How many of you actually truly believe you have a "for life" guitar? Not possible?

[TBman]

I'm comfortable with the guitars I now have. Nothing feels odd when I pick it up to play. I've been playing my classicals for months now, yet I can pick up one of my steel strings and play it like I never put it down.

I think a good guitar is like that pair of jeans that are broken in just right.

[Medford Guitar]

My lifer isn't particularly a "keeper" or even a model that is revered. It's a 1982 Ibanez M330 purchased in 1982 by me at age 17. It has a flame maple top which is DEFINITELY a different sound than cedar or spruce. I use a 30 year old Dean Markley ProMag pickup on it. It is my backup guitar to my Guild.

It's traveled all over the world with me and used at live and recording gigs. While it's not a collector's item, I have always admired the craftsmanship of this japanese factory guitar. Fit, finish, binding, neck and fretboard are really very well done.

When I use it live my setup is guitar--promag---looper---j48 DI---mixer. it sounds pretty good to my ears.

Been with me 42 years. I'm sure one of my kids will eventually end up with it...but not for awhile...lol

[Puddleglum]

I have a Larrivee that is my main guitar and a lifetime guitar. I’ve had it over 20 years and play it almost every day.

[difalkner]

I'll keep all of mine until I can no longer play. Then I'll give them to my son and a couple of nephews, maybe a grandson if one is interested in playing.

[rllink]

Originally Posted by BrunoBlack

I think this is a question about personality more than guitars. Some people appreciate what they have and keep things; others like to hunt. There is no shortage of fantastic guitars, so either choice can be satisfying. I tend toward keeping guitars I have found to be great for me, but still like to try different desserts.

100% nailed it.

[b1j]

All of mine are lifetime guitars.

[Glennwillow]

How many of you actually truly believe you have a "for life" guitar? Not possible?

I do, in my 1967 Martin D-35. I also can't imagine getting rid of my Olson SJ.

- Glenn

[Ricky_Rockhardo]

I have a Custom Authentic D-28 that gets better every time I play it so I can imagine it fitting the bill for this statement.

[islandguitar]

Yes, ....for sure my Tom Doerr Legacy which is the only personal commission I've ever taken on. It NEVER fails me! What I mean is that, as we've seen and discussed, there are times when on a given evening a guitar may not sound "right" or on target at that moment. Maybe weather, time of year, your own mood, ...many factors. The Legacy is always present and ready for action. Huge tone that just blows me away every time.
Certainly this guitar also represents a lot of very connected and personal chats with Tom in the build process and thereafter for a bunch of years prior to his passing. The guitar is now 10 years old....which I find hard to believe!!!

[CharlieBman]

I have far more life behind me than ahead of me. I don't sell or give away my guitars. So yeah, all of my guitars are lifers.

[Jeff D]

The only guitar I have currently that might not be sold is a 2003 Epiphone Les Paul that my parents got me for Christmas. It's not my favorite guitar, but that's the first real guitar I had and I learned basically everything on it. It's full of sentimental value and one of these days I will redo all of the electronics of it. My two acoustics are not fantastic and I'm thinking of eventually trading them in and buying an Eastman slope dreadnought. Lastly, I've got a Rivolta Regata, that I would only trade up to buy a Novo Miris, as that neck fits my hand like no other.

[mawmow]

Well, I actually own more than a dozen and I could say I finally got the one I would keep should I own only one :
It would most probably be the Collings OM1 (or Martin OOO-18).

[L20A]

My Martin D-35 is my "For Life Guitar".
I have had many other guitars come and go but this one remains.

At the age of 72, I don't buy and sale like I once did.
My Daughter has spoken for the D-35 when I am gone, so I have no choice in it's future now. LOL

As a side note, in 2020, a good friend of mine built me a custom guitar of my dreams.
I picked everything that went into the build.
When the guitar was finished, he gifted it to me.

Although this guitar has only been with me for 4 years, it ain't goin nowhere!

[Jim Owen]

It’s a hard thing to predict the future accurately. But if one bases a “lifer” upon an instrument that one has had for close to half a century, I have 2. My 75 Gurian S 3R is staying with me. So is my 72 Goldtop.

Why? Recently, I’ve been playing the Gurian every day—the size and shape apparently are helping my playing position. And the tone and articulation are stellar.

Goldie? A lot of electrics have come and gone. And a few more are fixing to go over the next few years. But I’ve had that guitar since the mid seventies and it’s been willed to my old bandmate.

[oldrocker]

I have 3 such...problem is it took 30 plus years and a lot of guitars to find them but well worth the journey.