Re: I'm SOOOOO Sorry Guys, but I'm gonna have to
The thing about it is that I didn't just accumulate the collection by buying it, then keeping it. I'm just like every guy here, who's 15 and constantly trades up.
I've just done it for a long time....always buying, selling, adding money, and buying something better. Since I was about 13, I've always been a fan of cool music toys, and learned how to get what I want by scouring used ads. I've always been playing in bands, and accumulating stuff. Then, I'd consolidate and aquire something better.
Since I was about 13, I've owned well over 100 guitars, and around 60 amps, which is why I'm able to answer so many trivial gear questions on this site. I wish I'd had a digital camera years ago, because I've owned enough cool toys to fill a book.
To answer the question, "how many thousands have you spent?" If it was all bought new and put into a big collection, probably a million dollars, however, it was mostly bought used on the Los Angeles market, and moved around like playing cards, till I ended up with the stuff that I only dreamt of before. I'd be happy to use everything I've got now, and call it a day, but realistically, I'll probably go into my older years on a similar path as guys like Norman (Norman's Rare Guitars), or George Gruhn, or someone else who deals in investment grade collectible music gear. I'm only getting started on this crazy obsession. Next phase will be to only deal with guitars that are over $5000 for investment purposes only. I'm actually thinking of starting a business that is akin to a Wall Street for highly collectible pieces. It's the only investment that won't go downhill......as has been proven in recent years.