To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

Also, please note that there is a big difference between putting wear and tear on an instrument from normal playing, and outright abusing your instrument.

Just because we're saying it's ok to let a few dings, rust spots, and scuffs happen doesn't mean we're advocating treating the instrument like a Costa Rican rental car.
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

I used to show horses 30+ years ago. My father was an old ranch hand who, one time, after purchasing a beautiful show ready gelding, turned him out overnight with the other horses. The next morning, he had scrapes and scratches all over him. My father's reaction? "They're not really worth a crap unless they've got a few blemishes on them." Same way with guitars, at least, that's the way I see it.
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

Hellion said:
"They're not really worth a crap unless they've got a few blemishes on them." Same way with guitars, at least, that's the way I see it.
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I wonder why manufacturers mark guitars as '2nd' when they have tiny finish imperfections that most guys can't even find. Sounds like you guys would gladly pay the full retail 'new' price for something full of scratches and dents. Extra 'mojo'.
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

blueman335 said:
I wonder why manufacturers mark guitars as '2nd' when they have tiny finish imperfections that most guys can't even find. Sounds like you guys would gladly pay the full retail 'new' price for something full of scratches and dents. Extra 'mojo'.
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blueman.gif
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

blueman335 said:
I wonder why manufacturers mark guitars as '2nd' when they have tiny finish imperfections that most guys can't even find. Sounds like you guys would gladly pay the full retail 'new' price for something full of scratches and dents. Extra 'mojo'.
Click to expand...

No, you're missing the point completely.

It's not about the cosmetics of having dings and scratches on it. That has NOTHING to do with it what so ever. It's about having a good instrument, using it, and having come to terms with the fact that anything that gets used on a regular basis for many hours a day, days a week, weeks a year, for years, will look used.

See, people ask me why I bought a nice Les Paul and bring it to little irish pubs to play to packed crowds of drunk students who bounce all over the place half in the bag. My question is : why the hell would I spend +2k on a guitar if I wasn't going to bring it everywhere? If it lasts me 10 years, then this guitar will have cost me about 240$ a year (roughly). That's not bad. I'll get another one then, retire this one, and keep doing what I do.

I won't pay extra for "mojo", because you can't buy mojo. I'll pay good coin for a good guitar, and then play it and what ever happens, happens. It's not the people who have 30 year old guitars that look worn and played that confuse me (like Wahwah), it's people with 30 year old mint guitars, or 6 newish guitars all in mint condition.
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

blueman335 said:
I wonder why manufacturers mark guitars as '2nd' when they have tiny finish imperfections that most guys can't even find. Sounds like you guys would gladly pay the full retail 'new' price for something full of scratches and dents. Extra 'mojo'.
Click to expand...

No, that's not really it. If I'm going to pay "new" price for a guitar, I want a NEW guitar. I want to be the one to brand it, so to speak. And I normally buy used instruments, myself. I love finding guitars with loads of fretwear on the first 5 frets, because that tells me the guitar was played by a STOMPING rythym player. I always refret anyway, it's just a good indicator that the guitar was broken in.
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

Hellion said:
No, that's not really it. If I'm going to pay "new" price for a guitar, I want a NEW guitar. I want to be the one to brand it, so to speak. And I normally buy used instruments, myself. I love finding guitars with loads of fretwear on the first 5 frets, because that tells me the guitar was played by a STOMPING rythym player. I always refret anyway, it's just a good indicator that the guitar was broken in.
Click to expand...

Most of my guitars have some pretty heavy wear on the lower frets and some mild wear on the higher ones. it's been years and they haven't worn too much, maybe it's because I play them all and don't stick to one. if it was just one I bet it would be pretty worn.
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

I gotta say that if i had the money to be able to buy a Fender Rory Gallagher Tribute Strat, I'd be very concerned about getting it scratched up.
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

astrozombie said:
bump
Click to expand...

Gratuitous.

I have this weird thing, if I receive a guitar in pristine condition, I keep it that way. If I receive it and its beat up a little I have no reservations beating it up more. So my two Clones from Mike are flawless, as is my new Martin but the old standby electrics are meant for playing and not worrying!
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

i thought this was a new thread at first and was going to post, then i realized it was an old thread... i stand by my previous post.

shut up and play the thing. if you wanna baby it fine, if it gets a scratch get over it and keep playing
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

jeremy said:
i thought this was a new thread at first and was going to post, then i realized it was an old thread... i stand by my previous post.

shut up and play the thing. if you wanna baby it fine, if it gets a scratch get over it and keep playing
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Yep, same.

And I did get that Duo Jet mentioned in my earlier post. There's already a bit of discoloration on the bridge and pickup covers. Gasp!
 
Re: To Thrash And Abuse or Conserve and Protect?

Jessie's ghost said:
Once again you assume that everyone else plays the same kind of gigs you play. In this case, I'm going out on a limb and wagering that it might not be true. How's Astroglide going to line up his after-show hookup if he stands there presenting like he's Eric Clapton or some other aging rocker who might need a hip replacement at any moment?
Click to expand...

And are you assuming that everyone plays like you (to get a free sl*t)?!!

Astro's already got a very fine GF. Doesn't need a "hookup". He doesn't play to get a chick...he plays for fun and profit.
 
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