Who Gets Your Guitars When It's Time for that Final Dirt Nap?

6L6 · #1 01-01-2021, 12:56 PM

I'll have around 7 acoustics and three electrics in my stash when I croak. All are very nice, high end instruments.

Two of my daughters play, and they will take their pick. However, I have three of them slated to go to some gifted young musicians I know who have no way to afford such fine instruments.

All of my guitars are insured with USAA. My wife and kids know what to do with my guitars when I head for the dirt.

So... how about you others who are elders in the AGF (I'm 75)?

jpd · #2 01-01-2021, 01:00 PM

My "Grand" nephew gets everything...he's a working musician that is struggling to make a living- and he's always told me which acoustics, etc. he wants that I own.

Steve DeRosa · #3 01-01-2021, 01:20 PM

No grandkids, daughter doesn't play, no guitarists in extended family - my wife (who does play and knows exactly what everything is worth) gets it all, and it goes to various ministries when she goes...

KevinH · #4 01-01-2021, 01:29 PM

I'm leaving it up to my two kids - both have dabbled but never took guitar too seriously. I plan on leaving instructions on where to sell the ones they don't want, what to emphasize in an ad, how much to ask, that sort of thing, with a suggestion to donate to any needy musicians they may know. And my plan is to head toward a manageable number, whatever that is, as I move along.

mercy · #5 01-01-2021, 01:32 PM

part of the estate to sell for my kids

cyclistbrian · #6 01-01-2021, 01:37 PM

Whomever loots the place after I'm gone.

Bridgepin · #7 01-01-2021, 01:52 PM

No one in my family plays nor in my wife's, so off to a shop for consignment. One of my wife's nephew was playing and I told him if he keeps with it I would gladly give them to him but he has already left behind a guitar that his grandfather bought for him so that's not going to happen. I also have a limited edition 93 feature mustang with only 36000 miles on it, I think I will sell it before the nap because I know it would not be cared for, no one other than my self is into car's and guitars.

Acousticado · #8 01-01-2021, 01:53 PM

My two sons. Both play, the eldest is more into it.

Rockysdad · #9 01-01-2021, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclistbrian

Whomever loots the place after I'm gone.

Same for me.

BoneDigger · #10 01-01-2021, 02:00 PM

I suspect they would be sold. Nobody in my family plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, or bass.

Earl49 · #11 01-01-2021, 02:03 PM

They will go to my wife when I precede her, hopefully none too soon. She can do whatever she wishes with them, although four are technically hers anyway - bought for her. Otherwise they will just become part of the estate. I don't have any siblings that play and most of my friends are already fully stocked with nice guitars, and are older than me. Those buddies would appreciate the gift, but mine would just be another guitar in their collection.

An old version of my will left a particular Martin guitar to a friend, but that guitar was sold three years ago and the newer will does not list anything to anyone. There is an inventory for insurance purposes and to establish value, but no directives for any given instruments.

#12 01-01-2021, 02:04 PM

I'll be dead so it really doesn't matter to me. I have a spreadsheet with info that my wife has access to so she and our two kids can make an informed decision about what to do with them.

Villamarzia · #13 01-01-2021, 02:10 PM

I own three: two high-end classicals and one Lowden. One of the classicals was built for my daughter before she was born and the luthier even wrote a dedication to her inside the body (of the guitar, if you were wondering.. aha!). That’s her guitar in so many ways. The other two, or whatever else I will own, will be put up for sale, I guess. Problem is the price, which cannot be what my wife thinks I’ve paid for...

whvick · #14 01-01-2021, 03:15 PM

Although not a lot by AGF standards I was surprised to see that my 98 Taylor and my old classical are worth about 25% more than I expected.
I do think about what should be done. Only one grandson of the 21 GKs really plays and he is constantly trading. I guess he would like the Taylor. I would like to see the old classical stay in the family. And maybe the Orpheum go to some ministry, as it would be a good praise team guitar. Over the years I have tried to make sure that each family has a guitar, and four of the 5 still do.
Actually, I am more concerned about my small town optometry practice. In 1984 , I bought from the doc who had been here since about 1950. None of my children are ODs, and with the government and vision plans choking vision care it will not be worth much toward my retirement. I would like to see Barbourville Vision Center carry on, but even if I give it away, realistically it may not, at least not in the same form as now.
It is interesting that a large number on the forum seem to be retirement age. I bet this thread gets a lot of replies.
whvick

rstaight · #15 01-01-2021, 03:34 PM

I have a niece who plays bass. Maybe she will take a couple. I have another niece who plays sax and flute and is in her sophomore year at Ohio University in the School of Music. She wants to be a band director, may she will take and interest in one.

I have a great niece just starting to take an interest in guitar. Maybe she would like to give one a home.