EuroAussie Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 You might think thats an odd question, but here's my thinking. On the one hand I ivested around 15-20K in guitars n' gear over the last three years, basically from the time when I got back into playing 'seriousy' and made a real commitment to the craft. I was thinking that in a way Ive become a bit of an acoustic 'monk' in that I really do spend a heluva time practicing, learning and working on the craft. In many ways Ive given up a lot of other activities and interests in order to get to that '10,000' hours benchmark. I definitely dont visit the pub as much as I used to and spend spare cash on women, wine and good food, expensive holidays, 70 inch LCD screen, and clothes (cowboy hats excepted). In fact, I believe the money I saved in the last three years by avoiding spending it on booze and related 'luxuries' could even be more than what Ive spent on guitars. What about you, do you think that a comitment to playing your guitars actually keeps you away from trouble and saves you spending cash on other temptations you would otherwise happily indulge in if you didnt have you Gibby next to you ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Ha! I guess I'm in a parallel universe with you, but when I think about it, the losses add up for me. While I'm pretty sure the value of my guitars has always climbed a bit, I'm self-employed, and have delayed or blown off going to work for the sake of finishing off a lesson or getting to the next step in a particular song I'm trying to grasp. No regrets...yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 You might think thats an odd question, but here's my thinking. On the one hand I ivested around 15-20K in guitars n' gear over the last three years, basically from the time when I got back into playing 'seriousy' and made a real commitment to the craft. I was thinking that in a way Ive become a bit of an acoustic 'monk' in that I really do spend a heluva time practicing, learning and working on the craft. In many ways Ive given up a lot of other activities and interests in order to get to that '10,000' hours benchmark. I definitely dont visit the pub as much as I used to and spend spare cash on women, wine and good food, expensive holidays, 70 inch LCD screen, and clothes (cowboy hats excepted). In fact, I believe the money I saved in the last three years by avoiding spending it on booze and related 'luxuries' could even be more than what Ive spent on guitars. What about you, do you think that a comitment to playing your guitars actually keeps you away from trouble and saves you spending cash on other temptations you would otherwise happily indulge in if you didnt have you Gibby next to you ? I guess for me, It's probably close to a wash, the dough I spent on gear is probably close to the money I've made working the clubs, functions and weddings since I started out in the mid 70s is probably close if not more than what I've got tied up in gear. Although in the last 5/10 years I've really not been working out more than an occasional event. Got fed up with all the hassle, and logistics, and the fact that not everyone I worked with cared about doing what was needed as much as I seemed to. that said, the pure enjoyment I still get out of playing either guitar or piano, definitely keeps me out of trouble, like on the golf course for example! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Boys and their toys, mate... Any time I feel like too much of a GAS whore, I take a look at the boys around me in work and their spending. I'd agree about the pub though, I'm there way less than I was before I got back into the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchristo Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 my guitars have saved me money over the years, but I think aging does most of that now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 This is similar to the logic I use in justifying my guitar habit to my wife. I'm not sure she's buying it. So far, it has cost me a $45K new car for her, and she has plans for a $50K new kitchen, so I'm not sure how much money I'm saving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 No regrets – With Double Shot up and climbing, the passion you show for guitars and your increasing skills behind the 6 strings, the choice is nothing but right. I won't and can't go into the money theme, but every hour spent with those fantastic guitars is an investment in something invaluable : The 'art' of playing - which will last a long as your fingers/mind allows it and provide you with so many different pleasures, not only on the visible, countable scale. The personal inner tree will get its marks too. I'm sure you already noticed. Goin' through life playing an instrument is like having access to another level, , , and a universal language. It's there beside you all the time and the jump over can be taken more or less any moment you want it. Meet a little ensemble on a ferry - and sit in right there on the deck. Attend a dinner where you don't know a soul - and melt everyone down with tune after the dessert. Enjoy the whole circle – including the beers, occasional double-shots of booze and whatever your private life will bring you. Take it all EA – you got the situation and calender with you. . . . And of course the Acoustic Monk here would always welcome the vague traces of another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 I have bought and sold/traded so many guitars over the last 45+ years and lost money on most of the deals...lol...but what-the-hell? It's part of my journey in finding the guitar/s that I enjoy and have today. All of those guitars and each dollar bill was a stepping stone that got me to where I am. I suspect had I been a multi-millionaire guitar collector, I'd have gone broke years ago from bad business deals with my guitars..lol....However, in all sincerity, I suspect my guitars (irregardless of what they originally cost me and the loss I may have taken) have provided me with a sense of security and peace that is worth millions, and I believe because of the guitars that I'm a better person---and my family benefits from that.........Good thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rampix Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Excellent question EuroAussie, And since I'm new here may I say I've enjoyed your posts and clips. As to your question, oh yes my guitar habit is saving me lots of money! You see I retired from competitive sporting clay shooting a couple of years ago and to fill the void I recommitted to my guitar playing. My math runs like this, $25k/yr (travel, entries, ammo, etc.) vs. a couple dozen sets of strings / yr. Want to guess how the Mrs. feels about all this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Excellent question EuroAussie, And since I'm new here may I say I've enjoyed your posts and clips. As to your question, oh yes my guitar habit is saving me lots of money! You see I retired from competitive sporting clay shooting a couple of years ago and to fill the void I recommitted to my guitar playing. My math runs like this, $25/yr (travel, entries, ammo, etc.) vs. a couple dozen sets of strings / yr. Want to guess how the Mrs. feels about all this? I assume you mean $25K per year for your sporting clay habit. That's a lot of money to spend to end up with a bunch of busted clay birds. Guitars are much cheaper, unless you start buying them the way some of us do here. Like you, I had a very expesnive hobby for many years: sailing. The definition of a boat?: "A hole in the water, surrounded by wood (or fiberglass), into which one pours money." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rampix Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Nick, Yep, that's what I meant, but don't forget all of the belt buckles that bought, lol. It all worked out as the success I had is good for my instructional business. When I lived in the SF Bay Area I had friends with sailboats, I used to contribute to the fund for summer fun. Big bucks hobby! These days when I want a new guitar I sell a shotgun. Toys for toys, gotta love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guth Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Honestly? No, not even close. Had I settled on just one guitar years ago and simply focused on improving my playing, then I would most certainly be able to reply yes. But of course, that's not how things have worked out. The bottom line: I really dig guitars and I've spent far too much money on them over the years to even be able to ponder answering "yes" to such a question with a straight face. In fact, I would be embarrassed to try to explain my guitar buying habits to friends and acquaintances. It's completely illogical, especially given my skillset and casual attachment to the craft of creating music. How in the hell did I get to this point anyway? :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motherofpearl Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Honestly? No, not even close. Had I settled on just one guitar years ago and simply focused on improving my playing, then I would most certainly be able to reply yes. But of course, that's not how things have worked out. The bottom line: I really dig guitars and I've spent far too much money on them over the years to even be able to ponder answering "yes" to such a question with a straight face. In fact, I would be embarrassed to try to explain my guitar buying habits to friends and acquaintances. It's completely illogical, especially given my skillset and casual attachment to the craft of creating music. How in the hell did I get to this point anyway? :lol: My wife asks me that everyday!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry K Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 It hasn't really saved me money but I did earn a tidy bit performing with acoustic in Taiwan in the 80's. I taught English and generally lived by my wits there for several years. The D-18 I had with me paid for itself many times over. I also used it in English classes to teach songs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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