1 Topic by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-09-17 13:18:19)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

Hey all,

I know you've been there. G.A.S. gets you all worked up to buy more gear. Then there's the opposite. You have weddings to go to, vacations, bills, and credit cards to pay for. Maybe you even bought a nice vintage piece locally on Craigslist. This is me.

Earlier this year, I bought a NICE 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson. To cover the money it cost, I thought I'd sell my 1978 Cherry Sunburst Gibson Les Paul Custom. It was the last guitar I purchased before the Trini, and I already have two other Les Pauls. I don't play it that much, and it doesn't sound as good as the others. Easy decision, right?

So I put it up on Craigslist with no takers, reposted for months. I have weddings and things coming up, and I'm not at all sad I cannot sell this for what I think it's worth. I decided to put it on eBay. No bidders on its first auction. Then after I relisted it, I ended up selling it and making a little bit of money on the deal.

Today I packed her up.

I used to tell myself, whatever vintage Gibsons I'd ever buy, I'd never get rid of. Then it moved to if I buy a REALLY nice guitar, I should be ok with selling two that I already have and the quality of my stable will go up. The truth is, it's hard to sell only one. Even after you bought something you'd rather have. Even if you play it the least among your other guitars. It doesn't make you feel better that a refret on the 'fretless wonder' would have been hundreds of dollars, or selling it with original frets might be better than refretting and trying to sell it for more money...

I took some goodbye photos and dropped it off at UPS to be sent to somewhere in L.A. I hope the next owner of it treats it well, and I probably won't miss the guitar as much as I did packing it up and sending it off.

I'd love to hear any stories you have like this. I know it happens all the time.

Nic

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

The age old dealing with 1st world problems...
Sometimes it's just nice to be grateful for what you have got...such as health, family, friends and a whole lotta good music out there...
Guitars are fantastic things and sometimes you regret selling them at the time...but it isn't the end of the world...there really are so many out there to find you again...
I just have one good guitar now...and it is a very fine tool for making music that makes me happy.

  • Devan
  • Devan
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

Can't help you there Nic - In all my nearly 30 years of playing, would you believe I have NEVER sold a guitar!!  They just keep accumulating !!

Well, actually I traded my very very first guitar (a cheapo Japanese Sakai SG copy) for a Boss DS-1 pedal 3 decades ago, which I still have and use to this day...

I WILL have to sell a couple off soon though... getting too many around the house that I keep tripping over them!

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

Devan wrote:

Can't help you there Nic - In all my nearly 30 years of playing, would you believe I have NEVER sold a guitar!!  They just keep accumulating !!

Well, actually I traded my very very first guitar (a cheapo Japanese Sakai SG copy) for a Boss DS-1 pedal 3 decades ago, which I still have and use to this day...

I WILL have to sell a couple off soon though... getting too many around the house that I keep tripping over them!

wow how many have you acquired?

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • Registered: 2010-05-21
  • Posts: 121

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

Selling? What? Is that possible? Hmmm..... never thought of that possibility:-)

How many guitars do you need? One more! Right? :-0

  • Devan
  • Devan
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

cindyron wrote:

wow how many have you acquired?

Haha - not THAT many Ron (unlike that photo of Joe's spare room that was posted recently)... I have about 22 at last count.  Some of them my 2 sons use, which is cool.  I do have to sell about 4 or 5 which I (and they) never play though...

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

Devan wrote:
cindyron wrote:

wow how many have you acquired?

Haha - not THAT many Ron (unlike that photo of Joe's spare room that was posted recently)... I have about 22 at last count.  Some of them my 2 sons use, which is cool.  I do have to sell about 4 or 5 which I (and they) never play though...

nice number
cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

cindyron wrote:
Devan wrote:
cindyron wrote:

wow how many have you acquired?

Haha - not THAT many Ron (unlike that photo of Joe's spare room that was posted recently)... I have about 22 at last count.  Some of them my 2 sons use, which is cool.  I do have to sell about 4 or 5 which I (and they) never play though...

nice number
cheers Ron

Wow! Nice Devan!!

How many do you have Ron?

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

Nic
It is very simply, a inanimate object. Your health and your family are much, much more important. We were born naked and we'll leave the same way.

Stay Safe

me

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

Spider wrote:

Nic
It is very simply, a inanimate object. Your health and your family are much, much more important. We were born naked and we'll leave the same way.

Stay Safe

me

yes family is what is all about amen brother

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: NSW Central Coast, Australia
  • Registered: 2012-07-24
  • Posts: 95

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

Sorry Nic, don't have experience of that either. My 2 electrics will be inherited one day, not sold!

Your post got me thinking though. My older one's date of purchase (new, to me) was 35 years ago last month and my "new" one (which I've had for 18 years), tells my by it's serial number that it emerged from the factory in Nashville 20 years ago next month (what do you get a guitar for it's 20th b'day?) Seems I don't buy enough guitars...

  • From: Latrobe PA
  • Registered: 2012-02-02
  • Posts: 96

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

I'm facing that too; I am the anti-collector, in that I'd rather have a few pieces that cover what I want.

Plus, frankly, I'm just a noodler in my basement, I feel guilty to have anything too expensive (like my JB 335).

I just sold a 65 VibroChamp and Maz18. Right now that leaves me with a 69 Princeton Reverb and a newer Champ 600. That amp isn't worth much to sell, so it just sits.

Guitars, down to my JB335, my Tele, and my Martin acoustic.

  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

I'm another one in the "buy but never sell" camp...

OK, can't say I have any of the guitars from when I was a kid in my teens (they were mostly junk guitars anyways then - seriously "Sears and Roebuck" smile ) but it would have to be the end of the world for me to sell any now.

My current count is... eleven - and that's not too many is it?  Although... I just bought a nice classical/acoustic (Taylor NS72ce) last Friday and wifey says she thinks I should take a break from buying more guitars soon... smile

kestrou

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

The one I bought was an investment so I don't feel super bad now that it's gone. My collection is still over a dozen, and only two or three of them will be family heirlooms. The rest come out of a deal or compulsion cool

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

I once had 16 guitars none more then $2000 but a lot of them over $800 or more.  Then I turned into Al Bundy and was married with children ;P  I have 2 of my original 16...  So this seems to be a touchy subject for me.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: kentucky
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 304

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

i have sold guitars over the years but rarely miss them much....there are a few i wish I still had but overall I am ok with what i have sold......the collection i have now I dont see myself selling because I really have been able to accumulate most of what I have ever truly wanted.

some get played more than others but when I think about downsizing I sort of get that empty feeling in my stomach so i think i will just keep them all.

masque's Website

  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

AD3THREE wrote:

I once had 16 guitars none more then $2000 but a lot of them over $800 or more.  Then I turned into Al Bundy and was married with children ;P  I have 2 of my original 16...  So this seems to be a touchy subject for me.

I feel for you brother - that's enough to make a grown man cry!  Best of luck when the kids move out... smile

kestrou

18 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-09-19 13:13:41)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Dealing with grief of selling nice guitars...

kestrou wrote:
AD3THREE wrote:

I once had 16 guitars none more then $2000 but a lot of them over $800 or more.  Then I turned into Al Bundy and was married with children ;P  I have 2 of my original 16...  So this seems to be a touchy subject for me.

I feel for you brother - that's enough to make a grown man cry!  Best of luck when the kids move out... smile

kestrou

+1... I smell a G.A.S. rampage. If you start saving now, you could get some really nice stuff with your savings!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool