MMM, interesting, In my metal days, I owned 3 Ibanez's, had to set them all up. They were higher end also. I didn't have to touch the necks, but had to set up action, intonation, adjust bridge pins, Les Pauls too! Can't speak for PRS, never was impressed by them. I think you have found all the great fiddles that were just..............darn right. Kinda like those friends that have spiritual horse shoes in their hind ends, nothing they do ever goes wrong! Even when they screw up, it works out great! I know one of them.

Here is a thought though............violins.........why is there such a big deal about the finish on them in regards to their tone?

I agree with you in regards to hardware. I also think that the finish plays a role also. Wood can be, for lack of a better word, unreliable sometimes.

The bodies of violins are made from very thin wood, carefully shaped to produce maximum resonance. Any finish that changes the thickness or rigidity of the sounding board... or allows more or less moisture in... or acts as a preservative that "cures" the wood in some fashion... is going to affect the tone in some way. The body is the only part that the violin has that's amplifying the sound, whereas a solidbody guitar is less dependent on the interaction between wood and finish for its tone.

The price is a little steep in my opinion.

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2010 Martin D-1
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It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive...

That was a weird comparison. Violins and solid body guitars?
Now if you're talking acoustics, that's different altogether. I won't buy an acoustic that has laminates. I can't stand the Martin HPL guitars. They make them in Mexico too. Funny thing I never had a bad Ibanez. I still have an acoustic that I bought in 73 that I still have. It has a spruce top rosewood back and sides and sounds and plays great with the exception of a couple of worn frets. I only paid $90 for it. My son bought some Ibanez GAX guitar, bottom of the line and it was great right out of the box. Very playable. I would have liked the action a little higher but he loved it. I have an AS73 thats great too.

You can't compare any stringed acoustic instruments to a solid body instuments in the way of finishes because the sound board is so important on acoustics and the finish used can realy effect what the sound board does.

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I would think the wood filler they use would hamper the tone more than paint. Acoustic instruments, you bet. I slab of wood? They went to other finishes because nitro just doesn't hold up and sometimes get a little tacky. I get good guitars because I sit down and try them out. A guitar set up at the factory should stay reasonably set up. Some of the garbage I've been seeing lately should never happen.

I find it very interesting reading all the replies here. . Many of you are just plain snobs. . I have2 strats(yes one is a road worn)t, a tele and a 1963 jaguar To each his own. . To be honest, I NEVER play the jaguar anymore. Number one, its worth way too much money to take out and number two, The strats Play better than the jaguar.AND the jaguar has 46 years of wear on i it. Yes it sounds great, but the road worn strat is, in my opinion, the best guitar I have played. It was set up properly, the intonation was DEAD ON. Compared to the other strat, it breathes better and thats because of the diffeerent finish. There is a DEFINITE difference. I dont care if people think the "relicing" looks fake, Trust me, In no time there will be more wear and it will be my own. As in art and music, to each his own. This guitar sounds and plays great! Oh and whether its made in america or mexico makes no difference to me. Ive played crappy american made strats, but the mexicans play just as well if not better in some instances.

I don't consider myself a snob at all. I actually have a 57 Dano U1 that was found in the trash. I play it all the time. I have other cheap guitars too including a Teisco Del Rey and a bunch of other odd balls. I don't have boutique amps either. If you like your guitar great, but don't call people snobs if they don't like what you like. I'm not impressed with the Road Worn guitars at all. If you think it "breathes" good for you. I WAS interested in them until I played a few. I would rather relic a MIM with my own sander than have the same exact dings and wear hundreds of other people have. A couple of my guitars are even made in China.