Are your guitars worth it?

[Anthony]

Are your guitars worth it to you? Does the quality of a guitar justify the price? Do your playing needs justify owning a 2000$+ guitar?

I've been asking myself these questions a lot lately, so I want to hear your input on my situation, and I want to hear about your views and situations as well.

Since I was 13, most of the money I have ever made, whether it was from a job, or a gift, I have spent it one guitars. Now that I'm legally an adult, and commute both the school and work 6 days a week, I feel as if I have matured, and as a product of that, I have been much more concerned with my wallet.


I own 10 guitars, some are beaters, some are classy. Some I've paid 150$ for, others I've paid 2000$ + for. I've been saying to myself that I'm going to sell a bunch of them because really there is no purpose in holding onto that many guitars. I'm not a professional musician. But I find it so hard to let go to anyone of them.

What makes matters even more confusing, the two guitars I reach for the most are my RG7621, and my RG570, and I bought them both for less than 300$ each. Why justify spending the 1000$ on the Musicman I did a few weeks ago when I can get a MIJ Ibanez for only a few hundred?


What do you think I should do, thin the herd? Or keep all of them, because there is no immediate need for money? Have any of you dealt with similar problems?

[MaxOfMetal]

I've never once really questioned the price of my instruments. Like you I've bought $100 fixers, and $2500+ high end instruments. Am I a pro? Nope. Will I be playing live or recording a professional release anytime soon? Doubtful at best. Am I going to sell my UVs? Never.

If you have a guitar that no longer makes you happy that you own it, then by all means sell it.

Your instruments should make you happy.

[EliNoPants]

they keep me from losing my shit and beating the everlasting .... out of everyone all the time...so avoiding prison is totally worth what i spent on them

[Bloody_Inferno]

Originally Posted by MaxOfMetal

I've never once really questioned the price of my instruments. Like you I've bought $100 fixers, and $2500+ high end instruments. Am I a pro? Nope. Will I be playing live or recording a professional release anytime soon? Doubtful at best. Am I going to sell my UVs? Never.

If you have a guitar that no longer makes you happy that you own it, then by all means sell it.

Your instruments should make you happy.

This. +10000

My 4 RGs may not be crash hot as opposed to many, many of the guitars owned by the people of this forum. But their sentimental value to me will outvalue whatever higher value instrument that I may get in the future.

[Philligan]

I've been going through the same thing. If it makes you happy, who cares if it's $2000+ and not seeing arena use? It's no different than spending $1500+ on a sweet ass LED TV. It's awesome, and you enjoy it, so go for it. Why remove things you honestly enjoy from your life just because they're expensive and arguably not a necessity?

That being said, if you aren't crazy about a guitar and are only hanging onto it because it's expensive, it'd be okay to let it go then haha.

[Stealthdjentstic]

I'm very satisfied with my current flock. Just need to sell my cheapass classical and cheap beater then I'll be happier

[mikernaut]

I've always loved guitars but I'm just a bedroom player and at times feel guilty for owning all the expensive and unique guitars I own or have owned. Music has always been my 1st love but I am better at artwork so I had to choose that path as far as a career/job. But the thing is I was never able to afford uber guitars until I got a real job. Growing up I was stuck with mid range guitars and dreamed of the day when I could afford a real USA Jackson , ESP, etc.


After going through/trying out and owning around 30 guitars in the last 5 years I kinda am finally more focused on what I like in a guitar and what fits my tastes. (although , damn did I spend alot of money doing this)

Now reality has set in after being laid off last year by Activision and I must thin out the collection and try to just keep all my absolute favorites and put them to use. Can't have the luxury of spares sitting in their cases even if they are beauties.

Guitars make me happy , I love to play them and they are visually things of beauty to me like a painting or sculpture you might have in your home. So for me that justifies the price tag. Although I will admit sometimes they are overpriced and your paying more for the name brand.

[Michael T]

Originally Posted by MaxOfMetal

If you have a guitar that no longer makes you happy that you own it, then by all means sell it.

Your instruments should make you happy.

Words of wisdom, +1 I agree with Max 113%

[Kr1zalid]

Originally Posted by MaxOfMetal

I've never once really questioned the price of my instruments. Like you I've bought $100 fixers, and $2500+ high end instruments. Am I a pro? Nope. Will I be playing live or recording a professional release anytime soon? Doubtful at best. Am I going to sell my UVs? Never.

If you have a guitar that no longer makes you happy that you own it, then by all means sell it.

Your instruments should make you happy.

+1

Keep your instruments, wait and think again~~ If you're able to live normally with everything you have right now, there's nothing wrong to keep all your instruments!

[elrrek]

I have been playing for nearly 20 years, I have had roughly 20 electric guitars or budget to mid-price quality pass through my hands and some of the guitars I have sold I dearly wish I still had

I'm not playing live at the moment, I do the occasional bit of recording with friends and file swap to put pieces together. I currently have 9 electrics, am about to buy a tenth and will probably try and pick up an acoustic this year. I will only be selling guitars to fund better examples of what I already have or in case of financial emergency.

So, if you can and you are into them, hold on to those guitars. If you are considering selling, think about it, think some more and then if you are 100% sure, let it go.

[Matt_D_]

for me, the problem is in my hands, not my guitar. dropping 2.5k on a guitar isnt going to fix my shitty technique . eventually I hope to be proficient enough to be able to justify such a purchase, right now. no chance

If you dont have space, or you need the cash, or its just pissing you you (or as max said, its just not making you happy). then it might be time to thin the herd. Its like doing a wardrobe purge, anything you havent played for 6mths or more is out! be ruthless!

or not. no one's going to be upset at you if you decide to keep your guitars just keep em well maintained. and pass them on to your kids or cousins! spawn a whole new generation of musicians!

[Invader]

I have way too much and way too expensive guitars given I don't play in a band, being a bedroom guitarist. That doesn't however bother me much. A guitar (second hand one even more so) is a good investment - it holds it's value really well compared to other nonsense I could pour my money into.

Originally Posted by mikernaut

Now reality has set in after being laid off last year by Activision.

Bobby Kotick is a f*cking douchebag!

I'm sorry to hear about the layoff though.

[Fred the Shred]

You know, the whole "justifying the quality of gear through technical proficience" argument is one of those things I never really got. I don't think I deserve to have a high end instrument more than Bob, the dentist, who always wanted to have that guitar as well just because I invested in my musical career.

One of the leading causes of begginers giving up the guitar, when I started playing (playing is a gross overstatement in that phase, but you get the point ), was how shitty and hard to play many so-called beginner guitars were. Add an incredibly useless amp and you have a very dissatisfied person hindered not only by the troubles of being a newbie, but also by a nigh on unplayable guitar. Would a better guitar help him out (I saved a bit more and went with a Yamaha RGX112, in '92)? Yes, but by the previous logic, begginers should own guitars adequate to their skill level, i.e. stringless planks.

To be frank here, it is totally irrelevant whether you get a Private Stock PRS to rock the world stages or play a few AC/DC chords at home - it's the satisfaction they give you that counts, and if they do satisfy you, the investment was worth it.

Quoting the Crüe's Mick Mars: "I may not be able to play that good, but I sure SOUND good".

[Matt_D_]

Originally Posted by Fred the Shred

You know, the whole "justifying the quality of gear through technical proficience" argument is one of those things I never really got.

im just making excuses so I dont go and put 4k down on prs.



it's not really about "oh your a beginner so go get a 200$ guitar". its more that, would I notice the difference between a 1k and a 2.5k guitar? probably, but would it be as big a jump as a 300$ to a 1k guitar? doubt it. and would I get the most out of a 2.5k guitar? not until I sort my technique out. at the 1k mark, the problem is my hands not the guitar. im just making excuses aren't I. Im going to go hide my credit card. brb

I really try and urge beginners to spend that little bit more and get something they dont have to fight. I've been there, it sucks. reaching that midrange point where you dont have to fight the instrument for every note is so utterly liberating

[Louis Cypher]

^ Definitely
far as beginners are concerned paying out that little extra is well worth it. plus the so call beginners guitars theses days from the likes of Squier etc etc are so much better than they used to be, entry level guitars are taken far more seriously now I think...

Originally Posted by Fred the Shred

To be frank here, it is totally irrelevant whether you get a Private Stock PRS to rock the world stages or play a few AC/DC chords at home - it's the satisfaction they give you that counts, and if they do satisfy you, the investment was worth it.

Totally agree had my fair share or silly money guitars and flea'bay bargain's and is really bout the satisfaction you get not so much the money you spent or the supposed quality of the instrument.

Tried adding up the number of guitars I have had since I started playing and I think its about 15 guitars give or take, most expensive being a 90th Anniversary Jem, which I rarely played and didn't like playing and wish I hadn't wasted the money on (even though the craftmanship and the looks were incredible!) But the little £200 ebay bargain no name/beaten up and burnt strat I got at the same time was never out my hands, still isn't actually.... the little guitar that could...

Long as you are satisfied with your purchase don't matter what make, model, cost or superior build quality it has.

[Mordacain]

Originally Posted by Fred the Shred

One of the leading causes of begginers giving up the guitar, when I started playing (playing is a gross overstatement in that phase, but you get the point ), was how shitty and hard to play many so-called beginner guitars were. Add an incredibly useless amp and you have a very dissatisfied person hindered not only by the troubles of being a newbie, but also by a nigh on unplayable guitar.

I actually kinda think the opposite. I think cutting your teeth on something shitty can make you a better player. People tend to forge themselves in adversity and when you can make something shitty sing, then its all the more encouraging. Of course, this is coming from someone who has never been able to afford anything more than a Fender American Strat and whose best amp has been a toss-up between a Fender HotRod Deville and the JCA2112 I just got.

That being said, if I could afford having any number of $2K + guitars and amps I'd do it in a heartbeat and not care about my proficiency at it. Its something I love and even if I never cut an album or play a gig again I'll still enjoy it.

[cwhitey2]

I only own three and the forth is ordered, and i don't plan on selling any of the guitars i own. Except for maybe you RG2EX1 haha. I bought the ones own for specific reasons and they are all different on specs aw well. I didn't spend over 700 on any of the ones i own, but i love what i have. Don't get me wrong i would love a nice custom or even a Carvin, but i cant justify spending that much money...yet :P

I look at guitars like art, yeah the ones i own are only productions but it took a human with some skills to complete the project.


But if they don't make you happy then sell them to buy something that will!!!

[technomancer]

Originally Posted by MaxOfMetal

I've never once really questioned the price of my instruments. Like you I've bought $100 fixers, and $2500+ high end instruments. Am I a pro? Nope. Will I be playing live or recording a professional release anytime soon? Doubtful at best. Am I going to sell my UVs? Never.

If you have a guitar that no longer makes you happy that you own it, then by all means sell it.

Your instruments should make you happy.

Originally Posted by Fred the Shred

You know, the whole "justifying the quality of gear through technical proficience" argument is one of those things I never really got. I don't think I deserve to have a high end instrument more than Bob, the dentist, who always wanted to have that guitar as well just because I invested in my musical career.

One of the leading causes of begginers giving up the guitar, when I started playing (playing is a gross overstatement in that phase, but you get the point ), was how shitty and hard to play many so-called beginner guitars were. Add an incredibly useless amp and you have a very dissatisfied person hindered not only by the troubles of being a newbie, but also by a nigh on unplayable guitar. Would a better guitar help him out (I saved a bit more and went with a Yamaha RGX112, in '92)? Yes, but by the previous logic, begginers should own guitars adequate to their skill level, i.e. stringless planks.

To be frank here, it is totally irrelevant whether you get a Private Stock PRS to rock the world stages or play a few AC/DC chords at home - it's the satisfaction they give you that counts, and if they do satisfy you, the investment was worth it.

Quoting the Crüe's Mick Mars: "I may not be able to play that good, but I sure SOUND good".

Max and Fred are wise and pretty much already said everything I was going to post

[guy in latvia]

i see youre dillemma, i have 6 electrics that i love dearly, some cheap as hell and others really damn expensive. with cheap guitars, most of them suck ass, but every once in a while it is possible to find one that is just incredible. same thing with expensive guitars, you would expect them to be the best ever made, but some of them are just garbage.

i feel kind of guilty because these days i mostly only play 1 guitar, but i do my recordings with all of them, i have them for tonal and tuning variations. its a great thing to have and i cant even imagine selling them, i just love them that much. every time i go to a guitar store and play some incredible 5k+ guitar, it actually makes me love what i already have even more. ive played some ball reserve EB guitars, and some super expensive gibsons and i every time i realize that what i have suits me and is the best i could ever have. if you feel like this about your guitars then NEVER sell them, you wont forgive yourself.

[7 Strings of Hate]

once you get over a grand or 1500, your really starting to pay for asthetics, names, and over the top materials IMO.

[kmanick]

Good thread.
since 2001 I have been thru about 30-40 guitars.
I went on a wild Jackson Charvel "San Dimas" kick for a while and tried on the
"Collectors" hat.
It didn't fit. If I have a guitar that I'm not playing no matter how nice it is , I sell it.
Now looking back, I've sold a few that I wish I hadn't, but as I've gone on
this "journey" I've found that the Custom shop guitars to me anyway are
definitely worth it.By going thru all of those guitars I found what I really
like and what I don't.
Currently I have 2 7's (BRJ and RG7CT) and 4 6'ers.
All 6 of my guitars are "top of the line" models now. I've owned 4 7620's.
I absolutely loved one (which I foolishly sold to fund a J-Custom)
The rest have felt and sounded like cheap mid level guitars.
When you get into that "mid level" pricing you won't get consistant wood choices or top level fret work.
You will occasionally find the "jewel" in there, but I find more often that not, you get what you pay for.
Since my BRJ Hesperian 7 has arrived, I've barely even looked at my other gutiars
Quality "jumps out at you" when it's in your hands.
I'm just a beroom player these days. did I need a CS shop 7?
hell no but I work my ass off 50 hours a week, if I want one then I'll get one.
If you can afford it and be "fiscally responsible" I say go for the best you can afford.

[Adam Of Angels]

I'm not going to talk about the number of guitars someone may go through to figure out what they like...

However, I've been playing since I was 11 and there's been about 3 times during the last 13 years that I've decided to sit down and take my playing to the next "level". When I was 15, I decided to learn to pick properly and learn the modes, scales, and theory. My playing reached impressive new heights in very little time as a result of the attention I gave it.

When I was 20, I decided that I shouldn't have to play on such a cheap guitar and that my playing would develop if I was capable of creating better sounds. My playing then reached a new height because of the service I did to it by buying my first Prestige. My hands felt better on it, the guitarist in me felt more mature, and my playing became more detailed.

When I was 23 (few weeks back ) I decided that I wanted to take my music more seriously and actually get out there and play. With that decision, I contacted Bernie to make me a couple of customs. My playing could attain new detail and levels of proficiency if I have world class guitars that are built for my hands and ears.

To me, its the difference between buying Ice Berg lettuce or Organic greens for my salad. Money can buy you happiness in a guitar if you aren't super concerned with the details and finish of the instrument. However, when you spend more to get exactly what you want, you're really focusing on your playing and yourself, and not only does it make you play at least a little better, but it makes you feel better.

[jymellis]

for me its not about the price. its about the guitar. i havent spent nearly as much money on guitars as i have "period proper" furniture for my house lol. i also collect alot of stuff other than guitars that trumps my guitar $$$ by far lol. not to mention my 5 kids have ALOT more toys than me my 3 oldest kids have their own rooms with tvs and ps3s lol.

[synrgy]

I'm ready to sell about half of mine.

It happens, especially when you're buying a guitar on the internet where you can't actually get it in your hands first. It doesn't matter if you've played 20 Ibby RGs before; maybe this one feels different.

I've owned several guitars that were the 'perfect guitar' in terms of specs, but just didn't feel right in my hands.

If you love it, keep it. If you don't love it, why bother?

[SJT2]

In the 19 years I've been playing I had around 30 guitars. Every one made me happy for one reason or another. Now I only have 4 guitars but I also know what I like after years of searching. I'm far from a pro and mostly play with local bands and record in my free time. I still can't see selling any guitar I have now. Unless money is so tight you have no choice keep what you have. Years ago I sold a custom shop ESP Mirage and I kick myself every time I think about it. Don't make that mistake.