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I totally agree with your statements about there being some exceptionally generous collectors.
When I was on the look out for a pre-CBS fender bass - I posted on Basschat for opinions.
Within 24 hours I had received *six* offers from owners/collectors to go over to theirs and try out a whole range of basses to get a feel for them. One guy even offered to drive to mine with a couple of his to try out. This wasn’t showing off - this was by PM, discrete and hidden.
I met a couple of them and they were the nicest guys you could hope to meet. None were selling so it wasn’t a pitch. One offered to come with me to check out a bass I eventually ended up buying.
It’s easy to dismiss these people as rich show offs - the thing is, some are just nice obsessed loonies who spent their money on a guitar rather than a Porsche
Also, our pal who has the Exile Burst, on the day we all played it and pawed over it, I asked him what it was like to own such an historical guitar (being a Burst AND an ex. Stones guitar) and he said the most joy he got out of owning it was being able to let players try it and use it and not have it locked away. Yes, it turned into an investment - as you’re aware he bought it in the early 80’s when it was just an old guitar for less than a second hand R9 as a lot of Burst owners did - but the VALUE of it for him was seeing other people enjoy it. And, while there are plenty of internet braggers, there are also a few fortunate people who have them and want to share the experience.
(formerly miserneil)
Tbh, if you can describe a guitar like that then it has to (imo) be a Strat or telecaster. Unless he meant the Korean War
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
Our friend in Stockport, and it's owner went many miles out of their way to get that guitar into my hands, for no other reason than to help another enthusiast scratch an itch.Such grace.
I wasn't rushed, nor made to feel awkward in any way. I think they got more enjoyment out of it than I did...which is really saying something. These old guitars give me so much pleasure...simple as that really.
Hope you're well Mate?
supply and demand, investment, perceived status among like-minded collectors for owning something they couldn't pay more than you for, wealthy people with more money and empty wall space than sense buying accessories, lots of reasons, none very musical.
sometimes when i hear of guitars selling for tens (even hundreds) of thousands i wondered if it might be a good idea to have something like 'logan's run' for guitars, linked perhaps not to age (or maybe) but market value, which is so perverse and nothing to do with music.
so once a mass-produced LP or tele etc reaches a market value of £10k (whatever) on the open market, it goes on the bonfire and is taken out of circulation, rather than a wall, glass cabinet or vault.
and all that dead investment and speculation money that would have been tied up in it for years can be redirected into more musically meaningful and living things and activities;
supporting new guitar builders (luthiers and small run), funding musical education, supporting musical events, even some sort of charity hardship and pension scheme that supports musicians who fall on hard times (illness, addiction, mental health, etc). money doing something useful rather than useless.
exceptions could be made for guitars owned by famous people, as they have a genuine musical and historical merit. and perhaps handmade customs and one-offs.
but if it's just markets and investments and mojo show-off bullshi*t, just burn them.
how to redirect that money from investment into useful things i haven't worked out yet, but this is just thinking out aloud. an idea or premise for debate and development.
Guitarists, most of us ... with our 'Saturday gig at the Dog and Duck will never earn enough to be able to strike such a deal even if available for our instruments.
Those musicians who can earn the bucks due to talent ... yes like Bonamassa (though I don't particularly like his playing) can and do buy vintage instruments to play ... and good luck to them. Sadly the guitar collecting market has priced the average Joe out of owning the cream of vintage instruments ... but then the average folk band fiddle player can't afford a Stradivarius.
I have no love for the stamp collecting mentality in the guitar market ... talentless speculation and greed sicken me too... but the guys who will drop a quarter of a million on a 'Burst' aren't suddenly going to get a dose of social conscience if you take 'old guitars' away as investments ... they'll just stick their money into Ferraris or whatever the next rising collectable is, not give it to worthy causes.
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
Forum feedback thread. | G&B interview #1 & #2 | https://www.instagram.com/_harry_seven_/
I even think juniors are creeping out of my price range now which is a shame as i love these old guitars, i do have a 58 dc to restore because some asshole had butchered it, but that's the only way for me, i do go to great lengths to get as close as possible for us poorer folk that aren't so wealthy
(formerly customkits)
People like nice things especially if they are rare and hard to find. That makes these things expensive. Spending a lot on your interests, if you can afford them, does not make you foolish. Why do people spend a couple of million on a yacht when you could buy one for a couple of thousand? Or a watch? Or a car? Rarity, exclusivity, quality - take your pick....
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
This is not quite the same as buying a 'burst' if you don't intend to play it. If it winds up in a vault or a glass case ... kept as an investment ... it's not in the slightest like a Yacht (I come from the Isle of Wight and grew up around the yellow wellie brigade and used to frequent Cowes week). Even the super luxurious multi million pound floating palace yachts are bought to be used.
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
Regarding super yachts, you don't think the owners "drive" them do you? They have staff for that.
See below why I'd rather spend $300K to $500K on a nice 59 LP burst, assuming funds available, compared to this 'orange balloon dog' - Sold at Christie's on 13/11/13 for $58.4 million - The world record price for a work by a living artist
in fairness the balloon dogs are a bit larger than a burst :-)
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
...although to be honest the original one has a really nice fade on the gold that the new one doesn't have....
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/274396250/the-balloon-dog-metallic-orange-table?ref=pla_similar_listing_top-2
I know personally I'd rather have a Ferrari
Make it sparkly and I'll find the money.