Gigging guitarists do you use you "A" list guitars at gigs or beaters?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kmanick
  • Start date Start date
It depends on the situation. I don't worry about normal wear from being played, so much as the potential for something getting damaged or stolen.

For the most part, I only play the same few local bars I've been playing for years, so I'm pretty comfortable bringing whatever gear I feel like playing.

When I was traveling around regionally a few years back, hauling everything in a trailer in hot/cold weather, and staying out of town overnight, I would leave the more expensive ones at home for those gigs.
 
Spaceboy said:
I have AirTags in my majn gigging amps and guitar cases. If one were to walk away while at a gig, I’d get an alert immediately.
Click to expand...
I did not know about these , I just bought some thanks!!!
 
cobrahead1030 said:
It depends on the situation. I don't worry about normal wear from being played, so much as the potential for something getting damaged or stolen.

For the most part, I only play the same few local bars I've been playing for years, so I'm pretty comfortable bringing whatever gear I feel like playing.

When I was traveling around regionally a few years back, hauling everything in a trailer in hot/cold weather, and staying out of town overnight, I would leave the more expensive ones at home for those gigs.
Click to expand...
ya, I don't worry about the wear and tear I worry about someone stealing them. if one of my USA soloists or my GMW were stolen I could not replace them without paying an arm and a leg (the GMW is a one of a kind, I couldn't even replace that one)
 
kmanick said:
ya, I don't worry about the wear and tear I worry about someone stealing them. if one of my USA soloists or my GMW were stolen I could not replace them without paying an arm and a leg (the GMW is a one of a kind, I couldn't even replace that one)
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've got a Gutierrez Juggernaut and a few others that are largely sentimental & would be pretty much impossible to replace.

I've got a few pretty nice Korean LTD's with Duncans & EMG's that I paid $400-500 for, that sound and play good enough that I can enjoy myself playing out. If one of them got stolen I'd feel inconvenienced rather than devastated.
 
Aren't Airtags bluetooth with very limited range? I'd suggest a GPS tracker instead. Haven't yet decided which model I'm getting, but there are plenty of options available.
 
Always took out the A guitar! Played it the most, it's taken some knocks and bruises and sounds even better as a result.

Increases my emotional connection to the guitar now because it's linked to all those happy times
 
A list all the way. They need to put the work in to earn the mojo
 
Skirmish said:
Aren't Airtags bluetooth with very limited range? I'd suggest a GPS tracker instead. Haven't yet decided which model I'm getting, but there are plenty of options available.
Click to expand...

Yep, they operate off Apple products, which for someone that mostly plays major cities is every bit as good as a GPS tracker with less upkeep, power, and no regular fees. There are iPhones, iPads, Mac computers almost everywhere and the trackers ping off all nearby products, not only yours. There are other products like Tile but I don’t have first-hand experience with them, probably work off similar technology, maybe even better but idk. I have an iPhone so the moment any of my AirTags are more than a set number of feet from me, I get an immediate alert and can see them on my “Find My” app, and it’s surprisingly accurate. I’ve had no complaints at all so far. GPS trackers are whole different level of commitment, and cost more. I have 12 of the AirTags at the moment for various possessions and gear.
 
I buy mine to play, no closet queens.

EDIT - I don't do fly dates, so there's that. All my stuff is regional or local and we drive to the gigs. If I had fly date rigs, I might second-guess that opinion.
 
Last edited:
RaceU4her said:
if I own a guitar it’s getting played out. No trailer queens here
Click to expand...
Absolutely, bring what you got. Play what you own.

I remember hitting the top of my PRS headstock on a lighting truss one time and chip the point of the horn off, luckily that piece fell back into the case...glued it back on later but that was one of my main guitars. It got played.

In fact my main Les Paul, the back is down to the wood - love it.
 
You can use a great guitar through a shitty amp and you'll likely sound like shit. Use a great amp/cab with a less than desired guitar and you'll likely still sound very good. This is why I gig with quality amps like Friedman, Mesa, Marshall, Orange etc and guitars typically in the $500-900 range. I get guitars are tools thingy and they should be played but I'm not putting my $1500-2500 guitars at risk. Guitars get stolen at gigs far more than amps and cabs do. Its not about the dents and scratches that come with gigging. Its the overall risk you take on a valuable guitar on a gig that pays $100-125 that i dont subscribe to.
 
I only have 2 guitars and 2 amps at this point so it all gets used.
Both of my guitars are pretty expensive but I don't see the point of making something nice for someone else later.
I'm going to enjoy these and play the crap out of them!
 
Since all my expensive guitars look like beaters - I play them all
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top