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Man, I have so much finish checking on my guitar and it doesn't look bad or anything. Just if you look REALLY close you can see imperfections. Man, but for some reason I absolutely love the character my guitar has. It was a used guitar to begin with and now it's even more used if that makes sense. And it sounds better and better the more I play it!!
Not judging here (because no matter what, someone always thinks you're judging them when you post things like this
) but I just want to know why sometimes people buy guitars with the INTENTION of playing them, but end up not playing them because they become obsessed about keeping the guitar perfect? Once again, I'M NOT JUDGING! I'm just stating an observation. It's your guitar, your money. You can do what you want with it.
It's even more surprising that people do this because of the vintage guitar market. Super heavy finish checking, neck resets, all kinds of stuff. But the instruments sound great. But with a new guitar a literally a fraction of the cost, it won't get played so that it stays absolutely perfect.
One final "I'm not judging" here just so people don't give me crap. I literally just want to know from people who like to keep their instruments absolutely perfect by not playing them, why do you do this? I'm curious about your mind. Do you keep it as like a collection item? Do you sell it later once the value goes up (sometimes the value doesn't go up)?
I guess my thought process is that for me personally a guitar is wood and metal, natural resources that have been put together for the purpose of making music. I become VERY attached to my guitars. Man, a bit selfish I admit. But I see these imperfections as character.
One thing I saw someone do once (on YouTube) is that they got a REALLY cheap custom jumbo guitar, wood bindings and everything. Super perfect. And he rejected it because it had an imperfection in the wood. Not the finish or anything. Just a little "wart" in the wood where there was a dark spot from the natural wood. Geez, $2K for a custom guitar that would probably be >$5 from a different maker, all solid wood everything. Rejected for a natural blemish in the wood. $2K is a loooot of money to some people so don't think I don't get it. Plus he's the one paying for it not me.
Things like this are crazy to me. Like I said, we don't all think alike. And I get that. I just like hearing what others think about certain things and the minds of other people. So, for one last time, if you take offense to this question I don't mean to be offensive. Enjoy your guitars and your gear. I love seeing people enjoy things that they actually want to own and love. I guess when I grow attached to my guitars, the blemishes and character of my guitar give me an overwhelming sense of joy because I'm breaking it in, playing it, it's gaining more character. I love it, honestly. Of course, big things like broken headstocks and crap...screw that. I'm just talking about the little imperfections that make your guitar different from every other martin, every other eastman, every other gibson. its yours!
Oh, did I mention that this isn't meant to offend anyone? Just checking.
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06-13-2020 12:41 AM
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If you don't want to offend anyone, maybe you should not use wordings like "Things like that seems crazy to me."
Some people - not many - are guitar collectors more than players. I'm not a collector myself but it's obvious that collectors (not only of guitars) have a great joy and pleasure from their hobby. That's good enough for me, I don't have to understand exacly why.
It has been said that the joy of collecting is as much about the hunt for the perfect spicimen as it is about owning the actual item. The guitar in the glass closet then becomes like the stuffed Impala head on the wall. But what do I know - I'm not a collector.
And oh, I have yet to meet a collector who was crazy.
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I used to keep my ES as tidy as possible, and would polish it frequently to keep it looking new. At some point, I realized that blemishes were just like wrinkles, and that I in fact found them handsome as a sign of wear, a life lived.
My dad is the other way around. He keeps his stuff looking absolutely pristine. Did I mention he gigs much more than me?
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Hey bro!
Originally Posted by oldane
Well, I wasn't talking about collectors. Haha.
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Ahhh yeah, dude. I totally get that. Originally Posted by Lobomov
And also, it DEFINITELY takes a while for a new guitar to feel right. It doesn't have the same broken in feel. Not yet, anyway!
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HOW the heck does he keep his guitars so tidy? I feel like if I even take my guitar out of the case in public...*dink* Originally Posted by mr quick
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Whoever owns this one obviously doesn’t look after his gear properly.
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Hell if I know. My ES-139 was made in 2013 and I bought it new in 2015, and it's head to toes in scuffs of varying severity. I have my dad's old James Tyler Studio Elite on loan, which was completely like-new until I made a huge dent in it in my first week loaning it. He probably is just much more careful than me. Originally Posted by broturtel
HOW the heck does he keep his guitars so tidy? I feel like if I even take my guitar out of the case in public...*dink*
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I thought the popular trend is toward the 'distressed' look; worn-out jeans, aged guitars, uncut facial hair, dirty feet...buy guitars with the INTENTION of playing them, but end up not playing them because they become obsessed about keeping the guitar perfect?
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Just finished ‘relic’ing’ my guitar. Possibly overdid it slightly?
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Nah, looks natural and hyperrealistic. Maybe even add a few teeth marks? Originally Posted by grahambop
Just finished ‘relic’ing’ my guitar. Possibly overdid it slightly?
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Never been really a collector per see, I play my instruments but I have to admit the first ding is always painful...
I have never bought an instrument with the intent of keeping in its case, but when the guitar is brand new and shiny like for a new car, I have the tendency to want to keep it this way.
The fix to that for me is to buy used so the first dings or imperfections have been dealt with before...
However my OCD is still teased by things like crooked tuning pegs, Asymmetry of a TP even if it doesn't affect the tone.
Some finish checking is also fine as long as the guitar is 20 years or older, then it fits as long as it is just superficial and not structural related.
A good thing regarding some of those collectors who will just buy pristine instruments and nice looking specimen, players can then afford the nice sounding specimen
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I guess that "pancake" Lester from the '70s was taken too literally Originally Posted by grahambop
Just finished ‘relic’ing’ my guitar. Possibly overdid it slightly?
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Now that's a guitar with character. Gibson should do a signature model that comes with all the "mods" pre-installed! Originally Posted by grahambop
Whoever owns this one obviously doesn’t look after his gear properly.
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What? No cigarette burns? And look at those shiny pickup covers! You call that "relic'ing"? Originally Posted by grahambop
Just finished ‘relic’ing’ my guitar. Possibly overdid it slightly?
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I treat women well. I treat my guitars the same way I treat women. There is a way to love them without abusing them.
Women are not tools. Neither are guitars. I love spending time with them. So, I treat them well.
'Tis simple, really.
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Looks like your ex-wife helped you out a little. Originally Posted by grahambop
Just finished ‘relic’ing’ my guitar. Possibly overdid it slightly?
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And a toothbrush personally signed by PM. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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lol, actually that picture is of a guitar which was ‘distressed’ onstage by Pete Townshend. Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus
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I treat my guitars well, that is to say, carefully; going so far as to not let anyone else so much as carry my guitar case. That being said, when I consider a used guitar, I don't mind seeing signs of honest wear - worn frets, worn fretboards, finish worn away on the neck, etc. I take these as signs of an instrument that was much-loved and thus, much played. I accept the cost of repairs to be part of the deal. I take pleasure in facilitating these necessary repairs in order to restore them to playability.
I might be eccentric. Or nuts. Your choice.
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Nowadays I keep two Gibsons. But If It want yo look good I prefer Poly.
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This is beautiful, actually! Originally Posted by grahambop
Just finished ‘relic’ing’ my guitar. Possibly overdid it slightly?
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No way that's not crazy at all! I don't let others play my guitar either. Or carry my case. Hell, I might have a panic attack if someone looks at my guitar the wrong way. Lolol. Honestly if it looks like someone is about to ask to play my guitar, I definitely start a conversation that has nothing to do with guitars half the time. Originally Posted by citizenk74
I treat my guitars well, that is to say, carefully; going so far as to not let anyone else so much as carry my guitar case. That being said, when I consider a used guitar, I don't mind seeing signs of honest wear - worn frets, worn fretboards, finish worn away on the neck, etc. I take these as signs of an instrument that was much-loved and thus, much played. I accept the cost of repairs to be part of the deal. I take pleasure in facilitating these necessary repairs in order to restore them to playability.
I might be eccentric. Or nuts. Your choice.
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Just by playing them, guitars will develop bad frets, bumps here and there, finish wearing. Then nitro will go bad, tops and necks might develop problems. Wood will move, etc.. Enjoy them for the ride.
Years back I went through a period of being unable to play due to hand problems. I had about two dozen good guitars at the time, amps, pedals, a house full of music gear. Worth absolutely nothing to me at the time..
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