excellent. 
Cole Clark acoustic guitars are expensive and excellent. 

Derick, ancient1, TonyKgull, I played a Taylor at the GC, and have considered them- when I recollect they seemed a bit too bright on the high end- that could very well have been my style of playin too- y'all may recall I ran across a gentleman at the GC playin a Taylor that was very distinctive in appearance- black and natural body with the black going down a couple of inches onto the sides- it was BEAUTIFUL- it was also 1900 bucks plus- the gentleman playin it, finger pickin style, was way above my pay grade- he also said he had 34 (IMS) different guitars- I like the Black Top Taylor BTW, but, again it's more expensive than what I'm looking at now

www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AD17eBT--taylor-american-dream-ad17e-acoustic-electric-guitar-blacktop

I've not seen the one I say that was black and natural- it was a smaller body than this one

From my perspective- Martin and Gibson are American (if not international, musical icons)gained by 100 years in business- however, if I acquired one I didn't like, I would not
keep it- I've not played any of the high end models- and won't, there is a line I can't/won't, cross/justify-

Derick, yes, I have considered lessons and we've kind of discussed that here- IF I could find a teacher to do face to face and he/she met my requirements, I'd do it in a heartbeat-

I've looked on Craigslist often and the ones I see advertise there are waaaaayyyy too look at me and my resume'- - I don't know any other avenue to pursue in that regard- lookin for a teacher- will I stop lookin? No.

The Gibson in the video is a 00 more the size on my EL-00 which is Epiphone copy just a solid wood top.

What ever anyone here wants to do is not for me to say. I don't judge anyone. Mine are all far from below mid range in price $430 is the most I've spent that would be 3 and one the Ibanez AC340 $109 was the case, The guitar is $300 add on taxes. The other 3 are all in the $200 range.

I'm not into collecting. As I said before I could very easily live with just one if I had none. I don't have any desire to spend $2500 for the one I'd really want. And who knows if I did if I would like it any more than the ones I have now. That's stretching maybe until it snaps.

The truth is even if you play any guitar in store it's not going to sound the same at home, that's impossible. You tube videos done as a review don't tell you jack either. It's not me or you playing it's someone most have never heard of.

Speaking for myself as long as the neck is good and I can set the action and it stays that way within reason and I like the way it looks and feels , it has to sound good to my ears then I'm fine. 

Back in the day many players had worst guitars than I have and no one would ever know.

That's my penny altered by a hammer.