Collectors vs. Players

[RutleDirk]

I'd like to hear some opinions regarding the "collecting" of instruments, that is to say, the act of acquiring relatively sought-after instruments, and relegating them to display cases, never to be played again.

Personally, I think it's a shame that so many great instruments have been removed from circulation in this manner, especially those that have ended up in the hands of non-musicians, who see them only as investments. Consequently, such instruments remaining in circulation are practically unobtainable for most of us, by virtue of their scarcity and resultant high prices. I have to believe that the aforementioned "collecting" has had a significant impact on this situation.

OK, it's one thing if there's something unique about a specific instrument, say, a prototype, or one that was owned by an iconic player. I'm talking about standard production models that are considered "collectibles" only because of their model, vintage, condition, and so on.

I have nothing against someone investing in a valuable item, but it seems very ironic to retire a perfectly good instrument because it's such a good instrument.

Opinions?

[longhouse]

I have nothing against someone investing in a valuable item, but it seems very ironic to retire a perfectly good instrument because it's such a good instrument.

It has always seemed a shame to me too.

In my opinion only those instruments which are irreplaceable should be considered 'collectors item only - not for daily playing'. That said, if I had a blueboy F model I would likely buy a bulletproof case for it -but I'd play it every chance I could! That's just me.

Instruments were made to be played. They should only be put on ice in a Noah's Ark sort of way. Still, it's pretty neat when rare guitars emerge from under beds and out of closets after decades of not being played or worn out.

[8mileshigher]

Maybe you guys should take an RRF poll, to see if Forumites consider themselves players or collectors, first and foremost.

I think guitars and basses should be played frequently.... the only ones that should be behind glass cases should be one-of-a-kind celebrity guitars... like John Lennon's.

[RutleDirk]

Good idea, Rich! Here it is:
Player/Collector Poll

[akhv]

I am a player and definitely not a collector. And from my experience when you play a guitar it gets damaged no matter how hard you try avoid it, even if you play at home or in studio. If you gig, accidents happen much more often, and I'm not even careless, I try to keep my guitars in cases when I'm not playing. And some mods can be seen as damage too.
Last time I bought a guitar (my first Ric actually) I was amazed that 11 yo guitar could be kept in absolutely new condition. Come on, did previous owner played it at all? My guitars usually don't look like new even after a couple of months, and after 10 years there's lots of visible damage, sometimes a broken neck or something like that.

So I think collectors play very important role - they keep and protect best / most valuable / most sought after instruments. I don't think about a guitar in a collection as retired, it's just hibernated, waiting for a wake-up call. Twenty or fifty years from now there won't be more '60s Rics than today, and I believe the best of future players deserve great instruments. And it's collectors who will provide them.

[britinvasion]

I agree with Ashot. I collected guitars for many years , I started around 1970. But I did play them. This topic came up a lot even back then.
Most collectors do play their instruments , if not at gigs at least for their own enjoyment. If it weren't for collectors , there would be virtually no Stradivarius violins in existence today . Just my opinion.

[kenposurf]

It's all good..collectors, players or both. Collectors often take the rap for spikes in the price of a given instrument, when more likely the rise in price is because Jack White decided to play one

[clearblue]

I am a player and definitely not a collector. And from my experience when you play a guitar it gets damaged no matter how hard you try avoid it, even if you play at home or in studio. If you gig, accidents happen much more often, and I'm not even careless, I try to keep my guitars in cases when I'm not playing. And some mods can be seen as damage too.
Last time I bought a guitar (my first Ric actually) I was amazed that 11 yo guitar could be kept in absolutely new condition. Come on, did previous owner played it at all? My guitars usually don't look like new even after a couple of months, and after 10 years there's lots of visible damage, sometimes a broken neck or something like that.

So I think collectors play very important role - they keep and protect best / most valuable / most sought after instruments. I don't think about a guitar in a collection as retired, it's just hibernated, waiting for a wake-up call. Twenty or fifty years from now there won't be more '60s Rics than today, and I believe the best of future players deserve great instruments. And it's collectors who will provide them.

I agree with you.