High end guitars are for displaying, not playing!

[Dutchbopper]

These topics pop once in a while, so does the "this is the quintessential jazz guitar tone".
It is normal human behavior to try to justify oneself or get validation and approval of the peers.
If you have been here long enough you can tell who will reply what but still, there is always room for discussion.

Mmmm ... I think there's some people here that hardly seek approval. If you want approval just post Mr. Nice guy stuff all the time. That is way easier and more comfortable. But sometimes you have to be controversial to make a point or stir the pot. Nothing wrong with that.

DB

[Archtop Guy]

I will probably never own a guitar with a 5 digit price tag, just don't see the sense of it. Rag away if you must.
Point is I'll play anything that enters my cave and play it regularly. It's my conviction that that's what they were made for.

If someone chooses to turn it into furniture or art, so be it. Does not upset me but it does set cause for the WTF raised eyebrow.

Arch top, speaking from a car buffs p.o.v. please do not drive a Merc. Prius or something meant strictly as a conveyance. No eyebrow will be raised, but the tongue will be firmly lodged in cheek.

OK Al Br. I've long since sold my '73 220 and move to the Altima that fits me.

[Hep To The Jive]

The collectors aint bad from a musicians point of view. I knew a few, they are very proud of their prize possesions, and like to show it off. Usually, they'd hire a guitar teacher to come to their place so they can brag about it, and they pay good money too, so it's a win win situation. I dont see a problem.

[Teddyfm]

Mmmm ... I think there's some people here that hardly seek approval. If you want approval just post Mr. Nice guy stuff all the time. That is way easier and more comfortable. But sometimes you have to be controversial to make a point or stir the pot. Nothing wrong with that.

DB

Im a Nice Guy. Guess Im fucked then...

All the best
Ted

[unknownguitarplayer]

This is on Detroit CL. He's been posting those guitars for at least 4 years, maybe longer.

[mr. beaumont]

It's not about how good somebody plays. But play the damn thing!

Having a great guitar sitting silent is like marrying a supermodel and...not.. uh...taking her to dinner once in a while.

[mikeSF]

I know a few high end collectors and all of them play at least a little, so where do you draw the line? These guys primarily own the instruments to display them in cases as collections, but probably turn down the lights on a friday night and slip on the full mink bodysuit (one of the great Stan Jay's lines) and lovingly handle their guitars.
But again, why should anyone care what they do or do not do with the guitars??

[TedBPhx]

I bought a high end solid body PRS Artist II new back in '93. It would be worth a lot more if I had just cased it but then I wouldn't have the couple of decades of joy the instrument gave me. Worth it to me.

[dallasblues]

I have to admit that I just don't get having a great guitar and not playing it. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand that a guy, no matter how wealthy, would treat a real '58 Les Paul differently than he would a Historic R8 replica. The works of art really do warrant a tad more respect and reverence in my opinion. That being said, my guess is that most collectors do take them out to play from time to time. They just do so very carefully and may never leave the house. I'd likely do the same. But to not play it at all... ever? That's disappointing.

[Playerizor]

Man, there's a guy somewhere around here who owns some super high end guitars and has been trying to sell them on CL (!) for at least a year. Included are:

Gibson Super LeGrande Archtop Jazz Guitar for $10500
GIBSON CITATION Acoustic Electric Archtop Jazz Guitar for $19750
Gibson Custom Shop Advanced Jumbo Concert Limited Edition Guitar for $5490

But get this, not a single one has every been played! The Citation "has been played only for tuning purposes, then displayed in a high-end collection." The LeGrande? Never played. The Gibson acoustic? "In absolutely New, Unplayed Condition."

Not gonna get philosophical about it and say "well what's the difference between this and a $10,000 painting you put on the wall to admire" or "what's the difference between this and a $10,000 comic that is slabbed by a grading company." My gut tells me this is somehow different. That it's somehow a slap in the face of the craftspeople who lovingly made these instruments. That even in a high-end collection the guitars are still meant to be played. That it's even offensive in a way.

Yeah, it's silly to be upset about this, guess I'm just in a ranting mood or somethin...

You must be in the Detroit area. That guy's been trying to sell them for several years. Maybe he's trying to appease his wife, "Okay honey, I'll put them on Craigs List again...".

[rpguitar]

Useful Things
...that get used are tools.
...that do not get used are clutter.

Pretty Things
...that get displayed are art.
...that do not get displayed are clutter.

Useful & Pretty Things
...that get used are appreciated tools.
...that get displayed but not used are trophies.
...that get displayed and used are prized tools.
...that neither get used nor displayed are clutter.

[Playerizor]

This is on Detroit CL. He's been posting those guitars for at least 4 years, maybe longer.

Per my post I see them on Detroit's CL on occasion. Maybe we should arrange to go try them out and get really drunk before we get there.

[zdub]

Per my post I see them on Detroit's CL on occasion. Maybe we should arrange to go try them out and get really drunk before we get there.

No playing allowed since he could no longer advertise them as never having been played before.

[2bornot2bop]

Mmmm ... I think there's some people here that hardly seek approval. If you want approval just post Mr. Nice guy stuff all the time. That is way easier and more comfortable. But sometimes you have to be controversial to make a point or stir the pot. Nothing wrong with that.

DB

You're referring to a separate issue. Approval seeking is what EVERY human does since nearly the age they learned to walk. We're each individually programmed after birth to seek our parents approval. And that same programming continues into adulthood with your wife, girlfriend, family, friends ad nauseam.

Approval seeking - It's not just found on guitar forums.

The question is, are you still being immobilized by your approval seeking or have you grown beyond your initial programming? Growing beyond "it" doesn't occur until one experiences a higher level of inner awareness work on themselves.

But don't take my word for it...ask any Shrink or human behavior specialist.

[rpguitar]

All humans want some form of approval but some tend to seek it pathologically. (Or eschew it pathologically in some cases... both scenarios can end horribly!)

Typical jgf thread... I don't even know wtf we're talking about any more. I guess I'll go home and look at my nice guitars, then I'll play them, and seek my own personal approval of myself.

[Patrick2]

Though I own a few nice guitars, I'd get rid of any guitar I did not play. Playing them is so much more fun than owning them. Besides, any %$#@& with some money can own a fancy guitar. It's hardly an achievement, is it?

DB

So then, in your estimation . . acquiring the financial means to indulge one's self in acquiring nice guitars is not an achievement? Most of the people who have the financial means to buy what they want, when they want and do with it what ever they please . . have worked equally as hard as you have worked (possible even harder than you have worked) in achieving your amazing skills as a jazz guitarist.

To your point, it's quite easy for people of means to plunk down the funds and buy a fantastic guitar, even though they've not developed the skills to play it well. But, they couldn't do that without having worked their asses off amassing that wealth.

Similarly, it's quite easy for someone to pick up a guitar and play it as well as you do. As long as they have worked their asses off developing the ability to do so, as you have done.

[Patrick2]

Sorry but that's bullshit. I can afford them and still think they should be played but I have no problem if someone else wants to just collect them and keep them in primo condition.

I think it's funny that the guys who collect and don't play guitar much have the strongest opinions of what is or what isn't jazz. <said, tongue-in-cheek>

I don't remember even once seeing you post an objection to the concept of low skilled players, or non players buying and owning expensive guitars and not playing them extensively. Therefore, my rebuttal to the OP wasn't aimed at you. So, if the shoe doesn't fit, don't try to wear it . . . because more often than not, the foot winds up in the mouth instead of in the shoe.

Calling bullshit on a comment that wasn't aimed at you, with the stated reason for doing so being that you can afford them but would like to see them played . . is totally irrelevant unless the post was aimed at you. Therefore, your post was unnecessary and unnecessarily caustic. Like you, I don't have a problem with anyone owning a guitar for what ever reason. Also, like you . . I too would prefer to see expensive guitars being played. But, if they're not . . I'm not going to get my panties in a wad about it.

Also irrelevant is your comment inferring that I souldn't have an opinion about what I do or don't consider jazz. Where did that come from? It's not relevant to the topic of discussion in the OP at all. Pretty much a cheap shot . . with or without the smiley face and the tongue in cheek suggestion. You assume you know how much jazz guitar I play, as opposed to how much jazz I listen to. You don't. I play enough jazz guitar and guitar in general to satisfy myself and my own musical and emotional needs. Is there a certain number of jazz tunes in one's repertoire . . or a certain BPM threshold that one must be able to play Donna Lee at, before they are qualified to have an opinion as to what they consider jazz? It's that exact arrogance expressed by some jazzers that's pushing people away form jazz . . when they should be striving to pull them in. It's not the players who decide for the listening world what is or what isn't jazz. It's the listeners . . the consumers.

[Patrick2]

Useful Things
...that get used are tools.
...that do not get used are clutter.

Pretty Things
...that get displayed are art.
...that do not get displayed are clutter.

Useful & Pretty Things
...that get used are appreciated tools.
...that get displayed but not used are trophies.
...that get displayed and used are prized tools.
...that neither get used nor displayed are clutter.

Nicely said . . and probably correct. But, only to you and those who agree with you and share your own definitions of what art, tools, trophies are . . . and what clutter is. Not all would agree with you.

[Patrick2]

I believe that musical instruments have a unique personality and a "soul".

I can imagine how sad those beautiful instruments must feel, knowing that they will never be played.

So then . . what would you feed this item for dinner? Do you read your guitars a bed time story before you tuck them in? When they're feeling . . sad . . because you don't play them often enough . . do you treat them to a nice new set of strings to help them feel better?

As Warner Wolf says . . . "Gimme a break!!"

[Patrick2]

I collect luggage. I like the ones with wheels.

LV, I assume??

[Patrick2]

probably a good time to get out of bouzoukis.

lmfao!!~!!!!

[Patrick2]

Never expected such vitriol at what I admitted was a "silly response" and concluded that I was just in a "rantin' mood". But you make some good points and I'm sorry that you were so offended by my post.

As being a collector/player . . more than a player/collector, I was offended . . . as others here were. Also, quite tired of how frequently this topic comes up and people throw collectors under the bus, knowing full well that there are avid collectors very active on this inter net forum. But, your apology is accepted and appreciated.

[GNAPPI]

I have several collections that I use with varying degrees of proficiency. I have 5 maybe 6 hammers and more than one has found my finger instead of its target. I have other utility and amusement "toys" that are at times displayed and used as intended.

It's been opined that higher end guitars are worthy of display, and I agree, unless you have a break in / robbery and lose them :-)

For me I have telecasters, strats, Ibanez, Gretsch and even a few Gibson on display which I'd rather wake to on a wall than several banal assembly line oil paintings. My better guitars are secured but all are still played.

Collectors who don't play are a blessing for those of us that do play, as they hold them in trust for someone who (at some inevitable point as we all must do) will not only enjoy their appearance but their sound at a later date.

[pingu]

a thought experiment for ya .....

if someone had the money

they could buy up lots of vintage guitars and
burn them ....

(yes they're crazy) but ....
would it be morally wrong ?

??

[fumblefingers]

I play my beautiful Citation. I do not play it as much as my cheap, homely LeGrands (what with their pedestrian AAAA woods and limited yet perfect abalone and all).

i do not display my Citation, it's kept in it's case, right where it should be.

i figure I'm doin it about right.