Buying temporary guitars?

[Jack FFR1846]

I'm in the process of selling one of my guitars (non-ebmm) and the buyer pointed out something in how I approach some of my purchases.

I tend to pick up interesting, used guitars that seem like they're worth far more than the asking price. I'll play them for 6 months and then onto craigslist they go. I tend to just about break even, so these short term ownerships have not killed me financially. I have no real emotional attachment and seem to "find" a reason to rationalize the buy. The one I'm selling right now is a small semi-hollow that I told myself it would be a good guitar for my 9 year old because my mahogany guitar (both are short scale) weighs a ton. Well, this one is lighter, but still not light for a 60 pound kid standing up, so now that's my rationalization for selling. While semi-hollow, it's got a mahogany and neck (maple top). I realized that I'm in somewhat of a constant buy/sell cycle, where anything can go for the right price at any moment. My most recent "sell" cycle started when I realized I have 10 guitars.

I do tend to sort out any issues with any guitar before I sell it. So it goes out my door far better set up and with the cord jack nut tightened and intonated correctly and with a new set of EBMM strings on it......

Anyone else (looks at F'ing....haha) do this? How's it financially for you if you do?

 

[kimonostereo]

There was a period where I had major GAS and basically bought every guitar that I ever wanted. After a while I realized I was just collecting things that I had no desire to really play. They were nice show pieces but because i don't play in a band, nor do I record, it seemed like a waste.

I slowly sold most of the guitars I rarely played but I still have a couple that I haven't parted with. There are 2 that I wish I didn't part with, a Yamaha SG 2000 and a Yamaha SA 2000.

That said, I usually break even or close to it, but there were times where I cannot remember what I paid for an instrument and probably lost money when selling it.

While I'd love to get every flavor of EBMM out there, I realize that I only have two hands and don't play in a band, and my house is only so big. I still do seek out a good guitar deal and if I can rationalize the purchase I usually pull the trigger, but lately I've been wanting to just pare it down to the guitars I LOVE to play. I've sold 2 telecasters last month because of this and replaced them with 2 Balls.

 

[beej]

I'm pretty good these days. But for a while there, it was a buy-used-and-flip-it world for me.

When I got into MM, I think I bought several of most models at one point. Gradually I whittled it down to keepers and well, I've kept those. For electrics, I'm all Music Man at this point (plus the one guitar I built myself years ago).

The thing I miss is the project guitars- buy something that needs TLC, fix it up, re-wire it, flip it. But these days there's really no time for that.

 

[kimonostereo]

Yep I hear ya. I don't think I ever bought thinking I'd flip a guitar though. I DO think I let GAS get the best of me and before I knew it I had a new guitar at my doorstep though.

I'll still keep the chambered Warmoth strat and parts Tele I built, but I think anything else will be EBMM from here on out.

 

[Sweat]

Ha Ha Jack, In my crazy world, I buy to try in my peaceful setting of my inner sanctum, dont really worry about breaking even, if i want it I buy it, if I dont love it 100% or something else comes along that peaks my interest, i sell something else to get it even at a slight loss.

There are hobbies out there where you have to buy the equipment, and then spend money to use such said equipment ( think golf ), so then you want new equipment, not going to break even on such said used equipment plus you out all the cash to use the old equipment.

My crazy days are at an end, I made it a mission to try out all EBMM,s (which I accomplished ) and other guitars, amps etc. pretty happy now.

So if it was me and I was you I would not worry about it lifes to short not to have fun and take a risk or two.

 

[MikeVt]

If I had the money to buy and sell frequently, I'd probably do the same as Fing. I'd buy it, try it in the privacy of my own home with my own equipment, then decide whether or not I wanted to keep it longer. I suspect I'd also be willing to sell it to a Knucklehead at a slight loss because I would get enjoyment from the sharing and making someone else happy. I know for a fact that Fing loves selling to us Knuckleheads....

My problem is that I get too darned attached to every one I buy and I never let any of them go!

Mike

 

[TheRook]

For the last 3 years, I've purchased cheap guitars on ebay or Musician's Friend scratch n' dent to take with me on deployments. I will set them up and play them until it is time to go home, and then usually sell them for the same price I paid. It can be pretty fun looking for that next "steal".

I'm really liking the current one (Washburn MG-74). I'm going to ship it home, strip it, and refinish it.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

So if it was me and I was you I would not worry about it lifes to short not to have fun and take a risk or two.

That's good advice. I also just remembered that I used to own a racecar. Race tires don't sell very well after being used for a season.....and they're not cheap. I gotta remember to tell the wife that tomorrow.....

 

[hbucker]

I've become snobby enough that I only really enjoy playing a certain quality of guitar. My EVH is one of them.

I used to like pawn shop prizes and I learned A LOT about working on guitars by taking them apart and modding them. But ultimately, guitars that aren't worth keeping aren't much fun for me to play either. So I've lost that impulse, for the most part.

I get where you're coming from though. Sounds fun. I'm just not into that so much anymore.

 

[Headstock]

I am with fing on this one...
I have bought and sold many a EBMM. It's better to have loved them each briefly than to have never loved them at all
Now swing on over to the emporium and get yourselves a dose of variety. Preferably one of mine

Yeah variety.

 

[Jimmyb]

What is this selling that you guys are talking about?

 

[andynpeters]

In the early days of EBay I imported lots of used guitars from the USA, just so I could try them out (I play backwards) as they were rerely to be found in UK shops.
Most of them didn't stay, but with the pound high against the dollar I was able to sell them on at a profit, even after shipping & import duties.
Discovered I was't an SG, LP or Flying V type, G&Ls were good, but didn't stay.
The 3 I regret parting with?? A purple Axis Sport MM90,a teal blue SS SSS and the red sparkle SS HSS.
I've still got way more than I need and still look on EBay for another MM90 guitar.
Occasionally I get comments from people about the money I have tied up in guitars......at which point I compare my collection to my brother's BMW 4WD tank, which probably cost twice as much but would now be worth less.