Question for guys who play expensive guitars ...

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JerEvil

JerEvil

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So for all you PRS/Suhr/Custom Shop etc. type guitars. Do you all get nervous about playing them in live situations? Do you make sure not to wear anything that will scratch the finish? I am of the mindset that even if you pay $2K+ for a guitar, if your not "playing" it then what's the point.

On the other hand, I like to keep my stuff in as good condition as possible.

Lame question I know.
 
I dont worry about damaging them. I also dont throw them around either. Have I bumped into stuff? Sure, but thats life. I do my best to safeguard my guitars. They are the last thing to come out and the first things put away. In between sets they are on stands behind my amp.
 
I have quite a few $2K+ instruments. I absolutely use them live, but they are not necessarily the ones I drag around to weekly band practice. They tend to stay in my basement, to be played at me leisure, until a gig. However, I take all precautions not to wear or do anything to damage them...besides normal wear and tear, I am not sure why a guitar would truly get scratched unless there was some type of accident.

In other words, I do wonder how there are always guitars for sale that are several years old that show next to no signs of playing. I played a couple of PRS' last weekend at Guitar Center that had play wear on the top and back and they were "new."

After a show, I always clean and polish my guitars, and I am obsessive about washing my hands before playing. I dislike nasty, greasy necks and boards. Yuck.

I recently got a new USA Strat with a black body and its driving me batshit trying to keep it clean looking.
 
I have a very expensive and unique CS LP. I gig with it. I figure what's the point in having it if you aren't going to play it.
 
I try to be as careful as I can but also realize sooner or later I'm going to put a ding or scratch in it. I do have one with a carved spruce top I tend to not take out much and only play around the house but the rest go anywhere I would go. I do however keep a lower value but decent player around for those times when people show up and 'just figure' they could play one of mine. I take care of it just the same as any of my other instruments but it's mainly played by others. It has more damage then any of my others if that tells you something about how people treat other peoples gear.
 
I've got a couple collectors guitars. I play them solely at home.

I've got a mess of other expensive guitars and they're purpose is to be played, so I play 'em. I've actually 'em, given them buckle-back, etc, but that's all part of playing them. I don't go out of my way to beat the shit out of them, and in fact, every "stupid" mark actually irks me, but if it's just regular wear and tear, so it goes. They're guitars.
 
I use anderson's and gig them all the time, all my guitars, high end or not, only stay in the fold if I use them, I try and keep them in the best shape I can but don't worry if I ding them. But none are say over $3K, I think if I had enough cash to say buy a $5K plus guitar no I would not gig it. Lucky for me that aint the case
 
My most expensive guitar is also the one I've gigged the most, because it sounds good and is reliable :)
It's "only" an ESP Eclipse, though, but it was expensive for me (and gear is expensive in Norway)
 
I buy expensive guitars used. They already have that $1000 scratch or dent.

I play out once in a while for fun. I use my used gear and have a blast. As long as nothing gets broke, no worries on a scratch.
 
I hear all of you. I am on my way to getting first PRS and I was thinking last night, "fuck me, I don't want to get it dinged at the show Friday!"

Then I thought, "buy it and play the shit out of it and enjoy it"

Guitars get dinged, bass players are clumsy! Deal and have fun.
 
With the exception of a few investment grade pieces, I play them all and don't worry too much about the wear and tear. Don't get me wrong, I'm not careless with them and I take the time to maintain them all very well, but ultimately I know that they are going to get dings and scratched from gigging...it just happens. Bottom line for me is that they're tools...use them as such.

Plus, they'll be infinitely cooler if they're relic'ed :D
 
If you are buying it with resale in mind, such as an investment, then yeah you are a LOT more careful with them....not that I would ever go out of my way to abuse a guitar, but I am especially careful with a few of them. If I was a gigging musician I have a few that are very personal that I will never sell, so those would be what i gig'd with or I would get a less expensive duplicate to the RELLY nice guitars I have...

Its same with some amps too...if I had vintage amps, I probably wouldnt be dragging them around and just plugging them in anywhere, as the original transformers etc are pretty much irreplaceable now...and ugly power will just fry them and you would have nothing left but a big paper weight

Some guitars I have are just like what I would tell someone who collects Art...except that I get to play mine....
 
I gig with my CS etc guitars, I don't sweat it.
If you want to collect guitars, that's cool, but
I like to play mine live, that's why I bought them.
Don't get me wrong though, if I scratch one then I'm pissed.
 
Expensive is all relative, I don't own a guitar I've payed over $1500 for but I still have concerns about damaging them (not to be confused with normal wear through playing, e.g. fret wear). I ended up buying a cheaper "beater" guitar that I don't worry about as much but still enjoy playing. In a way that doesn't really put my mind any more at ease since I like that guitar as much and they're no longer made so it would be a bit of hassle to find another.

Maybe the best compromise is buying a workhorse guitar that plays well and sounds to your liking, but not so expensive for your budget and so unique that you couldn't easily replace it if needed. Easier said than done, I think most of us are looking for that special something in each guitar we buy.
 
things is most aholes wouldnt know the diff between a suhr/anderson or a squier.. that said buy them to play them..
 
Mine are all in finely stained, quilted maple and glass cases so that I can gaze upon them whilst enjoying a Baccarat crystal snifter of Lousi XIII in my smoking jacket in front of a roaring fire, anyway. Given that they never leave the cases, and barring an earthquake of considerable proportions, I can't see how they could be scratched in any way? Unless my 6 foot tall Victoria Secret model housekeeper Elsa scratches one whilst dusting in the nude... I'll have to speak with her about that...

Yes.... it was a lame question... :D

Steve
 
sah5150":6lesvy28 said:
Mine are all in finely stained, quilted maple and glass cases so that I can gaze upon them whilst enjoying a Baccarat crystal snifter of Lousi XIII in my smoking jacket in front of a roaring fire, anyway. Given that they never leave the cases, and barring an earthquake of considerable proportions, I can't see how they could be scratched in any way? Unless my 6 foot tall Victoria Secret model housekeeper Elsa scratches one whilst dusting in the nude... I'll have to speak with about that...

Yes.... it was a lame question... :D

Steve
dude we are connected,,, :rock:
 
I can't really play shows anymore because of my spinal stenosis but when I used to i would use my nice guitars all the time. The trick is to buy a used one that's already beat up a bit, that way you don't feel bad dinging it :D
 
just42dave":1rae2la7 said:
sah5150":1rae2la7 said:
Mine are all in finely stained, quilted maple and glass cases so that I can gaze upon them whilst enjoying a Baccarat crystal snifter of Lousi XIII in my smoking jacket in front of a roaring fire, anyway. Given that they never leave the cases, and barring an earthquake of considerable proportions, I can't see how they could be scratched in any way? Unless my 6 foot tall Victoria Secret model housekeeper Elsa scratches one whilst dusting in the nude... I'll have to speak with about that...

Yes.... it was a lame question... :D

Steve
dude we are connected,,, :rock:
Always great to speak with a fellow sophisticate! Cheerio!

Steve
 
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