Is there such a thing as a perfect guitar? Perfect for a given player of course - everyone has different needs. But given that limitation, is it possible? Recently I acquired an instrument that might be very close. And that's a problem, because it stops the habitual tinkerer dead in his tracks.Weight? Super light. (check) Pickups? Responsive, perfectly adjusted and balanced. (check) Neck, frets, tuning stability, switching options, strap stability... (check) Finish color, wood selection, basic shape... (check)
The Paul Reed Smith McCarty Hollowbody I is damn near perfect for rpguitar. Perhaps the only imperfection is its daunting price tag. But perfection is very valuable indeed. Or is it? With perfection one is freed from viewing the guitar as an obstacle. It ceases to be a link in the creative chain that must constantly be assessed, modified and/or replaced, and pondered obsessively.
And what fun is that?!
So this is why I am utterly thrilled, but also perturbed by this acquisition. At least I can customize its look with some nifty wooden pickup mounting rings and other trifles. But I may very well have ascended the proverbial mountain, and while there are other mountain peaks in the range, the one I'm on offers a stunning view.
