I want you two gents to promise me something. If I ever buy a guitar and don't play it, take it away from me. Guitars are meant to be played often. They are not baseball cards to be collected. They have to be played to get that story and history to go along with them. The stories are what makes them priceless. I have respect for Kirk Hammett now that he takes Greeney everywhere with him. He is adding his own chapter to the story of Greeney.
I had the fender custom shop build me a guitar. I went to corona and spent time with the master builder as we walked the factory choosing all the right bits. Needless to say, this wasn’t inexpensive. The head of the custom shop called me after a suitable amount of time and asked what I thought. I told him I was afraid to take it out of the case. He, and rightly so, read me the riot act and told me to play it… to get dings and scratches …and to enjoy the effing thing. It’s a guitar. Make it yours.
Yep. Play the hell out of them. Otherwise you become like the old cowboy: "I spent all my money on women , whiskey and horses. The rest I just wasted!" PS: IF I could afford a custom shop, it would be a Martin D-45 in 12 string with 12 fret neck and slot head.
The way I see it, not playing an expensive guitar is like not drinking an expensive single malt. I've got a beautiful 68 Les Paul Custom Reissue. I bought it used in near-mint condition. I happily play it. I've put some wear on the frets and some buckle trash on the back. Yes, it looks great on the wall. But I didn't buy it to hang on the wall just like I don't buy whiskey to shove in a liquor cabinet. I bought it to play. I come home from the office, do my dadly duties, and at the end of it all, spend a little time when I can playing the damn thing. I'd probably feel differently if I had plans to resell it but I'm not a guitar merchant. To me, guitars are for playing, not for selling.
I play my expensive guitars at home and love them. I have many guitars in the $700-$1200 range that are my gig guitars. When they get kicked over or dinged I don’t feel quite as sick to my stomach. Depends also on the venue (are people going to be near the gear or not?)
Good point! I think I unconsciously rotate for reducing fret wear too. One of my cheaper axes has a custom neck with stainless frets, and I play the hell out of it with zero wear after a year.
My parents gave me an Ibanez Jem in green multicolour for my 18th birthday. It is now worth a fortune but I never play it because I just don’t like Floyd Rose wiggle sticks, but I won’t sell it because it was a gift from my parents.
I think it has more to do with the gig... Am I taking my ES-355, Ric 660, Wood Library HB2 Piezo or CS '56 Strat to the neighborhood dive bar for a gig? No. That'll be when I break out the Mexican Fenders. Will I take the fancy stuff to a distillery, private party or Keeneland gig? Yes.
Completely agree. Am I taking my CS G-335 to a gig where I have to put it down between sets only to have it disappear? Hello, no I'm not. But I've (we've all?) known of guitars being boosted from backstage areas and such. For that matter, I don't even want to lose my 2007 MIM Frankencaster either. But other than walking around holding the thing in my own hands...and without trustworthy techs and cartage services etc... it's tough. Yesterday there was a story in the news that a shop in the same business as you guys had 15 very expensive guitars stolen from their shop. Guitar House of Tulsa and the proprietor, Drew Winn are lovely people. But, if you look at the list of what was taken, well...let's just say they knew what they were doing. A sign of the times.
How many '59 Bursts are right now hanging in a glass case in some lawyer's or stock broker's office? I'd bet it's more than a few. Cryin' shame. Kudos to Kirk Hammett for actually playing the shit out of his night after night.
I’m a working musician and have some very nice custom shop guitars both gibson and fenders and I play the hell out of all of them. IMHO Gibson and Fender are making some of the best guitars ever, especially if you buy a custom shop guitar. All those vintage guitars were new when most of the artists were using them and while there were some good ones, there were some real dogs.
Back in the 80's I knew a drummer in a band in St. Pete. I went with him to practice, and we went into the guy's house, and he had a '54 Tele leaning in a corner of his living room against a wall. I pick it up and look it over and she is in fine shape. I start to play it and she was nothing less than a dog. She just sounded DOA, one of the worst Fenders I had ever heard, and I grew up around 70's CBS Fenders.
In my country we have some dangerous zones where you can get your gear stolen. If I gig in those places maybe I’ll take a MIM Strat just to leave the more expensive stuff at home. I customize the affordable stuff I own to get them playing real nice . I would love to carry my number one everywhere but that’s the world we are living…
The question should perhaps be "Should you GIG your high-end Custom Shop/ vintage guitar"? That's a lot like asking if you should drive your '61 Corvette to the gig. The answer is probably "no" unless you're in a high-end band doing high-end gigs with Secret Service-level security, Smithsonian-level people doing your cartage, and Berklee-level people doing your tech.
When I was little I had to get an allergy shot every Saturday morning and the nurse would give me a coupon for a free small fry or hash brown from McDonalds. I will always associate McDonald’s hashbrowns with getting a shot.
I have a '71 Gibson Les Paul Custom, a '79 Fender 25th anniversary strat, and an '65 Epiphone Sorrento. I don't take them out on gigs, but I do play them a lot at home.
This hit me between the eyes. I have a PRS private stock graveyard limited 1, I really do believe it's the best guitar in the history of the world. It's in my closet. The best guitar in the history of the world is in my closet. Like it's in prison for a crime it didn't commit or something. Am I a monster?
Not at all. But seriously consider putting it into heavy rotation. When you’re dead and gone, would you prefer that you had played it all the time or saved it for the next guy to do whatever he will with it?
@@josephr4637 I know man... I think about the next person who gets this guitar and someone telling them, "yeah this guy had it in his closet for 50 years" and I'm thinking that's not a cool story at all
I’ve heard that Paul is disheartened by folks coming and telling him about his awesome guitars they keep in their closet. I’m guilty as well. I do play my old Swamp Ash Special quite a bit though.
Not only do I play my custom shops, I let my 3 year old (supervised of course) play them as well. Some of my favorite memories growing up was playing on my dad’s guitars
That’s why I like relics or just older vintage acoustics because they already have dings and dents so if I add one it’s not the end of the world. I play em all and if I’m too concerned about resale I sell it before I ding it. Beautiful guitars but I’m nervous if I take ‘em out to jam. Beers are usually involved.
I have 2 that I used to play at live gigs exclusively, back when they were unwanted and "cheap" after 20+ years and a considerable amount of abuse... they are worth 6X what I paid for them, and frankly are showing their age... so they stay home now. Mostly for sentimental value cause they are unreplaceable at this point. they still get drug out, and they did recently go on a trip to the studio, (me freaking out about them the entire time lol)
What about David Gilmor going through a ton of red tape just to get his black Strat back from the Hard Rock just so he could perform and record with it again. They should be played! ....and fried bologna sandwiches are amazing!!!
When Baxter brings up museum pieces, like Hendrix's strat, I can speak with some authority on this as a museum professional. There is a philosophical argument to be had: "if a guitar is not played, is it actually a guitar? Or is it instead merely a symbol of a guitar?" But museum ethics suggest that when something is acquired by a museum it is "taken out of the economic cycle," which is to say it won't ever be sold again*, and implicit in that is the idea that it won't get used again either.
*now, there are lot of "museums" in the US (and elsewhere) that are more like galleries for the display of private collections. Those collections do sell items on, so they don't behave strictly according to museum ethics.
Last year I sold my most expensive guitar of the three I own. A) I didn't want to get it damaged but B) I didn't want to admit to myself I just didn't like it anymore, and kept it because I had spent a lot on it --and it was time to break up with it otherwise it was just sitting there. I consigned it and it sold in a month, it feels good to now have a clean break and somebody else can love it, and I can play something else that I get more joy out of and a bonus it was 25% cheaper :) If that makes any sense.
No, of course they should not be played! You should build a church around it a put it on an altar, and build pews so that people can worship it. And if it’s got dna of a famous person on it put it in a gold case and lock that holy relic up!
I don’t gig any more, but still, I don’t couch practice my pricey R8 or Core PRS very often. For one, they play too easily, have some fret wear, and I prefer my hands & callouses to get a bit more of a workout. My daily driver is a MIM Tele with a custom soft V neck with stainless frets. Love that thing!
The black Gilmore strat, the hendrix woodstock guitar etc. They are a piece of history that need to be preserved. There are what???? 100's of thousands of guitars out there for playing.
McDonalds dropped the all day breakfast items during Covid and never brought it back regardless of how popular it was. Now remember, some of us don’t get up early enough for their breakfast menu, so I liked the all day breakfast. McDonalds cries it’s some kind of logistical nightmare yet several other fast food chains serve their entire breakfast menus all day, so I don’t know what McDonalds In whining about. My most expensive guitar is a 1964 Jag that’s been overly used by at least one rock star you Casino guys know, and the only reason to avoid playing is every time you do it leaves Olympic White paint flakes on your clothes. How does the Fender CS relic their guitars to prevent that? Paint everywhere! On my shirts, all over the case, on the furniture, on the cat! It’s maddening!! Oh the Humanity!!
I think the singular historical or vintage pieces should probably be preserved and not played. I’m mainly thinking of something like a 1957 strat in mint condition. On the other hand it’s cool that something like Duane Allman’s gold top still gets played live.
In the classical world, rich patrons buy the million dollar violins then loan them to top orchestral players. A Stradivarius is meant to be played and enjoyed by a musician and his or her audience.
Very Cool, Thankyou. I don't really have Expensive Guitars. I count 2 of my Gretsch Electromatics (G5420T and G5248T) as my 'Expensive' Guitars and only bring them out of their cases occasionally. I really should play them more often but they are SO Awesome, I am 'overly' Cautious with them. Totally Love my Gretsch Guitars and they are actually very Affordable even though my G5420T is going for $1200- to $1500- Australian now. Price went up Quick. All the Best. Cheers
The question is like, "Should you actually DRIVE your Ferrari regularly, given that some feel adding miles on the odometer constantly lessens its value, always worrying about an accident, paint nicks, vandalism when you're not near it, etc.?"
I have a very rare Sun Dew Gold Ibanez Pia that i play a few times a week. Im careful with it but im careful with all of my guitars even my Squiers !! Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
If you won’t play your expensive guitar because it might get bumped or scratched, you bought outside of your tax bracket. Sell it and buy a sensible guitar so you don’t miss your next car payment 🎸
People whom refuse to play a musical instrument simply due to its cost ( or more rather ,..its value) might be making th mistake of valuing money more then their music. For the low income person whom struggles financially,..ANY LOSS or breakage is damn near tragic,..even if the guitar that broke is a lowly squire bullet. Mr Kirk Hammett could not only afford to purchase "Greeny" but also afford to get is repaired immediately after he broke off the headstock. I would remind folks unable to play expensive instruments that their are people walking around waring mechanical Rolex watches costing well over $50,000 that keep much less accurate time then the cell phone in their pockets,.LoL
I have 9 guitars all in the €450-1200 price range. I swap them out all the time to play each one. If I had high end guitars I’d do the same. Great to look at them hanging on the wall but guitars have to be played.
I’ve got a beautiful Gibson LP R9 Sunburst that is my favourite guitar but I only giged it once and I don’t generally play it… I prefer to gig my crappier guitars as they get innocently beaten by me, band mates and just people guaranteed every time! I’ve also got a 2015 Olympic White US Strat Special that looks like Jimi’s Woodstock Strat that is so perfect, the finish is like polished marble, I don’t play it either lol!
I suppose if you're a "collector" who plans to sell them...but otherwise, why would I want a guitar that I never played? And as far as value...the most famous, recognizable, and likely valuable, guitars in the world have reached that iconic status precisely BECAUSE they've been put through the ringer. Granted, I'm not Clapton, Van Halen or SRV, but just imagine their iconic guitars in pristine condition. It's an ugly thought.
Im totally okey if someone doesnt play a guitar outside the house/studio whatever, just play it !!! enjoy it Also doesnt matter how expensive it is. If u can afford it and doesnt make u bankrupt, enjoy it. life too short
For me personally, I don't own any guitars that I don't play. That said, I don't have Eric Clapton's original Blackie, David Gilmore's double black, Lennon's Casino or Cobain's acoustic from Unplugged. I don't have guitars that are collectable that way mostly because I'm not super rich. Maybe some guitars should be looked at for what they were and those guitars should be available to see in a museum. If it's just a cool vintage guitar, then you should buy it to play it. Not sure when that line is crossed, but I would think that if a guitar that should sell for $25k sells for 1.7 million...maybe you shouldn't play that one.
played guitar for a long time. played my first live gig. since i could, i took an R8 VOS aged with me. because: I'm worth it and since amps are gone. the axe is all i had. though, any ibanez rg would have been totally great as well. or prs se. you have to play them all. and please.,don't start trying to clone people from their sweat. what would you do when young clone Jimi didn't want to play guitar?
lol I would play a guitar I bought no matter how expensive it is. I have 2 private stocks and gig them both. I’ve seen the value of my 83’ Silver Gibson LP custom go up. I still use it. My 02’ PRS SE I use to play in front of my PC when learning and eating Gardettos. Lol
I'm often hesitant to bring out the best of my collection, particularly the pristine ones. I force myself because they should all be played in rotation, to keep them working, to check for anything going wrong, and also to enjoy what it is they bring. Looks, sound, provenance and playability all are part of the guitar's mojo. Usually, somewhere in the middle of the jam, I hear the guitar wailing, a beautiful voice, I marvel at the fast smooth action. I put it in it's stand and can't take my eyes off of it, like a beautiful work of art. All these elements come together and thrill me. That's why I have them. And that's why every one of them needs to come to the jam on their night. We are a pack. And a pack is a forever love.
As a bass player, I have 2 stands and usually have 1 longscale and 1 shortscale out at a time and rotate ~monthly...I find it good to have 2 drastically different models out to keep my playing flexible
I think that there’s a difference between expensive guitars and guitars with legendary provenance. Anyone else playing Hendrix’s guitar may likely result in ‘meh’. As opposed to a famous ‘59 Burst being played and displayed where the guitar is more of the focus… that’s an expensive guitar that should be played. I have a couple of expensive but otherwise pedestrian Gibsons that are played and gigged regularly. I just take more safeguards when they’re out and about.
Should you play your expensive guitar… which is really a cover for what movie should you watch and gosh we’re hungry and need something to eat. Let’s talk about biscuits and breakfast.
My biggest fear is having an expensive, or my most played favorite guitar, stolen. If you take a $5k Les Paul to a gig, you have to practically handcuff it to yourself between sets unless you have someone watching it. I've had guitars stolen from me before and two of them are not made anymore. I was lucky that one of them that was stolen was seen being stolen and knew who the thief was and where he lived. Several of us went to his house within a half hour and threatened to break both of his arms if he didn't give it back. Unfortunately, my pedals, which he stole were never found. Fortunately, my all time favorite guitar is a Squier strat. So nobody is going to want it. I say, never play expensive guitars at a gig. Anything can happen, including accidents.
I don’t wanna risk having a cheap guitar at a gig. I sold most of my imports and only play the americans live. I have busted a gibson headstock at a show…it happens. You can’t let that stop you
I was playing a wedding a while back with a MIJ Jazzmaster and guy asked me about it. I told him I paid 700 bucks for it. He was acting like I stole it. Bought it years ago. Pandemic made it valuable I suppose. Seems they are coming back to reality now.
I have never been in a position where I have ANYTHING that was too expensive to actually use as it was intended to be used. Now that said, if a person gets a guitar that is truly HISTORIC, then maybe not play it. But then again, if it is still sound (no pun intended) it would be a crime NOT to play it, at least now and again. The thing that makes it what it is, is that it has voice. Don't deny the guitar its purpose and voice.
If I owned a really valuable guitar then there’s probably some places I wouldn’t take it but yes I’d play it. I’m not a collector of stuff and if I was I think I’d collect something cheaper than guitars!
I have taken them out (gig) that retail around $10,000, but anymore than that they stay home. I have downgraded those recently and most people don’t notice anyway. Honestly, I think it was stupidity on my part? p.s. They are meant to be played!
Man i do have a couple guitars id like to sell (if the market gets better) other than that i play them but one that needs new frets. The same one was stolen like 28 yrs ago n i got it back with the serial number scratched off so i dont take it places. It also happens to be the most valuable. Idk i guess if your a collecter then those guitars were obtained for that reason
I think the underlying question is whether you should _buy_ a guitar that is so expensive (for you, whatever that means) that you don't dare to play it?
I agree that an iconic guitar like Jimi’s should be in a museum, or maybe Jimmy Page #1 should only be played by Jimmy and nobody else. Other then that every guitar should be played
7:18 I’m not really a fan of retiring numbers, it’s certainly not something we do here in the UK very often, if ever. If someone wears a number and is really successful, then it’s more likely that number will become pretty much sacred and be considered an honour for whoever wears it in future. For my team, Wolverhampton Wanderers, it’s the number 9. I think treating significant instruments the same way isn’t a bad thing either. Greeny is the prime example here. Between the three players who have used it, that guitar now has a status all of its own. I’d actually quite like to see significant guitars continue to be used and passed from prominent musician to prominent musician.
Talk about opening up the proverbial can of worms. I have mixed feelings on this and am probably get a lot of flack but here goes. You can drive the hell out of your Toyota but the Ferrari stays in the garage and most people will understand the rationale behind this. I have a couple of upper crust acoustics and a couple of lower middle income acoustics. They all get played. HOWEVER, I find myself babying the more expensive ones. They get wiped down really well before going back into their humidified cases. The others will probably get left on the bed until I pick them up again. I am not a working musician nor a guitar collector but if I was out gigging, I probably would not use the more expensive ones. Ferrari in the garage syndrome. If I put a dent in one of my more affordable acoustics, I wouldn’t be happy but I would get over it pretty quick. Dent in one of the more expensive ones? Lots of cursing,. More than likely going on for months and months and years and on and on. I am 72 and do not plan on selling any of them but when I’m gone and my kids get their bonus, I want them to hang the scarred, well worn, well played guitars on their walls and think of me. Then I want them to sell the better ones and have a grand old time.
If you are scared of devaluing the resale of a guitar due to wear, could you afford the guitar at all? These are tool for making music, enjoy them. The only way I would agree with preserving an instrument by not playing it would be if it had real historical value.
If you're scared of devaluing your guitar resale value due to wear&tear, just check how much perfectly flawless factory new instruments would cost you compared to those artificially - mostly custom shop - "aged" ones...🙈
I play guitars at home for enjoyment. I have 6 in a range from $90, $400, $1000, $2000, $3000, and $4000. I play the $4000 one the most and the $90 the second most 😂 I do have one ($3000) that sits in a case and I get it out once in a while to smell it. (Guess the brand) I know that’s stupid. It should get played more. I’ve had it up for sale off and on for 2 years. No one will give me what it’s worth. So it stays with me unplayed.
Yes play them, bang them up, don't worry about taking a loss if you sell it. We all blow our money on our thing. It could be Guitars, brisket, smokers and pedals and guitars. Not in that order.
The secret is to work at a guitar shop, so you can buy these awesome guitars in, obviously have to make sure it functions right? Cut the check, and then you’re the custodian of the guitar until it finds a happy home. Best part of the job
If an expensive guitar plays well and is fun to play, play it! I played a 50's gold top Gibson (Actually it wasn't a gold top, the entire body was gold, before they switched to doing only the tops in gold) that was a beautiful old, beat up guitar, but it just wasn't that nice to play. It didn't sound or feel very good and I felt kind of disappointed by the experience. That's the kind of expensive guitar that I think shouldn't be played and should be a display piece instead.
Baxter said he has his guitars and plays his guitars in his apartment. I'd like to see what amp you play them through when playing in your apartment. Not a little crappy amp that shops are necessarily selling to noobs, but the one or type you use daily in your apartment.
I have mostly played acoustic the last few decades. I buy better guitars to perform better. (Although my last was only $3300.00,I picked it up in Southern Pines). I didn't buy any to leave at home and at hom😂they are out on the wall or stand for access. Of course, the room is humidity controlled...except the power just went out due to 9 inches of snow (which is still coming down). Time to play in this dark!
All my guitars get played at home, but the nice ones only go to gigs at nicer bars. Thankfully I have several very nice modded imports that are the gig work horses.
I don't own any vintage guitars, but my guitars are all premium models and expensive... I bought them to have the experience of playing them at home and out live,,, BTW, I beat my guitars up (inadvertently) more at home than away...
Collecting guitars and not playing them in the hope they’ll appreciate is the worst way to make money from guitars. If you’re getting paying gigs and selling records, you can easily earn way more than what you’ll lose from a few dings here and there.
I am a decades like 4+ decades old guitarist and I have many guitars ..expensive and not that expensive but either way I play the hell out of my guitars and always have and I even my custom shops I play the hell out of ..on the road or not as they are TO BE PLAYED! Not a wall decor or to act like you are cool🙄 they were made to be played🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻
I'm selling my expensive guitars.. They're no better than my cheaper guitars and I don't want to scratch them. 2k+ is going up for sale. Lol that's mainly the modern ones though.. Where one scratch will make you cry... My classics? They just look cooler.
I've often thought that just because a legendary guitarist played an instrument, and maybe played iconic stuff on it doesn't bestow the instrument itself with any special qualities. Makes no sense.
The answer is EVERDAY ! I gig with my white falcon and my novo all the time ! I live in Florida and won’t take to falcon if it’s going to have to sit in my car in the Florida heat .. I only use it at indoor climate controlled shows .. but the novo I play everywhere outdoors in the hot ass Florida sun
I have a dilemma trying to decide if I should sell my mid 70s les Paul DeLuxe which I've owned since my teen years, in order to buy a modern custom shop guitar. trading a piece of history for more of a craftsman's masterpiece.
To me it’s more a question of if I’d gig with it. I’ve definitely played small bars where I might not take certain guitars because the likelihood of beer spilling or folks with sticky fingers is higher.
I think, by the guitar that speaks to you and that is durable enough to withstand what you intend to use it for. If you buy a guitar for an insane amount of money and don't play it, I think that's a complete crime. Spend your money on something else.
I don't own any custom shop level stuff but I do have some vintage guitars going back into the 1960s as well as some expensive modern instruments. A '63 Epiphone and a '71 J-50 as well as a few vintage MIJ electrics and acoustics. While I do not gig, I do play out at open mics at pubs, American Legion, etc. NONE of my guitars are case queens, all hang on the wall and get played regularly. I will take any of them out to play but I do keep a close eye on them and know the environments I play in. Even last night playing out I got (another) little ding in the side of my '77 F400 Takamine 12 string when it bumped a chair. Sh*t happens.
I agree an expensive guitar should be played. But taking an expensive one out in public say for open mic, in a city like Milwaukee or Chicago, you could get robbed or guitar jacked so easily. I play my expensive ones at home. But when I go out to open mic, I take my $400 used Gretsch hollow body. My mistake was buying more guitars than I needed. I'm 65 and I started two years ago. I bought 20 guitars in 2 years before I realized what I was doing. I kept thinking the more expensive or the more signature guitars I bought, that it would improve my skills. The only thing that improves guitar skills is practicing, not buying guitars. Or even shopping for them. It became a real bad addiction and thank God I stopped. Except for my Gretch, I bought all USA or custom-made Gibson and Fenders. The worst part is, if I go to sell them I get barely half of what I paid. I'll never make that mistake again. Unless you're a millionaire, don't make the mistake I did. All I needed was a USA tele, Les paul, strat, and a good acoustic. Anything beyond that for me was greed. 🙏
NO. You should not live in your house, drive your car or consume your food, all of which cost money. Since you have no money, you cant afford any of this... Probably All Stolen. CALL THE COPS!
I want you two gents to promise me something. If I ever buy a guitar and don't play it, take it away from me. Guitars are meant to be played often. They are not baseball cards to be collected. They have to be played to get that story and history to go along with them. The stories are what makes them priceless. I have respect for Kirk Hammett now that he takes Greeney everywhere with him. He is adding his own chapter to the story of Greeney.
100%!
Someone has to preserve history or we wouldn't have it.
I scored some old guitars in great condition, and I'm glad they weren't played much.
I had the fender custom shop build me a guitar. I went to corona and spent time with the master builder as we walked the factory choosing all the right bits. Needless to say, this wasn’t inexpensive.
The head of the custom shop called me after a suitable amount of time and asked what I thought. I told him I was afraid to take it out of the case. He, and rightly so, read me the riot act and told me to play it… to get dings and scratches …and to enjoy the effing thing. It’s a guitar. Make it yours.
Yep. Play the hell out of them. Otherwise you become like the old cowboy: "I spent all my money on women , whiskey and horses. The rest I just wasted!"
PS: IF I could afford a custom shop, it would be a Martin D-45 in 12 string with 12 fret neck and slot head.
@@ratwynd I don't understand your analogy, it sounds like the cowboy was having a good time?
The way I see it, not playing an expensive guitar is like not drinking an expensive single malt.
I've got a beautiful 68 Les Paul Custom Reissue. I bought it used in near-mint condition. I happily play it. I've put some wear on the frets and some buckle trash on the back.
Yes, it looks great on the wall. But I didn't buy it to hang on the wall just like I don't buy whiskey to shove in a liquor cabinet.
I bought it to play. I come home from the office, do my dadly duties, and at the end of it all, spend a little time when I can playing the damn thing.
I'd probably feel differently if I had plans to resell it but I'm not a guitar merchant. To me, guitars are for playing, not for selling.
I play my expensive guitars at home and love them. I have many guitars in the $700-$1200 range that are my gig guitars. When they get kicked over or dinged I don’t feel quite as sick to my stomach. Depends also on the venue (are people going to be near the gear or not?)
Same here. Plus refretting a LP is a bitch. Why ware out the good one practicing new material, or gigging out.
The good guitar is a rare treat.
Guitars at all price range should be played. Only thing I am concerned about is fret wear but that I mitigate by owning way too many guitars :D
Good point! I think I unconsciously rotate for reducing fret wear too. One of my cheaper axes has a custom neck with stainless frets, and I play the hell out of it with zero wear after a year.
Whenever I ordered a Warmoth neck for my builds, I always went with the stainless steel frets just out of a deep fear of fret wear... 😅
@@schmoemi3386All guitars should have SS frets. 😀
My parents gave me an Ibanez Jem in green multicolour for my 18th birthday. It is now worth a fortune but I never play it because I just don’t like Floyd Rose wiggle sticks, but I won’t sell it because it was a gift from my parents.
I think it has more to do with the gig... Am I taking my ES-355, Ric 660, Wood Library HB2 Piezo or CS '56 Strat to the neighborhood dive bar for a gig? No. That'll be when I break out the Mexican Fenders. Will I take the fancy stuff to a distillery, private party or Keeneland gig? Yes.
Bojangles does have the best biscuits... but when I come to visit Southern Pines, I'm all about the Pine Scone.
Completely agree. Am I taking my CS G-335 to a gig where I have to put it down between sets only to have it disappear? Hello, no I'm not. But I've (we've all?) known of guitars being boosted from backstage areas and such. For that matter, I don't even want to lose my 2007 MIM Frankencaster either. But other than walking around holding the thing in my own hands...and without trustworthy techs and cartage services etc... it's tough. Yesterday there was a story in the news that a shop in the same business as you guys had 15 very expensive guitars stolen from their shop. Guitar House of Tulsa and the proprietor, Drew Winn are lovely people. But, if you look at the list of what was taken, well...let's just say they knew what they were doing. A sign of the times.
How many '59 Bursts are right now hanging in a glass case in some lawyer's or stock broker's office? I'd bet it's more than a few. Cryin' shame. Kudos to Kirk Hammett for actually playing the shit out of his night after night.
I’m a working musician and have some very nice custom shop guitars both gibson and fenders and I play the hell out of all of them. IMHO Gibson and Fender are making some of the best guitars ever, especially if you buy a custom shop guitar. All those vintage guitars were new when most of the artists were using them and while there were some good ones, there were some real dogs.
Just because of how expensive these CS instruments are, they'll better be good, too... very VERY good!
Ever? Nah.
Back in the 80's I knew a drummer in a band in St. Pete. I went with him to practice, and we went into the guy's house, and he had a '54 Tele leaning in a corner of his living room against a wall. I pick it up and look it over and she is in fine shape. I start to play it and she was nothing less than a dog. She just sounded DOA, one of the worst Fenders I had ever heard, and I grew up around 70's CBS Fenders.
My theory on the whole relic hype: People are finally able to play their expensive guitars, because they´re already beaten up 😄
As a player, if I but it, it will get played. If it is too expensive to play, it won't get purchased.
In my country we have some dangerous zones where you can get your gear stolen. If I gig in those places maybe I’ll take a MIM Strat just to leave the more expensive stuff at home. I customize the affordable stuff I own to get them playing real nice . I would love to carry my number one everywhere but that’s the world we are living…
Joe Bonamassa owns a lot of expensive guitars - and it seems like he plays them all!
The question should perhaps be "Should you GIG your high-end Custom Shop/ vintage guitar"? That's a lot like asking if you should drive your '61 Corvette to the gig. The answer is probably "no" unless you're in a high-end band doing high-end gigs with Secret Service-level security, Smithsonian-level people doing your cartage, and Berklee-level people doing your tech.
When I was little I had to get an allergy shot every Saturday morning and the nurse would give me a coupon for a free small fry or hash brown from McDonalds. I will always associate McDonald’s hashbrowns with getting a shot.
Did it make the shot better or the hash brown worse?
@@mikeomatic9905 It made the shot better. And after taking something along the lines of 3K+ allergy shots, shots just don't really bother me anymore.
I have a '71 Gibson Les Paul Custom, a '79 Fender 25th anniversary strat, and an '65 Epiphone Sorrento. I don't take them out on gigs, but I do play them a lot at home.
This hit me between the eyes. I have a PRS private stock graveyard limited 1, I really do believe it's the best guitar in the history of the world. It's in my closet. The best guitar in the history of the world is in my closet. Like it's in prison for a crime it didn't commit or something. Am I a monster?
Not at all. But seriously consider putting it into heavy rotation. When you’re dead and gone, would you prefer that you had played it all the time or saved it for the next guy to do whatever he will with it?
@@josephr4637 I know man... I think about the next person who gets this guitar and someone telling them, "yeah this guy had it in his closet for 50 years" and I'm thinking that's not a cool story at all
@@BillySoundFarm Its next owner might even wonder if you were a guitar player or just that dentist with too much money to spend... 🙈
I’ve heard that Paul is disheartened by folks coming and telling him about his awesome guitars they keep in their closet. I’m guilty as well. I do play my old Swamp Ash Special quite a bit though.
Not only do I play my custom shops, I let my 3 year old (supervised of course) play them as well. Some of my favorite memories growing up was playing on my dad’s guitars
That’s why I like relics or just older vintage acoustics because they already have dings and dents so if I add one it’s not the end of the world. I play em all and if I’m too concerned about resale I sell it before I ding it. Beautiful guitars but I’m nervous if I take ‘em out to jam. Beers are usually involved.
I have 2 that I used to play at live gigs exclusively, back when they were unwanted and "cheap" after 20+ years and a considerable amount of abuse... they are worth 6X what I paid for them, and frankly are showing their age... so they stay home now. Mostly for sentimental value cause they are unreplaceable at this point. they still get drug out, and they did recently go on a trip to the studio, (me freaking out about them the entire time lol)
What about David Gilmor going through a ton of red tape just to get his black Strat back from the Hard Rock just so he could perform and record with it again. They should be played! ....and fried bologna sandwiches are amazing!!!
Is it OK to play them if they are Custom Shop reliced guitars?
When Baxter brings up museum pieces, like Hendrix's strat, I can speak with some authority on this as a museum professional. There is a philosophical argument to be had: "if a guitar is not played, is it actually a guitar? Or is it instead merely a symbol of a guitar?" But museum ethics suggest that when something is acquired by a museum it is "taken out of the economic cycle," which is to say it won't ever be sold again*, and implicit in that is the idea that it won't get used again either.
*now, there are lot of "museums" in the US (and elsewhere) that are more like galleries for the display of private collections. Those collections do sell items on, so they don't behave strictly according to museum ethics.
If a guitar wasn’t made to be played, it wouldn’t have strings on it. Good on Kirk for playing greeny and taking it on tour
8:11 I heard the Gibson RD was actually originally called the Gibson VD.
Last year I sold my most expensive guitar of the three I own. A) I didn't want to get it damaged but B) I didn't want to admit to myself I just didn't like it anymore, and kept it because I had spent a lot on it --and it was time to break up with it otherwise it was just sitting there. I consigned it and it sold in a month, it feels good to now have a clean break and somebody else can love it, and I can play something else that I get more joy out of and a bonus it was 25% cheaper :) If that makes any sense.
Did you buy another guitar, or just more gear?
@@MrSmiley1964 both :) picked up an AmProii Strat and some new pedals
@@GarrettRodman That's how you do it.
No, of course they should not be played! You should build a church around it a put it on an altar, and build pews so that people can worship it. And if it’s got dna of a famous person on it put it in a gold case and lock that holy relic up!
I don’t gig any more, but still, I don’t couch practice my pricey R8 or Core PRS very often. For one, they play too easily, have some fret wear, and I prefer my hands & callouses to get a bit more of a workout. My daily driver is a MIM Tele with a custom soft V neck with stainless frets. Love that thing!
The black Gilmore strat, the hendrix woodstock guitar etc. They are a piece of history that need to be preserved. There are what???? 100's of thousands of guitars out there for playing.
It's a sin not to play them. So don't burn in hell, play your guitar. ☮️❤️🎸
McDonalds dropped the all day breakfast items during Covid and never brought it back regardless of how popular it was. Now remember, some of us don’t get up early enough for their breakfast menu, so I liked the all day breakfast. McDonalds cries it’s some kind of logistical nightmare yet several other fast food chains serve their entire breakfast menus all day, so I don’t know what McDonalds In whining about. My most expensive guitar is a 1964 Jag that’s been overly used by at least one rock star you Casino guys know, and the only reason to avoid playing is every time you do it leaves Olympic White paint flakes on your clothes. How does the Fender CS relic their guitars to prevent that? Paint everywhere! On my shirts, all over the case, on the furniture, on the cat! It’s maddening!! Oh the Humanity!!
I think the singular historical or vintage pieces should probably be preserved and not played. I’m mainly thinking of something like a 1957 strat in mint condition. On the other hand it’s cool that something like Duane Allman’s gold top still gets played live.
In the classical world, rich patrons buy the million dollar violins then loan them to top orchestral players. A Stradivarius is meant to be played and enjoyed by a musician and his or her audience.
I tried to play my fancy guitar with white gloves on and it sounded funny...
Very Cool, Thankyou. I don't really have Expensive Guitars. I count 2 of my Gretsch Electromatics (G5420T and G5248T) as my 'Expensive' Guitars and only bring them out of their cases occasionally. I really should play them more often but they are SO Awesome, I am 'overly' Cautious with them. Totally Love my Gretsch Guitars and they are actually very Affordable even though my G5420T is going for $1200- to $1500- Australian now. Price went up Quick. All the Best. Cheers
I own several vintage and rare guitars and amps… and I play them live! Yessir!
I play all my nice guitars at home and out. That said, it does hurt when I ding or dent it on something at a bar or venue.
The question is like, "Should you actually DRIVE your Ferrari regularly, given that some feel adding miles on the odometer constantly lessens its value, always worrying about an accident, paint nicks, vandalism when you're not near it, etc.?"
My two expensive guitars are a Gibson SG Supra and Rickenbacker 360/12 Walnut
I have a very rare Sun Dew Gold Ibanez Pia that i play a few times a week. Im careful with it but im careful with all of my guitars even my Squiers !!
Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
Play, absolutely! Travel through airports and gig with at bars and clubs on a nightly basis?...that's a different story.
If you won’t play your expensive guitar because it might get bumped or scratched, you bought outside of your tax bracket. Sell it and buy a sensible guitar so you don’t miss your next car payment 🎸
I actually spend more time with my parts Telecaster than with my GE Smith signature Tele. But, it’s not premeditated, it just happens.
People whom refuse to play a musical instrument simply due to its cost ( or more rather ,..its value) might be making th mistake of valuing money more then their music.
For the low income person whom struggles financially,..ANY LOSS or breakage is damn near tragic,..even if the guitar that broke is a lowly squire bullet.
Mr Kirk Hammett could not only afford to purchase "Greeny" but also afford to get is repaired immediately after he broke off the headstock.
I would remind folks unable to play expensive instruments that their are people walking around waring mechanical Rolex watches costing well over $50,000 that keep much less accurate time then the cell phone in their pockets,.LoL
I have 9 guitars all in the €450-1200 price range. I swap them out all the time to play each one. If I had high end guitars I’d do the same. Great to look at them hanging on the wall but guitars have to be played.
I’ve got a beautiful Gibson LP R9 Sunburst that is my favourite guitar but I only giged it once and I don’t generally play it…
I prefer to gig my crappier guitars as they get innocently beaten by me, band mates and just people guaranteed every time!
I’ve also got a 2015 Olympic White US Strat Special that looks like Jimi’s Woodstock Strat that is so perfect, the finish is like polished marble, I don’t play it either lol!
I suppose if you're a "collector" who plans to sell them...but otherwise, why would I want a guitar that I never played? And as far as value...the most famous, recognizable, and likely valuable, guitars in the world have reached that iconic status precisely BECAUSE they've been put through the ringer. Granted, I'm not Clapton, Van Halen or SRV, but just imagine their iconic guitars in pristine condition. It's an ugly thought.
I play my $14000 PRS Private Stock almost every day... as well as my $7000 Taylor 914CE
Im totally okey if someone doesnt play a guitar outside the house/studio whatever, just play it !!! enjoy it
Also doesnt matter how expensive it is. If u can afford it and doesnt make u bankrupt, enjoy it. life too short
For me personally, I don't own any guitars that I don't play. That said, I don't have Eric Clapton's original Blackie, David Gilmore's double black, Lennon's Casino or Cobain's acoustic from Unplugged. I don't have guitars that are collectable that way mostly because I'm not super rich. Maybe some guitars should be looked at for what they were and those guitars should be available to see in a museum. If it's just a cool vintage guitar, then you should buy it to play it. Not sure when that line is crossed, but I would think that if a guitar that should sell for $25k sells for 1.7 million...maybe you shouldn't play that one.
played guitar for a long time. played my first live gig. since i could, i took an R8 VOS aged with me. because: I'm worth it and since amps are gone. the axe is all i had. though, any ibanez rg would have been totally great as well. or prs se.
you have to play them all.
and please.,don't start trying to clone people from their sweat. what would you do when young clone Jimi didn't want to play guitar?
The only reason would be if it was a mint condition vintage guitar, bought as an investment. Which I don't do.
lol I would play a guitar I bought no matter how expensive it is. I have 2 private stocks and gig them both. I’ve seen the value of my 83’ Silver Gibson LP custom go up. I still use it. My 02’ PRS SE I use to play in front of my PC when learning and eating Gardettos. Lol
"I paid 4 grand for an instrument. Should I actually use it?"
this is why i bully guitar players
I'm often hesitant to bring out the best of my collection, particularly the pristine ones. I force myself because they should all be played in rotation, to keep them working, to check for anything going wrong, and also to enjoy what it is they bring. Looks, sound, provenance and playability all are part of the guitar's mojo. Usually, somewhere in the middle of the jam, I hear the guitar wailing, a beautiful voice, I marvel at the fast smooth action. I put it in it's stand and can't take my eyes off of it, like a beautiful work of art. All these elements come together and thrill me. That's why I have them. And that's why every one of them needs to come to the jam on their night. We are a pack. And a pack is a forever love.
As a bass player, I have 2 stands and usually have 1 longscale and 1 shortscale out at a time and rotate ~monthly...I find it good to have 2 drastically different models out to keep my playing flexible
That’s exactly why I will never own an expensive guitar .. it has to be played or it will rot
I think that there’s a difference between expensive guitars and guitars with legendary provenance. Anyone else playing Hendrix’s guitar may likely result in ‘meh’. As opposed to a famous ‘59 Burst being played and displayed where the guitar is more of the focus… that’s an expensive guitar that should be played. I have a couple of expensive but otherwise pedestrian Gibsons that are played and gigged regularly. I just take more safeguards when they’re out and about.
Should you play your expensive guitar… which is really a cover for what movie should you watch and gosh we’re hungry and need something to eat. Let’s talk about biscuits and breakfast.
Love the Mauler Twins reference!
4K is my most expensive and it’s out and played all the time
That Jimmy Hendrix guitar should be played by Jhon Frusciante so he can add a new chapter 😊
Conundrum: if you sell a relic guitar, can you list it as mint ?
I don’t keep my guitars in cases, mine line my walls for ease of use and atmospheric wall art
My biggest fear is having an expensive, or my most played favorite guitar, stolen. If you take a $5k Les Paul to a gig, you have to practically handcuff it to yourself between sets unless you have someone watching it. I've had guitars stolen from me before and two of them are not made anymore. I was lucky that one of them that was stolen was seen being stolen and knew who the thief was and where he lived. Several of us went to his house within a half hour and threatened to break both of his arms if he didn't give it back. Unfortunately, my pedals, which he stole were never found. Fortunately, my all time favorite guitar is a Squier strat. So nobody is going to want it. I say, never play expensive guitars at a gig. Anything can happen, including accidents.
I don’t wanna risk having a cheap guitar at a gig. I sold most of my imports and only play the americans live. I have busted a gibson headstock at a show…it happens. You can’t let that stop you
I was playing a wedding a while back with a MIJ Jazzmaster and guy asked me about it. I told him I paid 700 bucks for it. He was acting like I stole it. Bought it years ago. Pandemic made it valuable I suppose. Seems they are coming back to reality now.
I have never been in a position where I have ANYTHING that was too expensive to actually use as it was intended to be used. Now that said, if a person gets a guitar that is truly HISTORIC, then maybe not play it. But then again, if it is still sound (no pun intended) it would be a crime NOT to play it, at least now and again. The thing that makes it what it is, is that it has voice. Don't deny the guitar its purpose and voice.
Theft is an issue. I've seen a lot of guitars disappear. One dude lost his $10,000 strat.
If I owned a really valuable guitar then there’s probably some places I wouldn’t take it but yes I’d play it. I’m not a collector of stuff and if I was I think I’d collect something cheaper than guitars!
Crown caps...😅
I have taken them out (gig) that retail around $10,000, but anymore than that they stay home. I have downgraded those recently and most people don’t notice anyway. Honestly, I think it was stupidity on my part?
p.s. They are meant to be played!
Call me old-school, but I’m not gonna tell you what you do with your own stuff
Also, I’ve got a 60s Tiesco and I ain’t gonna hide that light under a bushel! I paid $325 for that guitar!😅
Man i do have a couple guitars id like to sell (if the market gets better) other than that i play them but one that needs new frets. The same one was stolen like 28 yrs ago n i got it back with the serial number scratched off so i dont take it places. It also happens to be the most valuable. Idk i guess if your a collecter then those guitars were obtained for that reason
the most "valuable" guitar in the end is that one that inspires you to pick it up the most.
Yes. Guitars are meant to be played. I don’t own an expensive guitar but if I had one I’d play it.
I think the underlying question is whether you should _buy_ a guitar that is so expensive (for you, whatever that means) that you don't dare to play it?
I agree that an iconic guitar like Jimi’s should be in a museum, or maybe Jimmy Page #1 should only be played by Jimmy and nobody else. Other then that every guitar should be played
7:18 I’m not really a fan of retiring numbers, it’s certainly not something we do here in the UK very often, if ever. If someone wears a number and is really successful, then it’s more likely that number will become pretty much sacred and be considered an honour for whoever wears it in future. For my team, Wolverhampton Wanderers, it’s the number 9. I think treating significant instruments the same way isn’t a bad thing either. Greeny is the prime example here. Between the three players who have used it, that guitar now has a status all of its own. I’d actually quite like to see significant guitars continue to be used and passed from prominent musician to prominent musician.
In Formula one, the number 17 was retired after the death of Jules Bianchi in a race crash at Suzuka.
Not only should you play your expensive guitar you should smash it into your amp every once in awhile.
Talk about opening up the proverbial can of worms. I have mixed feelings on this and am probably get a lot of flack but here goes. You can drive the hell out of your Toyota but the Ferrari stays in the garage and most people will understand the rationale behind this. I have a couple of upper crust acoustics and a couple of lower middle income acoustics. They all get played. HOWEVER, I find myself babying the more expensive ones. They get wiped down really well before going back into their humidified cases. The others will probably get left on the bed until I pick them up again. I am not a working musician nor a guitar collector but if I was out gigging, I probably would not use the more expensive ones. Ferrari in the garage syndrome. If I put a dent in one of my more affordable acoustics, I wouldn’t be happy but I would get over it pretty quick. Dent in one of the more expensive ones? Lots of cursing,. More than likely going on for months and months and years and on and on. I am 72 and do not plan on selling any of them but when I’m gone and my kids get their bonus, I want them to hang the scarred, well worn, well played guitars on their walls and think of me. Then I want them to sell the better ones and have a grand old time.
Love snd play mine daily!!
If you are scared of devaluing the resale of a guitar due to wear, could you afford the guitar at all? These are tool for making music, enjoy them. The only way I would agree with preserving an instrument by not playing it would be if it had real historical value.
If you're scared of devaluing your guitar resale value due to wear&tear, just check how much perfectly flawless factory new instruments would cost you compared to those artificially - mostly custom shop - "aged" ones...🙈
I play guitars at home for enjoyment. I have 6 in a range from $90, $400, $1000, $2000, $3000, and $4000.
I play the $4000 one the most and the $90 the second most 😂
I do have one ($3000) that sits in a case and I get it out once in a while to smell it. (Guess the brand) I know that’s stupid. It should get played more. I’ve had it up for sale off and on for 2 years. No one will give me what it’s worth. So it stays with me unplayed.
I love the swiffer. I use it once a week.
Yes play them, bang them up, don't worry about taking a loss if you sell it. We all blow our money on our thing. It could be Guitars, brisket, smokers and pedals and guitars. Not in that order.
The secret is to work at a guitar shop, so you can buy these awesome guitars in, obviously have to make sure it functions right? Cut the check, and then you’re the custodian of the guitar until it finds a happy home. Best part of the job
If an expensive guitar plays well and is fun to play, play it! I played a 50's gold top Gibson (Actually it wasn't a gold top, the entire body was gold, before they switched to doing only the tops in gold) that was a beautiful old, beat up guitar, but it just wasn't that nice to play. It didn't sound or feel very good and I felt kind of disappointed by the experience. That's the kind of expensive guitar that I think shouldn't be played and should be a display piece instead.
Baxter said he has his guitars and plays his guitars in his apartment. I'd like to see what amp you play them through when playing in your apartment. Not a little crappy amp that shops are necessarily selling to noobs, but the one or type you use daily in your apartment.
He has said in older videos that he uses a vintage Gibson GA-5. I’m not sure if that what he still uses or not.
I have mostly played acoustic the last few decades. I buy better guitars to perform better. (Although my last was only $3300.00,I picked it up in Southern Pines). I didn't buy any to leave at home and at hom😂they are out on the wall or stand for access. Of course, the room is humidity controlled...except the power just went out due to 9 inches of snow (which is still coming down). Time to play in this dark!
All my guitars get played at home, but the nice ones only go to gigs at nicer bars. Thankfully I have several very nice modded imports that are the gig work horses.
I don't own any vintage guitars, but my guitars are all premium models and expensive... I bought them to have the experience of playing them at home and out live,,, BTW, I beat my guitars up (inadvertently) more at home than away...
Collecting guitars and not playing them in the hope they’ll appreciate is the worst way to make money from guitars.
If you’re getting paying gigs and selling records, you can easily earn way more than what you’ll lose from a few dings here and there.
4:45 Just the broken ones!
I am a decades like 4+ decades old guitarist and I have many guitars ..expensive and not that expensive but either way I play the hell out of my guitars and always have and I even my custom shops I play the hell out of ..on the road or not as they are TO BE PLAYED! Not a wall decor or to act like you are cool🙄 they were made to be played🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻
I'm selling my expensive guitars.. They're no better than my cheaper guitars and I don't want to scratch them. 2k+ is going up for sale. Lol that's mainly the modern ones though.. Where one scratch will make you cry... My classics? They just look cooler.
I've often thought that just because a legendary guitarist played an instrument, and maybe played iconic stuff on it doesn't bestow the instrument itself with any special qualities. Makes no sense.
The answer is EVERDAY ! I gig with my white falcon and my novo all the time ! I live in Florida and won’t take to falcon if it’s going to have to sit in my car in the Florida heat .. I only use it at indoor climate controlled shows .. but the novo I play everywhere outdoors in the hot ass Florida sun
I have a dilemma trying to decide if I should sell my mid 70s les Paul DeLuxe which I've owned since my teen years, in order to buy a modern custom shop guitar. trading a piece of history for more of a craftsman's masterpiece.
To me it’s more a question of if I’d gig with it. I’ve definitely played small bars where I might not take certain guitars because the likelihood of beer spilling or folks with sticky fingers is higher.
I think, by the guitar that speaks to you and that is durable enough to withstand what you intend to use it for. If you buy a guitar for an insane amount of money and don't play it, I think that's a complete crime. Spend your money on something else.
I don't own any custom shop level stuff but I do have some vintage guitars going back into the 1960s as well as some expensive modern instruments. A '63 Epiphone and a '71 J-50 as well as a few vintage MIJ electrics and acoustics.
While I do not gig, I do play out at open mics at pubs, American Legion, etc. NONE of my guitars are case queens, all hang on the wall and get played regularly. I will take any of them out to play but I do keep a close eye on them and know the environments I play in. Even last night playing out I got (another) little ding in the side of my '77 F400 Takamine 12 string when it bumped a chair. Sh*t happens.
I agree an expensive guitar should be played.
But taking an expensive one out in public say for open mic, in a city like Milwaukee or Chicago, you could get robbed or guitar jacked so easily.
I play my expensive ones at home. But when I go out to open mic, I take my $400 used Gretsch hollow body.
My mistake was buying more guitars than I needed.
I'm 65 and I started two years ago. I bought 20 guitars in 2 years before I realized what I was doing.
I kept thinking the more expensive or the more signature guitars I bought, that it would improve my skills.
The only thing that improves guitar skills is practicing, not buying guitars. Or even shopping for them.
It became a real bad addiction and thank God I stopped.
Except for my Gretch, I bought all USA or custom-made Gibson and Fenders.
The worst part is, if I go to sell them I get barely half of what I paid.
I'll never make that mistake again.
Unless you're a millionaire, don't make the mistake I did.
All I needed was a USA tele, Les paul, strat, and a good acoustic.
Anything beyond that for me was greed.
🙏
NO. You should not live in your house, drive your car or consume your food, all of which cost money. Since you have no money, you cant afford any of this... Probably All Stolen. CALL THE COPS!