I'm more attracted to guitars that look like they've been around the block

[vilk]

Not sure why or how it happened, but brand new guitars have been looking boring to me. And I'm not talking about factory finish flaws. I want chips in the paint, DIY mods, buckle rash... I even enjoy the speckled beginning stages of oxidation, though of course I'm not really interested in full on fuzzy orange rust because that affects performance and gets on your hands and clothes... Though unfortunately it's often the case that guitars that have been well used usually have some bad rust going on.


This is what I'm talking about, from my Yahoo auctions watch list.




Anyone else of the same opinion? Any of you guys playing axes that look like they've seen some action?

 

[73647k]

Yup. Typically, as long as it plays good I don’t give a shit what it looks like in terms of finish wear and tear

 

[HoneyNut]

Wow, I love the look of that RG7.

Reminds me of my black 91. It was so nicely played in....the fretboard edges so naturally rounded. Miss that guitar always...

 

[Dayn]

I can see the appeal. Its condition is a record of its life.

I wouldn't buy one personally, though. It's the life story of that guitar, but it's not the story that I was part of. I'm fine with the nicks and scrapes on my current instruments because it's their history with me.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Folks like character.

 

[Concerto412]

I definitely lean more in this direction, not that occasionally a new or like-new guitar doesn’t catch my eye, but I generally get that pang of “gotta-have-it” over guitars that look like they have stories to tell. Feels less repeatable, I guess?
Definitely adds importance to ‘try-before-buy’ though, as some people will maintain the function of an instrument beautifully while letting the aesthetics age naturally, and some just abuse their tools.

 

[spudmunkey]

Most of these make me think of Patty the "day hooker" on My Name is Earl.

 

[SalsaWood]

I read this as "I'm more attracted to girls that look like they've been around the block".

Not sure that's the comparison I should make, but I am.

 

[Demiurge]

Not sure why or how it happened, but brand new guitars have been looking boring to me. And I'm not talking about factory finish flaws. I want chips in the paint, DIY mods, buckle rash... I even enjoy the speckled beginning stages of oxidation, though of course I'm not really interested in full on fuzzy orange rust because that affects performance and gets on your hands and clothes... Though unfortunately it's often the case that guitars that have been well used usually have some bad rust going on.


This is what I'm talking about, from my Yahoo auctions watch list.

View attachment 122501

I want to rock a guitar so hard a pickup selector screw falls out.

 

[TedEH]

I think I'm more attracted to the reduced price of a well-worn instrument. Someone recently posted a Kiesel Vanquish nearby for like $300 because it had some dings in it, but someone scooped it up before I could get to it.

 

[jaxadam]

I read this as "I'm more attracted to girls that look like they've been around the block".

Not sure that's the comparison I should make, but I am.

🤜🤛

 

[sleewell]

agree. i dont really like relic'd that much, but if its actual wear from use over the years that is super hot.

cabs too. they sound better when they look like they have stories to tell.

 

[Rosal76]

Anyone else of the same opinion? Any of you guys playing axes that look like they've seen some action?

I still own my first guitar which is a 1993 B.C. Rich N.J. series Warlock and it does show it's age in some spots. I tried the best as I could to take care of it but I can only do so much to stop time, nature and gravity (I dropped it one time). The guitar doesn't look too bad for being 30 years old and I still enjoy playing it.

Some of the problems.

Pickups and/or the switches are broke. Some of the switches don't even do anything when you switch them.

You probably can't see it the picture but the saddle block for the high E is sticking up. I had to order a new saddle block and the one they sent me is too too tall. Small enough to fit in the saddle but to tall to where it sticks up.

Pickup mounting ring screws are rust brown. Strange enough, the pickup screws are not.

Scratches and dents aren't too bad for it's age. The one you see in the picture, where the wood is showing is the worst. There are 2 more on the side of the top horn.

 

[wheresthefbomb]

agree. i dont really like relic'd that much, but if its actual wear from use over the years that is super hot.

cabs too. they sound better when they look like they have stories to tell.

This reminds me, I found out last weekend that my new(to me) ratty Crate 215 has a bunch of stuff rattling around in it. Children, rodents, drug addicts, or something I haven't considered used the port holes as a stash port for quite some time, I haven't taken it apart yet but there's treasure in that thar cab! Will be sure to post pics.

Also it sounds ridiculously good for being an $80 pawn shop score covered in frayed rat fur.

 

[omgdrdoom]

I think I'm more attracted to the reduced price of a well-worn instrument. Someone recently posted a Kiesel Vanquish nearby for like $300 because it had some dings in it, but someone scooped it up before I could get to it.

I share this exact sentiment. When I'm buying something that I'm not sure if it's going to be a keeper, I'll look for less bumps and bruises since a lot of people won't buy the "players". For my own personal collection, I love nothing more than a few scratches and dents to save me hundreds of dollars. As long as it doesn't affect the playability I'm usually fine with it.

 

[Crungy]

Most of these make me think of Patty the "day hooker" on My Name is Earl.

Hell yeah! I loved that show

 

[SalsaWood]

Cabs are the only thing I really dgaf what it looks like. They get beat. I'm not too eager to have the rest of my stuff look like it's already 30 years old off the rack, though.

Maybe it's more popular with folks who have vintage tastes and styles to their playing. Not for me, I have no style at all.

 

[Opion]

I know what you mean. I bought a 1992 RT150 last year that looks like it’s been through hell and back, chips all along the front and back edges, and there’s even an eraser-head-sized dent in the fretboard between the 3rd and 4th frets that even impacted the inlay (someone must’ve smacked it against the edge of a dresser). It fell over on the stand during a gig one time and I was like “Eh, whatever, what’s one more dent”.

Fuckin love that thing

 

[spudmunkey]

Hell yeah! I loved that show

Worth a rewatch if you can. just did that a few months ago.