buy expensive guitars and not play them?

[ZOMB13]

I've been looking at some sites around the net, and seen alot of people with expensive guitars (JEMs, Pauls and Strats) and they don't play them, I mean I get it that they are collectors, but what if someone asked them to play a song?? I just don't get the mind of a collector, why buy it to sell it later?

[jemsite]

it is rather pointless from that viewpoint but many feel otherwise... glen

[RCB]

Well I own 10 rather expensive guitars. 8 of them are in Argentina, and Ive been in mexico for over 3 years (returning next month to argentina). I dont buy them to sell them later. I play almost all of them (I always rotate the guitars I have with me in mexico, sometimes Ive got up to 4 here and the rest in argentina).

Anyway, I cant speak for other people, but I collect or make custom guitars, because I love them and care for them. They are not only tools to create or play music, but also objects I admire. I would never have a guitar that I wouldnt play.

I dont see whats the problem about owning several guitars if you can afford them. Even if some of them get played only once in a while. Mind you, Im not your regular collector, I have a jem10 and I play it like any other guitar, and of the 10 guitars I own, 5 of them were my own designs.

So, at least, thats what I have to say.

[btangel]

I kinda doubt people that collect guitars wouldn't be able to play one. Maybe not very well but at least be able to play. Kinda like car collectors are not necessary racers, but hey, they can drive right?

[Rich]

I'd argue most guitar collectors could hold their own. They had some driving passion to get into collecting them, usually coming from playing them, my case anyway.

I've got a few north of a few. I recently moved and retagged all the cases so I actually got to see them all, first time in years for some of them. But I collect all kinds of stuff so that's nothing new for me. I've got room left for a few more cases so who know what'll fill the space before I have to start culling

[JM5150]

I don't see any reason to make a purchase (especially an expensive one) if your not going to use it.

[ZOMB13]

I mean, like, this one guy bought a Chrome boy, got it signed and framed it on his wall, Its a pretty cool thing, but its like paying 2,000 for an autograph, but I see the sentimental value in it.

I myslef am not a collector, but I have many guitars, which I constantly play with and gig with.

It was just a question that knicked me the wrong way...

[guitarshredder7]

yeah id play them too, but very carefully.

[fettouhi]

I just like playing good guitars .

Regards

André

[marianozz]

I got two expensive guitars, and i play them... in fact, once i get a camera im gonna get rid of my cheap ones, as i realize i pretty much dont have fun playing them...

The good ones just play themselves, while the cheap ones, with the crap frets and all, well, theyre just harder... i know, they would probably get a lot better with good work on them, but, whats the point

[the.godfather]

Originally Posted by JM5150

I don't see any reason to make a purchase (especially an expensive one) if your not going to use it.

Totally agree.
If I was a millionaire, I suppose it would be totally different. If I had money to waste and burn, I could afford to buy the most expensive instruments and not play them. But guess what, I cant afford to do that. Anything I do buy, I usually have to play it, or sell it on. Thats my only options at the moment.

I dont think collecting (and not playing them) is a bad thing though. Like I just said, I would be doing it if I had the money. So anyone out there that does have the money to do it - fair play to them.

I am sure Rich knows, or has known some stupidly large collecters in his time. But in a way its a good idea. Because if every instrument was to be played - then there may not be as many left to see in say 100 years time.

The only reason there is 50's Les Pauls left is because people have collected them, and not played them. They are a piece of history.

[JJEMMER777]

Originally Posted by btangel

I kinda doubt people that collect guitars wouldn't be able to play one. Maybe not very well but at least be able to play. Kinda like car collectors are not necessary racers, but hey, they can drive right?

Saying that just because someone collects guitars means they can't play them is a stereo-type!

I consider myself a guitar collector (5-Jems among others and growing) and I play / gig them ALL like crazy. And I don't play them for their looks, I play them because they are the best playing guitars around (IMHO) - I collect them for their looks and prestige