Author Topic: Guitar collectors - your opinion on them (Read 12299 times)

Twinfan · « **on:** April 30, 2007, 10:16:43 PM »

As a collector (of sorts) of guitars I have a few knocking about, plus a couple on order. They all get played, although some WAAAY less than others.

I've received some criticism from two fellow guitar players recently about the whole guitar collection thing. Both of them are friends but pointed out that they were slightly miffed/aggrieved/upset that I had so many guitars that spent most of their time just sat around in cases. Guitars are meant to be played, apparently. My arguement was that they were there if I needed them and I like the fact that I have a Tele/Strat/Les Paul/SG etc.

So where do you guys stand? Should the average guy or gal just have a few guitars that suit them and are played a lot, or is it a free world and you can own play/not play what you like?

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:29:04 PM »

To be honest i couldn't care less what other people do or don't do with their guitars because it's not my choice.

But personally for me i only need 2 guitars, maybe 3 maximum. And they would get played as they all serve different purposes like locking trem's/different tunings etc.
If i had a guitar i didn't play i would just sell it.

BloodMountain · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:32:52 PM »

i don't think it sould be criticised. it's your passion, your money, so they can bugger off!

i want another guitar or 2, then i'll stop. 4 is enough for me.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:42:25 PM »

Sod em I say. You bought them and what you do with them is your business-as you say, they are all different -I say get more just to annoy them.

sgmypod · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:44:04 PM »

Think am on 10 with bass and classical...but if had cash would have many more....yeah can only play so many at a time....but want a tele etc to finish my collection..*L*

Anyways you have to have 2 of everything ..hence your nickname twinfan I guess...and your mates are only jealous

dave_mc · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:51:51 PM »

it's your money and you can do what you like... i never much saw the point of having say 50 very-slightly-different strats, for example, i'd much prefer to have one good LP, one good strat, one good tele, etc., but again it's up to the person in question.

I'm not too keen on the guys who solely buy guitars for investment purposes... you know, the guys who don't even play and who invest in guitars rather than the stock market or whatever, just driving up the prices for the rest of us. though obviously we can't tell people what they can and can't buy, lol.

But other than that, if you play, fair enough.

blue · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:59:02 PM »

well, i have about twenty guitars! it's far too many as regards finding space, but there are always others that i want. i've never actually sold one, although i have some i think i should, but i'm very bad at parting with things. and thinking how much i miss my old Marshall doesn't help!

do you tell them what they should and shouldn't buy? i think people get this attitude from reading interviews with certain rock stars who say, "yeah man, i've had this baby since i was 16, it's my one and only!" except for the 23 others he used on the album....

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2007, 11:13:41 PM »

Quote from: dave_mc

I'm not too keen on the guys who solely buy guitars for investment purposes... you know, the guys who don't even play and who invest in guitars rather than the stock market or whatever, just driving up the prices for the rest of us. though obviously we can't tell people what they can and can't buy, lol.

I'm with you in many ways with that kind of collector
It's the same with people who go to art galleries and are more interested with what the art is worth or will be worth in a years time.

Guitars deserve to get played and there is nothing like owning a guitar that just MAKES you want to play

For me it is funny because I kind of have 30 or more guitars hanging around - each that I have put some love and heart and soul into.
I call them stock because of my business and maybe some don't come out to play for a while - maybe until getting them ready for a show.

But then I play them and know what is special about them.

It is also nice when they get played by others who find something special about them.....I have come into work today to find emails from guys who went to the LGS and saying how nice certain guitars were.

I have a hardcore of about 5 or 6 that I call MINE ( a couple are on my "for sale" list - i will just have to come to terms with it if somebody actually buys them)

I am loving my turquoise Les Paul at present and also dealing with someone putting a deposit/buying my cherry sunburst Les Paul yesterday at the end of the show.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2007, 11:14:17 PM »

people are only ever bothered when it's guitars they'd like to own, but can't afford. if you were collecting Squier Strats nobody would be complaining. at least you're actually a guitarist and appreciate them for what they are.

:twisted:

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2007, 11:18:37 PM »

I'm at 5 atm - 3 electrics, an acoustic and a bass.

Will not be happy untill I have atleast, another Electric, a 7 string, a 12 string acoustic, a pointy guitar, and a custom.

Machek · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2007, 11:18:59 PM »

I think your relations with your guitar is a very personnal thing and one shouldn't interfere. Then i remember something that Antag said once: guitars go in and out of favour and just because you don't play extensively one today don't mean you won't play it a lot tomorrow, depending on your mood, what you're into at the moment, etc.... and i just thought that i couldn't agree more, and wouldn't sell one of my guitar just because it's been picking a little dust for a few month now....

Twinfan · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2007, 11:25:15 PM »

Interesting comments guys - keep 'em coming ;)

Philly Q · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2007, 12:28:37 AM »

Yup, I (predictably) agree with what everyone's said - as long as you can afford it, you should buy what you want. I like to have a Noah's Ark, a couple of all my favourites - SGs, Vs, Teles, Strats, LPs. But that's only 10, not sure where all these others appeared from...

For some people, guitars are "just tools" and they probably only own one or two, but for most of us here guitars have some kind of magic that goes beyond wire and wood. Just as other people are into cars, or clothes, or jewellery, or... stamps. :?

I sort-of disapprove of these (mythical?) collectors who buy 1959 Les Pauls and "lock them in bank vaults". But even if it's just an investment, they must have some genuine interest in the subject to do the research and be sure they're not buying a lemon. And again, if they have the money, it's up to them I guess...

Kilby · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:10:05 AM »

The only collectors I dislike are the buggers that have inflated the prices.

I think guitars are things of beauty, that also have a greater purpose than simply hanging on a wall. I would love to have a collection of guitars that represented the sounds (and shapes) that I have enjoyed over the years.

Whats the pont in buying a LP because it's a 59, if it dosn't sound or feel good.

Rob...

Oh yeah theres so many synth collectors these days too (now that is sad)

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:10:20 AM »

Yeah, with the people that buy 59 LP's and lock them in a bank vault, then they're only going to resell to someone of the same ilk (i.e. someone that can afford it). As it looks like I wont be like this (atleast for a while

) then it doesn't bother me too much. Who know's I may find one in my grans attic.

I own a fair few guitars, certainly more than someone who's as bad on the guitar as I am should have. But these are a good mix of types and most of them are cheapo's that have come to my house to either die or be reborn. The vast majority of my axes are waiting for some sort of part which I can't afford. Infact, I own 4 electrics in various stages and had to borrow my mates Squire as I didn't have anything to plug into my amp :oops:

So far I've got:

Patrick Eggle - Needs TOM, BKP's, Pup Rings, Switch and Capacitors.
Chapeass SG copy - Needs routing for P90's and refinishing (lent router to a friend who lost the flush cutting bit :roll: ).
Cheapass Strat copy - Got drunk and made a thin line out of it. SHould really bolt it back together but it's been ravaged for parts (including neck).
My own creation - Hit some dodgy wood in headstock and need to rebuild the neck.
Lawsuit Ibanez Reverse Firebird - Needs all the parts (including banjo tuners which I can't afford).

I can see that once I've got the wedding out of the way and may have a little money left over, I'll finish the Eggle and the Firebird off. The Eggle is my special guitar and the Firebird will be my everyday guitar. Everything else is just for playing with.