# What do you think is the best looking guitar? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 9, 2006, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639 "2006-02-09T01:47:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Gene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@Soylent\_Gene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Gene)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/21 "2006-02-09T08:41:00Z")
I always liked the look of the Gibson Firebirds. Here’s a [Reverse Firebird](http://images.misupply.com/products/original/Gibson/70110.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/22 "2006-02-09T09:04:21Z")
So, if I am reading this right, the consensus is that Gibson makes the most beautiful guitars known to man? Good then. (Betcha Gretch, Rickenbacker, and Fender are all green with envy.) 😃 Oh, and I don’t like the blocks on the ES-335. They make the guitar too flashy for my taste. It ruins the clean understated aesthetic of the guitar. But hey, different strokes. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/23 "2006-02-09T10:26:26Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > My favorite is a Les Paul [Gold Top](http://soundsource.zoovy.com/product/SOLDGIBSONLPGOLDGOLD) Close. I vote Les Paul Gold Top with _P90s_. I have one that looks edible. (I’m having trouble finding a good picture). There is a semi-accoustic Les Paul model that looks like an assymetric 335 that looks even better. Can anyone find a picture or at least identify it. IIRC it has low impedance pickups like a Les Paul Recording model. I do not vote for the [Bender Distortocaster](http://www.musictradingcompany.com/largerpic.php?id=158&PHPSESSID=196710060a85fbb6696f18ed7e127dbf) (do your own Goole if the link doesn’t hold up). This is not a pretty guitar. ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/24 "2006-02-09T11:20:27Z")
Not necessariririlyly my favorite but, I like the look of these (especially the one on the left.) [DfrntGtr](http://www.ibanez.com/news/hr_giger_series_gtrs.asp) ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/25 "2006-02-09T11:26:09Z")
The OP got it in one! The Telecaster, especially when it’s a little funky and a little beat up, honey blonde finish, is the sweetest looking guitar in all this earthy realm. HOWEVER - Telecasters with rosewood fingerboards (ala George Harrison’s) are a perversion of the laws of God, Man and Nature. nn ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/26 "2006-02-09T11:26:51Z")
Don’t know about “best” but what’s with that ugly little thing that McCartney plays? ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/27 "2006-02-09T11:33:46Z")
Oooh oooh oooh! Gretsch [White Falcon and White Penguin](http://www.gretschpages.com/models/6136falcon/index.php). I mean, they probably play like crud but, hey… mm ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/28 "2006-02-09T11:53:48Z")
Found it. [Les Paul Signature](http://www.radiocraftmusic.com/gear/lpsig.htm). **What the …** You mean the [Hofner violin bass](http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/gallery/gallery2/bas.html)? I don’t think it’s that bad except for the control plate, it really doesn’t look very rock ‘n’ roll though. ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/29 "2006-02-09T12:46:52Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Oh, and I don’t like the blocks on the ES-335. They make the guitar too flashy for my taste. It ruins the clean understated aesthetic of the guitar. But hey, different strokes. Exactly why I prefer dots to blocks on the ES-335. Less is definitely more when it comes to a fretboard’s aesthetic (even if the [bird inlays](http://prsguitars.com/showcase/current/standardsatin.html) on PRS guitars are really cool). Heck, if I went custom, I’d probably go with an unmarked fretboard (with small guide dots on the side). ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/30 "2006-02-09T12:53:04Z")
Sorry, folks, the [Rickenbacker 330](http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=330) is the coolest looking guitar on the planet. I have a 2002 Burgundy-Glo and a 1986 Jet-Glo. Runners up would be the very cool [VOX guitars](http://www.voxshowroom.com/us/guitar/nu_guitars.html) ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/31 "2006-02-09T13:39:06Z")
Am I first to mention [Fender Jazz basses?](http://www.fender.com/products/prod_images/basses/0193460725_xl.jpg) Hoorah! While I will look at the hollow-body Gibson (with dot in-lays, mind you!) as my choice of guitar, I think the Fender Jazz is the state of art bass guitar. It was constructed as a supplement to the Fender Precision, but came out an equal and the design is perfection. Actually, it’s a bit on the large side, but that’s what you have to give for the tone. Aestetically wise, I could just look at it all day. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/32 "2006-02-09T14:08:55Z")
I’m more of an acoustic man myself, and my favourite is the [Gibson J45](http://www.oasis-sd.com/atechfiles/ayu01.jpg), preferably in sunburst as here. Love those rounded shoulders. I have the Epiphone version at home, shame about the enormous Epiphone headstock. I keep toying with the idea of cutting it down to Gibson size. For an electric, I’d also vote for the ES-335. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/33 "2006-02-09T14:29:25Z")
Personally, I’ve always loved the [Gibson Explorer](http://www.musikmarkthamburg.de/images/Gibson%20Explorer.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/34 "2006-02-09T14:43:05Z")
I only own two guitars. One is a Yamaha electric that looks a lot like a Stratocaster. The other is a Yamaha classical. I like the way both look. After seeing Adrian Legg’s roundback, either an Ovation or an Adamas, maybe one of each, if I were to buy another guitar anytime soon, I’d go for one of those. They’re electro-acoustic, I think. They sound great either way. I like those circular soundholes way off-center and in a cluster. Sad to say, once I saw that doctored picture of the tit that looked like a lotus flower, I have modified my appreciation for that particular look! ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/35 "2006-02-09T15:03:26Z")
The [Takamine EF441SC](http://www.takamine.com/?fa=detail&mid=1092&sid=352) . Sadly, now a discontinued model. Something about it just says from and function through simplicity and elegance. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/36 "2006-02-09T15:10:25Z")
This list can’t possibly be complete without a [National Tricone](http://www.dreamguitars.com/preowned/acoustic/National_Brevard_TNSGF97.htm). The link points to one of the snazzier examples I’ve seen. You can [hear](http://www.dreamguitars.com/audio/National_Tricone_T-NSGF-97.MP3) it too. ---
**Author:** ![Godfrey\_Daniels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Godfrey\_Daniels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Godfrey_Daniels)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/37 "2006-02-09T17:35:56Z")
Classically beautiful. [D’Angelico New Yorker](http://www.gruhn.com/features/bechtelDA/AR3701.html) ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/38 "2006-02-09T18:16:31Z")
> [@Godfrey Daniels](#): > > Classically beautiful. > > [D’Angelico New Yorker](http://www.gruhn.com/features/bechtelDA/AR3701.html) Ain’t it though? Very, very subtly Deco. I understand they’re worth a potload, too. Thanks for the link; I hadn’t known who Perry Bechtel was, other than as a mysterious Atlanta band leader who made a nice record of _My Gal Sal_. No pickin’ on it whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Godfrey\_Daniels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Godfrey\_Daniels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Godfrey_Daniels)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/39 "2006-02-09T18:46:34Z")
All I knew of him was a little blurb in the Martin history about the start of the OM Series. Interesting character, and apparently a hell of a banjo and guitar player. “The Man with 10,000 Fingers”, indeed! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639/40 "2006-02-09T19:05:20Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > My favorite is a cherry sunburst Gibson Les Paul Custom, with black pickguard and brass hardware. (Mine was stolen). There’s one like it on the cover of Frank Zappa’s “Shut Up ‘n’ Play Yer Guitar” CD, only his has been modified some - different lead pickup and white or pearl covers on the tuning pegs. That’s the very first guitar I bought, a 1972 Gibson Les Paul Custom, cherry sunburst with black pickups and gold hardware, just like Frank has on the cover of SU&PYG. The serial # is only 5 digits and under 50000. I’ve had a few pro players use it and they’ve all told me it’s one of the nicest guitars they ever played. Makes me feel great about how smart I was to put it on layaway for $750 while I was a cash-strapped college kid. I had it appraised a couple of years back and was told it was worth about $3k now. It’s heavy, but it’s beautiful, and it plays like a dream. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-best-looking-guitar/343639.md?page=3)