Re: Why don't people take care of thier instruments?
OK, I guess it's my turn.
First of all I want to preface my comments by saying that I do respect everyone's opinions, even if they aren't the same as mine, as long as they are representing their comments as their OPINIONS. I appreciate "facts" that ARE facts. I love to learn new ideas, concepts, ways of doing things. And I'm not so dogmatic as to think that everything I do or think right now is correct (even though it usually is.....just kidding) and can't be changed in the future. Behavioral and thought change is good as long as it leads us in a better direction.
Now, I need to comment on a remark by Edgecrusher , (" I could not care less if my relatives sell them after I'm dead and get less because i have used them. To me they are tools to make music and I will use them as such"). To someone that young, his remarks would seem absolutely logical. And to an extent I also agree. But to someone my age or older I think we have a different point of view. I'm at a point where I'm contemplating what I'm going to leave as an inheritance to my children. I care about the value and it bothers me that I may have worked very hard for the money I leave just to have the government take most of it leaving them with less than half of what I earned. Likewise, if I leave them possessions, I want them to be meaningful/useful to them. If they can sell my guitars for $30,000 instead of $300 isn't that better?
Yes, they are "tools to make music". But I've found that EVERY tool that I've ever owned, (whether it was a lawnmower, power saw, drill motor, welder, drafting instruments, vehicle, medical equipment and instruments, paint brush, guitar or amplifier, etc.) they all worked better, performed their intended purposes better, and lasted longer when they were cared for and not just used-and-abused-and-discarded-and-replaced.
That90'sGuy...I don't think we are talking about "the collector mindset where everything has to look pristine". I think we are talking about basic respect for things as opposed to neglect and abuse. You say that we should "enjoy them and stop worrying about the little things". And while I agree with this 100%, I guess it all depends on what you or I or anyone else believes ARE the "little things" and what damage can or can't be avoided.
There absolutely ARE "little things" that happen that can't be helped and that we shouldn't worry about like: small scratches/nicks/dings; fading and normal wear of the finish; fret wear; and belt buckle rash (actually that can be reduced or eliminated...I used to keep my "sweat towel" hanging across my belt buckle - it killed two birds with one stone by keeping my towel handy and protecting my guitar).
And there are some little things that we all DO or should worry about that we CAN do something about: going out of tune or intonation; worn out switch; old worn/rusty/corroded/dead strings; or a bad pot (meaning potentiometer not cannabis...well, maybe that too).
It all comes down to "to each his own". If you believe that you should buy a $2500 instrument and neglect and abuse it to the point where it has no economic nor functional value, that's your choice. It just isn't mine and it seems to me to be a very shortsighted and immature belief.
Just my opinion.
