Do you "Gig" with your expensive/vintage Guitars ?

[ripgtr]

'60 strat and '60 P. This is my trio. I also sat in with Jack and a guy he was playing with, who had a '60 strat too. 2 '60 strats and a 60 P In a local, strip mall smokey bar, lol.
But generally, I only take it out where I can keep an eye on it at all times and I feel somewhat safe.

 

[Strat-Slinger]

I think it comes down to knowing whether or not is "safe" to bring older, valuable, vintage gear out to the gig...

I used to bring my completely stock 1960 Jazzmaster out to gigs... but after a while... when the entire "Vintage Guitar Craze" began... and values began to go thru the roof for older vintage gear... that guitar stayed home...

I still bring my 1987 '62 RI Stratocaster out to gigs... and of course, my Blacktop Strat comes out to gigs... but, I don't let anything out of my sight for the entire evening... especially at "break down" time... that's when things WILL go missing if you're not paying attention... Just use common sense with any and all of your gear at the gig... and you'll be fine

 

[ripgtr]

after a while... when the entire "Vintage Guitar Craze" began... and values began to go thru the roof for older vintage gear... that guitar stayed home...

Yea, in the early 90s, I 'retired' mine. But, it is a great guitar, so I take it out when I can.

Funny story. I decided to retire it, go to GC and bought this new strat, a Red one. Looked great. First gig, playing this tiny little place (the keyboard player had to stand sideways, and I had to kind of stand at an angle and not hit the cymbal there or the bass player behind me, lol). So anyway, on break, these two large "ladies" got into a fight, knock the PA speaker off the stand, it hits my guitar on its stand. Guitar was right on the front of the stage, as there was no where else to put it. Guitar goes over, lands face down on the floor and the speaker lands on top of it. Funny thing, when I got it out, it was still in tune, lol. But yea, that is one big reason I stopped taking it out.

 

[Bob M]

For a long time I simply collected and played at home for personal entertainment. All my guitars were trailer queens. Then I started playing with a bunch of guys once a week. I noticed that after a couple of months that my guitar (tele) was picking up a few dings. So, I didn't bring any other guitars, just kept using the Tele. No we are playing a once a week gig. While I would like to take some of my guitars out, I am simply too paranoid. I'm not sure this paranoia is healthy, but I can't help it.

 

[Miotch]

When I gig (very rarely anymore), I always played with my best guitars for the job. And that was always my most expensive guitars. I've never owned more than three electrics at a time, so only one would stay home. And I've never had more than $2,300 in a guitar, so my "expensive" isn't the same as the guys with the real vintage or high-end custom stuff. All of them received a few minor scratches or dings, but nothing you could see from 10 feet away.

 

[liltimmy]

Guitars were built to be played. Mass produced fenders and gibsons can be replaced. I bring my best instruments to the gig. Wouldn't own something I would feel uncomfortable bringing out to to gig. My most pricey instruments are right around 2k and I run them through the mill. I don't believe in sacred cows.

 

[Kosh]

I used to gig with my 63 Strat with the original case until I had two separate theft attempts where our sound man was watching our stuff on break. In both instances the individual was caught trying to exit with my guitar. We became rather unpleasant with the thief and showed him the error of his ways. At that point I used some of my other instruments. My sound man and I both have had some Krav Maga training so it wasn't pretty.

 

[ripgtr]

Guitars were built to be played. Mass produced fenders and gibsons can be replaced. I bring my best instruments to the gig. Wouldn't own something I would feel uncomfortable bringing out to to gig. My most pricey instruments are right around 2k and I run them through the mill. I don't believe in sacred cows.

What would you do if one of your, say, $1000 guitars because they were in demand, became worth $20,000?
Would you still gig it?
Would you just sell it, even if it were your favorite guitar?

 

[liltimmy]

What would you do if one of your, say, $1000 guitars because they were in demand, became worth $20,000?
Would you still gig it?
Would you just sell it, even if it were your favorite guitar?

I'd either sell and buy two more just like it or keep gigging it. It's mass produced stuff that can be replaced. It's just stuff, it's not a body part. In the end it's just a piece of wood. I actually had a guitar that doubled in value, I gave it away. Not worth the hassle of selling and my buddy didn't own a strat.

 

[Strat-Slinger]

I'd either sell and buy two more just like it or keep gigging it. It's mass produced stuff that can be replaced. It's just stuff, it's not a body part. In the end it's just a piece of wood. I actually had a guitar that doubled in value, I gave it away. Not worth the hassle of selling and my buddy didn't own a strat.

I'd be mega pissed if someone stole (well... these days... more like... tried to) ANY of my gear... which, unfortunateley has happened to me in the past...
I don't care if it was my Blacktop Strat... my ''62 RI... my Mustang III amp... whatever... and my foot would be straight up the ass of anyone I caught in the attempt...

There's a point where you need to make the decision as to whether the guitar (or gear) you bring to the gig is going to have the potential to elicit a problem by taking it out to the gig... and, let's be real about it... who wouldn't be upset if an amp, guitar or piece of gear does get ripped off... and it sucks even more... IF.... that piece of gear happens to be of very high value or perhaps a collector piece...

 

[monwobobbo]

no vintage guitars anymore so not an issue. expensive well depends on the venue. a local venue with good security then yes otherwise usually not. don't like to travel with the really nice stuff either but certain exceptions are made.

 

[ripgtr]

I'd either sell and buy two more just like it or keep gigging it. It's mass produced stuff that can be replaced. It's just stuff, it's not a body part. In the end it's just a piece of wood. I actually had a guitar that doubled in value, I gave it away. Not worth the hassle of selling and my buddy didn't own a strat.

Well, my main strat I paid 265 bucks for, It is probably worth 15,000 now.
It is my favorite guitar, has been for decades. I have owned a bunch of strats, I have a really nice partsocaster currently.
But I am not going to sell my favorite guitar, it is not something I can replace. I have never played another that sounded just like it. I can't go out and buy two just like it.

So, what, stick it in a closet and never take it out? Not going to happen. I play it around the house, I take it out to gigs where I feel I can keep an eye on it. Local bar? Not usually. But when we played at Antone's, sure I took it. I got a gig coming up, I am playing with two bands, there will be time in between. Corp thing, but still, I am not going to hang around the stage all day watching it, so it will stay home, I will bring the partsocaster and the tele.

But, in the end, it is a guitar, it has been a hard working, hard gigging guitar all its life, and that is not going to change any time soon if I have anything to do with it.

 

[dbbluesproject]

Well, my main strat I paid 265 bucks for, It is probably worth 15,000 now.
It is my favorite guitar, has been for decades. I have owned a bunch of strats, I have a really nice partsocaster currently.
But I am not going to sell my favorite guitar, it is not something I can replace. I have never played another that sounded just like it. I can't go out and buy two just like it.

So, what, stick it in a closet and never take it out? Not going to happen. I play it around the house, I take it out to gigs where I feel I can keep an eye on it. Local bar? Not usually. But when we played at Antone's, sure I took it. I got a gig coming up, I am playing with two bands, there will be time in between. Corp thing, but still, I am not going to hang around the stage all day watching it, so it will stay home, I will bring the partsocaster and the tele.

But, in the end, it is a guitar, it has been a hard working, hard gigging guitar all its life, and that is not going to change any time soon if I have anything to do with it.

all makes sense to me!

 

[GuitarMechanic]

I have policy attached to my homeowners insurance like this. I have 25k policy with serial numbers and it only costs me 15 a month.

That's a great idea. I am going to look into it.
Say what part of Denver are you in? We should go see each others bands sometime

 

[GuitarMechanic]

My most valuable guitar is my partcaster EJ so I don't have to worry too much even though it would suck if anything happened to it. My amp is a PRRI so it's worth something but not like vintage gear. I would probably still use a vintage Strat if I had one, we don't usually play in bad places so they're pretty safe

 

[wildhawk]

Read the Bryan Adams story floating in another post and add it to 1001 reasons the nice guitars stay home.

The difference between a $400 guitar and a $1000 guitar is the replacement cost.

 

[liltimmy]

Well, my main strat I paid 265 bucks for, It is probably worth 15,000 now.
It is my favorite guitar, has been for decades. I have owned a bunch of strats, I have a really nice partsocaster currently.
But I am not going to sell my favorite guitar, it is not something I can replace. I have never played another that sounded just like it. I can't go out and buy two just like it.

So, what, stick it in a closet and never take it out? Not going to happen. I play it around the house, I take it out to gigs where I feel I can keep an eye on it. Local bar? Not usually. But when we played at Antone's, sure I took it. I got a gig coming up, I am playing with two bands, there will be time in between. Corp thing, but still, I am not going to hang around the stage all day watching it, so it will stay home, I will bring the partsocaster and the tele.

But, in the end, it is a guitar, it has been a hard working, hard gigging guitar all its life, and that is not going to change any time soon if I have anything to do with it.

Great post and I agree! Where and when you playing around austin? What's the name of your outfit? I see you've played with Newhouse so I'll assume it's blues of some sort? I just got back to the area afte three long years being in FL and am getting the ball rolling so I might catch you out one of these nights. Still trying to get my living situated but wanna get back playing as much as possible, got the band back just gotta book a few more shows...

 

[Mr. Lumbergh]

 

[ripgtr]

Great post and I agree! Where and when you playing around austin? What's the name of your outfit? I see you've played with Newhouse so I'll assume it's blues of some sort? I just got back to the area afte three long years being in FL and am getting the ball rolling so I might catch you out one of these nights. Still trying to get my living situated but wanna get back playing as much as possible, got the band back just gotta book a few more shows...

Cool. I don't gig much anymore, I kind of retired and got a day job and a house and kid. But I do get out once in a while. I actually live up in Georgetown, and played with a guy I met through Jack (country thing) up in Killeen area a while back. Honestly, after doing it full time for 25 years, I haven't really been that aggressive about getting back into it, but it has been an itch lately. lol, so , who knows.

Jack has been pretty busy, he has been playing with Alan Haynes lately. I think they have a steady at Antone's Monday night and Magee Mays on Sunday last I looked. I am doing a gig, it is a funny thing, we are doing this thing at work. There are so many musicians in Austin, lol. anyway, he asked me to come play, back up some guy for this thing. So I will be playing with him again next month. I used to sit next to him at work, but I went off into another group, but we chat all the time. Great guy, GREAT bass player.

 

[davidKOS]

I gig with what I have, but I don't own many expensive instruments. Still I use them all as needed.