Biggest regret

[Mr. Jelly]

Buying an old guitar. I started out trying to get it back in fighting shape. It ended up a money pit. The price you pay for an old guitar may be half the price you pay to play it as you had envisioned.

[abn556]

This was one of my biggest regrets. I could have easily bought the OM-45 or the Guild Artist Award in this pic from a buddy’s estate for a good price. They basically said, tell us what you will give us for them. I wanted the OM-45, but it kinda had bad mojo. both my buddy and his brother had died with this guitar in the house 20 years apart. It would have felt weird to keep it.

IMG_1819.jpg

[waterboy]

My first guitar was a Fender F03 in 1984. Didn’t know any better. I have a partial finger on my left hand and the fender was just too hard on it. Rapidly grew to hate it and it pushed me to classical (which in itself is not a bad thing).
But it cost me 30 years of not playing steel string guitar.
The sad thing is that a setup might have saved it. But I didn’t know any better at the time.

[Bob Womack]

Bob

[mas30066]

I had an H&D Road Series OM lined up when I bought my last Breedlove Revival. I still kick myself squarely in the shin on occasion for not acting on my first instinct there.

The only real competition is my current. The guitar itself is lovely but its transactional context has been absolutely snakebit and has sent the joy packing.

[biotechmgr]

Originally Posted by seaveez

Not buying a guitar and start learning to play earlier in life.

Me in a similar vein, starting guitar earlier, but not sticking with it until later in life.

[BlueBowman]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Bob

That's hilarious. Poor soul! I wonder if that tattoo parlor has a 45-day money back guarantee like GC?

[radiokid]

Just one and its an electric. In 1970, a 1967 Gibson SG “fretless wonder” Les Paul in white. Could have had it for a few hundred. I did end up with a 1964 Casino for even less so no complaints. Acoustically, a 1978 Guild in maple at Defiore’s in Cleveland. Shoulda.

[Teleplucker]

I had a chance to buy a beautiful original 59 Les Paul Standard burst at the Dallas guitar show in 1993 for $8000. I did not have enough money to buy it.

[dave42]

I bought guitar from a guy here that was brand new. A highly regarded brand. He listed it the day he received it because a guitar (very expensive) he always wanted back become available right after he paid for the guitar I bought from him. I bought it with a little discount, around $5000..

I was thrilled! Warranty in my name. Looked great. Sounded fantastic. Great price.

After a week I noticed every every D note was dead on that guitar.

Then the corner of the bridge, string side bass corner, started lifting up. More and more. Got it fixed locally under warranty.

That guitar was just no good. I sold it. Within a couple of years I know it was on its 5th owner.

That brand of guitar is still highly thought of today, but I wouldn't even touch one. Not recommend.

Edit: here it is mid May 2024 and this guitar is in the classified ads!

[Zissou Intern]

My young bride and I had just finished grad school when I ran into a beautiful, beat up '47 D18 at Spruce Tree Music in Madison, WI. The shop owner, Wil, was asking $2K, and it needed a $300 neck reset. My wife and I tried to figure out a way to make the purchase, but it was a financial bridge too far. I have thought about that '47 often.

[Br1ck]

Probably buying Les Paul knowing I didn’t like them. Still, it was the only way I would know for sure. Not really a regret.

[RayBell]

Buying electric instruments….
My tele is nice, but unnecessary for me. Same with my electric bass

[curbucci]

Getting rid of 2 archtops and 2 Polytone amps.

[CharlieBman]

I regret it took me so long to appreciate the magic in an HD-28.