So I'm Thinking About Selling My Guitar

[Misty_Morning]

She really is a lovely instrument. A Martin MC-28L (yes, I'm a lefty) with a venitian cutaway and elliptical sound hole and an internal pickup. The cutaway enables me to reach effortlessly the 20th fret and even the 22nd. I love the way she sounds and responds, but I really haven't been playing her seriously for several years.


Every once in a while I take her out, clip my nails and bang away. It saddens me that I have lost so much of my technique and interest. Sometimes it's as though I can hear her calling to me, and yet I ignore her.

She deserves to be played, allowed to sing.

But something in me just can't let go.

I'd rather see her in the arms of another, making beautiful music than just sitting in her case growing old.

Sometimes letting go doesn't just pertain to people, but other objects that we love.

 

[Guest]

Suggestion?

Don't let her go.

When circumstances change, you'll wish to play more often. And you'll regret the loss.



(from another musician.)

 

[Misty_Morning]

Her harmonics are crystal clear and brings tears to my eyes. She has a deep soulfullness, though not as deep as a Matin D-45. She was made to be a studio guitar, with crisp and bright sound.

We have gone through many life altering events...but I am thinking now is the time to let go.

I have taught several people how to play while I have had her. A few years ago, someone wanted her badly, but I just could let her go.

She's too beautiful to keep hidden away.

My baby

 

[starrkers]

My SO is currently drooling over my shoulder.

He also said "Don't sell it. She'll never be able to replace it. That said, how much does she want for it?"

 

[Guest]

Her harmonics are crystal clear and brings tears to my eyes. She has a deep soulfullness, though not as deep as a Matin D-45. She was made to be a studio guitar, with crisp and bright sound.

We have gone through many life altering events...but I am thinking now is the time to let go.

I have taught several people how to play while I have had her. A few years ago, someone wanted her badly, but I just could let her go.

She's too beautiful to keep hidden away.

My baby

She's not hidden. She's part of you.

When the time is right, you'll take her out again.

Don't sell. You'll always regret it.

 

[Misty_Morning]

My SO is currently drooling over my shoulder.

He also said "Don't sell it. She'll never be able to replace it. That said, how much does she want for it?"

I got her for a steal at $2400 (bought her from the Southeastern US Matin Sales Rep) she was appraised at $3600 in 2000. I have seen some go for as low as $1800 on the internet but they were really ragged out.

Haven't gotten to the point that I have actually thought about a price. I just want her to be taken care of and allowed to sing. She has a beautiful voice.

 

[glynndah]

My husband still talks about the baritone sax he sold for beer money back in college. The replacement he bought years later just isn't the same.

 

[starrkers]

I still regret selling my violin - I needed to eat, but I still should've found some other way.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Don't sell. Having it is a greater value than the money, or the knowledge that another is playing it. That other may not appreciate it as much, and certainly won't have the associations that you attach to it.

That said, I have a classical and a 12-string that go back to my high-school and college eras respectively, and I get that same wistful regret that years go by between the times they are taken out of the case. Odds are that pattern won't change, but then at least my heirs will have a nice keepsake someday. (I should look for a young relative to specify for this in my will - I would not have thought of that but for this thread. )

 

[Misty_Morning]

My husband still talks about the baritone sax he sold for beer money back in college. The replacement he bought years later just isn't the same.

In the past I have sold my two Bach Stadivarius Trumpets, my Bach Stradivarius Trombone, my Fender guitar, my Gibson guitar, my Kay F hole guitar and my Conn Double French Horn. I've never replaced tham cuz they can't be replaced. Each had a feel unique unto them. I only hope that they still make beautiful music.

To this day my only regret is selling my french horn.

 

[Guest]

In the past I have sold my two Bach Stadivarius Trumpets, my Bach Stradivarius Trombone, my Fender guitar, my Gibson guitar, my Kay F hole guitar and my Conn Double French Horn. I've never replaced tham cuz they can't be replaced. Each had a feel unique unto them. I only hope that they still make beautiful music.

To this day my only regret is selling my french horn.

I have a Holton H-190 double French horn - among other instruments.

Won't sell.

 

[tickledkitty]

This reminds me of something a friend of mine wrote for another thread:


He held her body in his arms, and caressed her neck. A quiet smile formed on his face as he gazed at her body. The curves were all in the right spots, it was like they were made for each other. They fit like a tailored glove.

He was happiest when he was with her. A warmth came over him when they were together. He could whisper her his secrets, and she would tell him no lies. As his hand moved over her body, he began to stroke her neck. On nights like this, she could purr like a kitten or rage like a tigress.

Tonight he would stroke her slowly, working the magic with his fingers. He would tease her until she screamed.

She brought his passions out, his passion for love, and his passion for life. He closed his eyes as his hand wrapped around her neck and began to play. She was his favorite guitar.


I think you should keep it. The money you get for it will be gone quickly, and then you'll wish you hadn't sold it.

 

[marifree]

I had a similar dilemma with my late husbands Taylor. I bought the beautiful instrument just before he was diagnosed with cancer. He loved it, but only played it a couple of months before he was unable to play anymore. Before the Taylor, he strummed for years on a very cheap Yamaha.

I don’t play and did not want the beautiful (expensive) Taylor to go sour sitting on a stand or in the case, not being played at all. I also did not want to sell it. He was very proud to have it. I gave it to my brother who does play, so it would get the attention it needs to stay tuned and brilliant.

I’m mounting the Yamaha that he played and sing me to sleep with so many nights on a wall bracket. More then likely, it will never be played again, but that’s okay. It was his, ours, and I don’t really want anyone else playing it.

Out of most all his things, that guitar is the one thing that I am most stingy with. You can play with most his other toys, but leave that beat up old guitar alone!

Funny how much music moves us. Home made or not.
Think carefully before you let go of anything that personal…

 

[drksideofthemoon]

She really is a lovely instrument. A Martin MC-28L (yes, I'm a lefty) with a venitian cutaway and elliptical sound hole and an internal pickup. The cutaway enables me to reach effortlessly the 20th fret and even the 22nd. I love the way she sounds and responds, but I really haven't been playing her seriously for several years.


Every once in a while I take her out, clip my nails and bang away. It saddens me that I have lost so much of my technique and interest. Sometimes it's as though I can hear her calling to me, and yet I ignore her.

She deserves to be played, allowed to sing.

But something in me just can't let go.

I'd rather see her in the arms of another, making beautiful music than just sitting in her case growing old.

Sometimes letting go doesn't just pertain to people, but other objects that we love.

Guitars are not things, they are living objects. I'd keep her. As long as you still love her, why see her go?

 

[The_Fool]

There is a blurt here as well.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

This reminds me of something a friend of mine wrote for another thread:


He held her body in his arms, and caressed her neck. A quiet smile formed on his face as he gazed at her body. The curves were all in the right spots, it was like they were made for each other. They fit like a tailored glove.

He was happiest when he was with her. A warmth came over him when they were together. He could whisper her his secrets, and she would tell him no lies. As his hand moved over her body, he began to stroke her neck. On nights like this, she could purr like a kitten or rage like a tigress.

Tonight he would stroke her slowly, working the magic with his fingers. He would tease her until she screamed.

She brought his passions out, his passion for love, and his passion for life. He closed his eyes as his hand wrapped around her neck and began to play. She was his favorite guitar.


I think you should keep it. The money you get for it will be gone quickly, and then you'll wish you hadn't sold it.

That sounds vaguely familiar....I was just going to post that...thanks

 

[slyc_willie]

There is music in all of us, yet not all of us recognize that. There are patterns and ploys and plays and paces that may not seem to make sense to us, but will, when the time is right.

You don't want to part with this instrument, Misty. That's obvious. So don't. And don't think about it languishing, idle and unused. Think about it waiting.

Because, when you are ready, it will be, too. But you can't join it if isn't there.

Art is never realized unless the tool is ready.

 

[S-Des]

I'm going to go against the grain and say sell it if you want to. I've bought and sold more music equipment than anyone would believe. The only thing I haven't sold is the Hamer that my dad bought for me (his only contribution to my music). I had a $4000 PRS Artist II and a $3500 Warwick Thumb bass, both of which I dumped on Ebay (the nice thing about quality is that it doesn't lose it's value). I miss them, sure, but if you're not playing it, then it's the same thing as having money stuffed into your mattress. You can pick up a nice acoustic to play when you get the urge for far less than you'd make for selling yours, so if it there isn't sentimental value that you simply can't live without, treat it like what it is . . . a wonderfully crafted instrument that has intrinsic value. To have it sitting around collecting dust doesn't make much sense, and if something ever happens to it, you'll be kicking yourself for wasting it (unless you just don't need the money, in which case there's no reason to move it).

The music is in the artist, not the instrument.

 

[damppanties]

I'm in the don't sell group. My suggestion - if it has to go, give it to someone you care deeply for, and who will care for it because you gave it to them. And that 'someone' is someone who plays, obviously.

 

[vixenblack]

yeah don't get rid of it, you might really regret it one day! My mom sure regrets getting rid of her piano.

 

[Guest]

. . .

The music is in the artist, not the instrument.

I completely agree with this statement.

But I still wouldn't sell it.

 

[S-Des]

I completely agree with this statement.

But I still wouldn't sell it.

I wish I had the kind of money to keep my PRS. It was the best guitar I've ever put my hands on, and was absolutely beautiful (quilted Amber, along with all the extras). In the end, there were things I needed to take care of that were more important than a pretty guitar. I don't know Misty's situation other than what she's said, so I don't know for sure what I'd do. For me, the only untouchable is my white guitar, and that's because it was from my dad. Everything else can be replaced.

 

[NoJo]

The first thing to do if you want to sell your guitar is stop anthropomorphizing it.

Of all musical instruments, guitars in particular get (invariably female) named by their owners.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I should learn how to play my guitars.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

Dont sell, but ive told you that before.

You'll have reason to play her again, with as much passion and love as you once did. I promise you will.