Do you PRACTICE with your most expensive gear?

**Doug B** · 12-04-2023, 07:37 PM

If you can't play your most expensive guitar at home, where else would it be safe enough to play it?

**JazzDaddyD** · 12-07-2023, 02:09 AM

I have had far more problems burning through the nitro finish on bodies (I do perspire voluminously) than frets. Since jazz players are not limited to the first position chords the fret wear is usually dispersed and takes so long to show that it's pretty irrelevant. A badge to be proud of, at the least.

**pdfiddler** · 12-08-2023, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by p1p

Hi All,

Just wondering how many of you practice regularly with your most expensive gear? I tend to break it up at the moment so to not wear the frets so fast on my priceless, but am wondering if I should just go ahead anyway and face the re-fret at some point..

Do you tie up your dominant arm half the time and use your (left arm) as to not wear out your main arm???

**pdfiddler** · 12-08-2023, 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by JazzDaddyD

I have had far more problems burning through the nitro finish on bodies (I do perspire voluminously) than frets. Since jazz players are not limited to the first position chords the fret wear is usually dispersed and takes so long to show that it's pretty irrelevant. A badge to be proud of, at the least.

I cut the toe out of a cotton sock and use it as a arm sock. Works great. No Sweat!
Warm in the winter too.

**mikeSF** · 12-12-2023, 12:11 PM

gasp, i wouldn't hear of practicing with my good gear, that's what the beater is for.
j/k play the one that is calling you at the moment!

**wintermoon** · 12-12-2023, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by mikeSF

gasp, i wouldn't hear of practicing with my good gear, that's what the beater is for.
j/k play the one that is calling you at the moment!

what's the good gear for?

**Doug B** · 12-13-2023, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

what's the good gear for?

For mounting on the wall of your dental office?

**jim777** · 12-13-2023, 01:08 PM

My music room is actually right inside the front door, so these days I am playing my semis and my Emerald most of the time, and leaving the Campellone and VDA in their cases. If the temp goes above 55 or so I'll take out one of the big girls but I'm happy to play my Ibanezes and Tokai when I think the door might be opened and left open for a while. Now, if the kids would all move out already that would be different! LOL

**Blackbird86** · 12-14-2023, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by Doug B

If you can't play your most expensive guitar at home, where else would it be safe enough to play it?

This.

My nicer axes and amps never leave my home and I never touch them after throwing back a few. I've got "beater" gear for that. Then again, I don't gig.

**Jerzy** · 12-14-2023, 01:33 PM

Funny question.

**fep** · 12-17-2023, 01:37 PM

You mean my squire tele?

**hotpepper01** · 12-17-2023, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

what's the good gear for?

Like I said earlier, practice with the gear you intend to play at the coming gig. Last week I played in one of the bigbands outside on a cold and very wet event. I saw that coming. The weather forecast was horrible. At the day itself it did not look all that bad. The first half was cold but no rain, the second set was pooring wet. Now tell me, who would prefer to take out your prized 10K USD L5 instead of a much more ruggidized archtop. I took a Gretsch 6136 DC out. No solid wood, but laminate. No nitro but poly. Same scale length. Nice balance. IMHO every reason not to take out the nicest gear in those condition threathening circumstances..

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**ccroft** · 12-17-2023, 02:36 PM

Update: I hit 'of course' when this poll came out. Now I play a much more expensive archtop. And now there's 4 of them. I really should try to sell some...