I have some inexpensive-to mid-price guitars that I cherish--my Ibanez Artstar 335-clone, Artwood acoustic, Artist banjo, Ghostriders; my Fender Precision "Lyte" bass; my Takamine 12-string acoustics and the DanElectro 12-string electrics. And I have many really EXPENSIVE, jaw-dropping, beautiful instruments from Taylor, Martin, Gibson and G&L. Some are just exquisite musical instruments.
I started playing back in 1965, and my first guitar was a Stella Tenor guitar with strings about 3/4" above the fretboard. My second, third and fourth guitars were better, but they weren't pro quality, either. But by the time I was 26, I had been playing professionally and supporting myself solely with music income for five years, and I owned several professional quality guitars and amps--what would now be vintage gear. This would include: a Fender BF Band Master, Acoustic 156 and SUNN amps; a Fender Telecaster Thinline and a 1960 Strat; a Gibson ES-150DCN, an ES-330 and a '75 LP Special Reissue; and Martin D-18 and D-28 acoustics. Money was tight, so I had to buy wisely, and so I bought the best gear I could afford.
And I have NEVER regretted buying quality gear--not for one second.
Nor have I ever stood on a stage with one of my $2500 Les Pauls and thought, "Gee, I shoulda bought an Epiphone!"
And I do understand that not everyone can afford to buy expensive gear--or needs to. I think there is a fallacy in thinking that buying an inexpensive guitar and modding it is somehow better than buying a good guitar to begin with--it's a false economy, throwing good money after bad. (It's one of the things I love about my G&L guitars; they have exactly the mods I would choose to do on a regular Fender Strat, and they come that way from the factory...saves me time, and money.) Not everyone is trying to make a living playing guitar, so they might not need "The Best". And that's okay. I'd rather see you provide for your wife and kids and play a modest guitar than see them hungry and in rags--but I've known some guys that will buy stuff and leave their families wanting. Makes no sense to me.
So, I learned pretty early that I like good guitars. I can certainly tell the difference between a $300 Epi and a $2500 Gibson. And as a GENERALIZATION--yep, the $2500 Gibson is worth it--to me. But my situation is different, and I am very blessed at this point in my life to have such nice guitars.
To me it's not about, "Is this $2000 guitar worth it?" The real issue is that I'M WORTH IT; my career is WORTH IT. You may not feel the same way I do, and that's fine.
My name is Bill...and I AM a guitar snob.
(Proud of it, too!)
Bill
