Guitar in your posession the longest?

[bluejaybill]

In 1968 I washed dishes for a year and bought a first year reissue black Les Paul Custom. I worked the next year for a 1969 Martin D35.

In around 1974, I traded the D35 and $250 for a 1946 Martin 00028 at Matt Umanov in NYC. With a cupid decal. Still have that one.

In the mid-'80's I sold the Les Paul and turned it into a 1964 Strat, still have that one as well.

[John A.]

I bought my American Standard Strat new in 1989. At the time I had a small windfall and decided to treat myself to a guitar. I has actually planned on getting a non-Fender Tele because I’d had a CBS Strat briefly that was a terrible guitar and had played many others that were pretty bad, which biased me against Fender.

I tried a whole bunch, but none really did it for me. Then I tried a new Strat for the heck of it, not aware of the improvements the new owners had been making. Much to my surprise, I loved it. Tried a bunch of other ones, but kept coming back to this one. 36 years later here we are.

[DawgBone]

Lol, the guitar I've had the longest is one I've only had since early 2021.

[Bob_Ross]

I've had this Roland G-303 since 1985 (pic is of me circa 1988 or '89) and it is still one of the most comfortable necks of any guitar I've ever touched.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

When I switched to 7 strings in the early ‘90s, I sold all my standard 6s. So I sold my early treasures 30 years ago. But I kept the oddballs and specialties. Phil Kubicki made my Express (below) in December ‘81 & it arrived in early January ‘82. I also bought the Supro lap steel around that time, but I don’t remember exactly when. The Kubicki is easy to date because Phil signed and dated it on the back before applying the finish.



I still have and love my special 7s. My first one was an ESP hardtail with rounded horns and Duncan HBs that I got in ‘92 or ‘93.



My first 7 string archtop was the Ibanez AF207 that I got new in ‘97. I’d ordered it the year before before when I read in Guitar Player that it was coming out. My dealer knew nothing about it. But he promised me he’d get me one as soon as they were available, and he did. I sold my last 6 string archtops (a blonde Guild 500 and a black 165) when it arrived.



My ‘57 Fiesta Red P bass reissue is from the first run of MIJ Fender reissues. I’ve also had this since the early ‘90s. It’s a really high quality instrument with the look, sound, and feel of an original. Surprisingly, it came without an ashtray bridge / tailpiece cover. But it came with a vintage style Fender cable and strap in a classic tweed case that’s every bit as fine as the originals.

[lawson-stone]

The oldest guitar in my stable is a Suzuki Dreadnought style guitar, made in Japan. I bought it when I was about 15 years old, paid $89.99 for it. I still have it, still play it for my grandchildren when they sleep over at my place. I "sing them down" at night using that guitar.

[grahambop]

The oldest guitar in my stable is a Suzuki Dreadnought style guitar, made in Japan.

Same for me, still got it. (We already covered this a few years back in posts 88 and 89!)

[jim777]

The one I've had the longest is my '78 Ibanez FA-100 that's in the Benson guitars thread. I was in a band that covered a lot of Yes stuff in the mid to late 80's, and went through 3 different 175s without bonding with any of them before I got the Ibanez. In the early 00's my youngest daughter put a sticker on the headstock (she was maybe 3 at the time) and that sealed the guitar never leaving me You can see the little sticker in this shot.

[lawson-stone]

Same for me, still got it. (We already covered this a few years back in posts 88 and 89!)

Yikes. I look in the mirror and say, "I'm not getting old, I'm not getting old, I'm not.... what did I come in here for?"

[powerwagonjohn]

My 1975 Guild D-50. I bought it when I graduated high school with money I earned building a house. I got my new guitar and learned a lot about building houses. By the way my father thought it was a waste of money, but I still have the guitar!
Thanks John

[Gitterbug]

Well, I deleted my recent post having discovered that I already shared the info in post #83, February 2020. Anyway, a tourist-grade but good-sounding Spanish nylon-string by A. Dotras, Cordoba brought from Mallorca by my parents in 1963.

[MarkRhodes]

My first good guitar (an Ovation Deluxe Balladeer) was stolen in the late '70s, and several guitars I've had since have also parted company with me for one reason or another. The guitar I'm playing now--an Ibanez Artcore from 2003, bought new from Musicians Friend--is the one that I have had for the longest continuous time.

I had a Yamaha Strat (made in Japan in the late '70s---my older brother was stationed there at the time and bought it for under $200) and that is the long-gone guitar I most regret parting with. I can see having another Strat someday, but for now, I'm most happy playing an archtop. (I took the pickguard off----that works better for me.)

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

The guitar I'm playing now--an Ibanez Artcore from 2003, bought new from Musicians Friend--is the one that I have had for the longest continuous time.

I think Ibanez may be both the most owned and longest owned marque on this forum.

I started buying them in the mid 1970s. We live a few miles from the now defunct Medley Music, which was Harry Rosenbloom’s retail store. Although I was and still am an 8th St Music guy, I was friends with several of Medley’s employees and hung out there a good bit. Harry always had a few special Ibanezes hanging around, including fancy ones brought in for NAMM. He got them into the hands of a lot of working players including me by selling them to us at ridiculously low prices.

My first one was a really fancy 335 style with amazing wood, gorgeous abalone & pearl inlay work, the fanciest stop tailpiece I ever saw, a gorgeous TOM style bridge, and a magnificent guard. The original pickups were in the case pocket, with a pair of unidentifiable ‘buckers in the guitar that covered the spectrum from fat jazz to focused fusion.

I bought and sold a few of those specials over the years, selling the last of them only when I went exclusively to 7 strings about 30 years ago. Now I have the AF207 (1997) and an AEL 7 string flat top (2015?), both of which are keepers.

Say what you will about him, Harry’s legacy is largely about getting decent guitars into more hands than any other maker at very reasonable cost. I used to blame him for killing the Gibson et al with which we old guys grew up. He did what he did for the $ - but Gibson, Fender et al shot themselves in the foot. Harry just helped the Japanese rush in while Gibson was limping toward bankruptcy.

[Jimmy Mack]

Fender Electric XII, 1966. I bought it in '86 when it had been butchered (pick guard and pickups missing)

[jaymen]

The oldest one is my war time 1943 Martin 0-17, all mahogany, ebony truss rod (non adjustable). It sat for many years languishing as it was missing a bridge, saddle and pins. It also has a section of the side missing from the upper bout on the treble side that was about
3/4" x 3", presumably where it had been dropped, and sections of the back and top had also come loose.

I called Martin decades ago to try and order the missing pieces, and they re-directed me to a local dealer who said it would take anywhere from 6 months to a year for Martin to fill the order for the bridge, as the war time Martins had an odd 2-1/8" string spacing at the bridge, so they would have to re-create it for me. I placed the order with Kirk Sand, and ten years later, after he contacted Martin over a dozen times about the order, we gave up. Kirk said he could make me a bridge, but it would devalue the guitar since it would not be original.

Early this year, a Martin Dealer in Michigan, who closed his shop and was selling off all his remaining stock listed the exact genuine Martin bridge for my '43 0-17! Apparently nobody wanted it because it was an odd size so he discounted it and I got it on a buy-it now for $18, yes!

Sadly Kirk passed away last year and so, I could not find anyone who wanted to take on the extensive repairs, so I did it myself, as I am trained in stringed instrument repair( violin, viola, cello, and bass). Using hide glue and some sheet mahogany I patched the side, re-glued the top and back and glued the replacement bridge on after fitting it to the top.

It now sings like a bird, but I am going to take it to 13th St. Guitars to have the neck planed, re-fretted and Pleked, as it is quite worn.

Not guitars, but I have my dad's 1916 Martin Soprano Uke, and his 1922 Slingerland "Maybelle" Banjo-uke, or "Banjo-lele" as some call them. My stand up bass is a 1967 Johan Rauner, made by Wilfer in West Germany. It's true about the age thing as far as acoustic instruments go, they do get better, if they don't get worn out, broken or fall apart!

[skykomishone]

My1972 ES 175D. Not currently the oldest guitar in the house, and not the first guitar that I've had with me through the years. In 1972, although I wanted the Wesmo L5, being poor as a church mouse I could only afford the 175. It cost about $600. The Wesmo about $2,500 and change. With the knowledge that Pass, Hall, Ellis, etc., we're playing 175's, we'll, good enough for me then. Even with my dear mother's help, it was still a lot of money that I needed, and guitar players even back then were generally starving people.

It's a beautiful guitar, plays well, and sounds great. If I had to sell a guitar, this would not be it.

[garybaldy]

Since 1970. Harmony Meteor. Currently awaiting a refurb. Butchered in 1972 to install a T Top!

[2bornot2bop]

My1972 ES 175D. Not currently the oldest guitar in the house, and not the first guitar that I've had with me through the years. In 1972, although I wanted the Wesmo L5, being poor as a church mouse I could only afford the 175. It cost about $600. The Wesmo about $2,500 and change. With the knowledge that Pass, Hall, Ellis, etc., we're playing 175's, we'll, good enough for me then. Even with my dear mother's help, it was still a lot of money that I needed, and guitar players even back then were generally starving people.

It's a beautiful guitar, plays well, and sounds great. If I had to sell a guitar, this would not be it.

Beautiful guitar Steve! But I’m shocked to read that Wesmo’s were that expensive in ‘72. I lucked out and purchased my first L5CES for less than $3k in 2013. But that price was $2500 lower than the norm for that period. Hope you and Carol are doing good!

[wintermoon]

My1972 ES 175D. Not currently the oldest guitar in the house, and not the first guitar that I've had with me through the years. In 1972, although I wanted the Wesmo L5, being poor as a church mouse I could only afford the 175. It cost about $600. The Wesmo about $2,500 and change. With the knowledge that Pass, Hall, Ellis, etc., we're playing 175's, we'll, good enough for me then. Even with my dear mother's help, it was still a lot of money that I needed, and guitar players even back then were generally starving people.

It's a beautiful guitar, plays well, and sounds great. If I had to sell a guitar, this would not be it.

I'm guessing you mean a regular L-5CES as the Wesmo was introduced in the 90s?

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

In 1972, although I wanted the Wesmo L5, being poor as a church mouse I could only afford the 175. It cost about $600. The Wesmo about $2,500 and change.

I'm guessing you mean a regular L-5CES as the Wesmo was introduced in the 90s?

The 175 was $575 and the L5CES was $1130. The Citation was $2500. Here's the '72 Gibson price list:

[skykomishone]

Thanks for the help WM, it's always appreciated.
It's hard to remember,
but so easy to forget!
'72 was a long time ago.
Regardless, I prefer the Wesmo between the two. I hardly ever use a bridge pickup.
What I do remember about that day is that the L5 was amazing, I couldn't afford it, and that I felt pretty good about the 175!
The L5 seemed to me like it cost 10K, so I tried to forget.

[wintermoon]

Thanks for the help WM, it's always appreciated.
It's hard to remember,
but so easy to forget!
'72 was a long time ago.
Regardless, I prefer the Wesmo between the two. I hardly ever use a bridge pickup.
What I do remember about that day is that the L5 was amazing, I couldn't afford it, and that I felt pretty good about the 175!
The L5 seemed to me like it cost 10K, so I tried to forget.

Hah yeah, I used to buy my strings from the late Sam D'amico in S. Philly. He was a drum dealer (and the nicest guy) w a huge showroom but you could buy anything music related there. Pat Martino lived close by and used to get his strings from Sam and there were autographed photos of him on the walls. Anyway at one point I got serious about upgrading my 175 to an L-5 and Sam walked into his office and came back w a Gibson price list, around $1500! Big $, I bought a used blonde one a couple yrs later in my neighborhood from the Tradin Times, a local classified paper for $900.

[Hammertone]

Guitar in my possession the longest?
My 1970 Martin O-18, purchased new at E.U. Wurlitzer in Boston in 1976.
Still guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials for the rest of my life.

[Bach5G]

I have a Harmony Sovereign that I got for my 11th birthday back in 1966. My dad bought it second hand in a music store. Needs a bit of work.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Guitar in my possession the longest?
My 1970 Martin O-18, purchased new at E.U Wurlitzer in Boston in 1976.

It really is a small world. A decade before you bought that, Wurlitzer was my local dealer while I was in college up there. I’d traded my Realistic turntable and a pair of cheap bookshelf speakers for a ratty ‘34 L5 from a friend who inherited it.

I took it to Wurlitzer for a refurb estimate, and Gibson wanted something like $300. My only liquid assets were my 175, my amp (a B15N), and a Yamaha 250. The bike was my only transportation, so I’d have to have sold the 175 or traded it to Wurlitzer toward the cost of the work. I needed the 175 to gig, since I was paying my tuition and I couldn’t afford a second guitar. So I decided to be prudent, sold the L5 to Wurlitzer for a decent amount, and called it a day. Nevershouldhavesoldit !!

I loved going to that shop.