Playing guitar not really expensive compared to other hobbies and such

[passthej45]

Really when you look at it, guitar playing and collecting is pretty cheap compared to lots of other things..

 

..lets just say you buy a "guitar" that costs anywhere between 8 to 17 grand. You also need a special "hat" to wear when playing it.

Just to own and use this "guitar" you have to pay insurance every month. This "guitar" will only depreciate. You have to spend about 5 to ten bucks every time you "play" it.Any after market parts you might want to put on like "sadddles", pins or bridges might cost anywhere from 300 to 1000 dollars. You can only play it when the weather is nice. You will NEVER make a dime for "playing" it and at some point you will probably fall off or your guitar stool and be severly injured if not killed. Crazy right? Ladies and gentlemen, that would be owning a motorcycle.

Now do the same thing with owning a boat, or hunting. Now , you see by playing guitar we are SAVING money. Keep this post on hand to show spouse or sig other when getting ready to pull the trigger on a new axe

[j45nick]

Really when you look at it, guitar playing and collecting is pretty cheap compared to lots of other things..

 

Now do the same thing with owning a boat, or hunting. Now , you see by playing guitar we are SAVING money. Keep this post on hand to show spouse or sig other when getting ready to pull the trigger on a new axe

 

 

This analogy gets a little shakier on cost when you get seriously into collecting, as some of us do. However, I tell my wife it keeps me off the streets, out of bars, and away from strange women (not that I've ever spent time hanging out in bars or chasing strange women, mind you). In the grand scheme of things, it's a relatively harmless hobby, even when it isn't cheap. I do make a point of telling her that every guitar I own is worth more than I paid for it. That's my story, and I'm stickin' with it.

[Gibson101]

I have a pretty expensive collection and I do justify them with that exact line of thinking mentioned by the op. I tell my wife that they are my Harley. I rode motorcycles as a kid and almost bought one a few years ago, the thought of getting killed or injured changed my mind. I shouldn't be able to hurt myself too bad playing guitar.

[Gilliangirl]

SO true! Another example........ horseback riding:

 

Reliable horse - $3000.00

Saddle for said horse - $2000.00

Bridle/reins - $400.00

Fly sheet - $149.00

Grooming supplies - $100.00

Dewormer - $100.00 ongoing

Farrier - $150.00 ongoing

Dental checks - $75.00 ongoing

Feed/minerals/supplements - $90.00 monthly ongoing

Board - $350.00 monthly ongoing

Gas to get out to said horse - $100.00 monthly ongoing

4X4 truck to get out to said horse in winter - $20,000.00

 

Etc!!!!!

[jannusguy2]

SO true! Another example........ horseback riding:

 

Reliable horse - $3000.00

Saddle for said horse - $2000.00

Bridle/reins - $400.00

Fly sheet - $149.00

Grooming supplies - $100.00

Dewormer - $100.00 ongoing

Farrier - $150.00 ongoing

Dental checks - $75.00 ongoing

Feed/minerals/supplements - $90.00 monthly ongoing

Board - $350.00 monthly ongoing

Gas to get out to said horse - $100.00 monthly ongoing

4X4 truck to get out to said horse in winter - $20,000.00

 

Etc!!!!!

what is a fly sheet, karen?

[ajsc]

Same as horse sheet, except,,,never mind!

[Gilliangirl]

what is a fly sheet, karen?

 

 

It's a big mesh blanket to throw on the horse to keep flies and mosquitoes away. You wouldn't think mesh fabric would be so expensive, would you? The bot flies will be out soon...... that's another issue The equine industry assumes (wrongly) that people who have horses have lots of money!!

[L5Larry]

I like the analogies going on here, except I have too many bad habits and "hobbies" for it to apply to me. If it was ONLY guitars and related gear, I'd probably be able to retire.

[MissouriPicker]

I figure that for me the price for playing guitar is pretty manageable. My wife doesn't really care what I buy. She'd rather me spend the money on guitars than cigerettes, booze, or some dangerous sport, or running around with women...(I guess maybe that "running around with women" thing should be in the "dangerous sport" group)...lol.......but seriously, my guitars have never been an issue. About the most she's ever said is "but you can only play one at a time, right?" Plus, most of what I spend is my gig money............Right now I'm also in the process of building a model railroad for the grandkids (and me). That gets expensive, but we both see it as a family project...............I joke a lot about sneaking guitars into the house, but my wife really doesn't care. When I'm not home, she's knows where to find me and she knows the people I'm with. There are definilty worse habits or hobbies to have.

[passthej45]

Mind you, I want the bikers and folks to know that I wasn't putting down motorcycle riding , boating or any other fun things. I like boats and motorcycles. And GG. I had know idea that the whole horse thing was so expensive , my lord !!!

[j45nick]

I joke a lot about sneaking guitars into the house, but my wife really doesn't care. When I'm not home, she's knows where to find me and she knows the people I'm with. There are definilty worse habits or hobbies to have.

 

How true that is! My wife's only comment is that she wishes I had a real studio space for my guitars, rather than having to keep them in my office. Between desk, filing cabinets, computers, music stands, guitar stands, amp, stools, and a whole bunch of guitar cases, it is a wee bit crowded, even though I try to keep it pretty neat.

 

Oh yeah, and there's the empty shipping boxes in the garage and attic.

 

She knows how I love them, and in the grand scheme of things, she sees it as relatively harmless compared to the "pursuit of eternal youth" hobbies of some friends my age.

 

Guitar playing and motorcycles do not mix well, even though I love both of them. I had a bad bike accident about 40 years ago, in which the initial point of impact with a brick wall was the pinky and ring finger of my left hand. That effectively ended any dream of being a "real" guitar player. With a guitar, the only risk of injury is getting poked by the cut-off end of a string. Plus all those repetitive-use injuries that we try to ignore.

[BigKahune]

.

I've got a couple of other "hobbies" -

 

Golf - clubs and a golf bag are an expense I get into about every 5 years or so. Then regripping the clubs every couple of years. Shoes last maybe 3 or 4 seasons. Balls, tees, hats, shirts. And of course the biggest expense - the course cost per round. I hadn't really thought of the total cost until this thread, but now that I have, it's pretty damn expensive. Double so for me because my wife likes to play.

 

Electronics/communications - these days it's all about communication devices so this barely qualifies as a hobby anymore. I went through FM radio (yes, at one time it was the "new thing") shortwave radio, CB radio, computer/bulletin-boards, computer/chat, cellphones, computer/forums, iPods, iPhones, etc. Expensive, especially dropping $1500 to $3K on a computer system every two and a half to three years.

 

Woodworking - oh man, don't get me started. The investment in equipment and tools is substantial, and then there's the cost of materials. The standard woods haven't gone up much, but the exotic stuff has gotten pretty pricey.

 

Musical instruments - Nick covered this pretty well. Let's see . . . I've got 15 guitars, 3 amps, 4 pedals, a keyboard, a sax, a trumpet, some harmonicas, a couple of mics, software, and various little tools/gadgets/picks. Total cost is substantial. At this point I'm out of gigging, but I still do some fill-ins for friends, so it's at the hobby stage for me. A few years ago I began weeding out some of my old "gig/player" guitars and adding more of the collectible types. Instead of driving to gigs, I'm having a lot more fun just managing my collection and deciding on new additions.

 

So overall, I would agree with Nick - for me, musical instruments isn't anymore expensive then any of the other things I'm into.

 

 

Interesting topic Nick - I threw ya a "+". B)

[Duende]

It's a big mesh blanket to throw on the horse to keep flies and mosquitoes away. You wouldn't think mesh fabric would be so expensive, would you? The bot flies will be out soon...... that's another issue The equine industry assumes (wrongly) that people who have horses have lots of money!!

 

But hay! It gives you pleasure. That is the mane thing!!!

 

Matt

[fretplay]

A guitar can be a little like a holiday where you can have a great time and then they send you back the money

(plus perhaps) when you return home.

[gearbasher]

My (other) addiction:

 

Bikes: $2,000-$4,000 X 5 (Yes, the type you pedal)

Spare frames: $500-$1,000 X 4

Bikes destroyed in accidents: $7,000 +/-

Consumables (i.e. chains, tires, sprokets, cleats, clothes, etc.): $700 +/- yearly (over a 35 year addiction)

Medical bills from crashes: $13,000 +/- (thank God for health insurance)

Being in constant pain from the accidents: priceless

 

So, why do I still ride 15-18 hours a week and haven't played a guitar in over a year?

 

...and, think of the guitar collection I could have.

[Triumph1050]

Cool topic....

 

Sometimes I feel a little guilty about my many hobbies. I've had so many over the years and they all cost money to varying degrees. I've worked hard so I deserve them I think, but the small amount of guilt comes from my lovely wife not having hardly any hobbies. She likes to window shop and hit the yard sales but is very frugal. Sometimes I wish she would spend more. The expense ratio for each of our hobbies over the years has been heavily weighted towards me. But, I try to make it up with mini-vacations and the like. This woman bought me my SWD when we were dating. I'd been looking for months for a nice 2-3k guitar and was telling her how I found my grail guitar one night and the next day she shows up with it. Anyways, as the family CFO she does good. Keeps my hobby expenses in check but has never refused something I've really wanted. I feel lucky. She makes all my hobbies better just for being around.

 

When I get into something...I really get into it. Extensive research and reading. Buying all the magazines related and the internet has expanded that even more. The passion for any given hobby can last for months but most are for years, even life. They vary in costs. Some of my more lifetime hobbies are Jeeps and muscle cars. Although I'm not sure about ever owning another muscle car because of the long winters here in North Dakota. Motorcycles are a lifelong passion too. My board name is Triumph1050 for my first brand new bike purchased, an '07 Triumph Speed Triple engine size 1050ccs. Regrettably sold that with the move to ND.

 

I also love knives. Own or have owned hundreds of very nice folders and fixed blades. Some guys are into guns, and that's cool. I'm into knives. BBQing. I love to BBQ and eat BBQ around the country. Pizza. I just learned to make them at home. Bought all the stones and supplies and am learning to make killer pizza. Saving alot of money over buying it all the time.

 

Some other hobbies that were strong for years but have since faded are golf, city league baseball and softball, cycling(I used to ride 40 miles a day and a 100 ride each Sat. with friends) The Tour de France started yesterday...love watching that. Dirt bike riding with the family was huge for years. My son is out of the house now and a daughter is almost out the door. But for years we had bikes and went out almost every weekend in CA to ride. Took my son around the racing circuit. Good times...

 

Thru all these hobbies my family has been involved when applicable. Guitars have been a constant. Never owned alot at once but always had a decent one around. I see many of the beautiful Gibsons displayed on here by members and GAS for many of them but when it gets too bad I just pick up my SWD which is more guitar than I'll ever need and instead of buying something else I take the wife out.

 

I guess she was a genius in a way. LOL Made that early investment in that guitar, and me...and instead of giving into guitar GAS I instead spend some money(and time) on her.

 

Life is good...in America. Enjoy the 4th.

[jannusguy2]

A guitar can be a little like a holiday where you can have a great time and then they send you back the money

(plus perhaps) when you return home.

I like this, too!

[bobouz]

Guitars generally hold or increase in their value, and require minimal maintenance. Even amps do pretty well in this respect. The key is that they're relatively simple, straightforward, and do not become obsolete. Compared to so many gadgets & gizmos related to the electronics industry that die a quick death, guitars are like gold! Where else can you find the most desirable items based on technology that's forty or more years old? Very cool.

[passthej45]

Yeah I started this post when I mentioned at work that I had bought a new guitar . Someone asked me how much it costand I said about 2000$(it's a 2009 J45 Standard). Well eveyone gawked and wowed and acted like I was crazy or thought that I must be rich or something. Incidently the only equipment I have is the J45, a Taylor big baby(as my beater, and it is GREAT for that) a Squire bass, Ampeg amp and a Taylor 314ce which I am trying to sell to offset the cost of the Gibson. So when the 314ce is gone I'll have about 3000$ total in music gear. Then I thought about how this reaction came from people that were hunters(and we know all of the stuff that goes with that), motorcycle enthusiasts, NFL season ticket holders and the like. That's what got me to thinking.........

[Tarrr]

If you buy good quality used wood it can be a better investment than securities (some new models also).

My Tony Rice(SCGC) made me a couple hundred over 6yrs, my SongwritersDelux cost a couple hundred over five years ownership, el etc.

I played them damned things every day and kept smilin. Wish I had back the money I spent on boats and motorcycles, they just sat there looking at me. Also, wish I had my retirement money in guitars before Goldman Sachs bankrupted our country in 2007, said that to myself.

Keep em straight out there.

[EuroAussie]

One of the guys I work with in the industry is a car freak and just bought his dream machine - a brand new BMW M3 V8 for a cool price of $150,000.

 

I'll stick with the Gibsons thank you ... :blink:

[Madman_Greg]

But put the costs of a guitar in perspective

 

3000$ for something that last 20+ years

 

Is only 150$ a year - peanuts

 

That would be the argument with my wife.

 

But she doesn't see guitars, she sees my music stuff. And if I added up all my studio equipment, guitars. amps etc..... she would have a fit.

 

Madman Greg