#1
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The Logic of Collecting?
Can anyone explain to me the attraction of special editions of the large or mid-size manufacturers? I mean, why should anyone get excited by words like "one of only 150" when you could buy a unique guitar by a well-known individual luthier for comparable, or even lower, cost? Extrapolating the rise in value of vintage Martins or Gibsons to these contemporary special editions seems foolish to me.
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#2
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Some people are simply brand loyal and enjoy collecting items produced by their favorite manufacturers. For most of us, guitars are a hobby...logic isn't necessarily a consideration when it comes to our toys.
It's not limited to guitars. The same issue is common in many other hobbies.
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How I wish...how I wish you were here. A few Canadian and American Guitars |
#3
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For the same reason people collect limited edition lithographs, coinage, photographs, ceramics, etc. They have an interest in the subject and a hope that the limited exclusivity will turn a profit somewhere down the road.
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Cranky, and living at the bottom of the barrel |
#4
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Bought a reproduction of the original 1939 J-100 made during Gibson's centennial year 1994. There were 100 made and it is probably internally closer to a Taylor than a old Gibson but still it was cool having a reproduction of a guitar that is part of history. It also gives you the ability to maybe get woods that you can't normally get. In my case the fret board was ebony, which I really wanted in a guitar. Don't know of many J-100 or J-200 with ebony fretboards. The ones I don't understand are the incredible prices paid for reproductions of distressed copies of famous players guitars. What is Eric Clapton' cigarette burn worth?
Steve
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#5
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If you've ever tried to sell a high-end guitar from a small maker, then your question would be answered. The big companies have spent millions on marketing their brand; that brand equity isn't (totally) lost in the resale process.
There's a reason that the Classifieds is full of small-maker guitars in perfect condition, selling for 40% of the original price. I'm sure they are all exceptional instruments, but the brand equity just isn't there.
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1943 Gibson J-45 Martin Custom Shop 000-28 Authentic Aged 1937 Voyage Air VAOM-4 |
#6
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In every hobby, pastime or avocation that is at all "gear" oriented there's always a sizable market for brand-name products that are:
A) Just Like what all your friends' have (i.e. the right brand...Martin, Taylor, whatever) and B) Different Than what all your friends have (i.e. different wood or an extra logo or a "#22 of 150" label) in some way or another. It's because people assign meaning to ownership of certain brands and value a sense of belonging to the in-group who own that brand and at the same time they want to one-up all those other owners for bragging rights with the in-group. Either that and my father was correct...a fool and his money are soon parted.
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Grabbed his jacket Put on his walking shoes Last seen, six feet under Singing the I've Wasted My Whole Life Blues ---Warren Malone "Whole Life Blues" |
#7
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When does logic have anything to do w/ guitar collecting?
Try, Desire. |
#8
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I think it's a combination of the above. People may like a particular brand and the limited edition gives them something unique within a tried and trusted product. The limited edition may also at least hold its value - that was certainly the case with my brother's James Burton Tele - and it will usually be quite a lot cheaper than the small shop builder, which, as someone has already suggested, will probably resell at a relatively low price.
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#9
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Seems we may be discussing two distinct issues: a "collectors" model that is a limited run related of a specific "sig" edition (like a Dave Matthews Martin, or upcoming Taylor, Jewel, Dan Tyminski, etc.) and special edition guitars like the Taylor "Spring LTDs" or "Fall LTDs."
To use Taylor as an example, they had the "Liberty Tree" guitar that it seems a number of folks around AGF purchased to "collect," with maybe the hope of its rarity being a good investment, and the re-sale higher than the purchase price. -OR- those who buy the LTDs because of upgraded wood combos and free extra bling that make it an exceptional value. Of course, there are a select few apparently WEALTHY members, who have 5 or 6 guitars all from the same rarified-air custom builders. There have been a lot of posts saying that collecting guitars as investments (like stocks or bonds in hopes for a future big-payoff) is not a wise move. Guitars generally don't make for good speculative investments, and often your prize grail tanks on the used market--unless it is, of course, some pre-War Martin D w/Braz, or a classic old Gibby or something.
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"It takes all kinds to make a world...including the kinds who think only their kind belong in it." (unknown) "Next To the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise." (Martin Luther) 1992 Taylor 855 2000 Deering Sierra 2009 Recording King RD-16SN ~ "utility" 2009 Martin HD-28 |
#10
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Quote:
I have no interest in a small builder guitar, none. While there are some very fine builders out there I love the Martin voicing, I have 50 years of imprinting that sound in the music I grew up with, it has meaning to me. I'm not a fingerstylist and I don't like modern voicings, the only lutheir builds that would appeal to me are Martin clones so why not stay with the original, that works for me. As to limiteds and signatures editions, they are never exact copies of standard models, either the woods, bracing, neck profiles, appointments, something is different. I have a few very high end Martins (to me $4K starts high end and $10K starts very high end Martin territory). My OM-45 Taz Blackwood is one of only 29, pretty limited, but it is also the most amazing new Martin I have ever played, that's priceless to me, I love that guitar. My "logic" is I can afford them, they all get played, many are bought used so I can sell them for what I payed (great "value"), and the truly high enders are a joy to play and listen too.....works for me, no justification needed!
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Rich - rmyAddison Rich Macklin Soundclick Website http://www.youtube.com/rmyaddison Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29) |
#11
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Some of us do it because we like those particular guitars. I'm not sure why it would bother someone...
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Phil Playing guitar badly since 1964. Some Taylor guitars. Three Kala ukuleles (one on tour with the Box Tops). A 1937 A-style mandolin. |
#12
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I look at it this way...the signature or limited edition guitars, when purchased new, are generally not that much more than a comparable model that is not a limited edition. In my case, I am a huge, huge Jimmy Buffett fan. I have the option of getting a D-18V or getting an HD-18JB which is a very similar guitar with a few upgrades, but hand signed, and limited in edition and a collectors item for a few hundred more. Why would I not get the limited edition guitar which is the best of both worlds to me??? That way, I have an awesome guitar plus a collector piece. Bonus!!
This is not to mention the fact that many of these limited edition guitars do appreciate greatly in a short period of time. The DM3MD Dave Matthews guitar routinely goes for 2-3 times its orginal MAP. The Buffett models routinely go for $5k plus. A Gordon Lightfoot model had a street value of $2,500 new and recently went for over $9k on Ebay. The Tom Petty's, Stephen Stills, and many others have also appreciated greatly. The point being that these guitars are not just collectors items; they are excellent guitars as well. Whether you see the value is for you to decide, but there is obviously a very active market for these instruments. Some might buy them to collect, other might buy them to play. I buy them for both reasons.
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Martin HD-28V Martin HD-18JB Martin 000-JBP Martin 000-JBS Martin LX Jimmy Buffett Martin DM3MD Martin D-16GT Martin Sigma DR-41 |
#13
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The more I think about it, the more true this quote becomes. Really, collecting [I]anything[I] is more about emotion than logic.
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1943 Gibson J-45 Martin Custom Shop 000-28 Authentic Aged 1937 Voyage Air VAOM-4 |
#14
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There's no logic to it, nor should there be. I don't lust for a guitar because Joe Blow signed it, or played it. I certainly don't buy a guitar for investment, or to be a show piece. I buy 'em to play 'em and yes, gig with 'em. To each his own.
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#15
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Or just plain fun, if you can afford it!
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James 2018 Taylor 412CE 2010 Blueridge BR-163A - Adi/EIR/K&K Epiphone EF500-M |